Transcript Highlights:

• They work with their prioritized.
• account and make them work for everyone. account and make them work for everyone.
• I like to be out working the farm, working with the turkeys, and working with the employees one-on-one
• 44:43.560> working<00:44:44.160> working out working the farm, working working out working
• , and working with the with the turkeys, and working with the employees<00:44:46.560> one-on-one.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• mandating it, but you're not funding it. mandating it, but you're not funding it.
• c> mandate<01:49:09.840> on<01:49:10.080> public mandate, yet another mandate on public
• redundant in another mandate. redundant in another mandate.
• This bill is another mandate on public education, and this one is an unfunded mandate.
• Representative Nadeau. mandates and numerous other mandates on mandates and numerous other mandates on

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If John Bjornson would quit disrupting the work of the committee.
• We work in conjunction with the pharmacy association on that About the Patient program.
• It essentially works as a proxy for the market for that given job.
• work.
• I do appreciate everyone's work today.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts. After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have to be able to do the projects that are mandated by the federal government and by the state.
• We have to be able to do the projects that are mandated by the federal government and by the state.
• Parrot, for coming today and explaining MSD and its scope of work and services.
• explaining uh MSD and its scope of work explaining uh MSD and its scope of work and<00:18:50.159
• with the state of Kentucky uh to do work with the state of Kentucky uh to do work not<00:20:35.840

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We can prioritize Minnesota's—the only state that has these greenhouse gas mandates.
• <00:10:15.560> There's these greenhouse gas mandates.
• There's these greenhouse gas mandates.
• So, it's going to cost 50% a mandate.
• So, we'll be working with on that side.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures. Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers. In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• If John Bjornson would quit disrupting the work of the committee.
• It essentially works as a proxy for the market for that given job.
• And we will be working to co-design the survey so that... Thank you.
• work.
• I do appreciate everyone's work today.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is also an unnecessary mandate that erodes the decision of the local community.
• It is also an unnecessary mandate that erodes the decision of the local community.
• It is also an unnecessary mandate that erodes the decision of the local community.
• It is also an unnecessary mandate that erodes the decision of the local community.
• It is also an unnecessary mandate that erodes the decision of the local community.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I promise I will work with you." And in 2012, we did. We worked on it.
• We worked on it. We sat 2012, we did. We worked on it.
• You're going to hear about mandates. You're going to hear about mandates that have costs.
• You're going to hear about mandates. You're going to hear about mandates that have costs.
• You're going to hear about mandates. You're going to hear about mandates that have costs.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3900 proposed a Minnesota constitutional amendment to increase the share of permanent school trust fund earnings distributed to school districts, with the stated goal of providing more per-pupil funding without raising income or property taxes. Representative Igo, the bill’s author, described the history of the school trust lands and said the change would raise the payout from about 2.5% to 4.5%, producing additional unrestricted money for schools at no cost to taxpayers. He also read the proposed ballot question into the record, which would ask voters whether to amend the constitution to increase funding from the permanent school fund effective July 1, 2027. The House adopted amendment A7, offered by Representative Long, which he said was a technical change to align the bill with Senate language and provide administrative funding for the State Board of Investment. Representative Igo agreed it was a good technical fix. After the amendment was adopted, the bill was given third reading and debated on the floor. Several members spoke in support, including Representatives O’Driscoll, Scraba, Mueller, Bennett, Jordan, and Bakeberg. Supporters emphasized that the proposal would send more money to schools on a per-pupil basis, provide flexible local funding, and help districts facing budget pressures, staffing cuts, and other mandates. Some speakers also highlighted the historical purpose of school trust lands, the role of the State Board of Investment, and the need for better stewardship and government-to-government relationships with tribal nations where trust lands are located. The transcript ends during floor debate and does not include a final vote on passage.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:02.640> to repeatedly asked legislators work to repeatedly asked legislators work to
• It just doesn't work that way.
• But his wife works full-time.
• But his wife works full-time.
• But his wife works full-time.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, diving into the treatment-mandated felony aspect of the law, Prop 36 created a treatment-mandated
• I do believe collaborative courts work. The treatment works. Again, this is somewhat different.
• Let's all work together.
• work out of their home in that, you know, I enjoy the work and I've been able to make a go of it by
• I am doing equivalent work.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have my bill, but the first thing we need to do is stop with the mandates.
• I have my bill, but the first thing we need to do is stop with the mandates.
• Can we remove some of those mandates or roll them back? >> Yeah, that is an option.
• Your work with Senator Gustafson on the OIG, and you talked about working on a library bill across the
• working on it. working on it.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota affordability pressures, especially rising property taxes, gas, and grocery costs. Senator Michael Kreun said property taxes rose by nearly $1 billion statewide in the last year, about 7%, and argued that many constituents are worried about being able to stay in their homes. He attributed much of the increase to unfunded state mandates on cities and counties and said mandate relief should be part of the solution. Kreun described a bill that would cap city and county property tax growth at the rate of inflation, with an additional allowance tied to population growth. Under his example, if inflation were 3% and a city grew, property taxes could rise 3.5%; anything above that would require voter approval through a referendum. He said the proposal would not apply to school districts, which already have a separate cap. He also mentioned other relief ideas, including increasing the disabled veterans property tax exemption and allowing seniors to defer property tax increases until they sell their homes. Kreun said the proposal has been mostly well received by constituents and homeowners, while local governments are concerned about losing revenue if state mandates continue. He said relief could begin as soon as the next property tax statement if the bill passes this year. He also noted broader affordability ideas in his caucus, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and reducing tab fees, but said he was not aware of current bipartisan efforts on property taxes specifically and remained open to working across the aisle on affordability measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• If John Bjornson would quit disrupting the work of the committee.
• It essentially works as a proxy for the market for that given job.
• We actually had a task force that was working on that about a year ago, and we collect... ...working
• work.
• I do appreciate everyone's work today.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• They work hard every day.
• They work hard every day.
• They work hard every day.
• We've done the hard work.
• We've done the hard work.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you're right, Senator Hatcher, one is an unfunded mandate, and this is an unfunded mandate.
• We've got to work this out fiscally.
• not in their budget and they are working not in their budget and they are working on<00:16:43.440
• Um, so this does not impose an unfunded mandate on the city of Montgomery and— An unfunded mandate for
• Legislature works.

