Video & Transcript Research : 'dependent coverage'
Page 258 of 500
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- The witness said those cases end up being complaint cases, or it really depends on the prosecutor.
- The witness said those cases end up being complaint cases, or it really depends on the prosecutor.
- The witness said those cases end up being complaint cases, or it really depends on the prosecutor.
- The witness said those cases end up being complaint cases, or it really depends on the prosecutor.
- Sometimes they may raise bail, depending on the information.
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.
The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings.
The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (01/27/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- That depends on the program, but some of our programs go for youth from 0 to 18.
- Some go up into the 20s depending on their particular needs.
- That depends on the program, but some of our programs go for youth from 0 to 18.
- Some go up into the 20s depending on their particular needs.
- to 18 some go up into the 20s depending to 18 some go up into the 20s depending on<01:08:36.359>
Summary:
The committee convened an informational Division 3 Finance hearing focused on DHHS programmatic issues rather than budget line items. The chair emphasized that members should avoid questions requiring dollar figures and noted that the coming budget cycle would likely be difficult because revenues are expected to be tighter. Commissioner Lori Weaver said the department wanted to use the session to explain its functions at a high level, with more detailed presentations to follow, and to collect questions for later responses.
Weaver outlined DHHS’s mission of supporting optimal health for state residents and described the department’s three main responsibilities: protection and prevention, client service delivery, and regulatory oversight. She said DHHS has eight divisions, a $3.6 billion total budget, about $1.217 billion in general funds, roughly a quarter of state positions, and personnel costs that are less than 11% of the budget. She also noted a recent hiring freeze, explained that the department did not request new positions except where required by law, and said vacancy rates had improved from 22% to 14% over the last two years but could rise again because of attrition and the hiring freeze.
Weaver and CFO Nathan White then discussed why the DHHS budget is complex, explaining that it is built from multiple funding sources and is shaped by assumptions made months before the fiscal year begins, actual service demand, and cost allocation rules used to draw down federal funds. White highlighted maintenance-of-effort requirements, including TANF, where state spending is needed to secure federal matching funds and shortfalls can trigger penalties. At the committee’s request, DHHS agreed to provide a simplified historical accounting of TANF contributions to show how the match is assembled across positions, contracts, and other factors.
The department also reviewed its roadmap, which Weaver described as a framework developed with staff and stakeholders around three themes: culture, community, and customer service. She highlighted priorities such as Mission Zero to end emergency department boarding, expanding access to community-based and residential behavioral health services, reducing reliance on institutional care, improving contract management with nonprofit and provider partners, using data dashboards to guide decisions, and investing in workforce stability and culture. No votes were taken; the main action was DHHS’s commitment to provide additional follow-up materials, including the TANF contribution breakdown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (01/16/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- The Office of Legislative Services will then spend usually about a week to two weeks, depending on how
- on how they go through bills depending on how they go through the<00:47:03.760>
policy <00:47: - <00:52:37.359>
on <00:52:37.599>discussions timing is depending on discussions timing - is depending on discussions amongst<00:52:38.599>
leadership <00:52:39.599>agencies <00 - on your division but 1170 um depending on your division but that<00:57:30.640>
is <00:57:30.839
Summary:
The Finance Committee met for an organizational opening session in which the chair, Ken Weyler, called the committee to order and members introduced themselves. The introductions established the committee’s leadership and membership, including Vice Chair Dan McGuire, ranking member Mary Jane Wallner, deputy ranking member Karen Eil, clerk Jerry Griffin, and other members from both parties. Many members briefly described prior legislative service and professional backgrounds, with several noting prior experience on Finance or related budget committees.
Chair Weyler then outlined committee procedures and expectations. He emphasized that Finance handles spending bills and fiscal notes, that bills will generally be heard by the full committee and then referred to the appropriate division, and that executive sessions may be used to save time when positions are clear. He reviewed rules on attendance, dress, phones, paperwork handling, committee replacements, conflict of interest and recusal, and the process for testimony, including that members should listen without debating witnesses and that sponsors of bills must recuse themselves from questioning witnesses on their own bills.
