Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Earth: So, your purpose in doing this is to refinance $7 million? Mr.
• Janelle: That's why the $7 million.
• purpose in doing this is to &gt;&gt; So, your purpose in doing this is to refinance<00:10:37.200><c> $7<
• We have four items: CAP 2517 from the DAS, the quarterly capital budget report, the October status report
• October status report onformational October status report onformational technology<00:27:25.440><c> projects

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee met at 9:00 a.m. and first approved the September 29 minutes. The committee then considered University System of New Hampshire Capital Project 260001, a $70 million request involving two residence hall renovation projects at UNH. UNH officials said the work is needed to address aging 1970-era buildings, including heating, plumbing, and other deferred maintenance, and to improve student recruitment, retention, and living conditions. Members asked about the construction timeline, which was estimated at about four years, and about enrollment decline, which was estimated at roughly 15% over 10 years. The committee approved the project after discussion, with members noting the buildings’ age and need for repair. The committee next heard Capital Project 26003 from the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Cannon Mountain. Commissioner Sarah Stewart and staff described an $893,000 tranche, part of a larger effort to address deferred maintenance at the mountain, including guest facilities, lift infrastructure, a passenger ramp for scenic chairlift use, snowmaking improvements, a line replacement, a pump rebuild, and operations equipment. Members asked about the $6 million bonding limit established in 1999, and the department said it appears insufficient and may need updating in the future. The committee approved the Cannon Mountain request. The department also provided an informational update on the Cannon Mountain aerial tramway. Officials said a structural engineering firm is analyzing towers, terminals, and footings, with the goal of confirming the existing infrastructure can support a new tram system and refining bid specifications. They said the work is on track, with an updated cost estimate expected in January and a bid targeted for May. Members asked about the limited number of manufacturers capable of doing the work and whether the project could be delayed; the department said it is in active discussions with the likely bidders and pre-qualifying them. The meeting ended with brief discussion of informational reports, including a question about apparent delays in some New Hampshire Veterans Home projects, which staff said they would follow up on, and the committee adjourned with the next meeting set for March 16 at 9:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically, he's going to testify, I'm sure, that at that 7-meter, 6-point-something-meter, it's 22
• And that report showed this past year that only 7% of the tarpon caught in Louisiana were caught west
• I ask you to turn to pages 5, 6, and 7. We continue our efforts to reduce this number further.
• I ask you to turn to Tab 7.
• Francois, you're tab 7.

Committee: House Natural Resources & Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• So in just two years, net metering costs have gone up $7 million. That's $3.5 million per year.
• $7 $7 million.<00:38:55.440><c> That's</c><00:38:55.839><c> $</c><00:38:55.839><c> three</c><00:38:56.000
• The first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843.
• 7, 2023.
• </c><01:54:47.280><c> 7th,</c> held in Gaza by Kamas since October 7th, held in Gaza by Kamas since October

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ll also insert a defective date of 7/13/00 to facilitate further discussion.
• We’ll also insert a defective date of 7/13/00 to facilitate further discussion.
• We’ll also insert a defective date of 7/13/00 to facilitate further discussion.
• The recommendation here is also to pass this as is, noting the defective date of 7/13/00.
• The recommendation here is also to pass this as is, noting the defective date of 7/13/00.

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 707, which would create a state income tax deduction for contributions to Hawaii 529 college savings accounts and conform state law to federal changes allowing 529 funds to be used for K-12 expenses. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the bill as written. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure but asked that ABLE accounts be included and that the program title be changed; the Department of Taxation indicated the title issue could be a problem because the bill’s expanded purpose may not fit the current program name. No vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 617, which would fund a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges. UH Community Colleges supported the bill, and Maui nursing staff testified that faculty recruitment is challenging but manageable, clinical placements are available, and the campus already has a statewide RN-to-BSN pathway; they said the new program would create two tracks, including a four-year BSN option. Members also heard support from several organizations, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, nursing groups, and health care associations. No action was taken. Next were several UH-related measures. HB 718 would fund faculty and staff positions at the John A. Burns School of Medicine; the dean and other supporters testified in favor. HB 1279 would create a medical education liaison position tied to Project ECHO; the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns about statewide concern and grant standards, while an individual witness supported the concept but suggested the bill should focus on liaison/support functions rather than program administration. HB 1169 would consolidate conference center revolving funds, and HB 1168 would authorize up to $800 million in UH revenue bonds; UH’s CFO said both were procedural/housekeeping measures and supported them. On HB 1168, members questioned debt service, possible uses, and whether deferred maintenance would be included; the CFO estimated annual debt service could be about $33 million to $41 million at current rates, said likely uses could include student housing and research facilities, and said deferred maintenance was not the current strategy. The CFO also explained that revenue bonds require both legislative authorization and a Board of Regents resolution approving the project and amount. Finally, the committee heard HB 548, which would authorize revenue bonds and appropriations to acquire the St. Francis School campus for UH Mānoa. UH supported the bill but noted the property is privately owned and not known to be for sale. A supporter described the site as a unique 11-acre parcel contiguous to the main campus and urged the committee to seize the opportunity for future generations. No vote or final action was taken on the bills in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now the first year, because we want this to go into effect immediately, if we wait until October for
• , then we're October for them to begin, then we're already<00:40:29.040><c> kind</c><00:40:29.200><c>
• And then replace line 178 on page 7 with the following. B.
• </c><00:41:48.560><c> Except</c><00:41:48.880><c> for</c> page 7 with the following. B.
• Except for page 7 with the following. B.

