Transcript Highlights:

• That pressure should include snapping back U.N. sanctions against Iran, which were undone by the Obama-Biden
• response, quote, I believe it is in our national security interest for the U.N. and Security Council to snap
• Rubio and Deputy Secretary Landau that it is in the national security interest of the United States to snap

Keywords: diplomatic nominations, foreign policy, ambassadors, U.S.-European relations, Bilateral relationships, security, trade

Summary: The meeting focused primarily on diplomatic nominations, featuring discussions about the implications of these roles on U.S. foreign policy. Notable was the introduction of nominees for key ambassadorial positions, including ambassadors to the Dominican Republic, France, and the Netherlands. Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of U.S.-European relations, particularly in light of current global challenges, while other members voiced their concerns regarding the nominees’ qualifications and the impact on bilateral relationships. Public support for these nominations was evident, as was the committee's commitment to fostering stronger connections with allied nations, particularly in addressing security and trade issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill does is ask that a link be created from the place where people apply for many other benefits, SNAP
• By the way, from DHS, approximately 150,000 folks in the metro area apply for SNAP benefits each year
• complete a miniature application that can take, honestly, hours to complete, followed up by a 10-page SNAP

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

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:

• It's not because we don't have a robust SNAP benefit program, because I know lots of people in my area
• And you can have all the SNAP benefits you want in an area if their parents don't have access to where
• It's not because we don't have a robust SNAP benefit program, because I know Thank you. we don't have
• a robust SNAP benefit program because I know lots of people in my area that depend on that.
• And you can have all the SNAP benefits you want in an area if their parents don't have access to where

Bills: HR3, HR80, HB4, HB172, HB189, HB623, HB944, HB1185, HB1199, HB1222, SB105, SB125, SB461

Keywords: housing assistance, state-owned property, cost-burdened, state employees, affordable housing, fiscal audit, higher education, public funds, underrepresented minorities, Board of Regents, Louisiana legislation, constitutional convention, Louisiana constitution, electoral process, government structure, delegate elections, airport authority, fire protection, supplemental pay, public safety

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 105, which would reinstate an existing TOPS Tech benefit for eligible veterans after a sunset expired. The author said the program had been underused because it was not well promoted, but that the new veterans workforce effort called “The Boot” would help connect veterans to the benefit. Members confirmed it would use existing TOPS funds and not require new money, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. House Resolution 3 asked the Louisiana Housing Corporation to study whether vacant state-owned property could be used for housing and rental assistance for cost-burdened state employees. The author described it as an exploratory study, while members raised concerns about the fiscal note and the scope of the study. Fiscal staff explained the agency had requested additional positions to do the work. The committee discussed narrowing the study to certain areas, but the resolution was ultimately reported favorably. House Bill 189 sought supplemental pay for fire protection officers at the Lakefront Management Authority’s airport. The author and airport representatives argued the firefighters perform hazardous, specialized ARFF duties at a busy public airport and should be treated like other supplemental-pay recipients. Some members questioned whether the airport and its employees qualified under existing law and whether the proposal would expand an already costly program. After debate, the committee rejected the bill on an 8-10 vote. The committee then reported Senate Bill 461 favorably, which would place certain small groups of active employees under the Office of Group Benefits to improve insurance rates without using general fund money. House Bill 623, creating a three-tier permitting system for vapor product producers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was amended to clarify the direct-to-consumer shipment prohibition and then reported favorably. House Bill 1222, which would authorize LED to create a grocery initiative grant and assistance program to address food deserts, drew extended debate over whether it would amount to government-run grocery stores; supporters said it would only create incentives for private grocers and related assistance. It was amended and reported favorably by a 16-2 vote. Finally, House Resolution 80, as amended, would shift a proposed audit-related effort on higher education budget metrics away from the legislative auditor and toward university systems’ own boards; members questioned the need for a look-back report and the added workload, and the chair indicated he would move to recommit the resolution to the education committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• A $200,000 investment will fund on-campus food pantries, SNAP access, and hunger awareness programs that
• 04:40.120> oncampus<00:04:40.680> food<00:04:40.919> pantries<00:04:41.800> snap
• will fund oncampus food pantries snap will fund oncampus food pantries snap access<00:04:42.680>
• Each campus offers services such as a food pantry, support for students accessing SNAP benefits, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• compounding on each other: all of these things that we have talked about throughout these months, SNAP
• compounding on each other: all of these things that we have talked about throughout these months, SNAP
• compounding on each other: all of these things that we have talked about throughout these months, SNAP
• throughout these months, uh, SNAP throughout these months, uh, SNAP benefits<01:49:25.040> being
• <01:54:14.000> and dollars around healthcare and SNAP and dollars around healthcare and SNAP

