Video & Transcript Research : 'sessions'
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NM
Transcript Highlights:
- be designated the officers of the first special session.
- The session is well, representatives. Thank you.
- and Passed in the first half of the 60-day session.
- I suggest that we start with a special session?
- That's worth a special session.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1418, signed an open session.
- House Bill 2460, signed in open session.
- House Bill 2481, signed in open session.
- Signed in open session.
- Signed in open session.
Summary:
The House convened, approved the prior journal, received gubernatorial communications, and then moved into an additional Committee of the Whole to consider Senate bills on two calendars. In that committee, members adopted floor and committee amendments and reported SB 1100, SB 1160, and SB 1178 out as amended. On the second calendar, the committee considered SB 1200, SB 1560, SB 1627, and SB 1723, adopting amendments on SB 1200, SB 1627, and SB 1723 and reporting all four measures out, while SB 1725 was retained on the calendar. The House then adopted the committee reports and sent the amended bills to engrossing or third reading as appropriate.
The chamber then took up a long series of third-reading votes. Several bills passed with recorded votes and some member explanations focused on public safety, parental rights, school safety, health care, local control, property rights, and wildlife management. Among the measures that passed were SB 1013, SB 1015, SB 1046, SB 1094, SB 1095, SB 1124, SB 1186, SB 1214, SB 1275, SB 1280, SB 1315, SB 1318, SB 1205 on reconsideration, SB 1327, SB 1416, SB 1418, SB 1582, SB 1613, SB 1662, SB 1664, SB 1670, SB 1711, SB 1741, SB 1821, and several concurrent memorials. A number of bills failed, including SB 1052, SB 1170, SB 1457, SB 1074, SB 1540, SB 1649, and SB 1663.
Debate on several bills drew pointed partisan and policy disagreements. Members opposing health-related bills argued they targeted LGBTQ people or medical decision-making, while supporters framed them as protecting children or bodily autonomy. On SB 1170, members said the bill contained a drafting error that would create extreme penalties and strain prison capacity. On SB 1280, supporters and opponents split over Mexican gray wolf management and federal conservation efforts. On SB 1199, the Salt River horse herd bill, members discussed herd management, heritage, property impacts, and a required emergency clause; it passed with the needed two-thirds majority. The House also adopted a group concurrence motion on numerous House bills and passed several House bills on final reading, including HB 2013, HB 2016, HB 2028, HB 2086, HB 2118, HB 2140, HB 2170, HB 2226, HB 2244, HB 2248, HB 2249, HB 2327, HB 2379, HB 2380, and others, forwarding them to the Governor.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Majority Leader Murphy Speaks to Progress of Work Groups - 05/22/25
Transcript Highlights:
- making the turn from the end of session making the turn from the end of session into<00:04:20.560
- There seem to be there session soon.
- <00:08:44.560>
by not going to have a special session by not going to have a special session - So I the special special session.
- and a special session, or does that only restart when the official special session begins?
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House DFL Press Conference 1/17/25
Transcript Highlights:
- special session going in January when the new session was called in.
- they actually had a special sessions they actually had a special session<00:24:19.960>
going < - going in January when the new session going in January when the new session<00:24:22.600>
was - was called in they had like session was called in they had like overlapping<00:24:24.520>
session - <00:24:34.080>
we can be multiple special sessions we can be multiple special sessions we
Summary:
House DFL leaders held a press event outlining their priorities and criticizing Republicans for what they described as illegitimate or sham proceedings in the Minnesota House. Speakers said Democrats would focus on affordability, workers, families, and protecting prior DFL accomplishments, while opposing efforts they said would roll back paid family and medical leave, clean energy, Dreamer access to higher education, reproductive rights, consumer protections, and universal school meals.
Individual members highlighted issue areas for the coming session: Children and Families Chair Kaohly Her emphasized child care, food security, and support for parents and caregivers; Health Finance and Policy Chair Robert Bierman said Democrats would expand access to dental, maternal, and mental health care, lower prescription drug costs, and address hospital service cuts; Commerce co-chair K.H. Her focused on consumer protections and maintaining out-of-pocket caps on drugs like insulin, inhalers, and EpiPens; Housing co-chair Mike Howard discussed the housing shortage, rising rents, and corporate ownership of homes; and Rep. Emma Greenman framed the agenda as a push to curb corporate power and monopolies.