Bills: SB298, SB91

Keywords: Florence, Lauderdale County, municipal boundaries, corporate limits, land annexation, military installations, tall structures, local government, construction approval, wind energy facilities, aeronautics, Department of Defense, 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:58.959> conditions investigations into working conditions investigations into working
• the holiday pay um mandate. And I see the holiday pay um mandate.
• these mandates forward.
• <01:33:16.080> of<01:33:16.239> another work combined with the work of another work
• that the work shouldn't continue? that the work shouldn't continue?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So diving into the treatment mandated felony aspect of the law.
• As part of our budget work, we have had discussions.
• The treatment works. Again, this is somewhat different.
• Let's all work together.
• I've been working out of my home.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We work together a lot there.
• And I know enough to know that what works in Albuquerque won't work in Gallup and won't work in Cruces
• And I know enough to know that what works in Albuquerque won't work in Gallup and won't work in Cruces
• So this sort of one-size-fits-all mandate, I just don't think necessarily can work.
• I think we can work it out.

Bills: SB211, SB131, SB183, SB222, SB246, SB254

Keywords: appropriation, local government, Las Vegas, Rodriguez Park, public facilities, zoning reform, building regulations, residential apartments, commercial use, multigenerational housing, local government authority, healthcare, urgent care, emergency services, feasibility study, medical facilities, physician training, medical residency, New Mexico, massage therapy

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT IS HOW THE PROCESS WORKS AND KISSIMMEE.
• BUT HE ALSO HAS ADSB AND HE SHOWS ME HOW IT WORKS.
• IT IS SPREADING QUICKLY BECAUSE IT'S WORKING WELL.
• Alvarez: AGAIN, FDOT DOES NOT MANDATE IT BECAUSE THERE IS NO LAW TO MANDATE IT.
• COMMIT TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is where mandated reporters come in. Mandated reporters play a critical role.
• We've done this work; all of these other things are mentioned and are mandated, are done in other computer
• We've done this work; all of these other things are mentioned and are mandated, are done in other computer
• Excellent work.
• and does God’s work.

Bills: HF1346, HF1169, HF1276

Keywords: mandatory reporting, training requirements, child maltreatment, abuse detection, local welfare agency, child protection, child welfare, paperwork reduction, social services information system, SSIS, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, foster care, children in placement, county social services, Tribal governments, private child placing agencies, case management, administrative burden, information technology, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• Same massive unfunded mandates, mandates, mandates, small<00:10:08.000> commercial<00:10:09.200
• It's to pass those mandates onto our local counties without funding, unfunded mandates.
• unfunded mandates. unfunded mandates.
• group works in these statutes every day. group works in these statutes every day.
• many other resources don't work as well. many other resources don't work as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all