Transcript Highlights:

• This primary care issue is going there might be an increase in premium, a slight increase in premium
• This primary care issue is going there might be an increase in premium, a slight increase in premium
• Um, increased cannabis use does increase the risk of psychosis and progression to schizophrenia.
• increased access will lead to increased increased access will lead to increased use<01:08:00.240
• > increase<01:08:26.880> the increased cannabis use does increase the increased cannabis

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 888, which would bar operators of smart household security devices from sharing user data with law enforcement unless the user consents or police obtain a warrant. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection offered comments and Judiciary submitted written support. Several individuals also submitted written support. The committee recommended passage with amendments clarifying that the Office of Consumer Protection may enforce violations and adopting Judiciary’s recommended changes, while also deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050. The motion passed unanimously among members present, with one senator excused. The committee then took up SB 2777 on insurance disclosures. The bill would require authorized insurers to disclose claim-handling data to consumers, including claims open at the start of a period, closed with payment, closed without payment, and open at the end of the period. The committee described amendments to clarify the bill, remove a requirement for the DCCA insurance division to handle publication, and defer the effective date to July 1, 2050. The measure was passed with amendments and the recommendation was adopted, with one member voting no and another excused. In a joint Commerce and Consumer Protection/Judiciary hearing on SP2738 relating to tax haven abuse, the Department of Taxation offered comments and the Tax Foundation testified in opposition, arguing the state should rely on IRS audits and existing worldwide reporting rules rather than create a separate state approach. Other written testimony was noted in both support and opposition. The committees recommended passage with amendments adopting Taxation’s technical changes and deferring the effective date to July 1, 2050; the recommendation was adopted, with one senator noting reservations. The joint hearing then moved to health-related bills, including SB 2690 on primary care spending, SB 3103 on energy assistance, SB 3137 on Department of Health authority over food, drugs, and cosmetics, SB 3164 on child welfare service organizations, and SB 3206 on cannabinoids. SB 2690 drew strong support from physicians and advocates who said it would address primary care shortages, especially on neighbor islands, while HMSA and others warned a fixed spending percentage could raise costs and suggested a working group. SB 3164 drew support from child welfare providers and opposition from the Attorney General over indemnification language, and SB 3206 drew mixed testimony: state agencies raised federal-law and vagueness concerns, while hemp and cannabis advocates and some farmers supported the measure and urged broader legalization or amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• Those donations range... has increased 36% and there's has increased 36% and there's significant<00:05
• Innovative projects that um allow Innovative projects that um allow businesses<00:22:41.840>
• Limit increases, therefore, the amount in the pool for problem gambling increases.
• "If the rise in the prizes are increased, do we increase the problem gaming funding?" "Yes and no.
• c><01:05:47.240> problem increased do we increase the problem increased do we increase the problem

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Why is there such a large increase? Why is there such a large increase?
• the increase. the increase.
• the increase, 150% increase over the increase, 150% increase over the original<00:13:26.960> amount
• increase the legal fees. increase the legal fees.
• >> for allowing me to be here. Thank you. >> for allowing me to be here.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the September 19 meeting minutes and then took up a deferred University of Kentucky personal services contract amendment for guardianship services. UK officials explained that the contract covers court-appointed guardians for patients who cannot make medical decisions and are not eligible for state guardianship, with the work funded by UK Medical Center agency dollars rather than the general fund. Members questioned the large increase in the not-to-exceed amount, the number of cases, the hourly billing structure, and whether there are safeguards to prevent unnecessary costs or reimbursement issues if a patient later has resources. UK said the increase reflects shifting work from a prior firm, anticipated new cases, a move from a monthly fee to hourly billing, and the need for a second firm because one prior attorney died and another firm has had difficulty appearing in court promptly. The committee ultimately approved the contract, while Senator Thomas said he would vote aye but urged future review of attorney fee limits and broader guardianship statutes, which he described as outdated and inconsistent. The committee then deferred three Office of Energy Policy memorandum of agreement items to the November 2025 meeting without objection. After that, it approved the remaining agenda items, including the contract lists and deferred items not separately selected for review. The final major item was a University of Kentucky personal services contract related to fundraising and philanthropic outreach. UK representatives said the contract supports marketing and donor engagement efforts to grow the university’s endowment pipeline and philanthropic support. The transcript cuts off before the committee finished its questions or took final action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• We aren't allowed to say 10% off. We aren't allowed to say discount.
• We aren't allowed to say promotion. We're not allowed to say sale.
• We aren't allowed to say 10% off. We aren't allowed to say discount.
• We aren't allowed to say promotion. We're not allowed to say sale.
• And so what we're not allowing to happen is for more dispensaries to exist; we're not allowing that duality

