Transcript Highlights:

• This framework addresses the climate challenges Minnesota faces, such as habitat loss, air and water
• </c><00:41:42.480><c> pollution,</c> habitat loss, air and water pollution, habitat loss, air and water
• As a water protector, it's something that I agree with.
• </c><00:44:44.040><c> sampling,</c> um wanted to learn about water sampling, um wanted to learn about
• As a water protector, it's something it.

Bills: HF3776 , HF3557 , HF3585

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Transcript Highlights:

• House<00:07:59.759><c> Bill</c><00:08:00.080><c> 87,</c><00:08:01.360><c> omnibus</c><00:08:01.919><c> water
• </c><00:08:02.240><c> bill</c> House Bill 87, omnibus water bill House Bill 87, omnibus water bill planning
• </c><00:23:14.159><c> here</c><00:23:14.400><c> because</c> out into pretty deep water here because out
• into pretty deep water here because I<00:23:14.960><c> have</c><00:23:15.200><c> not</c><00:23:15.440
• Resources will meet Lands, and Water Resources will meet tomorrow<01:44:58.800><c> morning</c><01:44

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And there are really two additional reasons in addition to those high water flows.
• </c><00:55:35.200><c> work</c><00:55:35.480><c> but</c> were able to do some on waterer work but were
• able to do some on waterer work but those<00:55:35.799><c> delays</c><00:55:36.200><c> were</c><00:55
• Anthony Falls for their water, and the airport relies on it also for their water.
• if the Falls were to their water if the Falls were to collapse<00:58:06.880><c> it</c><00:58:07.039>

Bills: HF1837 , HF361 , HF2725 , HF2566 , HF2744 , HF1685 , HF501 , HF1889 , HF1389

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: state policy, employment, health insurance, fossil designation, public funds, community resources, Capitol Mall, grantmaking, community vitality, livability, funding, healthy aging, aging policy, older adults, seniors, elderly, gerontology, long-term care, assisted living, nursing homes

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have this growing problem in rural Minnesota with water and sewer issues.
• And then we have this growing problem in rural Minnesota with water and sewer issues.
• And then we have this growing problem in rural Minnesota with water and sewer issues.
• And then we have this growing problem in rural Minnesota with water and sewer issues.
• We don't need to put them in a chair and put them into the water.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In section one, subdivision one, it exempts a water tower and water treatment facility in Watertown from
• </c> subdivision one it exempts uh a water subdivision one it exempts uh a water tower<00:09:53.760><
• c> and</c><00:09:53.959><c> Water</c><00:09:54.200><c> Treatment</c><00:09:54.600><c> Facility</c><00
• :09:54.959><c> in</c> tower and Water Treatment Facility in tower and Water Treatment Facility in Watertown
• Yes, good morning. thank you water Watertown zip code thank you water Watertown zip code 55388<00:10:

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1894 was introduced in response to concerns from several water districts.
• Prohibiting water imports to recharge groundwater supplies is detrimental to the community and the water
• This bill appropriately balances ensuring water districts can replenish groundwater while preserving

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum after a roll call, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Members then handled a series of procedural motions, including suspending rules for guest seating and adjournment speeches, re-referring and returning several bills, and approving a motion to waive the floor-amendment deadline. The chamber also welcomed Los Angeles City Council Member Katie Yaroslavsky and staff as guests. The bulk of the session was devoted to third-reading votes on Senate bills and concurrence votes on Assembly bills. Measures discussed included child custody protections for sexual assault survivors (SB 1364), tribal access to short-term rental tax information (SB 594), ADU impact fee clarification (SB 1117), protections against threats to local and election officials (SB 239), escrow consumer protections (SB 946), environmental and local government measures such as SB 949 and SB 226, tax and budget-related bills including SB 1073, SB 1349, and SB 661, health and education bills such as SB 1150, SB 1191, SB 1328, SB 874, SB 1049, and SB 1186, and labor/employment and housing-related measures including SB 1059, SB 1166, and SB 1093. Most measures passed with strong bipartisan support; SB 1191 required an urgency vote and passed, and SB 1418 also passed as an urgency measure after the call was lifted. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments to Assembly bills, including AB 1894, AB 871, AB 1201, AB 1359, AB 1579, AB 1684, AB 1711, AB 1722, AB 1784, AB 1809, AB 1837, AB 1860, AB 1864, AB 1999, AB 2116, AB 2143, AB 2186, AB 2233, AB 2249, AB 2255, AB 2418, AB 2576, AB 2634, AB 2660, AB 2766, and AB 2780. The chamber also adopted House Resolution 137 recognizing Diwali, with several members speaking in support of the holiday and its cultural significance. The session concluded with adjournment in memory speeches honoring Jeremiah Jerry Francis Hollisey, Maisie Jean Hastings, and Clint Riley, followed by announcements about the Rules Committee meeting, the floor-amendment deadline, and the next floor session on Monday, August 24.

