Transcript Highlights:

• This program was created two years ago and passed unanimously by the Senate to create a program that
• will put the public works programs at risk.
• Critically, this is not a grant program.
• and youth hip-hop residency program.
• program and youth hip-hop residency program.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held its first meeting of the 2026 session to hear Governor Ferguson’s proposed supplemental capital budget from OFM. Budget staff said the proposal uses nearly all of the roughly $400 million in available bond capacity, leaving about $5.4 million unused, and includes additional funding from the Common School Construction account, the Climate Commitment Account, and federal funds. OFM described housing as the largest priority, with $237 million total, including $225 million for the Housing Trust Fund for affordable rental housing, homeownership, preservation, and manufactured home community acquisition; it also highlighted urgent state facility needs, climate and clean energy investments, natural resource projects, and education funding for school seismic safety, small district and tribal compact school modernization, lead pipe remediation, and higher education preservation projects. Committee members asked about the timing of housing production, and OFM said the proposed supplemental projects would not be completed within the biennium. Public testimony in the housing section strongly supported the governor’s housing investments, especially the Housing Trust Fund, manufactured housing preservation, and homeownership programs, while several speakers asked for larger appropriations for workforce housing, community land trusts, right-to-counsel, and specific local projects such as Thrive Center Tacoma, Alliance Place, Casa Mia, and Native and immigrant community facilities. One testifier criticized overall state tax policy, but the chair clarified that the capital budget is bonded and does not directly raise taxes. Testimony on K-12 education generally supported the proposed funding for small school modernization, seismic safety, and Healthy Kids, Healthy Schools lead remediation, with rural districts emphasizing the importance of planning and construction grants for aging facilities. Higher education witnesses supported preservation and deferred maintenance funding but asked for additional support for projects at Cascadia College, WSU Spokane, UW’s decarbonization work, and other campus infrastructure needs. Natural resources testimony backed Salmon Recovery Funding Board and community forest investments, while asking for more funding for ranked RCO projects. In the final section, local governments and utilities opposed a proposed $75 million transfer from the Public Works Assistance account to the operating budget, warning it would reduce infrastructure lending capacity; other speakers supported the Washington State Green Bank, public works financing, and several local economic development and utility projects. No votes or formal committee action were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• federal SGO, which is similar to the state STO program.
• We'll be your little lapdog, and we'll just follow your little SGO program.
• And it gives away our right to provide accountability and guidelines for that program.
• and say we're going to cut programs, which in fact, we really haven't.
• SPL 159, health insurers saving incentive program. Finance.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the prior journal, and made temporary committee appointments. It then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated the measure at length, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers and businesses, and conformity with federal filing rules, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in budget negotiations or a special session. The bill advanced from Committee of the Whole and, on third reading, passed the Senate 17-12 with one not voting, then was transmitted to the House and later to the governor. During the floor debate, senators focused on the bill’s effects on child care deductions, senior deductions, overtime and tip income, business expensing, and a provision related to federal school voucher tax credits. Democrats argued the bill would worsen budget pressures, undermine funding for education, roads, public safety, and human services, and do little for families on child care waitlists or seniors still working. Republicans countered that the bill would keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets, support working families and small businesses, and align Arizona’s tax code with federal changes to avoid confusion for filers. After the tax vote, Senator Bolick read a proclamation honoring Arizona and U.S. law enforcement, citing fallen officers, officer assaults, and the need for training, equipment, mental health support, and tougher penalties for attacks on officers. The Senate then received and referred a large number of new bills to committees, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would like to know just about the CTAS program.
• The federal agency that administers the Medicaid program does regular assessments of state Medicaid programs
• . programs like ours, and they came to us and said, "We think you're understaffed."
• We've included House File 289 as amended on the floor, which is the Savvy Program, which I understand
• Then Section 20, the program is Representative Quam's House File 289.