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy held its first hearing of the 194th session to take public testimony on 21 cannabis-related bills. Chairs Donahue and Gómez outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. Much of the hearing focused on the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), with Senator Mike Moore urging support for S. 90 to create an inspector general unit within the CCC. He argued the commission has suffered from dysfunction, workplace harassment allegations, delayed governance reforms, missed fee collections, and high legal costs, and said stronger legislative oversight is needed. Committee members largely agreed the CCC needs reform, though some expressed hope that new leadership would improve operations. A major theme was market structure and business viability. Representative Tyler testified for H. 183 to raise adult-use purchase limits from one ounce to two ounces, saying the change would reduce confusion and help retailers compete with neighboring states. Senator Payano supported S. 100, which would require a study of cannabis supply and demand to guide cultivation licensing, warning that oversupply is driving down prices and threatening cultivators. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, represented by Ryan Dominguez, backed a package of bills aimed at increasing revenue, reducing regulatory burdens, attracting investment, and stabilizing the market, including higher purchase limits, simpler badge and testing rules, and a phased increase in the retail license cap. Attorneys Kevin Conroy and Mike Ross also supported raising the cap, arguing that the industry lacks capital and that more investment and exit opportunities are needed for provisional and distressed licensees. The most contentious issue was whether to raise the retail license cap from three to six. Supporters, including several business owners and industry advocates such as Peyton Shubrick, Tito Jackson, Armani White, Sean Burt, and others, said the current cap traps owners in declining businesses, prevents exits, and limits access to capital. They argued that many social equity and economic empowerment operators are struggling, that oversupply has pushed prices down, and that allowing more ownership could help businesses scale or sell. Opponents, including Senator Liz Miranda and several social equity operators, warned that lifting the cap now would let larger operators and multi-state companies dominate the market and harm equity-owned businesses. Miranda’s S. 88 would instead strengthen enforcement of ownership limits through audits, whistleblower protections, an anonymous tip line, and greater transparency. Another major topic was worker and consumer safety: Laura Bruno, Danny Carson, Al Vega, and others supported H. 194 after the death of Lorna McMurray, arguing for a CCC workplace and consumer safety department, better ventilation and PPE standards, stronger testing oversight, and retaliation protections for workers. The hearing ended without votes, with members thanking testifiers and indicating the committee would continue reviewing the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• a briefer comment than the one minute we allow at the end.
• Those include increases in subgroup populations, such as we've seen a 10% increase in our veteran student
• We're seeing more ADTs increase and fewer traditional students.
• completion rates and allowing for a faster time to degree.
• Maybe increased as a result? Yeah, or not allocated. Maybe increased as a result?

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty. The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios. The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• While we have seen an increase in the cost for goods and services, we have seen an increase in the cost
• Our licensee population increased by 35.5% since 2016, while our FTE count only increased by 23.5%.
• increase, along with 141.7 FTEs, which is an increase of three FTEs.
• This is a net increase of approximately 500,000 or a biennial increase of 16.8%.
• I also expect, with those increases, we'll have a projected increase in license applications.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those costs have not increased, this bill will not increase costs to patient employers.
• »» Can you just speak to the mechanics of how it will not increase? increase costs. Well, what?
• There will be no increased costs, just increased transparency and fairness.
• Salaries have increased.
• The Housing Tax Credit Program does not allow for rent increases beyond what is allowed by the U.S.

