Transcript Highlights:

• Our state needs that money. The people receiving services in the state need that money.
• Our state needs that money. The break. Our state needs that money.
• Counties are an arm of the state.
• Counties are an arm of the state.
• Counties are an arm of the state.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Members met to review a budget bill agreement using a nonpartisan spreadsheet and summary materials. Chairs and members thanked fiscal, research, revisers, and agency staff for the collaborative process, noting the bill had been difficult and that the final product reflected compromise. The chair also said only minor technical changes were expected before final enactment, and the spreadsheet walkthrough was then turned over to fiscal staff. Fiscal staff explained that the agreement met the overall budget target and walked through major human services provisions. Key items included nursing facility payment changes, including a phased PDPM change, APS inflation, modified single-bed incentives, and a CPI-U capped payment cap; a nursing facility surcharge; workforce standards board rule costs; continuation of certain nursing facility property tax rates; regulation of for-profit acquisitions of nursing homes and assisted living facilities; repurposing assisted living special project funds; funding the SEIU self-directed worker agreement; CFSS reimbursement in acute care hospital settings; and multiple disability waiver rate and authorization changes, including CPI-U inflation caps, waiver authorization reforms, and a waiver reimagined advisory task force. The agreement also included family residential service rate increases, a temporary extension of customized living disproportionate share payments, tribal eligibility for targeted case management, positive supports training changes, out-of-home respite modifications, swimming lessons as an allowable service for certain children with disabilities, a provisional EID provider license, and program integrity services funded by licensing fee increases. Additional provisions covered MinnChoices studies and assumed savings, behavioral health fund changes, substance use disorder treatment billing and rate changes, supportive recovery housing, housing support supplemental rates for specific providers, disability determinations, enteral nutrition payment timing, temporary funding for Boundary Waters Care Center, several one-time human services grants, senior nutrition funding, and grant reductions and extensions. No formal vote was described in the transcript; the discussion focused on explaining the agreement and its fiscal effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• executive director for the Hawaii State executive director for the Hawaii State Council<00:15:08.560
• Hawaii State Council. Sorry. Hawaii State Council. Sorry.
• Please state your name and proceed.
• Department of Health and Staff and State Department of Health and Staff and State Public<00:18:59.360
• <00:23:17.760> and students standing across the state and students standing across the state

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Health met on April 2, 2025, and heard several resolutions focused on student mental health, autism data collection, school heat exposure, and climate change as a public health issue. Testimony on HCR 96/HR 92 supported encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand student mental health services; the University of Hawaii testified in support, and a student speaker said expanded services would make students more likely to seek help. The committee also heard HCR 145/HR 139, which urges state agencies to collaborate on planning for Hawaii’s participation in CDC autism prevalence surveillance; supporters included the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and an autism advocate who said Hawaii needs better local representation in the data. The committee then heard HCR 186/HR 179, requesting a study of heat exposure management in Department of Education and charter schools. The Department of Health and the climate change and health working group supported the measure, citing rising temperatures, heat-related illness risks during outdoor activities, and the value of wet bulb globe temperature standards. Finally, the committee heard HCR 188/HR 182, declaring climate change a public health emergency and calling for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the climate change and health working group, and a Native Hawaiian physician emphasized climate-related health harms such as heat illness, wildfire impacts, chronic disease, and inequities; one member opposed the measure as politicized and said it could dilute attention from other urgent problems. In decision-making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HCR 96/HR 92, HCR 145/HR 139, and HCR 186/HR 179 as is. For HCR 188/HR 182, the committee recommended passage with amendments, specifically a House draft one for technical clarity, consistency, and style. During the vote on the climate emergency resolution, Representatives Elos and Garcia voted no, while the rest of the members present supported the recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• any because uh being a Dylan roll state any because uh being a Dylan roll state anything<00:09:22.640
• legislature in the oversight of state legislature in the oversight of state agency<00:10:34.160>
• >> yeah well yeah I I feel like study >> yeah well yeah I I feel like study committees
• I >> Yeah, I don't need a study committee.
• <02:14:45.679> is what we need more than study is what we need more than study is education

