Transcript Highlights:

• out of their they go off they pay out of their pocket. pocket. pocket.
• paying out of<01:10:30.000><c> their</c><01:10:30.400><c> pocket.
• Now, I do think pay your property tax.
• </c><01:52:27.440><c> property</c> disabled that they don't pay property disabled that they don't pay
• </c><01:56:13.040><c> state</c> exempt from paying state exempt from paying state &gt;&gt; exactly<01

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I just... what you pay for, you should get. But I guess how would you recoup, like, fines?
• I mean, because obviously they don't have to pay for that to get all their stuff.
• and by actually, instead of trying to enforce the debt, helping them get into different programs to pay
• Had to pay the Reggie’s bills of $1.64 million this year, and so you may be aware that every college,
• Typically, a student experiences a personal or family emergency that disrupts their ability to pay for

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a wide range of bills touching student access, campus safety, and institutional support. Early testimony focused on H. 4544, which would create a state Hispanic-serving institution designation to replace a lost federal designation and potentially allow future funding. Representative Kushmerek and Fitchburg State President Donna Hodge described Fitchburg’s growing Latino student population, the university’s local commitments such as the Fitchburg Promise, and argued the bill would help the institution better serve its community. Committee members asked about how the tuition-free local program is financed, and the bill was described as having no immediate funding request but allowing for future appropriations. The committee also heard support for H. 1421, a proposed John F. Kennedy Service Scholarship Program for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, and Commonwealth Corps alumni, with Representative Arena DeRosa arguing that student debt discourages service and that the program would help make citizen service more accessible to lower- and moderate-income students. Members raised questions about cost, take-up, and whether the program should be capped. H. 1449, dealing with transcript withholding, drew support from Representative LeBoeuf and USPyre’s Demi Stoltz, who said withholding transcripts over small balances or non-academic fees traps students and harms workforce participation; members discussed how schools could still collect debts without blocking transcripts. The committee also heard testimony on a bill to improve study-abroad safety reporting, with Carrie Pascarello urging a centralized data system after multiple student deaths and serious incidents abroad, and members asking about how other states handle similar transparency measures. Another major topic was H. 4113 on higher education sexual misconduct. Laura G. and Ashley Freeman supported a proposal aimed at preventing “passing the harasser” by requiring disclosure of substantiated findings or departures during open investigations in hiring processes. They said the bill would improve transparency and campus safety while preserving due process, and noted Washington State has a similar law. Members discussed whether the bill should be expanded to K-12 settings and asked about the Washington model’s effectiveness. The committee also heard from Mike Canavan of AFT Massachusetts in support of a bill to create a grant program for librarians to earn a master’s in library science, noting the credential is required for the profession but is not offered by any public institution in Massachusetts. No votes were taken, and the hearing concluded after all scheduled witnesses testified.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are dollars that help pay for soft capital, hard capital.
• And a dramatic increase, she shielded the tribes, but everybody else has to pay the 40% unless you're
• We heard yesterday that, you know, troopers were going to pay $7,000 more for health care.
• We make all state agencies pay for the space they have. So we charge them and we collect it.
• So we own the building and we're the landlord, but we also have to have the revenue to pay for it.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we are paying close attention to our colleagues in the other body.
• Um, if we pay attention to what is happening in the House right now, we would have to really lower our
• </c><00:02:26.920><c> attention</c><00:02:27.520><c> to</c><00:02:28.360><c> uh</c> Uh we are paying
• </c><00:02:45.240><c> to</c><00:02:45.400><c> what</c><00:02:45.520><c> is</c> Um if we pay attention
• </c> I have got to admit that I am not paying I have got to admit that I am not paying close<00:07:32.960