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's where you'll see the increase of $198,000 for the lodging increase that was in Senate Bill
• So that's where you'll see the increase of $198,000 for the lodging increase that was in Senate Bill
• That is the 771,648, the cost to continue, and then the salary increases and health insurance increases
• The cost to continue, and then the salary increases and health insurance increases are right below that
• It's increased slightly.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House Appropriations Government Operations Division met to consider House amendments to Senate Bill 2001, the budget for the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly. Representative Meyer and Legislative Council staff reviewed the House changes, which included higher lodging funding tied to a prior bill, an increase for North Dakota legislators’ forum dues, a transfer of $290,000 for public printing from the Secretary of State to Legislative Council, a $650,000 reduction tied to the nuclear energy study because that funding was already provided elsewhere, and a new section allowing legislative space on the 15th floor of the Capitol to be used for additional Legislative Council employees. John Bjornson explained the 15th-floor space proposal and said staff would work with Facility Management and CTE to address relocation needs and timing, with CTE’s move potentially delayed until after its busy school-year period if necessary. The committee then reviewed the Senate version of the bill in more detail. Staff walked through the Legislative Assembly budget items, including per diem and compensation adjustments, lodging and mileage estimates, IT and audio/video funding, and dues increases for national and state legislative organizations. Members asked about mileage assumptions and the emergency clause, and staff said the emergency language is standard and allows flexibility for transfers, carryovers, and other budget actions. The committee also reviewed the Legislative Council budget, including funding for 25 new FTEs, interim travel, IT costs, professional services, public printing, and one-time items such as equipment and term limits consulting, while the advanced nuclear energy consulting item was removed in the House version. After discussion, the committee adopted the House amendment to Senate Bill 2001 and then voted to do pass the bill as amended. Both motions passed on roll call, and the amended bill was sent to the full Appropriations Committee. Near the end of the meeting, Representative Paula gave notice that she would bring a separate amendment later on the Industrial Commission budget related to homelessness grant funding, noting it would not use SIF or general fund dollars.

Transcript Highlights:

• By increasing the threshold to $5 million, this would allow for greater flexibility for change orders
• There's an unanticipated cost increase. Yes, allowed for in the contract terms.
• It would continue to increase.
• only in localities where voters choose to allow it.
• It would essentially allow any future ballot initiative...

Bills: HB386, HB1449, HB1701, HB2142, HB2675, HB2857, HB3063, HB3171, HB3641, HB3732, HB4045, HB4370, HB4491, HB4505, HB4626, HB5267, HB5356

Keywords: construction contracts, change orders, local government, budget limits, Texas legislation, HB 1449, mobile food vendors, food trucks, mobile food service establishments, permits, county health permit, municipal permitting, Health and Safety Code Chapter 437A, Chapter 437, inspection agreements, permit reciprocity, fee cap, preemption, large counties, population over one million

Transcript Highlights:

• And we do allow six homes per lot by right.
• We increased that over the legislative mandate and allow up to eight with affordability.
• And we do allow six homes per lot by right.
• We increased that over the legislative mandate and allow up to eight with affordability.
• It allows you to move boundary lines around as needed.

Summary: The committee heard a series of presentations on comprehensive plan updates, permitting reform, special purpose district coordination, and subdivision reform. Pierce County and the City of Redmond described their recent comprehensive plan updates, emphasizing housing production, transit-oriented development, middle housing, preservation of affordable housing, and the need for technical assistance and clearer state guidance. Both jurisdictions said the planning process took years and was complicated by overlapping state requirements, changing legislative mandates, and multiple review authorities. Redmond in particular said mid-course legislative changes forced supplemental environmental review and added significant cost and delay, and both local governments asked for more stability, clearer statutes, and better-aligned timelines. Presenters from the architecture, building official, and development sectors focused on permitting delays and proposed ways to speed housing delivery. Dave Boucher of AIA Washington argued for a provisional construction permit process for projects stamped by licensed professionals, along with mandatory deadlines and fewer stalled review cycles. Tim Woodard of WABO described existing tools such as pre-application meetings and phased approvals, noting they can improve certainty but also require staff time and careful coordination. Representatives from Master Builders and D.R. Horton said permit and subdivision delays add substantial cost to housing, citing studies showing months of delay and tens of thousands of dollars added per home, and urged administrative approvals, concurrent review, self-certification, and limits on repeated review cycles. The committee also reviewed a Commerce-led task force report on integrating special purpose districts into Growth Management Act planning. The task force recommended early invitation and notice to water, sewer, school, port, and other service providers during countywide planning policy and comprehensive plan updates, better coordination on grants and capital projects, updated water system coordination plans, and improved school siting and funding alignment in fast-growing areas. Speakers stressed that the recommendations were intended to be light-touch and focused on better communication rather than major statutory overhaul, while also noting that rural and slow-growing areas should not be burdened with the same requirements as rapidly growing jurisdictions. On subdivision reform, FutureWise and the City of Spokane discussed making more subdivision decisions administrative, preserving vesting, clarifying exemptions, and reducing unnecessary notice and appeal steps. Spokane described local reforms such as smaller minimum lot sizes, unit lot subdivisions, and reduced-process “minor engineering review” for simple plats, while raising concerns about new notice requirements and appeals to city councils for technical plat decisions. Across the hearing, members repeatedly returned to the theme that local governments, builders, and state agencies need clearer, more coordinated rules to reduce delay and uncertainty while still protecting safety and planning goals.

