Transcript Highlights:

• I detail all the eligible uses I mentioned them earlier, but this is oftentimes where there's just some
• uses I mentioned them earlier eligible uses I mentioned them earlier uh<01:01:59.000> but<01:
• for it or all of everybody who's eligible for it that's going to ask for it.
• for it or all of everybody eligible for it or all of everybody who's<01:35:48.880> eligible<01
• for it that's going to who's eligible for it that's going to ask<01:35:50.440> for<01:35:50.639

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a few exceptions to that, but generally a non-public student is eligible for those reimbursements
• student is eligible for those uh<00:42:52.040> reimbursements<00:42:53.040> and<00:42:
• That was a newly created category of eligible employees.
• charges of Unemployment uh have eligible charges of Unemployment uh have gone<01:41:33.040> into<
• employees the the state of of eligible employees the the state essentially<01:42:01.239> set<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session. The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts. Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It expands eligible uses of the monies in the solid waste fee fund, and finally the Senate amendment
• It expands eligible uses of the monies in the solid waste fee fund and finally the Senate amendment modifies

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• funding, whether it's licensed providers, DESE-contracted entities, public schools, or any other eligible
• funding, whether it's licensed providers, DESE-contracted entities, public schools, or any other eligible

Summary: The House Ways and Means Committee met in executive session with a quorum present and took up House Bill 2379, first adopting a pre-distributed House Committee Substitute with no amendments. The sponsor explained that the substitute was revised to align with Senate language and would clarify definitions, limit applicability to certain counties, rename the fund the Early Childhood Education Fund, broaden eligible uses to include child care services, move fund custody to the county treasurer, expand eligible recipients, and prioritize children with the greatest financial need. Most of the discussion focused on how the bill would work in practice. Members asked whether the measure created a new tax; the sponsor repeatedly said it did not, but instead would govern how any local sales tax for early childhood education, if approved by voters in St. Louis City or St. Louis County, would be deposited and spent. Supporters said the bill would add transparency and ensure funds are dedicated to early childhood purposes rather than diverted to general revenue or other uses. Some members raised concerns about taxpayers, including seniors, paying a tax from which they would not directly benefit, while others said the bill simply clarifies management of already authorized local tax authority. After discussion, the committee adopted the substitute by voice vote and then voted on the bill itself. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2379 was reported do pass by a roll call vote of seven ayes and two nos. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And finally, to ensure that these programs are carefully tailored so that West Virginia is eligible for
• The bill creates an exception to the West Virginia Invest grant program eligibility requirement that

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Tom Franta, founding executive director of the Mountaineer Charter School Alliance. He described the new nonprofit’s goals of supporting West Virginia charter schools through advocacy, legal and compliance assistance, shared operational services, professional development, communications, and network-building. Franta emphasized that charter schools face major facility and financing challenges, and he urged use of existing public buildings, low-interest revolving loans, credit enhancement tools through the West Virginia Economic Development Authority, and federal matching funds to help level the playing field for charter schools, including both brick-and-mortar and virtual schools. Members asked about what he meant by “level the playing field,” and Franta said charter schools receive 99% of basic state aid but lack access to the full range of public education funding and dedicated facilities support, forcing them to divert dollars toward buildings rather than classrooms. He said the goal is to ensure parents choosing a public charter option can expect appropriate funding. After the presentation, the chair announced Senate Bill 171 was removed from the day’s agenda. The committee then considered Senate Bill 166, which creates an exception to West Virginia Invest grant eligibility so individuals who already have a post-secondary degree may still receive support if pursuing an associate degree or certificate in emergency medical services. The committee reported the bill to the full Senate with a recommendation that it do pass, and under the original double committee reference, first be referred to the Finance Committee. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 428, with a committee substitute that splits the bus operator title into three pay grades based on years of service and raises the cafeteria manager title from pay grade D to E. Senators asked whether duties would change; counsel and the sponsor said the bill is intended as a retention incentive, with no change in responsibilities, and that the fiscal note would remain the same. The committee adopted the committee substitute and then reported the bill to the full Senate with a do-pass recommendation, again first referring it to the Finance Committee. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• the taxes, and the other person could be working and making plenty of revenue that he wouldn't be eligible
• and I don't think we've increased it since or changed the classification to which they would be eligible