He also described the committee’s structure and workload, noting three divisions and the role of legislative budget staff. Weyler said the committee would likely see bills from many policy committees that have fiscal impacts, and he encouraged policy committees to find offsets within their own areas rather than assume new spending will be added. No bills were heard and no votes were taken during this portion of the meeting.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- Depending on, you know, if there's certain bills will have some...
- Depending on, you know, if there's certain bills will have some expiration dates, effective dates.
- My elections depend on it. So I look forward to this.
- It depends.
Summary:
The Statute Law Committee meeting began with introductions of new staff, approval of the December 10 minutes, and election of Kyle Shiketty as vice chair by acclamation. The committee also approved a step increase for Code Reviser Kathy Buckley, with members praising her work and noting she had reached the top step.
Max Weeks reported on publications: session laws had been published online and physical copies were nearing completion, while RCWs were expected online by the end of the next month with print copies following about a month later. The committee discussed print runs, free distribution to libraries and courts, and rising shipping costs, with a plan to charge actual shipping rates rather than the prior flat fee. Kathy Buckley also reviewed the office’s financial condition, reporting healthy balances in the publications account and general fund and expecting a year-end return of about $600,000.
Alice reported on the annual multiple-amendment review process, explaining how the office merges nonconflicting amendments and flags possible items for a future technical corrections bill. The committee adopted the multiple amendments table and discussed plans to prepare a technical corrections bill for the fall and likely the 2027 session. The committee then heard a presentation from Kevin and Judge Anne Levinson on improving RCW disposition tables by adding hyperlinks to repealed session laws and chapter-level cross-reference notes to help readers trace recodified or replaced laws, especially in areas like protection orders and unclaimed property.
In other business, the committee discussed clarifying statutory references that sometimes use “Statute Law Committee” when “Office of the Code Reviser” is intended, and agreed to review the statutes for possible cleanup legislation. Members also received an update on the office’s upcoming move to a new building in September, with an open house planned for September 24. The meeting adjourned without setting the next meeting date.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Commerce and Tourism Jan 28th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Depending on the client or host employer, the quality of work can vary drastically.
- say to you: when these inmates get out of prison, their families, who have done nothing wrong, are dependent
- The families that depend on Us ain't done nothing wrong. They're like you.
- Florida's growth depends on workers.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism considered several bills. SB 1338, by Senator Burton, would strengthen protections for charitable endowment gifts by creating a legal pathway to enforce written donor agreements and by requiring legislative approval for certain charity reporting requirements. The sponsor and Philanthropy Roundtable supported the measure as a way to honor donor intent while protecting nonprofits, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1080, by Senator DeSigley, would require FDOT to adopt rules allowing direct payments to first-tier subcontractors in certain circumstances; transportation industry testimony supported it as a rare but needed statutory remedy, and it also passed favorably.
The committee also adopted a strike-all amendment to SB 1582, by Senator Yarbrough, which would require secondhand dealers, secondary metal recyclers, and pawnbrokers to submit transaction data to FDLE for statewide sharing through systems such as LInX. The sponsor said the bill was developed with law enforcement to improve theft and fraud investigations, while a recycler representative spoke against it. The amended bill was reported favorably. SB 1672, by Senator McLean, creating a home buyer workforce tax credit for employer contributions to help employees make a first-time Florida home purchase, drew support from the Florida Chamber of Commerce and was also reported favorably.
A large portion of the meeting focused on SB 1112, by Senator Garcia, which would amend the Florida Labor Pool Act by prohibiting placement fees when a temporary worker is hired permanently by a client employer and by requiring annual registration of labor pools with the Department of Commerce. The sponsor and many speakers from Beyond the Bars, labor advocacy, and reentry communities argued the bill would improve worker protections, transparency, and pathways to stable employment, especially for formerly incarcerated workers. A few cards were filed against, but the bill received broad supportive testimony and was reported favorably. SB 1324 was temporarily postponed, and the committee adjourned after recording members who wished to be noted as voting in the affirmative on the day’s bills.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- But it's important to note that their success does not depend on technology alone.
- Prevention of sexually transmitted infections and other disease depends on education.
- <01:25:09.360>
An <01:25:09.600>effective depends on education. - An effective depends on education.