A substantial portion of the event and Q&A centered on the House power-sharing dispute and the effort to deny quorum after the controversy over Rep. Brad Tabke. Leaders said Republicans had rejected co-chairs, equal committee membership, and co-speaker arrangements, and they argued the GOP was trying to use its temporary advantage to control the chamber and potentially force special elections. They also discussed the legal status of the House after adjournment, the lack of a legal hopper for bill filing, and the possibility of court review of whether the House is duly organized.
In response to questions, DFL leaders said they were still open to negotiation and expected eventual collaboration, but maintained that Republicans had broken the power-sharing agreement. They said the February budget forecast and the governor’s budget would shape the session’s formal work, and one speaker noted that the ERA remains a caucus priority and that the DFL would continue pursuing it when the opportunity arises.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (09/30/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:14:34.000>
You session. You can seal these records. You session. - . session. session.
- on a gossip session.
- having a a session on a gossip session. having a a session on a gossip session.
- non-public session. non-public session.
Summary:
The subcommittee held a work session on HB 313, a bill dealing with non-public sessions and when a person discussed in such a session should be notified or allowed to request that the meeting be open. The chair opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and invited public comment before committee discussion. The main public testimony came from Phil Jaru, who described a personal dispute with local officials and said the bill should ensure people are notified when they are being discussed in closed session and can request an open meeting. He also argued for limits on non-public sessions, saying they should not be used for matters outside the board’s authority or for what he characterized as gossip, while also trying to avoid interfering with investigations.
Committee members focused on the practical and legal problems with the proposal. Several members questioned whether a person should have a right to attend, to demand an open meeting, or simply to receive notice, and whether that right should apply before the meeting or only once the discussion begins. Members raised concerns about situations involving multiple people, children, victims, or other confidentiality interests, and whether a request to open the meeting could conflict when one person wants openness and another wants privacy. One member suggested the bill may be too broad and proposed narrowing it to simple advance notification, possibly by email, rather than an automatic right to open the meeting.
The discussion also touched on existing law governing non-public sessions, including the narrow “reputation” exception and Supreme Court cases interpreting it. Members noted that the current statute already limits non-public discussion to the matters stated in the motion, and some suggested that if the concern is boards using non-public sessions for unrelated discussion, that issue may be better addressed by clarifying the existing statute rather than expanding the bill. No vote or final action was taken; the committee appeared to continue working through possible amendments and whether the bill should be narrowed to notification or a right to attend rather than a right to force the meeting open.
AZ
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Oct 1st, 2025
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- We're focused on health care, on food, on session expenses.
- Thank you for this exciting special session.
- of a special session?
- The special session would cover.
- Session. This is a unique special session.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- , and business sessions.
- sessions and business sessions.<00:03:36.879>
And <00:03:37.040>with <00:03:37.280> - business and deliberative sessions. business and deliberative sessions.
- executive session for our pending work. executive session for our pending work.
- So, it would definitely sessions.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- You passed House Bill 2041 in open session.
- You passed House Bill 2048 in open session.
- You passed House Bill 2417 in open session.
- Senate Bill 1137 in open session.
- You pass House Bill 2100 in open session.
Summary:
The Senate met in floor session, began with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, received communications, and handled a return of Senate Bill 1456 from the House for reconsideration. Members then moved through several Committee of the Whole calendars, considering and amending bills on court fees, information technology, environmental quality, agricultural property inspections, property tax notices, veterans services, zoning and electric generation siting, fuel and gas resilience, and disturbing religious services. Several amendments were adopted, including changes to HB 2265 on criminal court fees, HB 2311 on conversational AI disclosures and privacy limits, HB 2986 on environmental quality/fuel resilience, HB 2104 and HB 2105 on agricultural property inspection rules, HB 2406 on veterans services, HB 2494 on electric generation siting and environmental compatibility, HB 2696 on fuel and gas prices, and HB 4117 on interference with religious services. Most of these bills were reported out of committee with do pass recommendations, though members raised concerns on HB 2311 and HB 4117 about privacy, free speech, and prosecutorial discretion.