Bills: HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242 , HB235 , HB236 , HB565 , HB237 , HB238 , HB239 , HB240 , HB241 , HB242

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, HB236, Baldwin County, Board of Equalization, per diem

Transcript Highlights:

• They would have staff there 24/7. They would make sure that they're getting their...
• So we obviously, even though our request goes in October, you guys get it at October 1st, that goes to
• This is for ongoing inflationary costs for medical care and food in our 24-7 care.
• This supports all of our 24-7 facilities. Page 20—excuse me.
• This is the core for contracted staffing in our 24-7 facilities.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion passes 7-0. The motion passes 7-0. The bill is out.
• Item is out 7-1. For add-ons to item number two, SB 762, the motion is do pass. Ransom, aye.
• That item is out 7-1.
• And the last item on the agenda, item number 7, SB 1169. Thank you so very much. Mr.
• That measure is out 7 to 2.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• A three-week period in September and October of last year, those three storms cost $500 billion worth
• We have 7 million people in Massachusetts and 722,000 small businesses.
• His agenda created 7 million new jobs, delivered historically low poverty rates, and record employment
• We know that the core 7(a) loan program is in need of oversight in terms of understanding the rising
• Chair Ernst has pointed out rising delinquencies in the 7(a) loan program and rising delayed payments

Committee: Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Alabama Pharmacy Association reception is tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at RSA Plaza.
• The Alabama Port Authority legislative reception is from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
• The Alcat prayer breakfast is from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. at the RSA Plaza on the 6th floor.
• The effective date is October 1, 2025. Yeah, I knew what you meant. Well, you...
• Record the vote. 7 ayes, zero nays. The amendment has been adopted. With that, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• 34, 7:39, yes, 739, yes, 7:34, yes, that isn't going to work or is going to work.
• 34, 7:39, yes, 739, yes, 7:34, yes, that isn't going to work or is going to work.
• 34, 7:39, yes, 739, yes, 7:34, yes, that isn't going to work or is going to work. taxes are collected
• 34, 7:39, yes, 739, yes, 7:34, yes, that isn't going to work or is going to work.
• </c><01:19:49.400><c> 1st</c> tinkering in the data after October 1st tinkering in the data after October