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

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

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have Medicare, which is a federal program.
• I'm contributing to society because of those programs.
• Guys are not programming.
• Guys are not programming.
• We know these programs work.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 6 heard the Governor’s May Revision proposals for the judicial branch, the Board of State and Community Corrections, the Department of Justice, and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The Legislative Analyst’s Office opened with a warning that the state budget remains structurally imbalanced and urged the Legislature to avoid new ongoing spending unless offset by reductions elsewhere. In the judicial branch discussion, the Judicial Council highlighted language access funding, appellate court security, a backfill for the state court facilities construction fund, and an extension of the lactation room mandate; Finance supported most items but suggested reporting language on interpreter costs and reducing the General Fund backfill. Members raised concerns about judicial vacancies, long-term salary freezes, remote hearings, and the lack of progress on court staffing in some counties. For the Board of State and Community Corrections, the administration proposed $10 million one-time each for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People grant program and a human trafficking vertical prosecution grant program. The LAO said both should be weighed against other priorities and suggested the Legislature consider whether the Tribal Nations Grant Fund could support MMIP work, while Finance said it preferred General Fund support and wanted more review before any fund swap. Members strongly supported MMIP funding and asked whether ongoing support would be considered. On the human trafficking grant, Finance said BSC was a good fit because of its grant administration experience and prior vertical prosecution work, while legislators asked why the program was not placed with the Office of Emergency Services as originally contemplated in prior legislation. The Department of Justice presented antitrust litigation funding, Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse staffing, completion of organized retail criminal enterprise cases, and trailer bill language for a continuous appropriation from the Victims of Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund. The LAO supported the antitrust account use but questioned the Unfair Competition Law Fund’s ability to cover the full request without General Fund repayment, and recommended against a continuous appropriation for the restitution fund in favor of a more limited mechanism with legislative oversight. Finance said the fund would remain solvent and defended the continuous appropriation as necessary to pay victims promptly. In the CDCR portion, the largest discussion centered on the Boston Consulting Group efficiency review and sharply reduced savings estimates; LAO said the department had not fully explained the proposed position eliminations or future $100 million savings target, while Finance said the work reflected deeper analysis and ongoing efforts to find savings. Members repeatedly pressed CDCR and Finance on the gap between earlier promised savings and the revised figures. CDCR also outlined population projections showing continued declines in prison and parole populations, while LAO again urged the state to close an additional prison to save ongoing costs. The department then walked through several May Revision items, including workers’ compensation funding, a Corcoran honor housing dorm, incarcerated firefighter pay implementation, an incarcerated menopause program, mental health receiver staffing, mental health resource teams and crisis intervention teams, medical classification staffing changes, and AI note-taking for the electronic health record. LAO generally recommended limiting-term funding and more reporting for many of these proposals, while Finance defended them as necessary ongoing investments or court-ordered obligations. Members questioned the cost of workers’ compensation, the need for more prison closures, the lack of funding for women’s facility violence prevention, and the timing and transparency of the BCG savings process. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to be clear, this bill is not just program integrity, which we don't have any issues with the program
• in state code and codifying in code this child care program.
• So the program, JFAC has still passed the, I guess, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, Program.
• This is a federal program, federal money.
• I'm a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a retired nurse practitioner, and a health care executive.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> we could not get them into a program. we could not get them into a program.
• </c> programming cost me over $26,000. programming cost me over $26,000.
• </c> them up just because school programming them up just because school programming was<00:26:50.240
• 29:06.960><c> care</c> After-school programming and child care After-school programming and child care
• ,</c><01:00:30.240><c> social</c> foster care, doctors, nurses, social foster care, doctors, nurses,

Bills: HF3877 , HF3714 , HF3750 , HF3024

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: public authorities, dissolution cases, court system, child protection, legal notice, foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, foster youth, extended foster care, bill of rights, out-of-home placement, Minnesota Statutes chapter 260C, social services agency, caseworker, permanency team, sibling visitation, relative contact

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:30.399><c> evaluation</c> of the focus of the program evaluation of the focus of the program
• </c> who ultimately select the program who ultimately select the program evaluation<00:14:28.199><c>
• </c><00:19:29.760><c> home</c> along on a a sha shadow a nursing home along on a a sha shadow a nursing
• </c> kind of have seasons so our program kind of have seasons so our program evaluations<01:31:52.119
• </c> those and we do that that in our program those and we do that that in our program evaluations<01

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and state tribal compact school modernization program.
• This program was created two years ago and passed unanimously by the Senate to create a program that
• will put the public works support programs at risk.
• Critically, this is not a grant program.
• and youth hip-hop residency program.

Bills: SB6003

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: capital budget, funding, infrastructure, state projects, budget allocation, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• “But we also didn’t move those programs forward.
• But we also didn’t move those programs forward.
• So these are programs that we need.
• They're these are programs that we need.
• It's a great program. This year we raised $21,000 for them and their program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> other workforce plans and programs, other workforce plans and programs, we're<00:03:40.400><c>
• </c><00:04:54.080><c> This</c> business assistance program. This business assistance program.
• </c> the resource available to that program. the resource available to that program.
• to the IPS program because of a surplus in one program and a deficit in the other.
• </c> 6,000 people that were in the program. 6,000 people that were in the program.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the Boys and Girls Club Teen Coordinator and a mentorship program.
• And the arts district, and it’s to provide materials and energy-generational programming.
• I just have a quick question about how many people this program is serving?
• As Representative Johnson said, I'm excited to introduce a new conservation program.
• This is a good program.