- <01:25:12.480>
across education depends on consistency across education depends on consistency
Keywords:
parental notification, school safety, bullying, harassment, violence, prohibited conduct, student discipline, charter school, school district, data practices, student privacy, parent rights, guardian notification, school incident reporting, cyberbullying, restraint, reasonable force, anti-bullying policy, school administration, student conduct
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 3/17/26
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- has dependent. and the weather itself has become<00:03:24.239>
more <00:03:24.480>extreme, - Depending upon where that project lands, some of them may be notched up from that.
- <01:07:48.720>
Depending <01:07:49.200>upon the bank underwriting. - Depending upon the bank underwriting.
- We are getting quarterly and monthly interest, depending upon the terms of those loans.
Keywords:
climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, financing, sustainability, environmental policy, renewable energy, Minnesota Climate Innovation Financing Authority, earned incentive release credit, release credits, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, sentence reduction, good time, prison time, incarceration, violent offenses, murder, criminal sexual conduct, sex offenses
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Energy Finance and Policy Committee 2/20/25
Energy Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Your lives depend on getting this right, your constituent lives depend on it, and our children and our
- Your lives depend on getting this right, your constituent lives depend on it, and our children and our
- Your lives depend on getting this right, your constituent lives depend on it, and our children and our
- Your lives depend on getting this right, your constituent lives depend on it, and our children and our
- Your lives depend on getting this right, your constituent lives depend on it, and our children and our
Bills:
HF845
Keywords:
net metering, distributed generation, solar energy, rooftop solar, renewable energy, utility rates, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, net billing, bill credits, cost of service study, standby charge, qualifying facility, energy policy, clean energy, customer generation, interconnection, Minnesota Statutes 216B.164
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - 01/22/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- on what we get between 250,000 depending on what we get between 250,000 and and and 6665<00:18:54.480
- He said the virus depends on migration and how it moves around, and that they feel pretty comfortable
- He said the number of cases can vary depending on migration and how the virus moves around.
- Stamper said that right now, to install one of these reverse osmosis systems, depending on the vendor
- on the the vendor it's between depending on the the vendor it's between $1,200<00:48:22.000>
and<
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No operation of watercraft in a way that threatens uncultivated wild rice beds, HF3896 3/26/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- to explain to my son that what that person was doing was harming the very thing that he loves and depends
- <00:08:18.400>
By thing that he loves and depends on. - By thing that he loves and depends on.
- Um, again, throughout the state, different areas, depending upon water levels and what's going on, our
- upon water levels and what's depending upon water levels and what's going<00:21:41.840>
on <00
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
02/11/2026 - House Transportation & Infrastructure
Transportation & Infrastructure
Transcript Highlights:
- I may potentially change that out depending on the members that are walking in.
- And I may potentially change that depending on the members that are walking in.
- I guess the only answer I can give is it depends. It's a situational issue.
- So it's hard for me to give you an answer besides it depends.
- Representative Carter again, it's sort of a gray area depending on your offense.
Keywords:
special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement, safety fund, state funding, Arizona Revised Statutes, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges
Summary:
The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure heard several bills, beginning with HB 2957, which would require physical driver licenses to be accepted for identification purposes and prohibit cities, towns, counties, and districts from requiring digital mobile IDs for government services. The sponsor framed the bill as a privacy and choice measure tied to concerns about Real ID, biometric data, and federal overreach. Supporters said it preserves a non-Real ID option and protects privacy, while opponents raised concerns about travel requirements and whether the bill could affect proof of legal status. The committee approved HB 2957 on a 4-3 vote.
The committee then considered HB 2941, which would make certain motorcycle lane-splitting or passing behavior subject to reckless driving penalties. The sponsor and a motorcycle rights representative explained the difference between lawful lane filtering and unlawful lane splitting, saying the bill would add enforcement teeth for unsafe conduct and improve safety. Members discussed the distinction between filtering and splitting, and several related personal safety concerns. The committee passed HB 2941 unanimously, 7-0.
