Transcript Highlights:

• to benefit Minnesota schools and Minnesota students.
• to benefit Minnesota students, Minnesota educators, and Minnesota schools?
• Why do we want Minnesota money to benefit Minnesota students, Minnesota educators, and Minnesota schools
• We need to have Minnesota money for Minnesota kids.
• We need to have Minnesota money for Minnesota kids.

Summary: House Republican leaders and Speaker Melissa Hortman held a press event promoting House File 3490, which would opt Minnesota into a federal education tax credit program. They argued the bill has no state cost and would keep donations made by Minnesotans benefiting Minnesota students and schools rather than out-of-state scholarship organizations. Supporters said the funds could help with tutoring, extracurriculars, school supplies, special education-related services, learning loss, and other school needs, and they repeatedly urged Governor Tim Walz to opt in or publicly explain why he would not. Rep. Andrew Myers, the bill’s chief author, said the proposal is personal to him as a parent and legislator and described recent school budget pressures, including staff and resource cuts and larger class sizes. Rep. Ben Bakeberg, a middle school principal, said the bill could generate significant funding if many taxpayers participate and argued it could help offset school district shortfalls and the Blue Ribbon Commission. Rep. Griesbach also backed the bill, calling it a “no-brainer” and saying he would not work with the governor on other budget items unless the governor opted in. In response to questions, supporters said scholarship-granting organizations could be created by a variety of entities, including education foundations, and could support both private-school tuition and public-school-related costs such as extracurricular fees, field trips, and transportation for summer learning. They rejected the idea that the bill pits public and nonpublic schools against each other, saying it is meant to expand educational opportunity for all students. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the event; it ended with questions from reporters on the bill and other Republican priorities such as rental assistance, gas taxes, and energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This plant is in North Dakota, but it's going to be paid for by South Dakota and Minnesota.
• I use the same map when talking to North Dakota or Minnesota legislators, rather.
• , but you can see Minnesota from there, as people say.
• So why North Dakota, not across the river in Minnesota?
• And our footprint is three states: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:05:13.440><c> to</c> conscience and goodwill in Minnesota to conscience and goodwill in Minnesota
• </c><00:08:13.280><c> to</c> "This is what we moved to Minnesota to "This is what we moved to Minnesota
• Paul, Minnesota.
• ,</c><00:13:32.160><c> I</c> decision by Children's Minnesota, I decision by Children's Minnesota, I
• Just look Children's Minnesota.

Summary: State lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, and parents held a press event responding to Children’s Minnesota’s announcement that it would pause some gender-affirming care for minors. Speakers, including Rep. Lee Finke, Hannah Edwards of Transforming Families Minnesota, and Jess Braverman of Gender Justice, said the pause was driven by federal pressure and threats from the Trump administration and HHS, not by medical best practice. They emphasized that gender-affirming care remains legal in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act, Trans Refuge law, and insurance protections, and argued that interrupting care harms trans youth and families, especially those who moved to Minnesota for protection. Testimony focused on the emotional and practical impact on families: loss of trust in providers, delays in treatment, travel and intake wait times, and the stress of having to scramble for continuity of care. Speakers described the care as evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving, and said the federal government was using coercion and misinformation to intimidate hospitals and doctors. The attorney general said his office and coalition partners are litigating related federal threats, including a separate RFK Jr. declaration and proposed federal rules, and that Minnesota officials are working to preserve access and enforce state protections. In response to questions, speakers said the state’s legal tools are strong but limited against federal action, so they are relying on court challenges and enforcement of existing state law. They said Children’s Minnesota had been specifically targeted by federal officials and that the hospital’s pause was tied to that pressure. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued public and institutional support for trans youth and for Children’s to resume care as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to Minnesota. to Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> to Minnesota. to Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• What Minnesota and southern Minnesota.

