Transcript Highlights:

• implemented uh the request for proposals implemented uh the request for proposals that<00:26:42.360
• I'm here only to speak to an administrative aspect of this proposal.
• I'm here only to speak to an administrative aspect of this proposal.
• I ask that you vote no to this proposal, not because it's a bad idea.
• <01:57:20.079> not that you vote no to this proposal not that you vote no to this proposal

Bills: HF1082, HF1042, HF1295, HF1686, HF1998, HF1775, HF1163

Keywords: public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base

Transcript Highlights:

• And this particular proposal, in my mind, meets all four prongs of that category.
• So I think the two senators spoke to the proposal quite well before me.
• So I think the two senators spoke to the proposal quite well before me.
• So I think the two senators spoke to the proposal quite well before me.
• So I think the two senators spoke to the proposal quite well before me.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A second, this proposal reflects significant collaboration.
• A second, this proposal reflects significant collaboration.
• A second, this proposal reflects significant collaboration.
• A second, this proposal reflects significant collaboration.
• c><01:27:00.680> plan a proposal or a plan a proposal or a plan um<01:27:02.600> as<01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for inviting me to testify today on the governor's bonding proposal.
• Thank you for inviting me to testify today on the governor's bonding proposal.
• We see this proposal as a strong and important starting point for this session's conversation around
• So, what was the line that was not funded in the bill and in his proposal, and where is it?
• , and where is bill and in his proposal, and where is it?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to accept Attorney General's proposed amendments, Department of Health's proposed amendments
• accept Attorney General's proposed accept Attorney General's proposed amendments,<01:00:21.760><
• , even HSCN's proposed amendments, even HSCN's suggested<01:00:26.799> amendments.
• We will adopt the proposed recommended changes from the Department of Taxation on effective dates.
• We will adopt the proposed recommended changes from the Department of Taxation on effective dates.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Chair Meredith, Chair Moser, and committee members for allowing me time to discuss proposed
• <00:14:01.200> legislation<00:14:02.320> that to discuss proposed legislation that
• We're here today to talk about protecting vulnerable Kentuckians, a proposed piece of legislation for
• > states<00:33:11.000> like has been proposed for states like has been proposed for states
• I'm also curious why the proposal I'm also curious why the proposal doesn't<00:50:20.480> include

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can um go ahead and share your proposal.
• thank you chair and share your proposal thank you chair Kaa<00:15:59.240> co-chair<00:15:59.759
• The proposed program under this bill would offer much-needed financial support to child care providers
• <00:21:56.559> program growing Community the proposed program growing Community the proposed
• She agreed with Chair West’s assessment that this is a very large proposal that probably does not meet

Bills: HF1367, HF2732, HF1897, HF1424, HF1383, HF2728, HF2863, HF1685, HF2929

Keywords: child maltreatment, child abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, sex trafficking, labor trafficking, human trafficking, child protection, local welfare agency, county social services, Minnesota Department of Human Services, judicial review, district court appeal, venue, out-of-state abuse, cross-border investigation, Minnesota child welfare, family assessment, maltreatment determination

Transcript Highlights:

• We make up Human Services 25.7% of the full budget, yet my calculation show that you know certain proposals
• Budget yet my calculation show that you know certain proposals out there, they want to take 65% of that
• The proposed waiver reimagine plan will take all of this away.
• Dependency on the agency infrastructure sets us back 20 years, even with proposed rate increases.
• Dependency on the agency infrastructure sets us back 20 years, even with proposed rate increases.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is why the MPCA opposes the bill and recommends implementation of the MPCA's proposed changes for
• changes for electronic and proposed changes for electronic and other<00:24:06.159> internal<00
• The proposal to change the definition of the word 'product' insults our intelligence, and the change
• <01:16:27.760> exemption strongly opposes the proposed exemption strongly opposes the proposed
• available however unlike this proposal available however unlike this proposal it<01:21:51.360>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:08.440> changes of information on our proposed changes of information on our proposed
• The current proposal is budget neutral.
• This next slide covers some pros and cons of this proposed change.
• Proposed changes are unclear.
• <01:10:00.400> for a million doll contract is proposed for a million doll contract is proposed