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The continued conference on House Bill 609 focused on reconciling House and Senate drafts dealing with firearms and other personal defense tools, local government preemption, and agency rulemaking. Representative Leyon walked through amendment 21107H, explaining that it narrows undefined terms, clarifies that the General Court has supremacy over local regulation, allows damages actions for violations of preemption law, and adds language limiting agency rules unless specifically authorized by statute. She also described a three-year sunset and a delayed effective date for new rules so existing rules could continue temporarily while the legislature considers any needed statutory carveouts. Members then debated the practical effect of the language, especially whether it would bar agencies from adopting internal employment rules or instead require those rules to come through JCAR and be tied to express statutory authority. Several examples were discussed, including state plow drivers, corrections employees, and other workers who may need to carry personal defense tools in the field. The committee also discussed a provision making a plaintiff a prevailing party if a municipality changes a challenged policy after suit is filed, and a clause stating that good faith or advice of counsel is not a defense, though it may be considered in mitigation. The discussion narrowed to the difference between the House approach, which some members read as an absolute prohibition on agency rules in these areas, and the Senate approach, which some members said would allow rules only when an agency can point to express enabling authority and JCAR can review them. Members agreed that the goal was to prevent agencies from adopting rules that conflict with the statute while still allowing legitimate safety-related regulations where the legislature has authorized them. The conference took a recess and later resumed with the chair stating the parties had reached an agreement in principle based on the latest Senate language, and Representative Leyon was asked to continue reviewing the draft line by line for remaining concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• There’s been a lot of studies.
• And I know that the state is on the hook for this. The state can’t afford to be on the hook for it.
• But we believe we’re, with the information we have at hand and the state of the economy of the state,
• There's probably more retirees in the state capital area than any part of the state.
• are in the state capital.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement held a hearing focused on the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) and its long-term financial condition. MOSERS staff and its investment consultant reviewed the system’s structure, membership, funding policy, and investment approach. They reported a June 30, 2025 funded ratio of 55.4%, with about $17.4 billion in liabilities and $9.6 billion in assets, and explained that the board certified a 32% employer contribution rate under its minimum contribution policy, up from 30.25%, which will increase state appropriations. They also described the system as mature, with more retirees and inactive members than active employees, and said declining payroll growth has made it harder to improve funding. The presentation emphasized that recent board actions were intended to strengthen the plan over the long term, even though they increased near-term costs. Those changes included lowering the assumed investment return over time to 6.95%, updating mortality assumptions, moving from an open to a closed amortization schedule, and adopting a minimum employer contribution policy. The investment consultant said MOSERS historically used a more risk-balanced asset allocation than many peers, which helped explain weaker relative returns during a long period when public equities outperformed; the board has since shifted toward a more equity-oriented allocation. He said recent performance has improved, with the portfolio outperforming its policy index and ranking better against peers in the short term, though longer-term peer performance remains a concern. Committee members questioned why the funded ratio had declined over roughly 20 years and whether past investment and actuarial assumptions were too optimistic or too conservative. MOSERS officials responded that the current board is trying to correct earlier decisions and that the present strategy is more in line with industry practice. Members also discussed a proposed MOSERS bill package that would automatically refund small balances to terminated non-vested members and increase deferred compensation auto-escalation, with officials saying the refund provision would improve efficiency and return small balances sooner. The committee also briefly discussed ongoing litigation involving Catalyst Capital; MOSERS said attorney fees have been about $20 million so far, the case remains on appeal, and the damages amount is sealed. No formal votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after questions and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:05.520> of To the flag of the United States of To the flag of the United States of
• impromat of the state and it says the impromat of the state and it says the state<00:41:18.680> thinks
• the state board of education. the state board of education.
• in our state. in the private schools. in our state. in the private schools.
• system in our state. So, thanks. system in our state. So, thanks.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 69, including a germane amendment about local school boards’ acceptance or rejection of gifts and donations and a non-germane amendment creating a virtual early childhood readiness family engagement program for preschool children not yet in kindergarten. Rep. Cordelli said the early literacy proposal was a modified version of an earlier kindergarten readiness bill, would rely on gifts and donations rather than state appropriations, and would include reporting requirements. Members questioned the shift from a broader technology program to an online-only model, the lack of detailed evaluation metrics, how long children would use the program, and whether it was appropriate for very young children. Cordelli said the change was intended to avoid government dependence and still allow the program to be offered next school year. Several members raised concerns about the gift-acceptance language on the underlying bill, including whether school boards would need to vote on small donations, whether gifts could be handled in blocks or at regular meetings, and how anonymous donations would work under right-to-know laws. Rep. Han noted that some gift discussions might belong in non-public session under RSA 91-A, while Rep. Cornell said acceptance or rejection of gifts could be handled at regular meetings and suggested a dollar threshold could be added later. The New Hampshire School Boards Association said it was not taking a position but wanted clearer guardrails, policy guidance, and clarification on timing, anonymity, and public-meeting requirements. Supporters of the early childhood program, including Waterford.org, said the proposal would provide an evidence-based, adaptive online literacy program with family engagement for four- and five-year-olds, and that it could help close early learning gaps. Waterford said it could work collaboratively with school districts and IEP teams, and that it would provide devices and internet access for families who need them. Committee members pressed on how the program would interact with existing special education services and whether districts could use it as part of an IEP; the response was that it would be supplementary and not an approved special education service. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair indicated the committee would later executive the bills and try to get reports filed promptly.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, a series of focus group discussions were held across the state.
• And are you aware of maybe how other states are responding, or do you see a response from another state
• And are you aware of maybe how other states are responding, or you see a response from another state
• It's a state-level failure of protection.
• And I do have our study, the Ross Lally, and who oversaw the study, if you want more details, he is here