The chamber then took up a long series of third readings and final votes. Bills passed included HB 2015 on single-audit compliance, HB 2041 on child neglect and poverty factors, HB 2048 on AHCCCS prescription drug coverage, HB 2417 on excessive speed, HB 2611 on child welfare, HB 2793 on annexation, HB 2950 on special districts, HB 2995 on family law, HB 4018 on county officers, HB 2404 on mental health services, HB 2279 on limitations of actions, HB 2502 on the state retirement system, HB 2733 and HB 2953 on pharmacy regulation, HB 2979 on credit unions, HB 4042 on parent-child relationship determinations, HB 4010 on health professional regulatory boards, HB 4043 on public schools, HB 4049 on the Attorney General, HB 2265 on court fees, HB 2311 on information technology, and HB 2986 on environmental quality. HB 2601 on state highways and routes failed. Several members explained votes on bills involving fiscal impacts, child welfare, road safety, annexation, and criminal justice concerns.
The Senate also adopted a group concurrence motion on several conference committee reports, including HB 2003, HB 2010, HB 2133, and HB 2874, and then voted on those measures. HB 2003 on driver’s license instruction permits, HB 2010 on advertising, HB 2133 on disclosure of sexual material and synthetic depictions, and HB 2874 on campaign committees and termination statements were all advanced after conference committee action, with debate on HB 2133 focusing on First Amendment and content-moderation concerns. The session ended with introduction of a large package of transportation-related appropriations bills and a motion to suspend certain committee notice rules for Appropriations to hear legislation and strike-everything amendments on short notice.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-12 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Secretary will now read the proclamation calling the special session.
- , ... and any conference report resulting therefrom during the special session.
- special session.
- All of the bills are identical to the bills filed during regular session.
- This bill is the identical bill from the regular session.
Summary:
The Senate convened in special session with a quorum present, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and observed moments of silence for Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Mateer and former Senator Bill Posey. The Secretary read the joint proclamation calling the special session, which was limited to budget, implementing, collective bargaining, retirement, education, health, taxation, corrections, fuel tax, and related conference-report legislation. Chair Hooper then outlined the process for taking up Senate conforming bills first, followed by House bills once received, in preparation for budget conference.
The chamber passed several Senate bills and House companion bills, generally by 32-0 votes, after delete-all amendments were adopted to place the measures in proper posture for conference. Measures taken up included fuel taxes (SB 2506E), the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge (SB 2508E), judges (SB 2512E), pre-K-12 education (SB 2514E), retirement (SB 2E/HB 5205E), higher education (SB 2516E/HB 5601E), health care (SB 2518E/HB 5301E), collective bargaining/state employees (SB 2504E/HB 5201E), government administration (HB 5203E), correctional facilities financing and capital improvements (HB 5403E), documentary stamp tax distributions (HB 5501E), petroleum cleanup programs (HB 5701E), and the general appropriations and implementing bills (SB 2500E/HB 5001E and SB 2502E/HB 5003E). In each case, the Senate either passed the bill as amended or, after failing to pass the House version as received, requested conference with the House.
During debate on the tax package, Leader Berman urged lawmakers to consider suspending the motor fuel tax for the summer, citing high gas prices and the need for immediate relief at the pump. The Senate ultimately passed HB 7031E as a blank vehicle for conference and then requested conference with the House after failing to pass it as received. No substantive amendments were adopted beyond the conference-posture delete-all amendments, and no recorded opposition votes were cast on the measures considered.
At the end of the session, the Rules Chair announced the Special Order Calendar Group would not meet that day or the next, and the Senate adopted a motion to establish the Special Order Calendar for the remainder of the special session by website publication and secretary announcement. The Senate then adjourned upon the call of the President for committee meetings and other business.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 9/30/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , the governor, uh, put out an offer in good faith to our Republican colleagues to have a special session
- <00:08:30.240>
Is <00:08:30.479>that agreement for a special session. - Is that agreement for a special session. Is that what<00:08:31.280>
happened?" - is willing to call a special session is willing to call a special session where<00:10:25.040>
- You know, we haven't spent much time talking about those details of a special session.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Advancing Agriculture – Senator Aric Putnam Apr 28th, 2025
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This senator made listening sessions a focus of his this session, saying your feedback helps create policies
- ,<00:00:53.360>
I <00:00:53.520>think session, last couple months, I think session, - So why was it such a focus this session?
