Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> costs</c><00:04:10.480><c> per</c> Without state support, sewer costs per Without state support,
• </c> The city of Rockford has demonstrated The city of Rockford has demonstrated strong<00:04:18.840>
• </c> members, we're able to do that support. members, we're able to do that support.
• </c> support of our request today. support of our request today.
• . support. support.

Bills: HF4710, HF4055, HF3848, HF3989, HF4599, HF3767, HF3592, HF3575, HF3574, HF3543, HF4606, HF4489, HF3891, HF3438, HF3811, HF3400

Keywords: capital investment, water infrastructure, sewer systems, public funding, municipal development, Eveleth, wastewater treatment, state bonds, environmental compliance, infrastructure, bonds, economic development, local government, transportation, intersection improvements, Lake Elmo, HF4599, St. Joseph, Minnesota bonding bill, bond proceeds fund

Transcript Highlights:

• SWCDs provide a valuable and cost-effective... support and I know the swcds do as support and I know
• </c><00:15:18.120><c> last</c> support last year by Camal support last support last year by Camal support
• It enjoyed bipartisan support.
• Farm Bureau supports tax incentives to Farm Bureau supports tax incentives to encourage<00:49:51.160>
• </c> Omnibus Bill um I ask for your support Omnibus Bill um I ask for your support so<00:50:48.839><c

Bills: HF1126, HF967, HF1066, HF1669, HF926

Keywords: property tax, Indian Tribe, tax exemption, Minnesota, public charity, property tax exemption, Minnesota statutes, unorganized territory, federally recognized, soil conservation, water conservation, local government aid, environmental funding, Minnesota legislation, tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, tobacco

Transcript Highlights:

• AI supports learning. AI supports learning. It never replaces the educator.
• This is a bill that's public safety and victim support.
• So I would definitely appreciate your support on this bill.
• So thank you to Senator 33 and also 22, and I urge your support on this bill.
• So thank you to Senator 33 and also 22, and I urge your support on this bill.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And they supported us as we learned and as we grew. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.
• Retired teachers, your recognition of Tim Lee and his support for your...
• We appreciate your support, and we ask that you continue the fight. Keep roaring.
• And I thank you for giving us the support of services that we need because, but for you, figuring out
• For over 130 years, the Greater San Antonio Chamber has been a driving force in our region, supporting

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:38:11.240><c> support</c> Moser in support Kate oconor in support Moser in support Kate oconor in
• </c> Queen cel systems in support support Queen cel systems in support support Jonathan<00:39:00.440>
• Watson in support, and Avery Olan in support.
• thank</c><01:02:45.839><c> you</c> support we'll stand support thank you support we'll stand support
• </c><01:14:07.760><c> white</c> support Nancy partia in support white support Nancy partia in support

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Health, Human Services, and Labor and Technology committee heard testimony on SB 447, a Department of Health pilot program related to recruitment, and SB 1043, a tax measure. On SB 447, the Department of Health said the pilot had streamlined hiring by delaying minimum-qualification review until later in the process, while the Department of Human Resources Development objected that parts of the bill could conflict with civil service rules, due process rights, and equal pay requirements. Several labor and employee groups testified, with some supporting the pilot as a way to address vacancies and others warning about merit-system concerns. The committee later voted to pass SB 447 as is. On SB 1043, testimony was mixed but largely focused on the bill’s tax changes, especially the proposed increase to the general excise tax and exemptions or credits for lower-income households. Supporters, including labor groups and housing/worker advocates, argued the bill would reduce burdens on working families, help with food insecurity, and keep residents in Hawaiʻi. Opponents, including the Tax Foundation of Hawaiʻi and some community witnesses, said the general excise tax is regressive and would raise costs across the state. The committee voted to advance SB 1043 with substantial amendments, deleting most of the bill except section two and setting a far-future effective date, while noting the fiscal impact had not been provided. The committee also deferred SB 633 and later deferred SB 1633 for further decision-making, scheduling continued consideration for February 12, 2025, in Room 225. The hearing included standard instructions on one-minute testimony, written testimony, and Zoom procedures, and the committee adjourned after taking the above actions.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:31:15.199><c> housing</c> SF1732 to fund supportive housing SF1732 to fund supportive housing
• ><c> the</c> Family supportive housing is the Family supportive housing is the essential<01:31:35.320
• robust support and to build receive more robust support and to build more<01:32:27.719><c> homes.
• </c> SF1 1732 for families in supportive SF1 1732 for families in supportive housing.<01:32:36.400><c
• Your omnibus also supports hopeful.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We fully support SB 557.
• We are in support of SB 557.
• I I So, um, so I I support it.
• I am here to support this bill.
• </c> support of this bill. Thank you. support of this bill. Thank you.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . support. support.
• </c> support of HF 4477. support of HF 4477.
• </c> support for HF 4477. support for HF 4477.
• support support would<01:20:35.680><c> you</c><01:20:35.800><c> support</c><01:20:36.280><c> your</c
• . support. support.