Bills: SB213, HB24, HB163, HB226, HB271, HB288, HB319, HB24

Keywords: utility tax, poultry industry, energy consumption, agricultural exemption, tax exemption, HB24, Volunteer Rescue Squad Tuition Reimbursement Program, EMS, emergency medical services, EMSP, paramedic training, EMT training, tuition reimbursement, scholarship, workforce development, volunteer rescue squad, volunteer fire department, ambulance service, nonprofit ambulance, Alabama Department of Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• What the bill proposes to do is that students um would be eligible if identified.
• students as, as I understand it, uh, but all of the students on free and reduced lunch would be eligible

Transcript Highlights:

• Diceglie: I'M GOING TO GET TO A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ABOUT WHAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WILL DO RID ELIGIBLE
• REQUIRE PROPERTY OWNERS TO PROVIDE ELEVATION CERTIFICATES OR OTHER DOCUMENTATION TO SUBSTANTIATE ELIGIBILITY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 3499 by Eddie Morales of El Paso relating to the eligibility of an individual to receive an exemption
• HB 3550 by Joe Moody relating to the evaluation of eligible resources for certain state agencies to support

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• THE FLORIDA CANCER HOSPITAL PROGRAM IT PROVIDES ELIGIBLE HOSPITAL SUPPLEMENT PAYMENTS TO ENHANCE REIMBURSEMENTS
• THE AMOUNT OF THE MEDICAID SHORTFALL OR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COST OF PROVIDING CARE TO MEDICAID ELIGIBLE

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:30:47.680> for or service and confirms eligibility for or service and confirms eligibility
• So, we're just tweaking this to make sure everything is happening on time and any eligibility barriers
• eligibility the<02:58:58.280> eligibility<02:58:59.560> um<02:58:59.760> standards<
• /c><02:59:00.320> exclude the eligibility um standards exclude the eligibility um standards exclude
• happening on time and any eligibility happening on time and any eligibility barriers<02:59:06.200

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• back and if the person had already received this device in the last 5 years, then they wouldn't be eligible
• 5 years, then they wouldn't be eligible 5 years, then they wouldn't be eligible for<00:11:41.440
• Multiplying that times the eligible population.
• Multiplying that times the<00:17:53.480> eligible<00:17:54.200> population.
• the eligible population. the eligible population.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows public officials to appoint, employ, or promote eligible firefighters if it is part of
• , allows live-local projects near airports when approved, and strain. ...trigger Live Local eligibility
• It requires eligible stablecoins to be fully backed, redeemable for U.S. dollars, and comply with federal
• Who do you think, by removing directly, will no longer be eligible to be included in the scope?
• , more people are now included, an umbrella that makes you eligible to actually recover?

Bills: S0036, S0620, S0796, S0934, S1080, S1096, S1366, S1536, S1548, S1580, S1588, S1620, S1756, S7034, S7044

Keywords: nursing title, advanced practice registered nurse, advertising, professional standards, disciplinary action, candidate qualifying, federal office, election integrity, regulatory compliance, political candidacy, veterinary medicine, telehealth, veterinary professional associate, animal health, public safety, access to veterinary services, payment bond exemption, Habitat for Humanity, Florida Forever Act, land acquisition