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met to review a large package of bills, with the first four—HB 717, 742, 773, and 603—focused on special education aid, formerly called catastrophic aid. Chair Ladin explained that the committee needed to move a special education bill forward by March 4 and was trying to determine which bill would serve as the vehicle. He described the current formula and the difficulty of estimating the fiscal impact of lowering the threshold from 3.5 times the statewide average cost per pupil to a lower level, noting that DOE did not have reliable data on how many students would fall into the lower-cost bands. The committee also noted that several other bills in the package addressed SWEP and adequacy issues, and that HB 510 dealt with due process rather than funding. Mark Mello of the Bureau of School Finance testified that the department only has reliable data for special education expenditures above $70,000 per student, since claims are submitted for reimbursement at that point. He said the bureau was trying to estimate how many students might fall between 2.5x and 3.5x or 3x and 3.5x the average cost, but that the basic answer was they did not know and that any estimate would be difficult. He explained that moving the threshold from 3.5x to 2.5x would create a minimum additional cost of about $13.6 million based on existing claims, not counting new students who would enter the range. Members discussed whether districts already had the underlying data, whether a survey should be required, and how districts know when to begin tracking costs for reimbursement. The committee also discussed proration and the state’s share of special education aid. Mello explained that the current 80% state share is modeled in the formula, but the actual payment has been prorated because appropriations have not matched the statutory liability; he said the state liability was about $50 million, while the budget had provided $34 million, resulting in a 68% payment rate. HB 742 was described as a bill that would eliminate proration by paying the liability directly from the education trust fund with an overflow mechanism. Members also discussed possible alternatives such as changing the state share, using a lower threshold in a transition period, or requiring districts to submit data. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided; the committee was still in discussion and considering which bills to advance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Also note that written testimony will be accepted starting today through Wednesday, October 17th, at
• Section 7 seeks to give mandatory 15-minute breaks. I can't find that in another industry.
• DUA's October quarterly report shows the UI trust fund will be insolvent by quarter four of 2027 and
• In 2015, data shows about 7% of claims were in the highest wage category. In 2025, it's over 22%.
• In 2015, data shows about 7% of claims were in the highest wage category. In 2025, it's over 22%.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Summary: The Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development held a hybrid public hearing with testimony on a wide range of labor, workforce, unemployment insurance, apprenticeship, disability services, farm labor, hospital staffing, and workplace harassment bills. Chairs Jake Oliveira and Paul McMurtry outlined hearing procedures, limited testimony to two minutes, and noted written testimony would be accepted after the hearing. Committee members and staff were introduced throughout the session as witnesses arrived in person or remotely. A major portion of the hearing focused on unemployment insurance legislation. Greater Boston Legal Services, the AFL-CIO, and Rep. Joan Meschino supported bills to adjust UI eligibility for workers with fluctuating schedules and to streamline waivers and write-offs for non-fault overpayments, arguing the current system unfairly denies benefits or burdens workers who were not at fault. They also backed bills calling for more oversight and resources for the Division of Unemployment Assistance, citing persistent delays in benefit payments. NFIB opposed the UI changes, warning that the trust fund is headed toward insolvency and arguing the bills would worsen the system’s finances. Rep. Meschino and committee members emphasized that the proposals were meant to protect good-faith claimants and did not apply to fraud. Another large set of bills addressed wages, workforce development, and working conditions. Testimony supported raising and modernizing direct care wages to address severe staffing shortages in human services and disability services, with advocates from the Massachusetts Developmental Disability Council, The Arc of Massachusetts, parents of adults with disabilities, and a direct care worker describing how low pay and turnover harm people needing support. The committee also heard support for apprenticeship-related bills from the AFL-CIO and the Carpenters, while Associated Builders and Contractors opposed mandatory apprenticeship ratios and urged changes to align them with licensing laws. Farm worker advocates supported a bill to raise farm labor standards, including minimum wage, paid breaks, and paid time off, while the Farm Bureau opposed parts of it beyond the minimum wage increase. The hearing also featured testimony on workplace harassment training, overtime protections, hospital mandatory overtime, suicide prevention signage on construction sites, and a proposal to update the Massachusetts Medical Society’s mission language from “citizens” to “people.” Labor groups, educators, and compliance trainers strongly supported mandatory annual sexual harassment training, saying it would improve workplace culture and reduce harm. SEIU 1199 supported extending the hospital nurse mandatory overtime ban to the broader hospital workforce. Witnesses on the suicide prevention bill described personal losses in construction and recovery work and urged posting 988 information on job sites. The committee took no votes during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports, and members asked follow-up questions on UI calculations, apprenticeship ratios, small-business impacts, and emergency exceptions for hospital staffing.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's 24 by 7 monitored. And not only are...
• It's 24 by 7 monitored, and not only are the endpoints, but we're also watching the identities of all
• In September, we’re given about a two-week notice that as of October 1st, their payments would be cut
• We found that out later, and it was submitted to DF&A in October of last year. DF&A.
• We found that out later, and it was submitted to DF&A in October of last year. Okay.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING