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . states. states.
• A state tax. Did you Did you >> I'm sorry. A state tax.
• the state. the state.
• c> that efficacy studies and safety studies that efficacy studies and safety studies that the<03:
• this state. this state.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2022, they did a study.
• In 2022, they did a study.
• In 2022, they did a study.
• In 2022, they did a study.
• In 2022, they did a study.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: On February 3, 2025, the committee first took up Senate File 483, as amended by the A2 author’s amendment, which would expand Minnesota’s medical-review exemptions for drivers with a history of loss of consciousness or seizures. The bill’s author explained that current law still requires some people who have been seizure-free for years, and off medication for years, to keep returning to a physician for paperwork even when their doctor says no further review is needed. A testifier described losing his commercial driving career after a seizure disorder, then being forced to keep paying for periodic neurologist visits despite being seizure-free since 2003 and off medication since 2009. The committee adopted the A2 amendment and then approved the bill, sending Senate File 483 to the State Government Committee. The committee then heard Senate File 737, which would increase mandatory minimum fines for repeated school bus stop-arm violations from $500 for a first offense to $700 for a second and $950 for a third. The author and the Minnesota School Bus Operators Association argued that repeat violations remain too common and that stronger penalties, along with stop-arm cameras, would help deter dangerous driving and protect children. A State Patrol representative said 2024 saw about 2,100 stop-arm charges, roughly double two years earlier, and attributed much of the increase to cameras making violations easier to prove; he also said conviction rates on the charge are about 50 to 55 percent. Committee members asked about repeat offenders, camera coverage, and whether bus stop locations should be safer, with one member noting only 23 people had been convicted of a second offense since 2015 and one of a third offense. The discussion ended with no final vote shown in the transcript, but the bill received supportive testimony and extensive questioning about enforcement and bus-stop safety.