Bills: HF2411 , HF2471 , HF1440 , HF1393 , HF1631 , HF1259 , HF280 , HF1281 , HF1459

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> things that can enhance program things that can enhance program integrity<00:04:19.919><c> uh</c
• ,</c><00:32:37.200><c> I</c> and frankly looking at the programs, I and frankly looking at the programs
• </c> important that we put as much program important that we put as much program integrity<00:48:56.800
• </c><00:53:19.520><c> integrity</c> amendment to enhance program integrity amendment to enhance program
• </c> grievance procedures that allows program grievance procedures that allows program participants<01

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that the Department of Mental Health is charged with holding folks in the sexually violent predator program
• that the Department of Mental Health is charged with holding folks in the sexually violent predator program
• language, including every state around Missouri, especially as it goes to the Ignition Interlock Program
• It has to do with those facilities that are state inspected, which would be daycares, nursing homes,
• It has to do with those facilities that are state inspected, which would be daycares, nursing homes,

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> additional three FTEEs to that program. additional three FTEEs to that program.
• So it can be things like a job training program.
• I think it's a revolving loan program.
• So there will be grant making program.
• </c> round we're looking for newer programs. round we're looking for newer programs.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> House Bill 134, an act relating to sexual assault nurse examiners. >> Senator from Taylor. Mr.
• to &gt;&gt; House Bill 134, an act relating to sexual<01:27:49.920><c> assault</c><01:27:50.480><c> nurse
• </c> sexual assault nurse examiners. sexual assault nurse examiners.
• Senate Resolution 186, a resolution endorsing the Ohio River Restoration Program Act to support clean

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . program. program.
• There are many programs.
• There are many programs. Be inflict. There are many programs.
• </c> even nursing. even nursing. Thank<02:37:02.800><c> you.</c> Thank you. Thank you.
• </c><03:52:08.880><c> um</c> system that would make the program um system that would make the program

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Kaiapuni program is vital to perpetuate Hawaiian language in our state.
• c> vital</c><00:15:03.240><c> to</c> The Kaiapuni program is vital to The Kaiapuni program is vital to
• </c> adjustments for state programs. adjustments for state programs.
• </c><00:49:02.360><c> benefits</c> effectively eliminate program benefits effectively eliminate program
• > includes</c> But that drone program includes But that drone program includes live-streamed<00:59:13.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> program</c><00:02:16.280><c> that</c><00:02:16.400><c> Minnesota's</c> the foundation program that
• </c><00:05:10.600><c> are</c> important many of these programs are important many of these programs are
• We provided a program two years ago called the I pilot program that was bipartisan, that gave our local
• </c> Forest Lands program. Forest Lands program.
• These programs together easements.

Bills: HF4906 , HF3971 , HF4777 , HF2109 , HF2988

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I'd love to one day just find out what your program is because I've got plenty of people I can
• I thought only nurses did that.
• Access to this program would provide a critical lifeline for prosecutors.
• So as of right now, this is already a created program.
• Second thing is, I've been a critical care nurse for 25 years. I take care of open hearts.

Bills: HB200

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Keywords: HB 200, emergency communication, backup communications, satellite phone, portable satellite equipment, radio, floodplain, 100-year floodplain, FEMA, natural disaster, disaster preparedness, emergency preparedness, vulnerable populations, children, elderly, seniors, people with disabilities, care facilities, residential care, assisted living

Transcript Highlights:

• DSHS is administering this program.
• But not a new program at all. Thank you. Anyone else? Thank you so much.
• And we know that we don't serve a person is not just one program.
• And we know that we don't serve a person is not just one program.
• I'm the director of programs at Emergency Food Network.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee met on the first day of the 2026 session and heard a briefing and public testimony on Senate Bill 5966 concerning medically tailored meals. Committee staff explained that the bill would define medically tailored meals and set statewide standards for meals provided through state programs, emphasizing medical guidance, dietary and cultural accommodations, and prioritizing Washington-based nonprofit providers when possible. Senator T’wina Nobles, the sponsor, said the bill is intended to create a clear baseline for quality and accountability without expanding benefits or creating a new program, but rather to streamline and standardize existing efforts. Testifiers in support described existing medically tailored meal and food box programs already operating in Washington. Representatives from Meals on Wheels, Chicken Soup Brigade, Cascadia Produce, Emergency Food Network, and Meals on Wheels Spokane said these programs improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions, support recovery, and help keep people stable in their communities. They also emphasized that local providers, volunteers, farmers, and food businesses benefit when state dollars stay in Washington. Several members asked whether the bill would create a new system; supporters said it would instead coordinate and standardize current waiver-based and contract-based services. Questions also touched on funding sources, delivery costs, and the role of Medicaid and other programs. The committee temporarily set aside the bill to hear from newly appointed DSHS Secretary Angela Ramirez, who outlined the department’s reorganization into new administrations and said the goal is to reduce silos, improve customer experience, and make services easier to navigate. She also briefed members on federal HR1-related changes affecting SNAP and Medicaid, including work requirements, immigrant eligibility changes, and tribal consultation, and said DSHS is developing a verification hub to reduce administrative burden. Members raised concerns about implementation, data collection, and how to avoid benefit loss due to paperwork issues. After the secretary’s presentation, the committee resumed testimony on SB 5966 and then adjourned without taking a vote.