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leaders said they were in the final weeks of session, moving long days of floor and finance work focused on priorities they described as affecting Minnesotans’ cost of living, safety, and security. They said next week would bring major packages to the floor, including public safety, health and human services, Metro Surge, and a gun violence package, while negotiations continued with House leaders and the administration. They also highlighted a human services bill from Sen. John Hoffman as the final item completed that day. A major topic was the Senate’s response to H.R. 1, which leaders said would require about $1 billion in state budget adjustments to avoid federal penalties and Medicaid losses. They said the proposal would address federal compliance issues, support hospitals such as HCMC and other distressed providers through uncompensated care funding, and include food support for SNAP-related needs, food shelves, food grants, and prepared food. They also emphasized system modernization, especially IT upgrades, as both an implementation and anti-fraud measure. Leaders said several items appeared to have bipartisan support, including HCMC relief, the Office of the Inspector General, bonding, and IT modernization. They said they were arranging a meeting with House and Senate leaders and the governor to work through bonding differences, but noted that IT modernization and HCMC were unlikely to be financed through general obligation bonds this year. They also said the Senate would take up a bill on prediction markets after Sen. Klein’s recent platform suspension, describing the issue as a violation of platform rules and saying the chamber may need updated rules or statutes. In response to a question about an elections bill provision, they said the measure reaffirmed that a president should serve only two terms and that the language had moved through the normal committee process.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires insurers to pay actual cash value within 30 days of an inspection, with interest after 30
• days, and to pay undisputed claim amounts within 15 days of the insured signing a remediation contract
• It requires insurers to pay actual cash value within 30 days of an inspection, with interest after 30
• days, and to pay undisputed claim amounts within 15 days of the insured signing a remediation contract
• They should not be left navigating inconsistent insurer practices or paying out of pocket just to prove

Summary: The Assembly Insurance Committee met as a subcommittee at first because a quorum was not initially present, then later established a quorum and heard several bills. The main special-order item was AB 1795 (Gibson), which would create statewide standards for testing, inspection, and remediation of wildfire smoke damage in homes, with CalEPA and public health agencies developing science-based standards and insurers required to follow new claims-handling timelines. Supporters, including Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and wildfire survivors, said the bill would bring consistency and safety; insurers and consumer groups generally supported the concept but sought further amendments on scope, standards, and claim handling. The committee voted do pass as amended and refer AB 1795 to Appropriations, with the roll held open for later additions. The committee also considered AB 1576 (Ortega) on the Subsequent Injury Benefit Trust Fund, which would make changes intended to reduce litigation and employer assessments while preserving the program’s purpose of encouraging hiring of workers with prior disabilities. Labor-side witnesses supported the bill as a reform step, while business, public entity, and insurance groups opposed it, arguing it did not address the core structural problems and that a trailer bill was a better vehicle for broader reform. AB 1576 was voted do pass to Appropriations, with the roll held open. AB 1931 (Papan) would create an optional limited-lines license for utilities to offer home protection products for repairs to appliances and utility service lines. Support came from HomeServe, utilities, and industry groups, who said the bill would clarify current law and add consumer protections such as training, disclosures, and a free-look period; there was no opposition in the room. The committee passed AB 1931 to Appropriations. AB 2361 (Pacheco) would limit vicarious liability for peer-to-peer vehicle-sharing platforms like Turo while preserving insurance coverage requirements; supporters said it would align California with other states, while consumer attorneys opposed it as reducing accountability and consumer recovery. The committee passed AB 2361 as amended to Appropriations. AB 2098 (Kalra), heard later, would require employers to allow leave for workers to attend treatment for occupational injuries during work hours, subject to notice and business-necessity limits; labor groups supported it and business and insurance groups sought narrower standards. It was also voted do pass to Appropriations. The committee then completed roll-call add-ons and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• think everyone who wants to carry a concealed weapon should have to go through an actual class and pay
• I don't have to pay for that HOA or those services for that pool because I'm not using it.'
• The funds can be used to help pay for various education-related services, including academic tutoring
• They're paying taxes while their kids are moving through the school system, and they are going to pay
• There's a certainty: death and taxes, and that applies to parents of children who pay and will pay many