HB 2305, dealing with private towing carriers, would establish statewide rules for private-property towing, including rate standards tied to DPS agreements, documentation and photo requirements, notice to law enforcement, and penalties for unlawful towing. Supporters said the bill would create uniformity and curb predatory towing, while the Arizona Trucking Association raised concerns about the DPS rate structure and the need for further stakeholder work. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the bill applies only to motor vehicles towed from private property and then passed the bill 7-0. HB 2257, a strike-everything amendment changing the distribution of watercraft fee revenues and requiring an annual expenditure report, also passed after Game and Fish warned of a significant fiscal impact and committee members discussed Mohave County’s water patrol needs; the vote was 4-3.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2573, which as amended was narrowed to address a 45-day gap before repeat DUI offenders can install ignition interlock devices. Supporters said the change would improve public safety by allowing earlier use of the technology, while members discussed whether it would weaken DUI laws and how the interlock system works. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 2573, so no committee action is shown for that bill in the provided text.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- It depends on if it's a very case-by-case basis.
- Depending on what efforts the family is putting into working their treatment plan, in the event that
- they are working their treatment plan, it can take up to 15 or 15 months or even longer, depending on
- Estimated 80% of families with dependents already income eligible after that 2022 expansion.
- It depends on when they surveyed it.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight Aug 13th, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Depending on a couple of factors: one, the location of the business.
- Ultimately, it's going to create an inland port where services that hit Houston or L.A., depending on
- Money comes from a different place and has different needs and different liquidity concerns depending
- Certain forms of baby bonds, depending on their state.
- We're not a dependent state because we chose to be.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight committee (7-10-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's what this money was for: to leave the dependence on tobacco and to be able to diversify.
- money was for to to leave the dependence money was for to to leave the dependence on<00:18:21.360
- Some county agents and county councils, they depend on our staff, you know, to answer questions, to kind
- county um most county agents and and county councils,<00:25:34.080>
they <00:25:34.320>depend - on our staff, you councils, they depend on our staff, you know,<00:25:35.919>
to <00:25:36.159
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:04
Approval of Minutes 00:36
KOAP Report 00:51, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the June 12 minutes, and then received a presentation from Brandon Reid and Bill McCloskkey of the Agricultural Development Board on the June report and the 25th anniversary of the Agricultural Development Fund. They described a joint anniversary meeting held at the Kentucky Historical Society, thanked staff, and noted that the board presented members with a token of appreciation. They also reported a clean annual audit, with the audit report to be shared more fully at a later meeting.
The presenters reviewed June activity and funding decisions, saying the development board approved about $3.3 million and the finance board about $5 million in loans. They highlighted program activity such as advisory council meetings, site visits, project reports, and county comprehensive plans. Specific projects discussed included the Food Chain project, which sought support for equipment and improvements to expand Kentucky product marketing; Miller Rockbridge Farms LLC, which sought county support for a barn for an education program; and Thompson Family Farm LLC, which sought funding for a livestock buying station. The board approved reduced or county-only funding in some cases, including $45,643 for the Food Chain project and county money for the farm projects.
Members asked about the meaning and purpose of the county comprehensive plans and how counties use them to guide funding decisions. The presenters explained that House Bill 611 created a structure in which each county council develops a comprehensive plan, updated on a five-year cycle, to prioritize local agricultural investments and evaluate applications. They said county councils work with extension agents and the Agricultural Development Office, and that staff attend meetings, provide training, and help new agents and council members understand the program. Members emphasized that the planning process helps ensure funds are targeted to local needs and supports diversification of agriculture beyond tobacco.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Economic and Rural Development Jul 7th, 2025
Economic & Rural Development & Policy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- We are heavily dependent on the racetrack; I will admit that.
- We are heavily dependent on the racetrack for our summer business here at the end of the Mountain Gods
- Dependent on the racetrack for our summer business here at the end of the Mountain Gods.
- And the flip side: the whole community is heavily dependent on the ski area in the wintertime.
- So those are things that we are working on so that we're not so dependent on tourism; we're not so dependent
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I think we need to take a deep look at it depending on the cost.
- <00:04:47.280>
One <00:04:47.440>of look at it depending on the cost. - One of look at it depending on the cost.