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:00.240> so these bunding uh funding proposals so these bunding uh funding proposals
• <00:38:04.280> and through this uh budgeting proposal and through this uh budgeting proposal
• I would just mention, since you also invoked the name of Governor Tim Walz, Governor Walz proposed an
• I would just mention, since you also invoked the name of Governor Tim Walz, Governor Walz proposed an
• I would just mention, since you also invoked the name of Governor Tim Walz, Governor Walz proposed an

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Minnesota Department of Administration on the governor’s capital budget requests. Commissioner Tamara Grundal described the state’s deferred maintenance backlog, saying Minnesota owns more than 4,800 buildings across 19 agencies, with an estimated replacement value of $11.2 billion and about $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance. She urged continued bonding support for asset preservation, CAPRA emergency repair funding, Capitol Complex security upgrades recommended by the ACAS advisory committee, and a budget-neutral account to help leverage federal funds for renewable energy storage and electric vehicle projects at state facilities. Members asked follow-up questions about prior security spending and CAPRA use. The commissioner said some 2018 security funds were used for items such as bollards, projectile-resistant glass, key card readers, and security kiosks, but specific details would be provided offline. On CAPRA, staff said recent projects included public safety upgrades, correctional facility repairs, water main and sewer work, roof repairs, lift station repairs, and boiler and steam trap replacements. The commissioner said the account has recently been used heavily, with about $1.9 million remaining, and estimated a typical target range of roughly $3 million to $5 million based on past spending and expected emergencies. A staffer said they did not know whether bonds had been issued ahead of time to fund the reserve and would follow up. The committee then heard from the Department of Public Safety on BCA capital projects. Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Superintendent Drew Evans said the governor’s proposal includes a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory in Mankato, expansion of BCA regional office and lab space, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters using trunk highway cash. Evans said the Mankato project is needed because of growth in DNA analysis, digital evidence, controlled substances, cyber tips, and sexual assault kit testing, and because the current St. Paul facility is over capacity. He said the new regional facility would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for scientists and law enforcement, support training, and improve evidence intake and crime scene response in southern Minnesota. Senator Pappas questioned the increase in the Mankato project cost from about $48 million to $68.6 million. Evans said the increase was driven by rising construction costs and additional specialized laboratory and support-space needs identified during design work with the Department of Administration. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• . proposing. proposing.
• It's pro-employee and pro-employer and pro-investment to support the streamlining proposal.
• The proposal to streamline your desk.
• Macro businesses can cultivate proposal.
• , neutral on a proposal, neutral on a proposal, does<04:05:59.040> that<04:05:59.439> neutral

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:39:28.079> cap<00:39:28.400> on originally proposed a 2% cap on originally proposed
• This proposal will have deep and lasting impacts.
• This proposal will have deep and lasting impacts.
• > in The governor's proposed cuts in The governor's proposed cuts in committee<02:38:11.280>
• alongside the other body's proposals. alongside the other body's proposals.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• State forestry has implemented projects similar to this, what's proposed in this bill, years ago when
• State forestry has implemented projects similar to this, what's proposed in this bill, years ago when
• Committee comments, discussion on Senator Hicks’s proposed amendment.
• discussion on Senator Hick's proposed discussion on Senator Hick's proposed amendment.
• So, Senator, your proposal is to strike subparagraph G.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• 05:25.440> And<00:05:26.479> um<00:05:26.560> I'm<00:05:26.800> just proposed
• And um I'm just proposed legislation.
• After meeting with Chris Santinel of DHS, the duties of the proposed study committee have been expanded
• <00:35:25.760> study<00:35:26.079> committee duties of the proposed study committee
• duties of the proposed study committee have<00:35:26.720> been<00:35:26.880> expanded<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have proposed an amendment which deals with these issues, and I will submit it to the chairman.
• I have proposed an amendment which deals with these issues, and I will submit it to the chairman.
• I have proposed an amendment which deals with these issues, and I will submit it to the chairman.
• I have proposed an amendment which deals with these issues, and I will submit it to the chairman.
• I have proposed an amendment which deals with these issues, and I will submit it to the chairman.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• items are all kind of what you might remember as President Trump's kind of four main items that he proposed
• items are all kind of what you might remember as President Trump's kind of four main items that he proposed
• They will come up with a proposal and a potential cost for a plan there.
• Now, based on all of those surveys, OMB facility management came up with a proposal.
• Group as the architect, and meetings have been held with potential impacted agencies based on that proposal