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Sarah Coles. Members also introduced a number of guests in the gallery, including representatives from the Arizona LEND Program, Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses, and other visitors. The House then received communications from the Governor and moved into Committee of the Whole to consider Calendar One. In Committee of the Whole, members debated SB 1280, a bill concerning Mexican gray wolves and the use of public funds to transport them. An amendment offered by Representative Gutierrez, nicknamed the “Cruella DeVille Act,” was adopted after extended discussion about wolf conservation, ecosystem impacts, and whether the bill would interfere with wildlife recovery efforts. The underlying bill then received a due pass recommendation. The committee also recommended due pass for SB 1418 and SB 1785, and the House later adopted the Committee of the Whole report, placing SB 1280, SB 1418, and SB 1785 on third reading while retaining SB 1200 on the calendar. The House then considered Calendar Two. SB 1053, dealing with concealed carry permit fees, drew debate over whether the fee reduction was revenue-neutral and whether the bill should instead focus on training requirements; it received a due pass recommendation. SB 1259 also received due pass without debate. SB 1372, relating to health care provider recruitment and anesthesia access, was amended and then recommended do pass. SB 1475, which would bar students convicted of certain serious offenses from participating in interscholastic activities, prompted strong debate over student discipline versus second chances, and it too received a due pass recommendation. SB 1478 received a technical floor amendment changing its effective date and was then recommended do pass as amended. The House adopted the committee report, sending SB 1053, SB 1259, and SB 1475 to third reading and properly engrossing SB 1372 and SB 1478. On third reading, the House passed SB 1078, SB 1107, SB 1123, and SB 1142. SB 1142, a federal education tax credit bill, generated the most debate, with opponents arguing it would divert resources from public schools and primarily benefit wealthier families, while supporters said it would not affect state revenues and would allow Arizona families to benefit from an existing federal credit. The final vote on SB 1142 was 33 ayes to 26 nays, and the House then adjourned until 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• That online lender with one single location paying $600 a year can reach any Missouri citizen.
• That online lender with one single location paying $600 a year can reach any Missouri citizen.
• Your constituents are going to pay this increase. Let's face the facts.
• They'll be paying this fee to help the financial corporations.
• We don't start paying ourselves and our families until basically August 1st of each year.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the nice thing is we're not really paying somebody that's going to go out of state or anything.
• So, the nice thing is we're not really<00:17:02.480><c> paying</c><00:17:02.800><c> somebody</c><00:17
• :03.120><c> that's</c><00:17:03.279><c> going</c><00:17:03.360><c> to</c> really paying somebody that's
• going to really paying somebody that's going to go<00:17:03.600><c> out</c><00:17:03.759><c> of</c><
• </c> worrying about paying loans. worrying about paying loans.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For these pension funds, we're already paying their management fees.
• You pay it off when you can, but that's part of how it grows.
• The actuarial reports I've seen basically show every year what you're paying down.
• Instead of that number continuing to grow, you're paying off the liabilities in a smoother way.
• At that point, private equity does borrow money, so they were paying virtually nothing for it.

Transcript Highlights:

• That $1 trillion could pay for Medicaid and SNAP for Minnesotans for a decade.
• </c><00:07:42.720><c> I</c> pay the price are Minnesota families.
• I pay the price are Minnesota families.
• How are you going to, you know, pay<00:12:35.279><c> for</c><00:12:35.519><c> that?
• </c> pay for that? pay for that?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was worried when it was 10 trillion, but 36 we pay a trillion dollars a year in interest.
• I was worried when it was 10 trillion, but 36 we pay a trillion dollars a year in interest.
• </c><00:04:51.199><c> And</c><00:04:51.360><c> the</c> can pay uh instead of the state.
• And the can pay uh instead of the state.
• We pay a lot of money for it. And the governor said, 'Boy, they sure are expensive.'

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I don't think the committee was opposed to the pay increase.
• So they moved there from one line to another to pay the salary increase?
• Are we paying for that to replenish that line? Mr.
• So how about going forward then with the pay? That will be in the salary increase line item.
• So how about going forward then with the pay? That will be in the salary increase line item.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation. Representative O’Brien explained the House changes, including funding for a restored Veterans Benefits Specialist FTE, salary equity adjustments for the commissioner and veterans service officers, one-time funding for veteran homelessness services, carryover authority for the Fargo Fisher House, and a highly rural transportation grants program. Members also discussed the commissioner’s prior salary increase and the use of transportation grant funds for administrative costs, as well as the status of the Fisher House project. The committee adopted amendment 25.092.0203 and then gave SB 2025 a do pass recommendation as amended, with Representative O’Brien as carrier. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2307, the library bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed the fiscal note, but several members objected on policy and process grounds, citing constitutional concerns, potential costs to counties and state’s attorneys, and the fact that the bill had not been heard as a full policy hearing. The amendment failed 4-19. The committee then voted do not pass on SB 2307 as introduced, and Representative Murphy was named carrier. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 2188 on the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Representative Bosch described the program’s grant and low-interest loan authority and the Senate’s reduced funding levels. The committee amended the bill to restore the Senate funding amounts in Section 3, then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered two rural development bills and chose Senate Bill 2097, the rural endowment fund bill, for do not pass while advancing House Bill 2390, which uses regional councils to distribute rural development grants. The committee amended HB 2390 to lower the population threshold from 4,500 to 3,000, kept the 50% set-aside for communities under 1,500, and then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Mitskog as carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already paying in, and when they're off, they get 60% of their salary.
• I mean, people sometimes accept a job from us at a reduction of pay.
• The Medicaid fraud unit pays for itself through criminal restitution and civil recoveries.
• The unit's budget is about... $5 million per year, and of that, the state pays only 25%.
• Chairman, you're only going to pay for a few of them, correct? That's the $390,000.