Transcript Highlights:

• parks and state park units.
• In response to this unprecedented event, State Parks mobilized staff from across the state.
• We had State Parks law enforcement personnel from across the state assist with their work.
• Brian Dewey, California State Parks. So to date, it's been a combination of studies.
• in state parks.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• only—no transport outside the state, no crossing state lines, no manufacturing feed outside of the state
• only—no transport outside the state, no crossing state lines, no manufacturing feed outside of the state
• But once the study is done, it's going to be up to FDA to work with state chemist at that point to provide
• If the state wanted to do that, the state obviously has the power to.
• So, stated before, right now we're about to wrap up the phase two study of the white-tailed deer.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is a great study.
• We're talking about an industry in the United States, energy.
• We're talking about an industry in the United States, energy.
• the operator and the mineral owner, the state and the mineral owner, want barrels.
• You know, there's no benefit to the state if these guys don't take advantage of it.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met to consider Senate Bill 2397 and a proposed amendment creating a development incentive well program for North Dakota oil and gas production. Representative Dockter explained the amendment as a way to encourage exploratory and innovative drilling in light of the state’s financial outlook and the growing share of stripper wells. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson and DMR geologist Timothy Nashim presented background on the Bakken and Three Forks formations, with Nashim describing research showing that Middle Three Forks second-bench development can add reserves in some areas but not others, and that roughly 600 additional wells in the strongest area could yield about 250 million barrels of oil. Continental Resources representatives William Houser and John Argo supported the amendment. They said the bill would give a temporary oil extraction tax exemption for certified development incentive wells, limited to 36 months or 300,000 barrels, and would also update tax treatment for gas used in enhanced oil recovery and on-site electric generation. They argued the measure would encourage new technology and testing in existing spacing units, complementing House Bill 1483, which they said focused on geographic expansion into non-Bakken and non-Three Forks areas. Argo said Continental still invests heavily in North Dakota but is shifting rigs elsewhere because of economics, and he urged incentives to spur exploration and preserve the basin’s long-term future. North Dakota Petroleum Council executive director Ron Ness also supported the concept, calling it a targeted, low-risk way to encourage innovation and future barrels. Committee members asked about royalty treatment, the difference from House Bill 1483, pressure maintenance, and how the program would be administered. DMR said the amendment should clarify that the operator bears the burden of proving a well qualifies and that only one incentive well per stratigraphic interval should be certified. No vote was taken; the committee paused to work on revised language and indicated the bill would likely need further adjustment, possibly in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• That same logic is now driving the SB 254 study.
• and State Street in Boston.
• We recommend option 3.1.1 as identified in the CA study, which is a state-administered wildfire liability
• That program is required by state law.
• for the state.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the California Earthquake Authority’s SB 254 report and broader options for reforming California’s utility wildfire recovery system. The chair framed the discussion around the Palisades and Eaton fires, the scale of wildfire-related costs on utility bills, and the need to weigh trade-offs among survivors, ratepayers, utilities, insurers, and taxpayers. The first panel featured wildfire survivors William Abrams and Joy Chen, who described long delays in compensation, housing insecurity, and what they viewed as a system that protects utility shareholders more than victims. They urged greater transparency, clearer accountability for utility spending and safety performance, faster and fuller compensation for survivors, and reforms such as independent audits and better alignment of utility incentives with wildfire prevention and restitution. The second panel began with Tom Welsh of the California Earthquake Authority, who explained that the SB 254 report was intended as a broad inventory of policy pathways rather than recommendations. He described the report’s process, including stakeholder submissions, workstreams, and a convergence process, and outlined the current wildfire fund structure: utilities remain liable, the fund reimburses eligible claims after a covered wildfire, and the CPUC later determines prudency and possible reimbursement back to the fund. RAND’s Lloyd Dixon summarized compensation data, saying utilities paid about $38 billion between 2017 and 2024, with major shares going to injured parties, insurers, and public entities, while litigation costs and survivors’ own losses remain substantial. He noted that legal fees and delays reduce the amount survivors ultimately receive. Utility and public-interest witnesses offered differing views on the report’s pathways. PG&E’s Tyson Smith said the report shows inaction is the worst outcome and argued for community wildfire risk reduction, equitable allocation of catastrophe costs, and state-led resilience tools. LADWP’s Fernando Valero emphasized the vulnerability of municipal utilities and cities, and supported inverse condemnation reform, a state-sponsored liability insurance framework, damages and subrogation limits, and stronger insurance access. Consumer Attorneys of California’s John Fisk argued that IOU-caused fires are not natural disasters but the result of negligence and sometimes criminal conduct, and opposed reducing utility liability while supporting stronger oversight and audits. The Public Advocates Office’s Nathaniel Skinner focused on affordability, saying ratepayers already bear large and growing wildfire costs and warning against shifting more costs onto bills without measurable risk reduction and tighter accountability. Committee members then began questioning witnesses about what counts as measurable mitigation, how to define full and fair compensation, and how any fast-pay process should work.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the state of New Hampshire.
• to better serve those in our state. to better serve those in our state.
• could at least study it.
• in our state is down 30 to 70%. in our state is down 30 to 70%.
• and other parts of the state as well. and other parts of the state as well.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state or roughly 117 towns. state or roughly 117 towns.
• . state. state.
• This is not a red state issue; it's not a blue state issue.
• a red state issue, it's not a blue state a red state issue, it's not a blue state issue.<01:29:26.600
• from the state. from the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the state, what we see on here for the forecast is actually half of what comes into the state.
• So the state, what we see on here for the forecast is actually half of what comes into the state.
• states in the Midwest area.
• There's a part that talks about state buildings and fire inspections on state buildings, and it states
• entire state.