Summary: The Budget Section Leadership Division met with a quorum and approved the March 18 minutes before hearing a series of informational updates. The Petroleum Council reported that North Dakota oil production is expected to remain relatively flat at just under 1.2 million barrels per day, with activity shifting northward in the Bakken as technology improves and three- and four-mile laterals boost well performance. The presentation also discussed oil and gas prices, gas taxation, flaring concerns, the importance of pipelines and other linear infrastructure, and enhanced oil recovery pilot projects supported by state and federal funding. Members asked questions about gas production taxes, natural gas liquids, and the outlook for drilling rigs and future production. The Office of State Tax Commissioner then reviewed the federal “big beautiful bill” and its estimated effect on North Dakota individual and business income tax collections. Staff explained that most of the individual income tax impact comes from the permanent increase in the standard deduction, while temporary provisions such as senior deductions, tip and overtime exclusions, and auto loan interest deductions have smaller or limited-term effects. They also noted that business tax changes, especially depreciation and expensing provisions, create a larger near-term cash impact, and that some FY25 collections likely reflected one-time oil field transactions that may have inflated the baseline used in earlier estimates. OMB provided updates on major capital projects and facility funding. For Capitol grounds improvements, officials described plans for 18th-floor renovations, wayfinding upgrades, public seating, lighting, tree management, and possible restroom and lobby reconfiguration, while also noting the governor’s residence security project and the discovery of human remains on the Capitol grounds. OMB and its consultants also reported on the state facility maintenance fund, including window replacement, boiler work, roof and foundation repairs, and a new facility conditions assessment covering more state buildings. Updates were also given on the new state hospital in Jamestown, the Minot state office building, and the use of federal state fiscal recovery funds, including possible future reallocations to the Department of Corrections. Finally, Legislative Council staff summarized the interim compliance report on legislative intent and trust fund activity, highlighting the status of lines of credit, Bank of North Dakota profit transfers, the statewide litigation pool, the new Office of Guardianship and Conservatorship, corrections planning, HHS program updates, and a likely future general fund request for the unemployment insurance modernization project. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes; the meeting was primarily informational, with members asking clarifying questions throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed legislation, as it stands now in front of us, permits the state from designating a project
• The proposed legislation, as it stands now in front of us, permits the state from designating a project
• Those sections are a little different in terms of language than what is proposed here.
• But under our proposed statute, it's for investigation or sampling or inspecting any records and so forth
• To our tremendous colleagues for your engagement and your debate and your good ideas and policy proposals

