Transcript Highlights:

• <00:52:35.840> Uh success rate in averting foreclosure.
• Uh success rate in averting foreclosure.
• But these areas simply cannot support the same rental rates as the metro.
• So now their rates are at a premium as well.
• So now their rates are at a premium as well. Mr.

Bills: HF3279, HF1879, HF1417, HF2462

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• 2023 small business credit survey, Black-owned businesses are denied financing at nearly twice the rate
• Okay. >> Um, so the highest interest rate that Fortis has ever had has been 8.5%.
• The interest rate for this type of gap financing for the business owner? >> Mr.
• Okay. >> Um, so the highest interest rate that Fortis has ever had has been 8.5%.
• He then asked what Fortis’s default rate has been since its first loan in 2021. Mr.

Bills: HF3707, HF3732, HF2581, HF3731

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So [clears throat] I know you rates.
• of preterm birth and low birth rates of preterm birth and low birth rate,<00:54:28.319> better
• ><00:54:28.640> childhood<00:54:29.119> nutrition<00:54:29.760> and rate, better
• >> What's<00:59:34.160> the<00:59:34.400> rate? >> What's the rate?
• >> What's the rate?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on the federal shutdown’s impact on state benefits, with the main focus on SNAP. DHS Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division Administrator Scott Morish explained that SNAP serves about 86,229 households statewide, or 168,947 individuals, and averages roughly $58–60 million in monthly federal benefits. He said USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP benefits effective November 1 if the shutdown continues, while existing October balances on EBT cards remain usable and cash benefits such as TANF, General Assistance, and AABD are not affected. DHS said it has continued processing applications, recertifications, interviews, and required reporting, and has posted public guidance on its website. Morish also reviewed other SNAP-related changes taking effect November 1 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including expanded able-bodied adult work requirements and tighter non-citizen eligibility rules. He said the work requirements now extend from ages 18–54 to 18–64 and apply to additional groups previously exempt, while only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible among non-citizens. He also noted Hawaii’s ongoing SNAP benefit reduction tied to a federal calculation error in the thrifty food plan, which has lowered benefits by about $8 per person per month for the past three years. On the state response, DHS said it is working with the Hawaii Food Bank and seeking $2 million in state funding to support it, and is also developing a Hawaii Relief Program using TANF reserve funds. The program is intended as a short-term housing and utility assistance program for families with dependent children under 300% of the federal poverty level, with up to four months of assistance. Senators questioned why rainy day funds were not being used and whether the state could directly fund EBT cards; DHS responded that the TANF approach was the fastest available option, that EBT delivery involves significant technical and administrative mechanics, and that the department is still in discussions with the vendor and other stakeholders about additional options.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the Mississippi River and is the anchor for a larger development including affordable and market-rate
• development including affordable and development including affordable and market<00:01:18.080> rate
• <00:01:18.320> housing,<00:01:18.960> retail,<00:01:19.439> and market rate
• housing, retail, and market rate housing, retail, and creative<00:01:20.159> space.
• This is by far the highest rate paid by any department in the Big Ten Conference.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the cost difference between rate.
• Um, there's very high negative ratings.
• I do manage a medical building in Farbo, and you can adjust the rate per kilowatt that you charge the
• <01:02:08.480> of performance times the usage rate of performance times the usage rate of
• <01:04:43.680> per<01:04:43.839> kilowatt you can adjust the rate per kilowatt you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. sooner rather than later at the rate sooner rather than later at the rate we're<00:55:24.680
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• She said they have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.
• They have over a 90% success rate and there is not any recidivism.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• against the financial viability of the utilities to provide the same when determining appropriate rates
• There's a number of other things like time-of-use rates, which I think we're nearly every state maybe
• <01:05:03.800> Um PUC like time of use rates. Um PUC like time of use rates.
• Uh, another is that you details of the performance-based details of the performance-based rate-making
• process and that's something rate-making process and that's something that<01:33:01.920> could