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.

Transcript Highlights:

• truency in the state of Minnesota. truency in the state of Minnesota.
• It is in the state of Minnesota.
• is the state of Rhode of those states is the state of Rhode Island<00:24:06.559> and<00:24:06.799
• That study group really broke down silos for our kids to make sure that our counties and our state government
• <01:07:44.960> The in the state of Minnesota. The in the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that seat belt use in the United States, and especially in Washington State, is pretty high—above
• freeways, and states promptly did that.
• There are 32 public transit systems in the state defined here in state law.
• The state, I call it the next ten.
• It's entities around the state.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• grateful hearts, humbled by the privilege to serve and the trust placed in us by the people of the state
• Bless our families who support us, our constituents who depend on us, and the state that we love.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands
• He retired as a colonel in the United States Air Force after 22 years serving in various roles, including
• . 2425 auditor general state lands, 2426 state land development, 2427 land department checklist, 2420

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• which part of the state one lives in. which part of the state one lives in.
• industry experts, nonprofits, and state industry experts, nonprofits, and state agencies.<00:04:
• states that have abundant fossil fuels. states that have abundant fossil fuels.
• <00:09:00.000> or We lose money to other states or We lose money to other states or countries
• Several studies, including a 2025 multi-state analysis from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Representative Mecklin moved House File 3545 to the general register and offered a DE amendment that removed the commissioner’s authority to choose a more efficient standard and removed the requirement that the 2038 residential energy code achieve a 70% reduction in annual net energy consumption compared with the 2006 energy use index. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was then discussed as amended. Mecklin said the bill was intended to address home affordability, arguing that energy code requirements add to housing costs and make it harder for younger Minnesotans to buy homes. Several testifiers opposed the bill, including representatives from the Center for Energy and the Environment, AIA Minnesota, Sierra Club, Fresh Energy, Housing First Minnesota, and ARXUS. They argued that energy codes are not a primary driver of housing costs, that stronger codes do not slow housing production, and that more efficient homes lower utility bills and improve comfort, safety, resilience, and climate outcomes. Testifiers cited studies and examples showing payback over time, including estimates that efficiency upgrades could pay for themselves in five to nine years and save homeowners tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years. The Department of Labor and Industry said it had concerns about the bill because it would move away from a more energy-efficient standard and could create unintended consequences in the code adoption process, though it said the current technical advisory group process already considers cost concerns. Members questioned the cost and savings estimates, especially the comparison between higher upfront mortgage costs and lower utility bills. Fresh Energy explained that its figures were based on Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Slipstream analyses using a typical Minnesota home and that the savings were modeled over time. Representative Johnson expressed skepticism about the assumptions behind the savings numbers and argued that utility costs are not the main barrier to homeownership. The chair said the committee intended to take a vote on the bill that day, but the transcript ends before any final vote or disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to look at as a study committee would be to review the relevant laws of the other states. come
• So, we have six other states states.
• Bearbrook State Park. Bearbrook State Park.
• service to the state. service to the state.
• the study committee exists and the study the study committee exists and the study committee<03:32

Keywords: 1189, house, all