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1894 was introduced in response to concerns from several water districts.
• Prohibiting water imports to recharge groundwater supplies is detrimental to the community and the water
• This bill appropriately balances ensuring water districts can replenish groundwater while preserving

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• communities through an array of ecological services, including food and fiber production, livestock, forage, water
• communities through an array of ecological services, including food and fiber production, livestock, forage, water
• watercraft, the skidoo, and the renter had not taken the time to make sure they knew the rules of the water
• So Arizona has no licensing, no education required before you get on the water with a watercraft.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As I was sitting there the day before yesterday in Conway, in the Ida Water auditorium there in Old Main
• prohibit data centers' construction in their areas, as well as pass ordinances limiting energy and water
• A lot of the groundwater that could be used, if it wasn't gray water from Harrison, Arkansas, could be
• We already have problems with noise pollution, water consumption, and electricity costs.

Committee: All BOYS STATE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water on us. Maybe we could take a lesson from you. Water on a stone. Conversations, work.
• Water on us. Maybe we could take a lesson from you. Water on a stone. Conversations, work.

Summary: The committee heard three Idaho Department of Fish and Game rule dockets tied to the governor’s zero-based regulation process. The first docket updated licensing and tag rules, including a new non-resident draw framework for deer and elk, added turkey-related landowner hunt provisions, clarified disability certification and refunds, consolidated moved language, changed the acreage threshold for certain landowner hunts to 79 acres, and adjusted several controlled-hunt and special-tag provisions. The second docket was a repeal of a chapter that had been moved into the big game rules, and the committee approved both that repeal and the licensing docket without opposition. The bulk of the meeting focused on Docket 13-01-08-24-01, which revised big game hunting rules and included a major package of technology restrictions. Fish and Game staff explained that the changes came from a Hunting and Advanced Technology working group and public comment, and would prohibit or limit certain uses of smart optics, transmitting trail cameras, thermal imaging, night vision, drones, and aircraft in big game hunting, while carving out exceptions for some uses such as backcountry pilots and certain wolf-management activities. Staff also described related changes to archery, muzzleloader, electronic tagging, motorized hunting, bait, herd-health kill authorizations, and grizzly-bear bait reporting. Testimony was sharply divided: supporters said the rules protect fair chase, preserve hunting opportunity, and prevent technology from eroding hunting tradition; opponents argued the restrictions would hinder wolf control, create legal problems, and unfairly limit tools for predator hunters and landowners. After extensive testimony and questions, Senator Conowitz moved to adopt the big game docket except for the technology-related subsections on page 56, citing constitutional and statutory concerns. That substitute motion failed on a 4-5 roll call vote. The committee then voted on the full docket, but instead of taking final action, members ultimately moved to hold Docket 13-01-08-24-01 subject to call of the chair. The meeting ended without final approval or rejection of that docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• The age of the plant was significant, but it was also maybe 50% of the water consumption in the water
• I mean, it has an effect on the local utility, whether it’s a PUD or an IOU, on water systems, wastewater
• For the record... or an IOU on water systems wastewater some of the mills treat wastewater for the local