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up a major environmental bond bill with amendments covering climate resilience, housing health, plastics reduction, coastal protection, fisheries, and related regulatory issues. Early debate included Senator Keenan’s withdrawn amendment to fund the Massachusetts Healthy Homes Program with $50 million, followed by his adopted amendment banning hotels from providing plastic toiletry packages. Senator Tarr’s amendment to remove the paper bag charge was defeated after extended debate over whether the 10-cent bag assessment functioned as a tax; a related floor speech from Senator Duner argued the fee would burden working families. The chamber also adopted Senator Fernandez’s ocean acidification amendment, which would aggregate ocean monitoring data to support shellfish, water quality, and coastal management, with support from Senators Sear and Driscoll. Other adopted measures included Driscoll’s Houghton’s Pond multi-use trail, Montigny’s New Bedford State Pier redevelopment and harbor oil-recovery provisions, Collins’s Commonwealth Conservation Commission later withdrawn, and several coastal resilience and housing-related amendments. The Senate also approved a series of environmental and public health measures. Senator Moore’s rodenticide restriction amendment was adopted after testimony from animal welfare and conservation groups, with the sponsor describing harms to wildlife, pets, and livestock and noting local municipal support. Senator Lewis’s amendment directing DEP to study the feasibility of banning polystyrene was adopted, as was Senator Mark’s Massachusetts Climate Bank amendment and Senator Edwards’s carbon sequestration amendment expanding attention to salt marshes, seagrasses, and waterways. The chamber adopted amendments on equitable representation, improving indoor air quality, and a Douglas State Forest trust fund that would raise the entry fee from $1 to $2 for maintenance. Several amendments were withdrawn, including Collins’s urban coastal resilience commission and Tarr’s proposed Commonwealth Conservation Commission. Housing and permitting issues were another major theme. Senator Driscoll’s amendment requiring local confirmation before a project is designated a priority housing project was defeated, but his related amendments clarifying the process and requiring consultation with the Housing and Livable Communities Secretary were adopted. The Senate also adopted Crichton’s amendments streamlining permitting for coastal resiliency projects in urban areas and creating a five-year pilot for nature-based solutions, as well as Tarr’s amendment adding dredging and sand placement to general coastal permits. Tarr’s amendment to revise the Salisbury Beach Preservation Trust Fund was adopted, while his later constitutional challenge to a landform-migration provision was withdrawn after he argued it could amount to an uncompensated taking. The session ended with the Senate noting only two amendments remained and then adjourning in memory of Quincy’s former mayor James A. Sheets.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can see there on the slide, we've brought a project proposal forward to the Milford community
• We are currently working with the Milford school board to revise the project proposal request again this
• In the prior proposal that we had put forward to the community over the last few years, we were looking
• I'm not sure that actually will be part of our revised proposal moving forward.
• We tried to build in a little bit of a margin to make sure that we can get some good proposals in.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think we have some proposals and actually solutions that might help this situation.
• Both of them listed the proposed guardian and conservator to be Jennifer Stubbsky.
• Both of them listed the proposed guardian and conservator to be Jennifer Stubbsky.
• A budget was proposed for the conservatorship of roughly $137,000 for nine months.
• The budget proposed for the conservatorship was roughly $137,000 for nine months.

Summary: The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Elder Abuse opened by explaining it was gathering testimony on elder abuse, especially alleged misconduct involving court-appointed systems such as guardians ad litem and fiduciaries, to identify gaps in law and oversight and develop legislative fixes. The chair limited each witness’s time, asked for names and contact information for follow-up, and repeatedly noted that some allegations might warrant referral to law enforcement, the attorney general, or county attorneys if basic criminal elements were present. Several witnesses described alleged abuse in guardianship, conservatorship, and fiduciary cases. Dr. Holly Lauder said her mother, who had Alzheimer’s disease, was subjected to allegedly deficient psychological capacity evaluations that ignored treating doctors and family input, leading to a fiduciary arrangement that later resulted in neglect. Kevin Axson described his mother’s probate case, saying a guardian ad litem and conservator were appointed after a family financial dispute, that the guardian ad litem and fiduciary had little contact with his mother, and that the estate was burdened with substantial fees and a $200,000 bond requirement. Frieda Alvarado testified about a 94-year-old client, Samuel Armento, saying he was isolated, medicated without his request, and treated without dignity after a fiduciary and care team took control. Bill Chalmers, Johnny Hamilton, and Kathy Hamilton also testified about Sam Armento’s case, alleging isolation, excessive fees, conflicts of interest, and poor oversight by fiduciaries and caregivers. Other witnesses raised broader concerns about Arizona probate practices. David Redkey said he has been under a long-running conservatorship despite earning degrees and maintaining capacity, and alleged that court-appointed professionals and fiduciaries overcharged his estate and blocked efforts to terminate the arrangement. Susan Wolfe described the Peyton case, alleging that a wife’s conservatorship and related court actions led to the loss of assets, exclusion of witnesses, and large fees for a relatively small monthly care bill. Dr. Lewis Heller, an OB-GYN and disciplinary committee member, said the medical evaluations he reviewed showed the people involved were competent and that the conduct he observed was unethical and possibly criminal. Renee Self testified that she lost her role as trustee and spent large sums defending her father’s estate, alleging that the probate process stripped her father of assets and limited her access to him despite APS findings that her actions were in his best interests. No formal committee votes or legislative actions were taken in the excerpt, but members repeatedly expressed concern, asked for documents and transcripts, and indicated they would follow up with witnesses and consider stakeholder meetings to craft legislation addressing oversight, transparency, and accountability in guardianship and fiduciary systems.