Summary: The committee first took up SB 354, the “Blue Ribbon Projects” bill, which creates a framework for large planned communities on at least 15,000 contiguous acres with 60% reserved area and a streamlined local review process. Senator McLean presented the bill and a strike-all amendment, and members raised concerns about local control, conservation enforceability, data centers, concurrency, multi-county projects, and whether reserve lands could later be converted. Audubon Florida and 1,000 Friends of Florida opposed the bill, arguing the conservation protections were not permanent enough and that the reserve areas could be changed later; small-county representatives also worried about tax-base impacts. Supporters argued the bill would better manage growth, preserve green space, and provide a more orderly alternative to sprawl. After debate, the committee voted to report the bill favorably. The committee then approved SB 620 on candidate qualifying, which requires candidates for federal, state, county, district, judiciary, school, and school board offices to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship. Amendments added disclosure about whether federal candidates intend to trade stock if elected and adjusted 2026 congressional qualifying procedures in the event of redistricting, including a new qualifying window and petition rules. The bill was reported favorably after brief support from a member of the public and discussion about candidate vetting. The committee also reported favorably CS/CS/CS/SB 1452, a Department of Financial Services bill with amendments addressing My Safe Florida Home notices, condo pilot eligibility, firefighter hiring, unclaimed property, and related financial-services provisions. Next, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1620, a school board members’ bill of rights. A substitute amendment narrowed the bill to access to records, fiscal transparency, and nondisclosure agreements, while preserving board members’ rights to timely documents, budget information, and public comment, and setting deadlines for records requests. Superintendents and a school board member testified in support, saying the bill clarifies roles and prevents board members from being frozen out. The committee also passed CS/HB 245, which replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material”; one senator supported the terminology change but warned about preserving legal precedent and avoiding appellate issues. The committee then reported favorably SB 1548, an update to the Live Local affordable housing law expanding eligible sites and clarifying setbacks, airport proximity, and fair-housing protections. Finally, the committee took up the veterinary medicine bill creating veterinary professional associates. The bill allows trained master’s-level VPAs to perform limited veterinary services under a veterinarian’s supervision, and an amendment tightened the standard to immediate supervision on premises. Supporters said the measure would expand access to care, especially in rural areas with vet shortages, while opponents argued it added unnecessary regulation. After testimony from veterinary educators and others, the bill continued with support expressed by committee members, including praise for the direct-supervision amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator How, uh, it would be,<00:17:33.679> uh,<00:17:34.160> the<00:17:34.559> eligible
• /c><00:17:35.039> consumer<00:17:35.600> would<00:17:35.840> be be, uh, the eligible
• consumer would be be, uh, the eligible consumer would be someone<00:17:36.720> who<00:17:36.960
• uh which um you know eligible uh which um you know eligible um<00:21:48.159> consumers<00
• consumers may be um that um eligible consumers may be um<00:23:40.240> entitled<00:23:40.640>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:03:08.319> voters ensuring that um only eligible voters ensuring that um only eligible
• happy to work with you to try to figure out how we can accomplish the goal of ensuring that these eligible
• happy to work with you to try to figure out how we can accomplish the goal of ensuring that these eligible
• happy to work with you to try to figure out how we can accomplish the goal of ensuring that these eligible
• standards they're passed to eligibility standards they're passed to our<01:18:47.480> office<

Bills: HF484, HF483, HF1447, HF1496, HF554

Keywords: natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption, municipal regulation, county ordinance, electrification, climate policy, housing development, building codes, energy source, utility infrastructure, Minnesota Statutes chapter 326B, propane, utility service, building permits, local government, energy choice

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:48.039> criteria<00:23:48.679> around<00:23:48.960> Building Eligibility
• You know, the work that you let for schools to be eligible for challenge, that was actually putting it
• And so we're trying to figure out how to meet your intention with the eligibility to be able to make
• You know, only one in four households who is income eligible for a HUD Housing Choice voucher actually
• You know, only one in four households who is income eligible for a HUD Housing Choice voucher actually

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met for an agency overview from Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho. After member and staff introductions, Ho described Minnesota Housing’s mission, structure, and role as a mission-driven financial institution that issues bonds, uses earnings to support operations, and works across the housing continuum from homelessness prevention to homeownership and preservation. She emphasized that the agency is not a builder or regulator, but funds and partners with developers, local governments, nonprofits, and lenders. She also noted the agency’s four divisions, including a new local government housing programs division created after the 2023 legislative session expanded the agency’s responsibilities. Ho reviewed funding and program activity, saying Minnesota Housing spent $1.96 billion in fiscal year 2024 and helped more than 73,000 households. She highlighted that the agency’s work is heavily competitive and often oversubscribed, with many projects selected through RFPs and grants but more applications than available resources. She discussed 2023 and 2024 investments, including homeownership, rental, and manufactured housing projects, and said roughly half of competitive dollars have gone to Greater Minnesota over the last several years. She also explained the difference between funds committed and funds actually disbursed, noting that construction and rehabilitation projects can take many months to close and draw down funds. The commissioner also updated members on new programs created in 2023 and 2024, including first-generation down payment assistance, the Greater Minnesota Workforce Housing Development Program, public housing rehabilitation, state housing tax credits, and other local and regional initiatives. She said some programs are already closed out, while others remain in early implementation or are still accepting applications. Ho mentioned a forthcoming technical amendment to adjust a high-rise sprinkler program after eligibility issues limited participation. She closed with examples of projects preserved or funded, including a St. Louis Park preservation deal, public housing preservation in Greater Minnesota, a St. Cloud challenge project, and the first-generation down payment assistance program, which distributed $50 million to about 1,450 first-time buyers, most of whom were Black, Indigenous, or people of color. No votes or formal committee actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• they have been um found to be eligible they have been um found to be eligible for<00:37:21.680><
• Individuals on a waiver are eligible for up to $40,000 annually in EAA dollars, and these dollars are
• Do we have different eligibility requirements?
• Do we have different eligibility requirements?
• states do we have different eligibility states do we have different eligibility requirements<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see the change in students eligible for free and reduced-price meals under the federal rules
• Essentially, a larger school with more children eligible for free or reduced-price meals can play in
• a lower class than if none of the students were eligible.
• I don't know how students were eligible I don't know how often<00:45:22.000> the<00:45:22.440
• There's a portion of it that does school districts of the first class aren't eligible for, so if you