Summary: The committee met to adopt prior minutes and reports from its executive and standing committees, including counties and municipalities, educational institutions, and state agencies. Those reports covered routine audit activity, delinquent private water and sewer audits, municipal accounting compliance issues, education audit findings, and several state agency audit items. The committee also reviewed and adopted the State of Arkansas annual comprehensive financial report for fiscal year 2025 and the related single audit report, both presented by Legislative Audit staff. The state financial report showed unmodified opinions on the state’s financial statements and described total assets of about $41.9 billion and liabilities of about $11.1 billion, along with retirement system assets of $39.9 billion and a net pension liability of $9 billion. Two material weaknesses were identified: insufficient internal controls at the Office of State Technology to monitor threats and unauthorized access, and a Division of Workforce Services methodology change for unemployment-related estimates that was not properly documented or approved. The single audit covered $12.4 billion in federal awards across 469 programs, with 16 major programs reviewed; it resulted in 33 findings, 14 with questioned costs totaling $16.6 million, and qualified opinions for the Summer EBT program, the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, and the Child Care Development Fund cluster. Members questioned agency officials in detail about the Summer EBT questioned costs, DHS unresolved findings, broadband grant documentation, cyber security controls, workers’ compensation liabilities, and child care funding and reporting. DHS explained that the Summer EBT issue involved drawing federal funds in advance rather than as benefits were redeemed, and said the process has been corrected. Broadband officials said the questioned $6.6 million reflected documentation-detail disagreements across many invoices rather than missing payments. OST officials described new logging, endpoint detection, and phishing-training efforts, and DFA and Education officials addressed specific audit findings and corrective actions. The committee ultimately moved to hold the two large statewide reports over until the August meeting for further review, with discussion continuing on whether to release some agency staff in the meantime.

Transcript Highlights:

• On October 23rd, I was one of six Malaya Tacoma members who rushed to St.
• Amidst all this, he was under 24/7 surveillance by GEO agents contracted by ICE, meaning he was in a
• Last October, Professor Angelina Godoy walked into my class as a guest speaker.
• Last October, Professor Angelina Godoy walked into my class as a guest speaker.
• Article I, Section 7, guarantees that people shall not be disturbed in their private affairs without

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on four bills. SB 5925 would expand the Attorney General’s civil investigative demand authority to investigate possible violations of the U.S. and Washington constitutions, certain labor and civil rights laws, law enforcement use-of-force issues, and jail-related statutes. Supporters, including the Attorney General’s office, Teamsters 117, and Working Washington, said the bill would make investigations faster and more effective, especially in wage theft and discrimination cases. Opponents, including police, sheriffs, cities, counties, and retail and business groups, argued it would give the AG broad investigative power without enough threshold showing, could burden local governments and employers, and raised constitutional concerns about speech and search protections. No vote was taken. SB 5906 would codify and expand protections for non-public spaces in schools, child care facilities, health care facilities, higher education institutions, and county auditor election areas by limiting immigration enforcement access without a judicial warrant or court order and restricting collection of immigration-related information about students and families. Supporters said the bill would reduce fear, protect privacy, and make existing Keep Washington Working policies clearer and more durable, with testimony from immigrant rights groups, faith organizations, students, PTA, and health advocates. Some organizations, including health care and child care stakeholders, supported the goal but asked for amendments to clarify definitions, create model policies, add training and enforcement provisions, and adjust warrant/subpoena language. The committee also heard strong opposition concerns about federal immigration enforcement, but no action was taken. SB 6070 would expand missing-person tools by allowing certain digital investigative tools to be used in missing endangered person cases, creating new Abney and Purple Alerts for missing Black people and people with disabilities, and broadening the definition of missing endangered person. Supporters included prosecutors, law enforcement, tribal and disability advocates, families of missing persons, and students who argued that faster alerts and better digital tools save lives and address racial and disability disparities in missing-person responses. Testimony described delays in prior cases and the need for more urgent, targeted alerts. The committee then heard SB 6002, which would regulate automated license plate reader systems, set registration, use, retention, audit, and disclosure rules, and prohibit certain uses such as immigration enforcement and surveillance near protected locations. The sponsor said the bill is intended to create statewide guardrails for a technology already in use, and testimony was expected to continue after the excerpt ended; no vote or final action was recorded in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now this has roughly grown by about 7 to 8 percent every year.
• On page 21, you'll see that the state match requirements are set to begin in October 2027.
• That will be set to start in October of 2026.
• We restarted those interviews last October, which has helped us significantly.
• That's going to be in October of 2022.