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Select Subcommittee first took up adoption of three previously prepared nonpartisan committee summary reports dated October 15, November 13, and November 21. Senator Rasmusson objected to the lack of advance notice about the day’s testifiers and criticized the practice of having nonpartisan staff summarize what he described as a partisan agenda. The chair responded that the committee’s purpose is to gather information, not hear bills, and that the summaries were intended as neutral resources for the Senate. Senator Coopek moved adoption, the motion was opposed by Rasmusson and another member, and the motion passed. The committee then turned to the day’s hearing on federal impacts on Minnesota, with the chair focusing on federal funding threats and the effect of congressional budget actions on health care, especially in greater Minnesota. The first presentation came from the Minnesota Department of Health on the state’s rural health transformation work. Assistant Commissioner Carol Broom introduced the team and described the rural hospital transformation program as a major opportunity to invest in rural health, while acknowledging longstanding challenges such as demographics, transportation barriers, and the financing of care. Nitha Moibi outlined the state’s rural health chart book and data showing an aging population, workforce shortages, and many health professional shortage areas, and described proposed strategies including workforce pipelines, bridge payments for low-volume birth hospitals, telehealth access points, mental health urgent care, and chronic disease prevention. Acting Assistant Commissioner Anna Ashby of the Minnesota Management and Budget office explained the state’s application to CMS for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which was created in federal law and awarded Minnesota just over $193 million for federal fiscal year 2026. She said the application was shaped by public comments, stakeholder meetings, and legislative outreach, and included initiatives on preventive care, workforce, care access, behavioral health, and provider financial stability. She also reviewed implementation constraints, including a January 30 revised budget deadline, limits on administrative spending, restrictions on using funds to offset Medicaid losses, and the need to show measurable progress to remain eligible for future funding. The presentation noted that most year-one funding would go to rural hospitals, with additional support for federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, tribal partners, and technical assistance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Probably snapping turtles are the worst; they get pretty big, and they bite and can take your fingers
• out with his hands and fingers to grab weeds, never knowing if he was reaching directly towards a snapping

Transcript Highlights:

• Snap traps can be really brutal too.
• So the snaps aren't necessarily more humane.
• option which is the snap option which is the snap trap<00:10:40.160> uh<00:10:40.240>
• um and that is that um you know snap um and that is that um you know snap traps<00:11:13.279>
• every winter and we always use the snap every winter and we always use the snap traps<00:11:24.600

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in a work session on several environmental bills, beginning with HP 152, which would prohibit the sale and use of adhesive-based rodent traps. Members discussed whether the bill should be amended to allow professional pest control use while restricting retail sales to the public. Testimony and member comments focused on animal welfare concerns, the relative humaneness and effectiveness of glue traps versus snap traps, consumer education, enforcement difficulties, and whether the bill should instead be limited to professionals. No vote was taken on HP 152 during the discussion. The committee then turned to HB 171, establishing a moratorium on new landfill permits. Representative Gruber distributed an amendment shortening the proposed moratorium from five years to three years as a compromise. Members supporting the moratorium said it would give the Department of Environmental Services time to update rules and reflect recent landfill-siting reforms, while opponents argued that three years was too long, could tie the hands of a future legislature, and might be difficult to pass in the Senate. Others noted the House, Senate, and governor had each discussed different lengths of moratorium, making the bill a likely bargaining position in later negotiations. Throughout the landfill discussion, members emphasized that the three-year version was intended as a middle ground between a one-year proposal associated with the governor and a six-year Senate bill. Several members said the moratorium reflected years of bipartisan work on solid waste and landfill policy and would help create time for new rules to take effect. The transcript provided does not show a final committee vote or other action on HB 171 during this segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• diabetic client who receives nutritional support now after civil legal services intervention in a SNAP
• uh civil legal services intervention in uh civil legal services intervention in a<00:21:41.120> SNAP
• case<00:21:42.000> and<00:21:42.320> avoids<00:21:42.799> hospitalization a SNAP
• case and avoids hospitalization a SNAP case and avoids hospitalization and<00:21:43.679> associated

Bills: HF2300

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• course,<00:14:36.880> it<00:14:37.120> touches course, it touches course, it touches SNAP
• <00:14:39.160> and<00:14:40.240> um SNAP and um SNAP and um with<00:14:41.880> the