Summary: The committee took up House File 4949, as amended by the adopted H4949A2 and H4949A3 amendments. The bill would create a sports and events reimbursement program intended to give Minnesota a more reliable funding mechanism to compete for major sporting and entertainment events. Representative Lislegard and supporters argued that events such as the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, Final Four, World Juniors Hockey, and Olympic trials generate substantial economic activity, tax revenue, and statewide visibility, and that Minnesota has lost opportunities because it lacks a standing competitive fund. Testifiers from the Minnesota Business Partnership and Minnesota Sports and Events strongly supported the bill, describing it as a performance-based, closed-loop model that reinvests tax revenue generated by events into securing future events. Jess Graba, Cheryl Lindsey, and Dr. William Campbell emphasized community benefits beyond economics, including youth inspiration, school improvements, inclusion, and positive local engagement tied to events like the Olympic trials, the Women’s Final Four, and WWE appearances. Several testifiers cited specific figures, including roughly $71.5 million in economic impact and $4.7 million in tax revenue for World Juniors, about $74.8 million and $5.7 million for the gymnastics trials, and more than $430 million in lost economic impact from events Minnesota did not secure. Members raised concerns about the funding mechanism, especially the use of revenue that would otherwise go to the general fund or other accounts. Representative Huot said he supported bringing events to Minnesota but was uneasy about diverting general fund money and suggested stronger legislative oversight, possibly through a formal sports committee. Representative Youakim asked how the bill’s revenue capture would work and noted concerns about taking money from transportation-related accounts; staff explained that the amended bill affects seven state taxes and a fee, including motor vehicle rental taxes and the retail delivery fee, with some revenue directed to non-general fund accounts. Members also requested more information on the methodology behind the University of Minnesota Extension economic impact studies, and staff said those studies could be shared. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State—but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of go students through Minnesota State College
• State, but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of ghost students through Minnesota State College
• State, but certainly some Minnesota State became aware of ghost students through Minnesota State College

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• I'm the director of tax fiscal policy and elections for the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Implemented their own versions, and unfortunately Minnesota has fallen behind its peers.
• So if we want to drive growth in Minnesota, we need to drive research and development here.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the real solution to the fiscal disaster we've seen in Minnesota from Minnesota Democrats.
• That's the real solution to the fiscal disaster we've seen in Minnesota from Minnesota Democrats.
• Minnesota Republicans over the years.
• It climate in the state of Minnesota.
• And Minnesota is lagging two years.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> With 640 million worth of Minnesota With 640 million worth of Minnesota goods<00:13:09.040><c> exported
• Whereas, to strengthen Taiwan-Minnesota bilateral economic relationship, it is essential to support Minnesota
• </c><00:13:30.000><c> business</c> essential to support Minnesota business essential to support Minnesota
• </c> Minnesota and Taiwan. Minnesota and Taiwan.
• that it supports the state of Minnesota that it supports the state of Minnesota<00:18:11.560><c> and

Transcript Highlights:

• We're home to the Minnesota Wild and the inaugural Walter Cup champions, the Minnesota Frost, who you
• </c> CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events. CEO of Minnesota Sports and Events.
• </c><00:14:29.120><c> Representative</c> state of Minnesota. Representative state of Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota, what the this is paying for. Minnesota, what the this is paying for.
• So, I show the best of Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and I am on the board of the Minnesota and I am on the board of the Minnesota affiliate<00:04:11.319
• </c><00:04:39.800><c> needs</c> together we agree that Minnesota needs together we agree that Minnesota
• </c> piece of Women's Healthcare in Minnesota piece of Women's Healthcare in Minnesota currently<00:04
• I want to serve Minnesota.
• I want to serve Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget and in our Minnesota policy as a result of Minnesota policies.
• um in our Minnesota budget and in<00:04:10.400><c> our</c><00:04:10.560><c> Minnesota</c><00:04:10.959
• policy in our uh in our Minnesota policy in our uh Minnesota<00:04:13.640><c> uh</c><00:04:14.640><c
• We got to put Minnesota budget first.
• </c> Minnesota because of Democrats spending. Minnesota because of Democrats spending.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:07:43.560><c> to</c> this done because we want Minnesota to this done because we want Minnesota
• I'm Doug Loon, the president and CEO of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce.
• Minnesota Minnesota 656<00:10:28.200><c> in</c><00:10:28.760><c> Wisconsin</c><00:10:29.480><c> son<
• Those are jobs that could have been created here in Minnesota.
• Those are jobs that could have been created here in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I will just add the blatant violations of laws, what we're seeing in Minnesota.
• I will say that I don't think Minnesota is the ideal for how to deal with the federal government.
• You know, we have a statute. We don't have actual subpoena power.
• So we run into You know, we have a statute. We don't have actual subpoena power.
• That's not something that's granted to our office by statute.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Johns Hopkins, New York, Northwestern, UCLA, Berkeley, Minnesota, and USC.
• Minnesota has a very strong and sizable Jewish population.
• You know, is it a matter of simply adding discrimination based on the religion to the statute?
• But I think until that is in law, what I'm basing this on is what the current statute says and what currently