Transcript Highlights:

• the<00:08:49.680> district's modest increase in the district's modest increase in the district's
• > our expected costs plus more to increase our expected costs plus more to increase our reserve
• :10:01.600> with<00:10:01.760> the increased bargaining power with the increased bargaining
• Since school boards have no statutory authority to increase the levy to cover increases in health insurance
• <00:19:04.000> in increase the levy to cover increases in increase the levy to cover increases

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• than a 3% annual increase.
• We all voted yes to a $6 increase. I stress that again. And again, only a $6 increase.
• That would allow double-digit rent increases, completely defeating the purpose of this bill.
• Putting statewide rent control... ...is not a way that would allow me to adjust for fluctuations in increased
• Most of these increases are uncontrolled; they're coming from property tax increases, utility rate increases

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:

• So linking a program increase, Colorado linking its program tax increases to every federal tax increase
• So linking a program increase, Colorado linking its program tax increases to every federal tax increase
• So linking a program increase, Colorado linking its program tax increases to every federal tax increase
• increases to every federal tax increase. increases to every federal tax increase.
• for allow, I should say, does not allow for allow, I should say, does not allow for different<05:

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal from April 30, 2026, and then moved through a series of announcements and introductions, including recognition of guests from Aurora Public Schools, remarks about International Workers Day and Law Day, and several social announcements about food events and a Cinco de Mayo potluck. The chamber also heard a brief recess and then proceeded to third reading business. The first major action was House Joint Resolution 10:30, sponsored by Representatives Gonzalez and Joseph, which designates a portion of Colorado Highway 14 in Weld County as Mono and Matt Road in memory of Eduardo Mono Hernandez and Matthew Garcia, two Greeley Central High School student-athletes killed in a 2014 crash. Sponsors and supporters described the resolution as a permanent tribute to the young men and to the Greeley community. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, 62-0, with three excused. The House then considered Senate Bill 143, updating the name of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee, and Senate Bill 124, concerning information related to the automated protection order notification system. Both measures passed on third reading, each by a vote of 43-19 with three excused. The chamber also laid over Senate Bill 43 until Monday. Finally, the House took up House Bill 1421, which would prohibit certain compensation arrangements in the legal profession and create the Colorado Legal Practice Integrity and Fee Sharing Prohibition Act. Supporters argued it would prevent private equity from influencing law firms and protect client-focused legal judgment, while opponents raised concerns about separation of powers, the judiciary’s role in regulating lawyers, and possible effects on rural legal services and consolidation. One member requested and received an excusal from the vote due to a potential conflict. The debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown for the bill in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our budget ask allows.
• And you said increase UGA. And I think we see a huge interest in increasing UGA.
• , which allows us to keep up with the enrollment growth, allows for fee increases that are allowed by
• , which allows us to keep up with the enrollment growth, allows for fee increases that are allowed by
• , which allows us to keep up with the enrollment growth, allows for fee increases that are allowed by

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was a Joint Committee on Ways and Means budget session held in Lawrence focused on the governor’s proposed FY27 education and local aid budget, with remarks from legislative co-chairs, local officials, and education agency leaders. Acting Mayor Giovanni Rodriguez and Superintendent Ralph Carrero emphasized Lawrence’s high-need student population, the importance of Chapter 70 and Student Opportunity Act funding, and the impact of state aid on schools serving many English learners and low-income families. Carrero highlighted Lawrence High School programs such as early college, dual degrees, career pathways, and early childhood classrooms embedded in the high school, while lawmakers introduced themselves and noted the importance of the hearing to their districts. Acting Secretary of Education Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of Higher Education Noi Ortega, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Pedro Martinez, and Commissioner of Early Education and Care Amy Kershaw outlined the administration’s FY27 priorities. They described investments in literacy initiatives, universal school meals, student mental health, early college and career pathways, higher education affordability, community college and university student-success supports, preschool expansion, child care subsidies, and workforce supports for early educators. The commissioners also discussed federal funding threats, equity gaps, and the administration’s efforts to improve outcomes for Black and brown students, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Members questioned the panel about the local contribution formula study, the final year of Student Opportunity Act implementation, and the need to revisit Chapter 70 funding to better address rising costs such as special education, transportation, and health care. Officials said the local contribution study report is expected by the end of June, with a draft to be shared after data analysis and public comment. Commissioner Martinez said the Student Opportunity Act narrowed funding gaps but more work is needed, and he pointed to a proposed Accelerating Achievement Initiative to support the highest-need schools. Senator Oliveira also raised concerns about Chapter 70 disparities and asked about partnerships with libraries to support literacy, prompting discussion of broader early literacy collaboration.