Bills: HB2537 , HB2245 , HB2296

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: emissions, climate commitment act, environmental regulation, trade regulation, facility compliance, consumer-owned utilities, clean energy, port districts, market customers, energy transformation, distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our cattle growers, but I do question the need for a council promoting the excess use of all of the water
• And if we’re really looking at being more efficient and conserving energy, that kind of stuff, water—you
• have to have, you know, there’s water involved in this one as well to be able to create the cell-cultured
• consumer choice. ...and it undermines and blocks lower-impact food options that can conserve land, water

Bills: HB2155 , HB2156 , HB2162 , HB2762 , HB2791

Committee: House Land, Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Keywords: Arizona Beef Council, agriculture, market development, beef products, terminating council, livestock, compensation, funding, ranching, game and fish commission, wildlife, appointment, commission membership, Arizona Revised Statutes, food labeling, cultivated cells, cell-cultured products, consumer information, food safety, cell-cultured protein

Transcript Highlights:

• It raises the cost, for example, of a 24-pack of water by nearly 50%.
• When applied across common items like bottled water, soda, or juice, the per-container charge can result
• We buy a lot of water. We don't, we buy a lot of water. We buy a lot of beverages.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing and briefing on several bills, with House Bill 2441, House Bill 2159, House Bill 2521, House Bill 2531, House Bill 2543, and House Bill 1607 discussed in that order after agenda changes. HB 2441 would expand reimbursement from the LEO retirement fund for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, covering Medicare Parts A and B premiums and retroactive health insurance premiums during the period before a death is officially determined to be work-related. Staff described a relatively small number of affected survivors and modest actuarial impacts, and the prime sponsor spoke emotionally in support. A representative from the L&I Board also testified that the board had studied the issue and endorsed the bill. HB 2159 would create the Pre-K Promise Account to receive philanthropic funds for ECEAP expansion. Staff explained ECEAP eligibility and the proposed non-appropriated account structure, noting Governor Ferguson’s budget included $34.5 million in non-appropriated authority for about 2,000 new school-day slots. Testimony was strongly supportive from Ballmer Group, DCYF, Head Start/ECEAP advocates, a Yakima provider, and the governor’s office, all emphasizing the public-private partnership, expanded access, and support for children furthest from opportunity. HB 2521 would remove the $18 cap on the State Patrol’s firearm background check fee and allow the fee to be set to cover total program costs. Staff said the fee could rise to about $33 per check based on current costs, and the State Patrol testified that the cap no longer matches actual expenses and threatens staffing and service levels. One member of the public opposed the bill, arguing the state system should be scrapped or capped and that consumers would face higher costs. HB 2531 would freeze the ambulance quality assurance fee at its July 4, 2025 level to comply with federal law and adjust Medicaid add-on payments accordingly; the Washington Ambulance Association strongly supported it as essential to preserving federal matching funds and improving wages and benefits. HB 2543 would update county clerk fees and modernize outdated references, with county officials supporting the changes as necessary to reflect current electronic-record practices. HB 1607, the Recycling Refund Act, drew the most extensive testimony. Staff described a 10-cent refund system for covered beverage containers, a producer responsibility organization, Ecology oversight, and fiscal impacts tied to program administration and lost tax revenue. Supporters, including environmental groups, youth advocates, Seattle Public Utilities, and some industry voices, argued the bill would reduce litter, increase recycling rates, support reuse systems, and complement the existing recycling reform law. Opponents from recycling haulers, grocers, beverage interests, counties, and solid waste providers argued it would function like a tax, raise consumer and retailer costs, duplicate or undermine curbside recycling and EPR, and create siting and implementation problems. No votes were taken on the bills in this transcript; the hearing concluded with public testimony and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate Senator Gray's willingness to listen to us along with Senator Lang and Senator Waters when
• <00:05:05.199><c> Lang</c><00:05:05.600><c> and</c><00:05:05.840><c> Senator</c><00:05:06.240><c> Waters
• </c><00:05:07.280><c> uh</c> with Senator Lang and Senator Waters uh with Senator Lang and Senator Waters

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in addition to transition plans for analog phones for VOPs and then requiring motans have access to water
• /c><00:02:31.040><c> have</c><00:02:31.280><c> access</c><00:02:31.599><c> to</c><00:02:31.840><c> water
• </c><00:02:32.160><c> at</c> requiring motans have access to water at requiring motans have access to
• water at entertainment<00:02:32.879><c> venues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Water rights we need to make sure that those water rights have the voices of our people so it's not so
• across Central and Southern California, touching the lives of millions who rely on it. act for clean water
• I swear something's in the water around this.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All of our athletes, you put milk and you put tea, you put water out there, they drink the milk.
• Okay, it's basically sugar water. No, because milk is what, is it 80% water, 90% water?