Committee: House Water & Natural Resources Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• 2nd of this year to October 2nd of 2031.
• Department of Defense from October 2nd of this year to October 2nd of 2031.
• By Governmental Oversight and Accountability, Senate Bill 7.
• This exemption will automatically repeal on October 2, 2026, unless this bill becomes law.
• This exemption will automatically repeal on October 2, 2026, unless this bill becomes law.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Lee County Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for stopping the April campus shooter. The Speaker then outlined the final week of session, noting the House had passed 253 House bills and 149 Senate bills to date, but that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed this week. The chamber also adopted the Rules and Ethics Committee’s special order report for the day. The House took up several Senate bills on special order, largely technical or open-government measures, and passed them with little or no opposition. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and revisor’s changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public-records and meeting exemptions for matters such as Public Service Commission proprietary information, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety records, cybersecurity, emergency shelter contact information, conviction integrity units, and trade secrets. Most passed overwhelmingly, though SB 7006 drew 99-8, SB 7022 on public records for exam integrity passed 101-8 after questions about testing materials and scoring rubrics, and SB 7026 on trade secrets passed 106-3. The most substantive floor debate centered on SB 7040, which recreates the emergency preparedness and response trust fund in the Executive Office of the Governor. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment to let the fund expire, arguing the money had become a “slush fund” and had been used for the Everglades detention facility rather than emergencies; several members supported her on fiscal and separation-of-powers grounds, while others said the fund is needed for rapid disaster response. The House rejected Eskamani’s amendment and then adopted a Griffiths strike-all amendment adding accountability measures, including spending limits, quarterly reporting, asset tracking, and a sunset/review provision. SB 7040 then passed 82-25. The chamber also passed CS/CS SB 302 on coastal resiliency, CS/CS SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, CS SB 474 on military affairs, and SB 488 on Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, which prompted extended questions about vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and foreign passport/I-94 documentation; the bill was still under amendment and debate when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Airbus is having a reception tonight from 5 to 7 at tonight from 5 to 7 at tonight from 5 to 7 at Rellos
• at RSA Plaza Terrace. from 5:30 to 7 at RSA Plaza Terrace. from 5:30 to 7 at RSA Plaza Terrace.
• 30 at RSA Plaza. 7:30 at RSA Plaza. 7:30 at RSA Plaza.
• The Nest at Alabama State 5:30 to 7:30. The Nest at Alabama State 5:30 to 7:30.
• October. October.

Bills: HJR 4 , HJR 6 , HB 195 , HB 13 , HB 143 , HB 135

Transcript Highlights:

• The next part of the agenda is consideration of the minutes from our October meeting.
• But we will be talking about this product at our board meeting every month through October or November
• We found out that bill was $7 million.
• , I’ve looked at it, so I’m a little bit slow here, but we’re taking out lines basically half, line 7,
• 8, and 9... ...lines basically half, line 7, 8, and 9, providing for health insurance mandate may not

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

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 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 to 1 on Saturdays. 1 on Saturdays.
• In the October special session, the legislature appropriated us a million dollars toward this.
• That was, I think, a $7 million cost if I Remember back three or four years ago?
• With that report, it just came out on November 1st or October 31.
• It's a reason why we have a 7 billion headache currently today.

Transcript Highlights:

• primarily a Greater Minnesota bill, as 75% of energy assistance today goes to households outside the 7-
• 02:55.319><c> households</c><00:02:56.120><c> outside</c><00:02:56.720><c> the</c><00:02:56.879><c> 7<
• /c><00:02:57.319><c> count</c> goes to households outside the 7 count goes to households outside the
• 7 count metro<00:02:58.280><c> area</c><00:02:59.080><c> where</c><00:02:59.280><c> energy</c><00:02:
• past-due receivables build from the end of summer, when electric bills can be some of the highest, into October

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pursuant to Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E, this is a motion for committee consideration.
• In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023 attacks, the Anti-Defamation League reported over 2,100
• This bill, incidentally, is also pursuant to Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E, of the Senate Rules

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Summary: The Senate Higher Education Committee met on May 5 and considered 12 bills, with most measures relating to higher education administration, student services, and professional licensing. The committee advanced a rural teacher loan repayment program for teachers serving underserved rural areas, a SUNY/CUNY mental health staffing requirement, a bill allowing SED access to patient or client records in professional misconduct cases, an AI-in-therapy regulation bill, cross-profession supervision for certain mental health professionals, an extension of limited permits for social workers, continuing education requirements for acupuncturists, and updated supervision rules for physical therapy assistants. One bill reorganizing SUNY police was held for further negotiations with SUNY, SUNY police, and stakeholders. Two Article 7, Section 2, subdivision E motions for committee consideration were taken up. Senator Rose’s bill to withhold financial aid from SUNY or CUNY institutions that permit organizations designated as terrorist organizations was defeated after several senators voted no or without recommendation. Senator Kanzanari Fitzpatrick’s bill requiring anti-Semitism awareness training, incident reporting, and compliance with state reporting rules for higher education institutions was approved and sent to the Codes Committee, with some senators voting without recommendation because they viewed the subject as already covered by existing law. The committee also reported Senator Rivera’s nurse practitioner conformity bill to the floor, and several other bills were reported either to the floor or to Finance depending on their fiscal impact. Most measures were approved without opposition, though some senators voted without recommendation on bills they said overlapped with existing statutes or prior legislation. The meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.