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4808, as amended by a DE3, a human services technology modernization bill. The author described the measure as a multi-year effort to modernize outdated county systems, improve data integration, and strengthen program integrity and fraud detection. The bill would create a Human Services Modernization Fund with a $50 million cap, establish an advisory council with strong county and tribal representation, and create a legislative commission to oversee the work and receive annual reports. It also includes a $10 million county-focused grant fund and a $15 million appropriation for the Office of Inspector General’s technology needs. Testimony from the Association of Minnesota Counties and related county groups strongly supported the bill, emphasizing the need for immediate modernization, the importance of county and tribal involvement, and the value of legislative oversight. Members from both parties echoed support, saying the bill would help county workers spend less time on outdated systems and more time serving clients, and that better system integration could reduce errors and fraud issues. One member suggested that audits should be considered in the future in addition to reporting requirements. The committee adopted the DE3 amendment without opposition. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to refer House File 4808, as amended, to the general register, and the motion passed on a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• is going to the Drug Task Force, and $5 million is going to the Inspector General for errors in the SNAP
• from the government, and so I generally support those things, like the money we're putting aside for SNAP
• eligibility to try and improve our... ...like the money we're putting aside for SNAP eligibility to

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, granted several leaves, and received gubernatorial approval notices for multiple fiscal-session measures. The chamber then referred House Bill 1034 back to the Joint Budget Committee so pay raises could be stripped out and cybersecurity/bank-fee funding handled later. House Bill 1103, increasing the homestead property tax credit by $75, passed 94-0. Members then considered several budget amendments and appropriations. Amendments to House Bills 1007, 1022, 1036, and 1064 were adopted, and Senate Bill 76, a $2 million appropriation for county extension office capital improvements, passed 87-7. A batch of appropriation bills passed, but several individual bills failed, including House Bills 1023, 1035, 1053, and 1066. House Bills 1089 and 1090, supplemental appropriations for pregnancy crisis centers and waste tire cleanup, both passed. House Bill 1093, a corrections reappropriation bill that excluded use of funds in Franklin County, also passed 94-0. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 1100 Amendment 1, which set out the RSA and one-time funding package. Supporters described major allocations for corrections, state police, LEARNS Freedom Accounts, Medicaid, vehicle purchases, and a proposed $300 million economic-development site-preparation and road package tied to a confidential project. Opponents criticized the secrecy, size, and policy approach of the incentive, while supporters argued it could bring jobs and broader economic benefits. The amendment passed 54-36-3. The House also passed Senate Bills 8, 16, 30, 63, 67, and 73, while Senate Bills 41 and 59 failed, and Senate Bill 10 passed after being briefly set aside for clarification. The chamber adjourned to 1 p.m. the next day, with committee meetings announced for budget and house management.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're talking about SNAP, $500,000 in the fiscal year of 2026.
• You know the impact towards SNAP outreach is a necessity, and not just within my district, but I've spoken
• There is base funding for the SNAP outreach program, even though there is no increase in this bill.

Bills: HF2436

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras

Transcript Highlights:

• I would note here that the SNAP program, Supplemental Nutrition Program, which I think many of you are
• <00:56:55.359> program uh that someone the SNAP program uh that someone the SNAP program supplemental
• So if you're subject to the SNAP requirement or you're subject to the Medicaid requirement, you don't
• Not to get too far off the field here, but in the SNAP program, OB3 shifts the administrative cost of
• is is should be treated as a snap is is should be treated as a separate<01:29:22.560> issue<01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They get SNAP benefits, they get medical assistance, they get the renters' or the housing credit.
• They get SNAP benefits, they get medical assistance, they get the renters' or the housing credit.
• affect what people receive at SNAP affect what people receive at SNAP benefits<01:34:55.400>
• The USDA about potentially getting a waiver for SNAP purposes to determine if those advanced payments
• Advanced payments of the child credit would be considered income for the purposes of SNAP eligibility

Bills: HF1698, HF632, HF1352, HF2197, HF618, HF1248, HF1697

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• This one is on SNAP and TANF. Move adoption. I'm happy to take some questions. Do pass. Second.
• And this area of work, SNAP, TANF, helps families and children. What processes are in place for?

Bills: HB2947, HB2964, HB3143, HB3144, HB3342, HB3344, HB3519, HB3522, HB3530, HB3645, HB3647, HB3834, HB4300, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, medical records, patient rights, privacy, fees, healthcare access, legal claims, medical marijuana, license transfer, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, moratorium, business regulation, commercial grower licenses, licensing restrictions, agriculture, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• have a food crisis happening driven by a lot of factors, including cuts to funding for programs like SNAP
• have a food crisis happening driven by a lot of factors, including cuts to funding for programs like SNAP