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard and considered a long list of Governor’s messages for appointments to state boards and commissions, including the Board of Dentistry, Barbering and Cosmetology, Speech Pathology and Audiology, Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board, Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Real Estate Commission, Board of Naturopathic Medicine, State Boxing Commission, Board of Professional Engineers, Architects, Surveyors and Landscape Architects, Hawaii Medical Board, Board of Physical Therapy, Board of Pharmacy, and the Public Utilities Commission. Most nominees and supporting agencies testified in support, and many nominees simply stood on their written testimony. Several nominees also answered questions about their experience and the issues facing their boards, including dental insurance and Medicaid concerns, condo and real estate disputes, pharmacy regulation and telepharmacy, boxing and MMA rule updates, and medical board service in rural areas. The committee discussed some contested or notable nominations in more detail. Richard Emery’s nomination to the Real Estate Commission drew opposition testimony tied to a condo management dispute, and he responded by emphasizing the need for factual evidence, mediation and complaint data, and better consumer education. Trinette Kahui and Andrea Ushijima were also nominated to the Real Estate Commission, with broad support. For the Boxing Commission, Robin Jumawan described ongoing statutory updates, MMA-related work, and delegation of amateur boxing rules. For the Hawaii Medical Board, Elizabeth Ignacio was strongly endorsed by state and industry witnesses as highly qualified and familiar with rural health issues, while Rebecca Sawai also received support from the board and Kaiser Permanente. In the decision-making portion, the committee moved to advise and consent to nearly all nominees on the agenda. Senator McKelvey stated reservations about Richard Emery due to opposition and possible conflicts, and also about nominees who were not present at the hearing, specifically Corrine Muldrow Soto and Stacie Kealoha Inouye; Senator Lamasao also noted reservations on those absent nominees. The chair disclosed personal acquaintance with Dr. Sawai and Andrea Ushijima. The committee then voted to adopt the recommendations, with the noted reservations and one no vote on GM 697 reflected in the record, and later reconvened to take up Governor’s Message 514/515 for John Etemura as chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, where additional support testimony was heard from the Governor’s office, DCCA, and former consumer advocacy staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:13:28.839> go<00:13:29.199> through<00:13:29.519> and<00:13:29.720> rate
• <00:13:30.079> each uh so they'll go through and rate each uh so they'll go through and rate
• for for the building an overall rating for for the building itself<00:14:57.000> thank<00:14:
• We raised water rates 10% in January. We will do another 10% in July.
• their rates 10% in January<00:57:19.640> we<00:57:19.760> will<00:57:19.920> do

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• to make it could do at a reduced rate to make it more<00:48:41.559> developer<00:48:42.000>
• rate should you stop at the lender's end?
• There are many projects where they can't move ahead with the higher interest rates we have right now
• <01:03:38.480> we ahead with the higher interest rates we ahead with the higher interest rates
• <01:03:41.880> rise have right now because when rates rise have right now because when rates

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• Major catastrophe is going to cause your rates to skyrocket.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.
• and the rates of the Citizens program was much more limited and higher.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• The current rate as of January 1st of this year is 32.6 cents per gallon.
• Has that sets the tax rate yearly.
• <00:21:24.559> yearly discretion has set the tax rate yearly discretion has set the tax rate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:19:39.280> talking<00:19:39.440> about rate rebasing we've been talking about rate rebasing
• rates rates and<00:31:44.960> we<00:31:45.200> actually<00:31:45.600> start<00:
• I just want to address the last speaker on the rates that is part of this.
• We increased the provider rates to 2024 levels.
• I think our unemployment rates are what, in Wyoming, 3.2%, right around there.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Cindy Gabriel, who is also a board member. of the rate fail and her father.
• dental rates through the agency's standard methodology.
• The vacancy rate, and this was a December 24 study that was completed.
• So, again, there's a 25% lower vacancy rate for employees.
• It grows government at a rate that would make D.C. Democrats blush.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment that is levied at a rate assessment that is levied at a rate of.1% of.1% of.1% uh<00:
• So, coming out of, for example, COVID, we saw high vacancy rates in health care.
• — well, not the unemployment rate, but number of layoffs.
• rate for the state is approximately about 3%.
• Representative, you know, when we looked at the unemployment rate, you could see our unemployment rate

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan review would be set by hourly rate, not to exceed the per-hour amount, so they'd have an hourly
• rate.
• <00:03:37.000> set<00:03:37.239> by<00:03:37.400> hourly<00:03:37.799> rate
• <00:03:38.040> not<00:03:38.159> to would be set by hourly rate not to would be set
• by hourly rate not to exceed<00:03:38.560> the<00:03:38.680> per<00:03:38.879> hour

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Labor Committee heard Senate File 560, a bill to require the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish a cost-per-square-foot valuation for residential building permits. Senator Dornink said the measure is intended to make permit fees more fair, reasonable, transparent, and predictable, and to reduce housing costs by limiting large differences in permit fees between municipalities. He said the bill would be sent to the Housing Committee without recommendation, and members discussed but did not act on a related amendment that would have shifted plan review and inspection fees to hourly and trip-based charges and made fee information publicly available. Testimony from Housing First Minnesota supported the bill’s goal, arguing that Minnesota’s housing shortage and high new-home prices make it important to reduce inefficiencies in the permitting system. The witness said permit valuations are often increased by cities, leading to higher costs for homebuyers, and cited examples of large fee differences between municipalities and claims of overcollection. He said some other states, including Texas and Wisconsin communities, use square-footage-based approaches. A League of Minnesota Cities representative opposed the amendment language and cautioned that trip charges and hourly billing would make fees less certain, could raise costs, and would be especially burdensome in Greater Minnesota; he said current valuation-based fees better reflect the actual cost and complexity of service and can be appealed if disputed. A representative of the Association of Minnesota Building Officials also raised concerns about the amendment, saying building departments provide consultations, inspections, plan review, and other services beyond a single trip, and that trip charges would not fit a responsive fee-for-service model. He said the current valuation system helps cover the full range of permitting work, though he acknowledged that a consistent square-foot valuation standard could improve transparency and reduce disputes over project value. Committee members asked about other states’ approaches and the scope of the bill, and the discussion emphasized that the proposal applies to one- and two-family dwellings.