- Um, it would depend on how much the magnitude of the work.
- <00:08:47.839>
how <00:08:48.080>much <00:08:48.240>the Um, it would depend
Summary:
The committee heard several resolutions focused on economic development, tourism, agriculture, and gaming. It first took up a measure to support advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity through the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, with testimony from DBEDT, HTDC, and APE Hawaii in support. Witnesses said the proposal aligns with federal and university partnerships, could help small and medium-sized businesses, and could support use of industrial sites such as the Mililani Technology Park. The committee then considered a resolution asking DBEDT to sponsor a Michelin Guide for restaurants statewide; testimony was mixed, with support for culinary recognition but concerns about cost and uncertainty over the return on investment. The committee amended that measure to require review and evaluation of the cost and benefit before sponsorship.
The committee also heard a resolution directing the Agribusiness Development Corporation to assume routine maintenance and repair of the Kohala ditch. ADC testified that it would need to meet with stakeholders, assess the damage, and likely spend the first year determining needed repairs before seeking additional capital funding; members noted a prior $10 million appropriation and asked that the committee report reflect a transfer of those funds to ADC. The measure was moved forward as is, with that comment for the report.
The most extensive discussion centered on a resolution to establish a tourism and gaming working group within DBEDT. Supporters included DBEDT, Aloha Halawa District Partners, labor representatives, the stadium authority, and Boyd Gaming, who described it as a first step to gather data and recommendations before any gaming policy decisions. Opponents argued the gaming industry should not help write the rules, warned about problem gambling and outside corporate influence, and urged the committee to reject the measure. The committee ultimately passed the resolution with an SD1 and technical amendments, and members said they would keep the issue open for further discussion, including possible inclusion of AHDP in the working group. The committee also heard and advanced a separate resolution urging the stadium authority to finalize the new Aloha Stadium contract and continue work on the entertainment district, with testimony both supporting the project and opposing it in favor of more housing. The committee voted to pass the stadium resolution as well.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- on the age and um uh the depending on the age and um uh the context?
- But again, it depends on each company whether or not they decide to put those things in place.
- These systems can create what's called the dopamine loops that foster emotional dependence.
- <00:28:32.000>
We're <00:28:32.240>also emotional dependence. - We're also emotional dependence.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation. (6-3-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- The impact of the 10-cent reduction on the road fund largely depends on how long it's in place.
- the rainy day funds up for transportation to get some of it, but it's not a good thing for us to depend
- on the general thing for us to depend on the general fund. fund. fund.
- And we sit down monthly to look at that, if not more often, depending on the circumstance.
- <00:40:43.400>
upon development project, dependent upon development project, dependent upon
Keywords:
00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call
01:22 Overview/Impact of Executive Order
47:02 General Funds in Road Plan
50:37 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation met for its first meeting and received an overview from Transportation Cabinet officials on the governor’s executive order responding to high gas prices. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock and budget director Shawn McKiernan explained that the order declared a state of emergency, reduced the state motor fuels tax by 10 cents per gallon, froze the tax rate for FY27, and urged Congress to suspend the federal gas tax. They said the emergency regulation would remain in effect until the war in Iran ends or Kentucky gas prices fall below $3 per gallon, and that any transportation budget shortfalls could be covered by the state budget reserve trust fund if requested later by the governor.
McKiernan estimated the 10-cent reduction would reduce the road fund by about $26.8 million per month, with roughly 44% flowing to county road aid, rural secondary, and municipal road aid. He said the immediate impact to counties and cities would be about $11.8 million for one month, while the cabinet would see about $15 million per month less available for its own use. He also said the freeze on the FY27 motor fuels tax rate would prevent a scheduled increase and, compared with the budget assumption, would produce about $42 million in net additional revenue, split between local governments and the cabinet. He added that if the reduction lasted through December, the major transportation programs could be down about 16.9% from budgeted levels.