Bills: SB222

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Keywords: whole milk, school lunch, school meals, National School Lunch Program, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, Child Nutrition Act, USDA, nutrition standards, dairy, nonfat milk, low-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, lactose-free milk, nondairy beverages, plant-based milk, milk substitution, parental consent, legal guardian, food allergies, allergic reaction

Summary: This meeting of the committee focused primarily on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, S222, which aims to permit schools to offer a fuller range of milk options, including whole, reduced, and low-fat varieties, that have garnered bipartisan support. Chairman Bozeman opened the session by highlighting concerns over children's nutrition and the obesity epidemic, emphasizing the significance of nutritious school meals in addressing these issues. Experts from various organizations were invited to discuss the implications of this bill as well as the current challenges facing school meal programs, including budget constraints and food supply issues. The meeting included passionate testimonies about the direct impacts of current dietary guidelines and federal funding reductions affecting schools' abilities to provide healthy meal options.

Transcript Highlights:

• Another email, this one First one, Brandendale just turned off the water to the entire park overnight
• For those of you Who have communities with outside owners, we improved streets, water, sewer, and lights
• We also added readable water meters to every single home at no cost to the residents, including the piping
• What it does include is water and sewer from a PFAS-contaminated well, and frequent harassment and mistreatment

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

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

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:

• Road expansion projects, transit improvements, water and sewer system projects utility upgrades flood
• They are with the DP Water Management District Transportation. So I'll leave it with that.
• I'm definitely a fish out of water up here. I think I'm the only geologist in this room.
• I've had issues where their storm water infiltration into the U.S. and there's sewer systems.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and so that could be some of the barriers when it comes to safety, especially when it comes to open water
• </c><00:12:41.440><c> comes</c><00:12:41.680><c> to</c><00:12:41.920><c> Open</c><00:12:42.199><c> Water
• </c> especially when it comes to Open Water especially when it comes to Open Water um<00:12:43.320><c

Committee: House Culture & Arts

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Culture and the Arts met on January 29 at 10:30 a.m. and heard four bills. HB 133, relating to surfing, drew testimony from the Department of Education and one individual in support. Committee discussion focused on the department’s estimated cost of about $44,000 per event, including judges, lifeguards, security, and administrative expenses. Members also asked about why surfing has been difficult to implement statewide and were told safety concerns, open-water conditions, and league-level decisions were among the barriers. The committee moved the bill forward with amendments, including blanking out the appropriation, and noted it wanted the Education Committee to review the cost breakdown further. HB 307, relating to special license plates for the island of Kahoʻolawe, received strong support from Protect K Ohana, the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, and other supporters in person and via Zoom. Testimony clarified the name of the receiving entity and noted a recent petition showing significant public interest. The bill was advanced with technical amendments, and the chair said the fund name was already correct and that the measure would not reflect DCCA but the bank account designation. HB 450 would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission from DAGS to DBEDT and move authority over the Works of Art Special Fund to DBEDT’s director. The State Foundation and DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division supported the measure. In response to questions, the State Foundation said it had researched the transfer, believed funding would not be lost, and requested about a year for the transition to avoid payroll and payment disruptions, along with consideration of an additional DBEDT staff position. The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the bill with amendments, including adding the requested FTE and noting a two-year transition period in the report. HB 663, authorizing a special license plate commemorating the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, had little testimony and no one signed up to speak. The chair said OHA advocacy testimony was on file but that support for the measure appeared limited, and the bill was deferred. The committee then adjourned.