Transcript Highlights:

• And at the very bottom of the page there is the effective tax rate, which, of course, reflects the number
• , weekly rates, daily rates.
• We do have daily rates at the state hospital and LSTC, and we have a fee-for-service rate.
• We have a fee-for-service rate right now at the behavioral health clinics.
• There's just varying rates and fees for different types of things.

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• It costs half as much to fuel an EV as a gas car if you can charge at home and pay residential rates,
• And we have to have public investment for our lowest-income folks who cannot afford current market rate
• Secondly, also considering the dire financial rates are in, is to create a more revolving loan fund kind
• We included caps on even raising parking rates so that parking rates can't be raised more than CPI.
• And this would be yet another cost driver in that insurance rates would go up, but it also make it much

Summary: The committee heard a long housing agenda with several bills presented before quorum was established. AB 1725, as amended, would require disclosure of nearby oil wells and methane monitoring issues in a specific district; the author and community witnesses described serious health and safety risks in Vista Hermosa Heights, while the California Apartment Association, California Building Industry Association, and California Chamber of Commerce opposed, arguing the bill targeted the wrong industry and that the state should instead fix abandoned wells directly. AB 2110, a local finance tool to create tax increment districts for workforce housing for education, health care, manufacturing, and public safety workers, drew no witnesses in support or opposition and was presented as a way to help workers live closer to jobs. AB 1732 would expand CEQA streamlining for public university and college housing projects; UC and several housing and labor groups supported it, while housing advocates raised concerns about amendments affecting existing 100% affordable housing exemptions. AB 1771, amended into a study bill, would direct HCD to report on the long-standing resident manager requirement for apartment buildings with 16 or more units; the rental housing industry supported studying the issue, while the chair emphasized the need to consider tenant protections and the impact on current resident managers before changing the law. The committee also heard AB 2185, which would direct state affordable housing programs to update guidelines to better support factory-built housing; it drew broad support from housing, labor, technology, and local government groups, with no opposition. AB 2748 would delay new EV-readiness requirements for 100% affordable housing developments, keeping the prior 40% standard through 2035; supporters said the higher standard would add significant costs and threaten project feasibility, while clean air and transportation advocates argued the code changes are modest, important for equity, and should not be rolled back. Members split along those lines, with some emphasizing housing production and others urging more public subsidy for EV infrastructure rather than delaying the code. SB 417, a proposed $10 billion affordable housing bond for the November ballot, received extensive support from housing organizations, local governments, labor, and business groups, but Habitat for Humanity and the Los Angeles mayor’s office asked for specific allocations for CalHome and interim housing; the bill was ultimately moved to Appropriations on an 8-0 vote, with members noting ongoing negotiations over funding priorities. Finally, AB 1740 would create an urban multimodal community designation for Santa Monica, allowing local approval of certain low-impact coastal-zone activities—such as some housing, bike and bus lanes, outdoor dining, and building changes—without Coastal Commission review. The author and Santa Monica officials said the bill would reduce delays and uncertainty for infill housing and local economic recovery while preserving protections for sensitive coastal resources; supporters included housing, business, and city groups. The Coastal Commission and environmental organizations opposed, saying the bill would carve out broad exemptions, weaken public access and appeal rights, and bypass the local coastal program process that Santa Monica has not completed. Committee members debated the Commission’s role, with some criticizing it for opposing legislation and others arguing the bill was a common-sense way to modernize coastal permitting. A motion and second were made on AB 1740, and the bill was left pending with the committee’s action to be taken when appropriate.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Commission, as I said, does its best to mitigate and minimize rate increases.
• The Commission, as I said, does its best to mitigate and minimize rate increases.
• This bill does nothing to reduce the energy rates.
• Thank you, Senator Green. the energy rates and how high they are.
• This bill does nothing to reduce the energy rates.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Clerk: H.R. 695, an act to amend Title 38, United States Code, to increase the rate of the special
• THE CLERK: H.R. 695, AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 38 UNITED STATES CODE TO INCREASE THE RATE OF THE SPECIAL
• And the worst rates are in the Southern region of the United States.
• AND THE WORST RATES ARE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION OF THE UNITED STATES.
• AT REASONABLE RATES I PURCHASED HEALTH INSURANCE ON THE MARKETPLACE AND THE BENEFITS THEY'VE OFFERED

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, November 17, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• increase, nursing home room rate increase.
• And we got the approval on the last... a day that we could actually get the full rate.
• For fiscal year 2025, the agency's indirect administrative rate It is budgeted at 1.5%.
• So successive years of high turnover has resulted in unsustainable vacancy rates. for us.
• It's a AAA-rated loan program. the appropriations full committee last week.

Keywords: 1184, house, all