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the January 21st minutes by voice vote. Members then resumed a school finance overview focused on how Minnesota’s “base” budgeting system works and how future committee targets are set above or below that base by the Ways and Means chair, in consultation with fiscal staff. Staff emphasized that school funding decisions are tied to the state budget base and that changes made by the tax committee can affect school levies and school finance more broadly. The presentation then turned to property tax fundamentals. Staff explained that roughly 65% of school district revenue comes from state aid and about 20% from property taxes, with property tax revenue applying to school districts rather than charter schools. They reviewed the two main school tax bases—referendum market value and adjusted net tax capacity—along with class rates, sales ratios, and equalization. They also described tax credits, especially the school building bond agricultural credit, which helps reduce the property tax burden on agricultural land in Greater Minnesota. Members discussed student choice programs and how funding follows students. In response to questions from Representative Quam, staff explained postsecondary enrollment options (including direct enrollment and College in the Schools) and online learning, noting that funding generally follows the student to the serving institution or district. Staff also reviewed Minnesota’s pupil-counting system, including average daily membership and pupil weighting, and explained that students attending charter schools, other districts through open enrollment, or online programs are counted where they are served. The presentation concluded with broader school finance context: funding sources, equity and adequacy goals, constitutional and statutory authority, and the state’s school data systems (EUP/FARS, MARS, and STARS). Staff also began reviewing long-term enrollment trends, noting the impact of the baby boom, later growth from the mid-1980s through about 2000, and projected modest declines in public school enrollment through 2029.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I already mentioned, only certain kinds of debts are eligible.
• And then, in addition, the measure expands the type of eligible debts.
• measure first passed, budgetary debt that had been accumulated during the Great Recession was an eligible

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Selsher Hospital, which is a community not-for-profit hospital down on the South Shore, to become eligible
• would basically say that hospitals with not more than 1.0 of the statewide relative price would be eligible
• Failing to include them as eligible for these relief payments, I believe, is a disservice to this hospital

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a series of amendments to a supplemental appropriations bill and related measures, with several adopted and several rejected or withdrawn. Early amendments on equitable approaches to public safety and a Holyoke local account clarification failed, while amendments providing $2.5 million for Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers technical assistance and expanding access to gender-affirming medications and mifepristone were adopted. The chamber also adopted a technical amendment on alternative protein grants, a clarification to ETF modernization, and an energy storage systems amendment. Other proposals on homeowner protections, La Casa funding, emergency contract reform, an energy dashboard, EV charging ratepayer impacts, hate crimes, distressed hospital payments, and task force membership were rejected or withdrawn. A substantial portion of the debate focused on health care, food assistance, and public safety. Senators spoke in support of funding for community health centers, hospital relief, and EBT anti-skimming protections, including $15.5 million for chip-enabled EBT cards and related replacement-benefit support. One amendment to strengthen protections against impersonating federal officers was rejected, while another on professional protections was withdrawn after discussion of ballot address privacy and security concerns. The Senate also adopted amendments to continue prior appropriations for a North Shore food pantry and drought management efforts, and it later approved a sick leave bank for a Department of Mental Health employee. The chamber then took up the fiscal year 2025 fair share supplemental budget conference report, which Ways and Means described as $1.39 billion in spending split between transportation and education, including MBTA improvements, Chapter 90 aid, regional transit authorities, special education circuit breaker reimbursements, higher education deferred maintenance, and career technical education capital grants. After a roll call, the bill passed, with one recorded negative vote. The Senate also adopted a separate Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to third reading before final passage. The session ended with adjournment motions and a moment of silence honoring Melissa and Mark Hortman and other victims of political violence, along with a memorial adjournment for firefighter Jeffrey DeSanchez.