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• We want cheap oil and gas, good-paying jobs, and to protect the environment at the same time.
• As a result, Rio Concho and residents will be forced to pay an additional $562,000 in property taxes
• Senior citizens who have worked all their lives should not suddenly have to pay thousands of dollars
• Many seniors in larger cities now pay more than 50% of their income on housing costs.
• They have to pay cash up front for their property. They get to live there during their life.

Bills: HB 103, HB 1256, HB1587, HB1632, HB2027, HB2525, HJR88, HJR138, HB103

Keywords: taxing unit, bond database, local government, transparency, civil penalty, education reform, funding allocation, school infrastructure, teacher recruitment, student achievement, tax exemption, water conservation, graywater systems, rainwater harvesting, ad valorem taxation, county commissioners, HB 1587, Texas sales tax holiday, back-to-school tax holiday, clothing tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• We pay the cost. We lose our land.
• We pay the cost. We lose our land.
• pay your rent.
• So they're paying for the water, they're paying for the electricity, now they're paying for the pests
• , they're paying parking fees, they're paying maintenance fees.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now I pay, but the amount is, let's assume their structure is otherwise the same.
• So now I pay the same delivery fee, but I'm not taxed on the delivery fee.
• So I am now paying, say, the service charge is eight dollars.
• But we're probably talking 30 to 50 cents a transaction that they may pay more.
• You know, they may offer membership fees where you pay a membership fee a month instead of paying a per-transaction

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So now I pay—” “But the amount is, let’s assume their structure is otherwise the same.
• So now I pay the same delivery fee, but I’m not taxed on the delivery fee.
• “So I am now paying, say the service charge is eight dollars, I’m now paying whatever 40 cents less for
• But we’re probably talking 30 to 50 cents a transaction that they may pay more.
• You know, they may offer membership fees where you pay a membership fee a month instead of paying a per-transaction

Summary: The subcommittee first received an informational update on the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in College Corps, Youth Service Corps, and Climate Action Corps, along with outreach results from OCPSC and the Trusted Messenger Network. The Department of Finance said the programs remain a priority but noted prior budget reductions, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations. Committee members raised questions about program diversity, geographic reach, administrative costs, and whether the programs duplicate existing volunteer opportunities; one member criticized the programs as costly and duplicative, while another emphasized the value of volunteerism and asked about the men’s service challenge. The item was informational only. The committee then heard an overview of the Board of Equalization’s property tax responsibilities and its first budget proposals since the 2017 reorganization. BOE described its role in county assessment oversight, state-assessed property valuation, and related tax administration. Members asked about BOE’s interaction with counties, property tax reassessments, and local tax notices; BOE explained it mainly works with county assessors and handles technical property tax questions, while local special district charges are generally outside its scope. The committee also considered a BOE proposal to implement SB 293, which would give additional time for certain intergenerational property tax transfer claims after the 2025 wildfires. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response work, saying the change is urgent for wildfire-affected families, especially in Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and the item was held open. BOE also presented an information technology modernization proposal for its state-assessed property program, seeking $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28 to replace a 30-year-old mainframe system. BOE said the current system relies heavily on manual data entry and paper processes, creating inefficiencies, cybersecurity risks, and delays, while modernization would free staff for more audits and valuation studies. The LAO supported the need but urged a high bar for new IT projects; Finance said the project met the threshold of necessity. Members generally supported the upgrade but asked about audit gains, revenue impacts, and implementation risks, and the item was held open. Finally, CDTFA gave its department overview and then discussed a proposal to require all delivery network companies, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, to be treated as marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the current carve-out creates confusion for restaurants and small businesses because some DNCs collect and remit tax while others do not, and the change would improve compliance and shift reporting to larger platforms. Members debated whether the proposal amounts to a tax increase for consumers, with CDTFA and Finance arguing it is a consistency and compliance measure rather than a new tax, while others said it would likely raise consumer costs. The committee also discussed broader CDTFA issues, including local sales tax districts, revenue-sharing agreements, and the growth of special taxing jurisdictions. No votes were taken, and the agenda items were informational or held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is also tied to the teacher pay raise at $26.6 million, the teacher stipend that was removed. pay
• The box at the top shows the recent funded pay increases.
• Some are pay raises and some are stipends. They are noted in their first column.
• The box to the top shows the recent funded pay increases.
• pay raise for teachers and a $1,100 pay raise.