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met for its first 2026 meeting and took up a full agenda of bills focused on food safety, agricultural programs, consumer transparency, and farm-related policy. Early measures included S.592 on a youth and agriculture entrepreneurship summer employment program, which was reported to finance without opposition, and S.1239E, the Food Safety and Technical Disclosure Act, which would require disclosure of certain food ingredients to the state and public and also ban three substances outright. Senator Kavanaugh described the bill as closing a loophole in federal food safety law; Senator Borrello opposed it as a state-by-state approach that could raise costs and disrupt the supply chain, while Senator O’Rourke supported it as a science-based measure with available substitutes. The bill was reported back to the board with one no vote and one without recommendation. The committee also advanced S.1783A on liquefied petroleum/propane fee disclosures, with supporters saying it would prevent consumers from being charged for improper or hidden fees and opponents arguing it should not single out state-related charges; the bill moved to the board. S.4041, creating a sanitary retail food store grant program, was reported to finance. S.4162, relating to the Fresh Connect program and local produce purchases, prompted discussion about whether state resources should instead be concentrated on the Double Up Food Bucks program; sponsors said both programs are needed and that Double Up has capacity limits, and the bill was moved to finance. Later, the committee advanced S.6286A, establishing an agricultural tax viability pilot program tied to agrivoltaics; supporters said it would address a need raised in recent hearings and work with farm groups, while Senator Borrello voted no. The final bill, S.7618 on food safety and quality date label requirements, drew debate over whether New York should act without a federal standard and whether the bill could create confusion or unintended costs, especially for dairy and other perishables. Supporters said the bill would reduce food waste and simplify the many existing date labels without forcing new labeling on those who do not already use it; members also discussed refrigeration references in the bill, and the sponsor said the language could be adjusted. The committee then adjourned and announced that future meetings will be held on the third floor in the new location.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:39:49.000> Uh directly impacts the SNAP error rate.
• Uh directly impacts the SNAP error rate.
• Some people call it cost sharing, but if the federal government's picking up 100% of the tab for SNAP
• Some people call it cost sharing, but if the federal government's picking up 100% of the tab for SNAP
• Some people call it cost sharing, but if the federal government's picking up 100% of the tab for SNAP

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 11 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with an invocation by Reverend Anthony Phillips, and dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee reports. The chamber also recognized several guests in the galleries, including family members of senators, medical professionals for Early Childhood Day, and advocates and local officials. After introductions, the Senate moved into the calendar and began considering bills and motions. Among the measures taken up, the Senate passed House Bill 1393 to create the Mississippi Energy Infrastructure Fund, with the sponsor explaining it would allow MDA to support energy projects and require compliance with state procurement laws. The Senate also passed House Bill 420, which provides a full homestead ad valorem tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans age 85 or older and allows an unremarried surviving spouse to keep the exemption; senators asked about eligibility, age limits, and safeguards against improper exemptions. Another bill passed was House Bill 1941 on the Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust Fund, which would allow funding through bonds or other means in addition to direct appropriation and raise the DFA processing cap from 2% to 3%; several senators raised concerns about state debt and the funding mechanism. The Senate concurred in Senate Bill 2906, which gives the Secretary of State additional time to establish minimum cybersecurity standards for county election systems. It also adopted motions to table reconsideration on several House bills, including House Bill 908 on absentee ballot receipt dates, House Bill 525 on mandatory minimum penalties for sexual battery, and House Bill 538 on sanctuary policies and immigration enforcement. The chamber voted to reconsider and then again pass House Bill 1613, described as a bill on aggravated trafficking weight and pill counts that also included a chemical abortion ban, after some senators who were absent earlier asked to go on record. For House Bill 2409, dealing with a comprehensive mitigation program for retrofitting insurable homes, the Senate voted not to concur and invited conference. The Senate also passed and retained numerous other items as it worked through the calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• going to bring you upstairs to our health and human services and see if we can get you enrolled in SNAP
• going to bring you upstairs to our health and human services and see if we can get you enrolled in SNAP
• going to bring you upstairs to our health and human services and see if we can get you enrolled in SNAP
• going to bring you upstairs to our health and human services and see if we can get you enrolled in SNAP
• going to bring you upstairs to our health and human services and see if we can get you enrolled in SNAP

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• <07:15:36.320> to proposals to cut Medicaid and SNAP to proposals to cut Medicaid and SNAP
• <07:36:45.360> These Medicaid, 160,000 people on SNAP.
• These Medicaid, 160,000 people on SNAP.
• Massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP.
• Massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and SNAP.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, May 5, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One hundred percent of the survey respondents indicated that access to Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and child
• The SNAP benefits for our ...maintenance to the existing economic assistance programs.
• The SNAP benefits, for example, there is some delayed application processing times.
• North Dakota that are qualified for SNAP benefits can access those benefits is really important.
• So when they're trying to get in to apply for SNAP benefits, things like that.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not something to snap your fingers and do overnight. Plus, I think there's a legal issue.
• And then on page 179, as many of you are aware, there were some changes to the SNAP admin that were approved
• The federal match on SNAP admin is going from 50% to 25%.
• So it used to be that for expenditures that were associated with the SNAP program, the Supplemental Nutrition
• So if there was, let’s say, an IT update that needed to be made to the SNAP system, or if there was work

Keywords: 959, house, all