Members focused on the effect on local governments, the road fund, and the cabinet’s cash management process. Several senators and representatives criticized the executive order as short-sighted or political, while others emphasized the need for a long-term solution to transportation funding. Questions were raised about how make-whole payments to counties and cities would be handled, how the cabinet manages cash flow, and whether the state should continue relying on general fund transfers to support the road plan. Cabinet officials said they would work with lawmakers, explained that project authorizations are managed based on cash flow and seasonal spending patterns, and noted that construction and maintenance costs have risen sharply, making revenue adequacy a continuing concern.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- It, depending on the technology, may need a little bit of assistance from another technology.
- It depending on the standalone.
- It depending on the technology<00:08:10.400>
it <00:08:10.639>may <00:08:10.800>need - Now, this varies depending on the kind of electrification that the state may use, anything from basic
- varies depending on the kind of electrification<00:28:59.919>
uh <00:29:00.080>that <00
Bills:
HF4770
Summary:
The committee approved the March 26 minutes and then took up House File 4770, as amended by an A1 technical amendment. The bill was presented as a proposal to help Liberty Diversified International and Liberty Paper in Becker plan for replacement steam and energy supply as the Shuro facility closure approaches in 2030. Testimony described Liberty Paper’s current closed-loop steam arrangement with Shuro, the need to study future fuel and technology options, and the potential use of anaerobic digestion, biomass, construction and demolition waste, and food waste to produce steam and possibly power. Members asked about feedstock availability, the need for a feasibility study, possible backup natural gas use, and whether waste heat or wastewater heat could be useful. The bill was laid over as amended.
The committee then heard a presentation from CenterPoint Energy on Minnesota heating demand and electrification. CenterPoint staff said affordability and reliability are central concerns and outlined how the utility manages customer costs through energy efficiency, contracting, storage, peak shaving, and conservation. Dr. Joel Lynch presented research on peak heating with natural gas and the “missing piece” in Minnesota’s electrification puzzle, explaining that Minnesota’s cold climate makes winter heating demand especially challenging and that replacing natural gas would require substantial new electric capacity and renewable resources. He compared his work with prior national and state studies and said the analysis used Minnesota-specific gas throughput, COP assumptions across several electrification scenarios, and January renewable capacity data.
Lynch summarized preliminary findings that Minnesota’s peak gas heating throughput could be up to 40 gigawatts, with electric resistance heating implying roughly 36 gigawatts of new demand, and lower but still substantial demand under heat-pump scenarios. The presentation was informational only; no vote was taken on the CenterPoint presentation. The meeting ended with House File 4770 laid over and the energy demand presentation continuing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Restricting who can access license plate reader data 3/17/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- So as you will know, it depends on what the request of that data is.
- So as you will know, it depends on what the request of that data is.
- So as you will know, it depends on what the request of that data is.
- So as you will know, it depends on what the request of that data is.
- So as you will know, it depends on what the request of that data is.
Summary:
House File 4205, as amended, was heard and then re-referred to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Tabke said the bill is intended to protect Minnesotans’ private data tied to license plate reader systems by requiring warrants for out-of-state access, limiting dissemination of privately collected data, and adding reporting and oversight. He said the amendment was substantive and was adopted before the bill was discussed. Tabke also said he was open to changes, including revisiting the audit requirement, and noted the bill should still allow law enforcement to use license plate data for investigations.
John Beeler of the ACLU of Minnesota testified in support, arguing that automatic license plate reader use has expanded far beyond what the 2015 statute contemplated and that third-party vendors have complicated data practices and accountability. He said the bill would modernize the law, require public disclosure of data-sharing relationships, and ensure private vendors are subject to data obligations. Jeff Potts of the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association opposed the bill as written, saying LPR technology has been important in investigations, including a recent child abduction case, but that the annual audit requirement would be too costly for small agencies and could make the technology unaffordable. He said the association was open to further discussions on guardrails but opposed the bill in its current form.
Members raised questions about what data is actually returned by a license plate query versus an LPR hit, with Representative Duran arguing the bill conflated limited registration information with broader private data. Representative Feist supported the bill, saying the public should not trust Flock and that the issue is the cumulative tracking of people’s movements, not just isolated data points. Representative Hudson said the bill raised valid questions but might unintentionally hinder investigations, and he requested a roll call. The committee ultimately adopted the A1 amendment and moved the bill forward on a roll call vote.