Summary: The committee met on March 17 to review the FY27 budgets for the Department of Education and several special schools and commissions. Fiscal staff outlined the Department of Education’s roughly $6.4 billion budget, noting that most funding goes to the Minimum Foundation Program and subgrantee assistance. Major changes discussed included the removal of one-time teacher pay stipends, increases for the LA GATOR scholarship program, and projected adjustments in early childhood funding. Members also reviewed the constitutional amendment proposal tied to using about $2 billion to pay down teacher retirement obligations and provide future teacher pay raises. Dr. Cade Brumley testified that Louisiana’s education outcomes have improved and answered questions on math performance, charter school funding, the LA GATOR scholarship, and the special education Choice program. Members pressed the department on the sustainability and balance of funding between LA GATOR and Choice, the number of applicants and current recipients, and outreach efforts. Brumley said charter schools are funded through the MFP like other public schools, that LA GATOR currently serves about 5,500 students with applications recently reaching about 17,000, and that the Choice program serves about 500 students with a waiting list of about 700 applicants. He also said the department would implement whatever funding levels the legislature approves. The committee then heard the special schools and commissions budget, including the Special School District, Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Thrive Academy, École Pointe-au-Chien, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and BESE. Testimony focused on facility needs, enrollment, and program outcomes. LSU? No—LSM leaders described urgent roof and ceiling repairs estimated at about $800,000, while Thrive Academy highlighted student achievement, community service requirements, and economic impact. LPB said it is facing a federal funding loss of about $2.5 million and is responding with higher Passport fees, underwriting, and private fundraising. BESE’s small staff and administrative role were also explained, with members asking about board operations and the use of statutory dedication funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• The MCOs are changing what they pay for because of that abuse.
• </c> So we're we're trying striking pay So we're we're trying striking pay parody<00:09:24.800><c> between
• Peer support pays $9 for every 15 minutes.
• Peer support pays $9 for every 15 minutes.
• Peer support pays $9 for every 15 minutes.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> paying without asking tough questions. paying without asking tough questions.
• It's the do not<00:09:40.160><c> pay</c><00:09:40.480><c> list.
• I introduced this last not pay list.
• </c> contribute the data to this do not pay contribute the data to this do not pay list.<00:10:36.560
• </c><00:29:40.480><c> So</c> service fees to to pay for these. So service fees to to pay for these.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Republican leaders held a press event to roll out a package of anti-fraud proposals focused on state welfare and human services programs. Mark Johnson opened by citing recent fraud scandals, including a shuttered housing program and reports of vulnerable adults being left without care while providers billed for full services, and said Republicans want top-down reform, stronger accountability, new technology, and tighter oversight of taxpayer dollars. Michael Kreun said Republicans support an independent Office of Inspector General and argued the Senate-passed bill should not be weakened in the House; he also said the Senate should restore its role in confirming agency commissioners, especially at DHS, which he described as central to the fraud problem. Jordan Rasmusson outlined a plan to stop “blank checks” for DHS and DCYF services by requiring legislative audit review when a program exceeds budget by 5 percent and legislative approval for additional spending at 10 percent over budget. He also said DHS should adopt basic integrity tools such as electronic visit verification and client sign-off. Steve Drazkowski described two bills: a statewide “do-not-pay” list to block payments to ineligible people or entities, and an “I’m Not a Robot” proposal for Medicaid managed care that would require enrollee verification forms, with a 2 percent payment withhold used to encourage compliance and potentially fund county system upgrades. Mark Krueger said the state should improve technology and data use for eligibility determinations, citing other states’ rapid fraud-fighting systems, and proposed penalties for false reporting to the Legislative Auditor after a DHS audit found falsified site-visit records. Steve Gruenhagen said his bill would require DHS and DCYF to resume annual fraud-prevention and oversight reports to the legislature, which he said had stopped after 2017 despite rising fraud cases. Michael Holmstrom proposed unannounced site visits for all DHS and DCYF providers before enrollment, reenrollment, and revalidation, funded through provider service fees, and cited a recent case involving a woman with autism who was billed for far more care than she received. In the Q&A, Kreun said House Democrats’ delete-everything amendment to the inspector general bill removed the law enforcement division and stripped the bill of its “teeth,” and he suggested the governor’s office may have been involved in efforts to replace the bill with a weaker coordination council model. No votes were taken in the press conference.