- Um, and earlier this session you had a hearing or a listening session on the impacts of federal actions
- you had a hearing or a listening session you had a hearing or a listening session on<00:04:54.720
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 1/23/25
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- committee, so this is the rules that look to be current law is effectively the rules of the past session
- are not entitled to per diem expense reimbursement on days that the member is absent from a floor session
- House to reflect the new committee structure that's been adopted by the House leadership for this session
- <00:01:45.960>
of <00:01:46.079>the session of the session of the house<00:01:48.159>- thank you Mr Garing and uh I session thank you Mr Garing and uh I will<00:03:29.120>
move <00: - thank you Mr Garing and uh I session thank you Mr Garing and uh I will<00:03:29.120>
Summary:
The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met to approve the January 15, 2025 minutes and then reviewed proposed permanent House rules for the 2025 session. House Research outlined the main changes, including eliminating the fiscal calendar and consent calendar, denying per diem reimbursement when a member is absent from a floor session, clarifying germaneness for certain statutory amendments, codifying election-challenge procedures from the temporary rules, updating the list of major finance and revenue bills, revising committee listings to match the new committee structure, and adding remote-operation rules that require the House Journal to identify members attending or voting remotely and bar per diem on those days.
The committee first adopted an A6 author’s amendment clarifying that the per diem restriction for remote participation applies only to days a member attends and votes remotely during a floor session. Representative Schultz then offered the A4 amendment, which he described as improving public access to legislators and encouraging greater public engagement with members in their offices; it was adopted after no further discussion.
After the amendments were approved, the committee adopted the permanent rules of the House as amended. The chair noted that the permanent rules would be taken up during session on Monday, January 27, 2025, and the meeting adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
House Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am
North Dakota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This special session is convened under the following authority.
- the proposed special-session rules.
- That conflict with the proposed special-session rules.
- deadlines for filing bills for the 2027 legislative session...
- For filing bills for the 2027 legislative session.
Keywords:
presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards
Summary:
The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum.
The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends.
The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Capping Property Taxes / Resuming the Fight Against Fraud / A New Senator Takes Her Seat Mar 13th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- dollars is back again this session. dollars is back again this session.
- it's back again this session.
- it's back again this session.
- , and so far in the House last session, and so far this<00:15:35.680>
session <00:15:36.079> - . session. session.
Summary:
The segment focused heavily on affordability and fraud prevention in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Michael Kreun discussed his proposal to cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with a small allowance for population growth, and to require voter approval by referendum for increases above the cap. He said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide last year, blamed part of the increase on unfunded state mandates, and said the bill would curb surprise double-digit hikes. Kreun said the proposal has been well received by constituents and homeowners, while cities and counties are concerned about losing revenue; he also said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He noted related affordability ideas, including increasing disabled-veteran exemptions and deferring property taxes for seniors, and said he is open to bipartisan work on other measures such as ending taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees.
The program also highlighted climate and infrastructure funding. Senator Ann Johnson Stewart argued that worsening weather is driving costly infrastructure damage and said a proposed climate superfund would shift some of those costs from taxpayers to major polluters. She said the fund could support storm sewer upgrades, pavement reinforcement, and erosion prevention, and noted that Senate File 4126 is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy Committee.
On fraud prevention, Senator Julia Coleman’s bipartisan bill would require at least one unannounced, on-site inspection for state grants over $10,000, with recurring check-ins for grants lasting more than a year. The bill is pending in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Senator Heather Gustafson then discussed her push for an independent Office of Inspector General, saying it would provide oversight over any public or private entity receiving public dollars. She said the Senate previously backed the idea with 60 votes, that the governor’s coordinated council is only an interim step, and that she has not yet seen a Republican fraud package to review. The segment also noted that the Senate unanimously passed Senator Johnson Stewart’s school bus safety bill, Senate File 3623, by a 67-0 vote, clarifying that drivers must stop when school bus lights flash even if the stop arm is only partially extended; the bill now awaits House action.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a whole lot to add late in the session, but I guess I...