Transcript Highlights:

• an inflationary increase.
• And then on line 104, the fee increase results in a $2.5 million increase to the program.
• Line 106 is an increasing and area.
• dealing with a few operating increases dealing with a few operating increases in<00:25:57.360>
• allow the agencies to move money around. allow the agencies to move money around.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, the business interest changes federally also increase the amount of the limit by allowing
• the amount of the limit by uh increase the amount of the limit by allowing<00:34:31.280> uh<00
• > properties increase the percentage of properties increase the percentage of properties basis
• at 100% or that basis that was allowed at 100% or that was<00:35:46.480> allowed<00:35:46.720
• increase in his current budget horizon. increase in his current budget horizon.

Bills: HF3127, HF3816, HF3814, HF3815, HF3817

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, corporate franchise tax, individual income tax, research expenditures, federal compliance, Minnesota Statutes, income tax, corporate tax, section 179, federal conformity, HF3815, Minnesota taxes, tax conformity, Internal Revenue Code, IRC conformity

Transcript Highlights:

• current law that would have increased the per-pupil allowance from $1,708 to $1,748.
• Increase.
• This is an ongoing aid increase.
• Line 16 shows the Minnesota math program increase, so they are receiving an increase of $1 million in
• Increase.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• and again and the fine never increases. and again and the fine never increases.
• <02:07:38.239> m<02:07:38.480> cost increase or excuse me increased m cost increase
• but it actually increases.
• but it actually increases.
• a 4.5%<02:41:50.880> increases<02:41:51.680> in 4.5% increases in 4.5% increases in crashes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• allowed the Senate to increase<00:16:26.720> their<00:16:27.040> lapse<00:16:27.440>
• of a positive 85 million which allowed of a positive 85 million which allowed the<00:20:08.720><
• Um, and if you look at those lines, a $13 million increase, most of that increase was due to putting
• Um, and if you look at those lines, a $13 million increase, most of that increase was due to putting
• increase of $561,000. increase of $561,000.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Assistant staff presented an overview of the Senate changes to the House-passed budget, focusing on revenue estimates, appropriations, and ending balances across the general fund and education trust fund. The presentation emphasized that the Senate’s budget reflected higher revenue assumptions than the House, driven in part by updated April revenue figures, changes to business, tobacco, and real estate transfer tax splits, and different assumptions about video lottery terminal revenue. The Senate also adjusted lapse estimates upward, especially for HHS, after receiving updated information that lapses could be much larger than originally assumed. The presenter walked through the major differences in the surplus statements for fiscal years 2025 through 2027. Compared with the House, the Senate budget generally showed higher revenues, lower or different appropriations in some areas, and larger balances carried forward, including a larger education trust fund balance and a different rainy day fund transfer. The Senate’s approach also changed several policy assumptions, such as maintaining liquor revenue dedication, removing the House’s meals-and-rooms distribution cap, changing the treatment of unique revenue, and altering the process for meeting a targeted revenue amount by giving the governor more flexibility. On the appropriations side, the Senate removed or modified several House reductions and added funding or adjustments in areas including the judicial branch, corrections, HHS, the Human Rights Commission, and certain settlement costs. The presenter also highlighted Senate changes in House Bill 2 and related budget provisions, including a new arts tax credit, a nursing home bed fee, changes to Medicaid premium assumptions, and differences in how motor vehicle inspection repeal and BLT-related revenue are handled. No votes were taken in the portion shown; the discussion was informational and comparative, aimed at explaining the Senate budget changes before conference committee negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• months and with our increasing months and with our increasing temperatures<00:01:32.920> cooling
• , we also work with many delivered fuel vendors who have been increasing prices as well.
• <00:10:30.320> in experiencing corresponding increases in experiencing corresponding increases
• Hard Times uh it allows everything to a Hard Times uh it allows everything to a steadier<00:14:30.360
• <00:21:03.240> and this why do we have an an increase and this why do we have an an increase

Keywords: 919, house, all

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