Bills: HF4477

Keywords: Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in support. I forgot a client, Children's Special Care Coalition, in support.
• These are support.
• Hi, Juanita Martinez on behalf of Firstinius in support. Christine, in support.
• We fully support and always have supported appropriate oversight. Thank you.
• We urge your support. Thank you. Thank you. Now, any additional witnesses in support?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I support it. and this amendment. So, I support it. Okay,<00:02:12.560><c> great.
• </c> bringing this bill forward and I support bringing this bill forward and I support moving<00:03:11.760
• She's supported of the she is teams.
• She's supported of the she is supportive<00:09:34.240><c> of</c><00:09:34.480><c> the</c><00:09:34.920
• And we need to really support that.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> construction homes we also um support construction homes we also um support and<00:04:36.440><c>
• ><c> lots</c><00:04:39.039><c> of</c> and have supported so many lots of and have supported so many lots
• <00:48:56.400><c> of</c><00:48:56.799><c> house</c><00:48:57.079><c> foul</c> support of house foul support
• Anthony was to support this line of work.
• </c> housing I urge the committee to support housing I urge the committee to support house<00:59:25.440

Bills: HF1143, HF1548, HF1340, HF2549, HF2559, HF1673, HF2740, HF2507, HF2461, HF2381, HF2695

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• demonstrated demonstrated that<00:24:32.559><c> when</c><00:24:32.880><c> she</c><00:24:33.039><c> believes
• Demonstrate you were not licensed?
• supports fiscal responsibility, SB61 supports fiscal responsibility, modernizes<02:06:27.520><c> our
• </c> to come here today to speak in support to come here today to speak in support of<03:04:11.279><c
• And so I can't support this without an amendment.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Isaac Lassiter, Cutting Edge Modular, in support. California YIMBY in support.
• Other folks here in support. Hello, Brooke Pritchard, on behalf of California YIMBY, in support.
• Are there any other witnesses in support? Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in support?
• We're also support-if-amended and support the amendments outlined by RCRC. All right.
• Do we have any other supporters? Any supporters in the audience here?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , in support.
• Others here in support. Housing California in support and a proud co-sponsor.
• Are there any other witnesses in support? Thank you. Are there any other witnesses in support?
• We’re also support-if-amended and support the amendments outlined by RCRC.
• Do we have any other supporters? Any supporters in the audience here?

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

Transcript Highlights:

• She's had a lot of experience supporting Cape Verdean civic and cultural initiatives.
• Other than that, I'm totally supportive of the slate that you put forward.
• Supportive of the slate that you put forward.
• I know that there were some concerns before about not wanting to be on record in support or not in support
• not in support of someone just because, you know, we don't know everyone's experience.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to advance planning for a proposed Cape Verdean Cultural Center in Massachusetts, with members emphasizing the historical significance of Cape Verdeans in the Commonwealth and the need to complete a feasibility study over the next year. After roll call and introductions of new participants, the commission unanimously approved the prior meeting minutes. Members also reviewed and approved a draft nomination criteria document, with a small edit to explicitly include Cape Cod in the geographic representation language. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on expanding commission membership. Rochelle Barbosa presented criteria aimed at ensuring regional, gender, generational, and sector diversity, along with needed expertise in areas such as history, museums, architecture, fundraising, nonprofit governance, language preservation, legal issues, and community organizing. The commission discussed several organizations and institutions that should have designees, including Bridgewater State’s Cape Verdean studies program, Mili Mila, the Schooner Ernestina Morrissey Advisory Board, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Members also reviewed a long list of suggested nominees and identified possible gaps, including legal expertise and representation from Taunton and Cape Cod-area communities. Because the commission had 16 additional nominees for 12 remaining seats, members agreed that more vetting was needed before final appointments. Representative Vieira proposed, and the commission approved, forming a three-member nominating committee consisting of Senator Miranda, Commissioner Monica Vega, and Commissioner Manny Lopes. The committee was tasked with narrowing the list and bringing back recommendations for a vote at a later meeting. Members also discussed scheduling another meeting before the end of the month so appointments could be finalized and the commission could begin its work plan, including monthly meetings, listening sessions, and visits to cultural institutions. The meeting adjourned after those next steps were outlined.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just curious generally as to the demonstrated need for a public records exemption.
• Domestic cases involving child support, divorce cases.
• My organization, everybody else, is going to support that because we rely on this system.
• It's just... ...I haven't seen it at any of the supporting documents for this committee.
• So I am in support of the bill.

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• or provide support for the line staff that are coming. develop and really ask as a support or provide
• But we're again at another crossroads where we need your support to clearly support MCAD.
• I implore this committee to support our request today and to continue to support MCAD, our work, and
• Thank you for your continued support.
• Thank you for your continued support.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:22:20.840><c> by</c><00:22:21.200><c> uh</c> supported by uh supported by uh bipartisan<00:22:22.960
• In Hudson, we support that.
• Mailing does cost, and Hudson supports that.
• </c><00:51:03.559><c> for</c> revalue and provide all the support for revalue and provide all the support
• </c><01:56:10.840><c> was</c> online uh the support was online uh the support was 262<01:56:12.880><c

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd like to really need some support?
• </c><00:54:20.640><c> a</c> not really want to you know support a not really want to you know support
• </c> present formula, they must demonstrate present formula, they must demonstrate the<00:57:40.079><
• </c> projects and you have enough to support projects and you have enough to support that<01:15:31.760
• </c> districts in terms of receiving support districts in terms of receiving support from<01:51:21.840

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee began its first meeting on retained education funding bills, focusing on HB 366, which concerns school building aid for eligible projects, and HB 295, which would make school building aid program funds non-lapsing. The chair framed the discussion around broader questions about how school building aid should work, noting the state’s limited available funding, the existing debt service obligations, and whether the current formula should continue or be changed. He also raised concerns about the state’s overall revenue constraints and the need to consider renovation, new construction, and possibly leasing within any future program. Members and the Department of Education representative discussed whether school building aid is a state or local responsibility, the current backlog of projects, and the condition of school facilities statewide. Tim Carney of the Bureau of School Facilities described his background and answered technical questions about current programs. Representative Luno argued that under the ConVal decision the state has responsibility for school buildings, including construction and renovation, and that the program also serves an equity function by helping districts with less property-tax capacity. Representative Papich urged the committee to focus on policy structure and fairness rather than just available dollars, saying the current system creates winners and losers and suggesting a simpler per-capita or similar allocation model, while acknowledging a possible transition for projects already in the pipeline. The discussion also covered CTE facilities and leasing. Carney explained that charter schools, and possibly CTE centers, can receive limited leasing aid, and that CTE capital requests are funded through a state capital process, while federal Carl Perkins funds cannot be used for construction. He and others described a separate rotational funding approach for CTE centers, but several members said that model can leave programs waiting too long and may not match changing workforce needs. The chair and others noted that a report from a related study group on CTE policy and funding was still pending, and that its absence could affect legislation for FY28. No votes were taken and no bill was acted on in the portion of the meeting provided; the discussion ended with interest in modeling alternatives, reviewing the waiting list, and examining the tradeoffs of reducing upfront state aid versus funding more projects overall.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um and so I'll be supporting this Um and so I'll be supporting this amendment. amendment. amendment.
• </c> uh to uh take this section out, support uh to uh take this section out, support the<02:23:13.120
• Chair, and I support the amendment.
• So I do support the amendment. I on. So I do support the amendment.
• </c> and I support it. Thank you, Mr. Chair. and I support it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all