- Senate Bill 1137, signed in open session.
- Senate Bill 1242, signed in open session.
- One not voting, you passed Senate Bill 1477, signed in open session.
- You pass House Bill 2100, signed in open session.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2026-05-12 (10:00AM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Secretary will now read the proclamation calling the special session.
- Appropriations Act and any conference report resulting therefrom during the special session.
- And any conference report resulting therefrom during the special session. F.
- All of the bills are identical to the bills filed during regular session.
- This bill is the identical bill from the regular session.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 4164, signed in open session.
- Signed in open session.
- Signed in open session.
- All session long we have heard about rampant fraud, waste, and abuse in our social All session long we
- Bill 1847, signed in open session.
Summary:
The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading.
The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory.
Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Rules Committee, February 16, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- or when the legislature is in a session or when the legislature is in a special<00:01:42.479>
session - So those are the two special session.
- And that donations during session.
- That regular or special session.
- So, a subtle regular or special session.
Summary:
The Senate rules committee continued work on a proposed rule restricting campaign fundraising in the Capitol and during session or special session. Senator Nethercott and LSO attorney Mr. Shaw explained that the draft was revised to add clarity after concerns that the earlier language could unintentionally penalize a senator who merely received a contribution without affirmatively soliciting it. The committee discussed two options: option one, which would prohibit knowingly soliciting a contribution and accepting it by affirmative act, and option two, which would prohibit knowingly soliciting or accepting a legislative campaign contribution by affirmative act. A new subsection C was also added to make clear the rule would not apply when a senator merely discovers that a contribution was made and took no affirmative act to solicit or receive it.
Members focused on how the term “solicit” should be understood, including whether a campaign website donate button or online promotion would count as solicitation. Mr. Shaw said the rule does not define the term and suggested it should be applied reasonably, noting that a static donate button may be treated differently from actively promoting donations. Several senators said subsection C addressed the main concern about accidental receipt of a mailed contribution, but that further guidance may still be needed on passive receipt and how to handle donations connected to pending legislation. Senator Duro said the committee was responding to an unacceptable incident that occurred in the building and wanted to make clear such conduct would not be tolerated.
After discussion, Senator Rothfuss moved option two and Senator Gierau seconded. The committee voted to adopt option two, with Senators Gierau, Nethercott, Salazar, and Chairman Biteman voting aye; Senator Rothfuss also voted aye. The committee then adjourned, and it was noted that the adopted rule would become part of the permanent Senate rules unless changed at the start of a future session.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Press Conference: DFL and Republican Leaders Media Availability - 01/14/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Bobby Champion [member_8011]: You know, I am hopeful that this session, which is a budget session
- Minnesota is the big task this session Minnesota is the big task this session while<00:01:43.520
- If you remember, we had that rough end of session, probably the most partisan end of session ever, and
- Also, like that end of session, I know, was a different session.
- <00:09:03.120>
uh had that rough end of session uh had that rough end of session uh probably
Summary:
Senator Bobby Champion spoke after the Minnesota Senate’s opening day, emphasizing that the chamber was organized and ready to begin work for Minnesotans. He said the Senate had reached a good-faith power-sharing agreement with Republicans, describing the negotiations as respectful and focused on finding a workable outcome. He also noted that the Senate is in a temporary tie and that the chamber intends to use the early weeks of the session to prepare for the budget process ahead of the February forecast.
Champion said the Senate will hear from state agencies about their budget priorities, listen to the governor’s priorities, and hold committee hearings as part of the budget session. Under the agreement, leadership and committees will be power-shared, with co-chairs and evenly split committees requiring bipartisan agreement to move bills forward. He said the Senate’s goal is to represent Minnesotans and work on “bread-and-butter” issues, while acknowledging that the House is dealing with its own separate disputes.
He also discussed the Senate’s response to the death of Carrie Dick, saying members deeply felt her loss and that her legacy of courage and respect would guide the chamber moving forward. Champion contrasted the Senate’s agreement with the more contentious situation in the House, and said that if the House is properly constituted and passes bills by the required vote threshold, the Senate will work with it as required by law.