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: anti-Semitism, hate crimes, college campuses, civil rights, public safety, protests, intimidation

Summary: The committee meeting focused on addressing the rising tide of anti-Semitism across the nation. Among the discussions, members expressed concerns about the disturbing acts of hate witnessed on college campuses, with instances of harassment and intimidation targeting Jewish students being highlighted. High-profile incidents, including vandalism and the display of extremist symbols, prompted urgent calls for investigations and measures to protect civil rights. The importance of moral clarity in confronting such hate crimes was emphasized as well, outlining the responsibilities of leaders to ensure safety and uphold justice.

Transcript Highlights:

• Congress specified in statute that the Fed shall fund the CFPB through the combined earnings of the Federal
• Chair, there are only two statutes that authorize the Fed to make reserve bank assessments, and neither
• In Minnesota, families and seniors are struggling to manage a nearly 40% increase in home insurance rates
• We've seen flooding in Minnesota. We've seen fires in the Mountain West in California.

Bills: SB257

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• to be a solution<01:02:00.680><c> without</c><01:02:00.880><c> a</c><01:02:01.119><c> problem</c><01
• uh right<01:02:12.240><c> now</c><01:02:13.240><c> uh</c><01:02:13.559><c> tella</c><01:02:13.880><c
• 01:02:17.000><c> for</c><01:02:17.240><c> medical</c><01:02:17.520><c> use</c><01:02:17.720><c> of</c
• ><c> but</c><01:02:24.960><c> we</c><01:02:25.079><c> would</c><01:02:25.240><c> note</c><01:02:25.440
• :38.079><c> so</c><01:02:38.400><c> there</c><01:02:38.520><c> would</c><01:02:38.640><c> be</c><01:02

Committee: House Health

Summary: The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided. The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.

Transcript Highlights:

• :26.839><c> them</c><01:02:26.960><c> red</c><01:02:27.160><c> guns</c><01:02:27.359><c> or</c><01:02
• :02:28.920><c> gun</c><01:02:29.599><c> so</c><01:02:29.760><c> that</c><01:02:29.880><c> we</c><01:02
• :02:31.279><c> a</c><01:02:31.440><c> safer</c><01:02:31.839><c> way</c><01:02:32.599><c> some</c><01
• ><c> that</c><01:02:34.920><c> uh</c><01:02:35.079><c> in</c><01:02:35.240><c> other</c><01:02:35.599
• > uh</c><01:02:42.119><c> so</c><01:02:42.319><c> our</c><01:02:42.520><c> Hope</c><01:02:42.839><c>

Committee: Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:09:08.400><c> and</c> tax on the people of Minnesota, and tax on the people of Minnesota, and
• </c><00:13:33.440><c> is</c> we are seeing in greater Minnesota is we are seeing in greater Minnesota
• a differentiator, that does Minnesota a differentiator, that does make<00:35:05.520><c> Minnesota</c
• </c> housing gap in greater Minnesota. housing gap in greater Minnesota.
• </c><01:31:22.480><c> So</c><01:31:23.200><c> uh</c> greater Minnesota. So uh greater Minnesota.

Bills: HF3279 , HF1879 , HF1417 , HF2462

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Please stand and join me in giving a Minnesota Hats Off to Thee to the University of Minnesota Dance
• N-E-S-O-T-A, Minnesota, Minnesota, yay! Thank you. Thank you.
• All of this is good news for Minnesota.
• Even within Minnesota, we can look at things.
• Winter tourism, take it in northern Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• A House resolution recognizing the Minnesota Frost for their additions to Minnesota women's history.
• team and the University of Minnesota women's hockey team as Minnesota female sports teams that have
• , celebrates the Minnesota Frost and their contributions to women's history in Minnesota during Women's
• </c> team and the University of Minnesota team and the University of Minnesota women's<00:01:20.240><
• 21.880><c> female</c> women's hockey team as Minnesota female women's hockey team as Minnesota female