Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary of State Hoskins' office does not believe the statute as written provides the necessary authority
• Just to quickly clarify, we are putting a current practice into statute so everyone feels more comfortable
• And their counsel has, in looking at the statute, felt like they needed some clarification to continue
• And their counsel has, in looking at the statute, felt like they needed some clarification to continue
• Well, in the opioid case, so when those funds came down to the Minnesota...

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Transcript Highlights:

• statute that they are not illegal.
• In this chamber, we speak in the terms of statutes, definitions, and amendments.
• We cannot rewrite voter-adopted language by statute simply because certain market participants prefer
• The statute. Shall consult with the prosecuting attorney. It's not a may consult.
• The statute right now says may, but we even took that one step further in the standards and said the

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous journal by roll call. Members then offered personal privilege remarks honoring Dr. Penelope Martin Knox of Raytown Schools for Black History Month and introduced guests, including Adeline Overcast, who was made a page for the day, and visitors from a rural hospital in Rolla. Several new bills were first read, including measures on blind pensions, penalties for impeding first responders, and flag display in the state capitol. The chamber then took up multiple third-reading bills. House Bill 2596, dealing with multiple employee self-insured health plans for small businesses, passed unanimously after supporters said it would help small employers offer affordable health coverage. House Bill 1644, addressing franchisor liability and joint-employer issues, passed 103-45 after debate over whether it protected small businesses or limited workers’ ability to sue franchisors. House Bill 2423, increasing funding for the Division of Finance through fee authority, passed 146-0 despite concerns about higher costs being passed on to consumers. House Bill 2641, regulating intoxicating hemp-derived products and aligning state law with federal changes, drew extensive debate over a beverage carve-out, impacts on hemp businesses, and public safety; it passed 109-34. The House also passed House Bills 2498 and the combined House Bills 2637 and 3155. HB 2498, a juvenile justice reform bill shifting some referral responsibilities to prosecutors and expanding information sharing, passed 100-44 after strong debate over whether it would politicize juvenile cases and overburden treatment facilities, versus claims it would improve accountability and public safety. The combined sentencing bill, HB 2637/3155, passed 102-45 amid disagreement over whether it was truly a transparency measure or instead increased mandatory minimums and reduced judicial discretion. Finally, the House considered House Joint Resolution 154, which opponents described as an attack on Medicaid expansion tied to work requirements. Supporters argued it would encourage able-bodied recipients to work, volunteer, or attend school and reduce administrative costs, while opponents warned it would increase bureaucracy and risk coverage losses for vulnerable Missourians. The transcript ends during the procedural vote on the previous question for HJR 154, before the final disposition is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your amendment carves them out and says in state statute that they are not illegal.
• And says in state statute that they are not illegal.
• In this chamber, we speak in the terms of statutes, definitions, and amendments.
• But the consequences of our votes have who have... ...of statutes, definitions, and amendments.
• The statute. Shall consult with the prosecuting attorney. It's not a may consult.

Transcript Highlights:

• by certain individuals if a wrongful death occurs due to medical negligence, specifically Florida statute
• behind the legislative intent created in Florida's Wrongful death act in 1972 which reads verbatim in Statute
• Also, non joined or statute regarding the medical insurance.
• Number one, the non joined or statute.
• The legislature granted in the same statute that conflicts and violates with Kluger, the white Florida

Transcript Highlights:

• Several states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, and Minnesota, have already
• would clarify that gold buyers who purchase gold at remote events must follow the required outline in statute
• They must have valid ID, which is stated in statute, and that information is stored in our systems for
• Right now, the language in statute is a little ambiguous and simply says 'the person.'

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard a full agenda of bills covering travel consumer protections, cannabis commerce with tribes, medical record integrity, pest control licensing, pawn and gold-buying regulation, pharmacy discipline, land surveying, and expedited licensing for veterans separated under a federal transgender military policy. Members also later heard AB 1973, which would expand the ability of advanced practice clinicians to provide abortion care, with supporters arguing it would improve access and opponents warning about safety and scope-of-practice concerns. Several bills were presented before quorum was reached, and the chair repeatedly urged absent members to arrive so the committee could vote. Testimony on the bills was largely in support. Authors and witnesses said AB 1758 would raise the seller-of-travel assessment cap to keep the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund solvent; AB 2506 would allow state cannabis licensees to sell products from tribal licensees while respecting tribal sovereignty; AB 1637 would prevent non-physicians from altering physician-authored medical notes; AB 2477 would create a short provisional period for pest control workers awaiting licensure; AB 2633 would close a loophole involving remote gold-buying events and stolen property reporting; AB 2141 would let the Board of Pharmacy resolve some cases through stipulated settlements before formal accusations; and AB 1933 would make technical clarifications to land surveying law. AB 1775 drew emotional testimony from transgender service members and advocates describing the impact of federal separation policies and the need for California licensing and support. Once quorum was established, the committee voted out the consent calendar and each of the heard bills, generally on party-line or near-unanimous votes. AB 1637, AB 1758, AB 1775, AB 1933, AB 2141, AB 2477, AB 2506, and AB 2633 all passed out of committee, most to Appropriations or another policy committee as noted. AB 1973 also passed, despite a no vote from some members and an opposition witness from the California Family Council. The committee later took vote changes and additional roll calls for absent members before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Several states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, New Mexico, Michigan, and Minnesota, have already
• clarify that gold buyers who purchase gold at remote events must follow the required outline and statute
• They must have valid ID, which is stated in statute, and the information is stored in our systems for
• Right now, the language in statute is a little ambiguous and simply says 'the person.'

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, February 19th, 2026. >> If there is no objection, further reading of the journal
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, February 19th, 2026. >> If there is no objection, further reading of the journal
• of Lakeville, and Brock Faber of Maple Grove, as well as players Minnesotans know well from the Minnesota
• of Lakeville, and Brock Faber of Maple Grove, as well as players Minnesotans know well from the Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• We have multiple places in state statute that say you have to have one woman and one...
• I mean, I'd have to look at it in the context of the statute.
• Did we pass a statute to require that? No, no. The General Assembly did not.
• Well, the fees are limited by statute to $10 million.
• Is this the statute we're trying to meet, or are we seeing more of these?

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you justify the change in the language proposed in the statute, and that that will not jeopardize
• And finally, the bill clarifies... ...the legislature as required by your statute.
• McMahon continued: “The statute in this bill still contemplates, and it requires immediate notification
• Statute cannot lawfully replace that process. Thank you for your time. Thank you very much, Rick.
• I don't think you can create a Frankenstein monster of statute and constitution the way that this is

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2508, concerning the Office of Independent Investigations (OII), would expand OII’s jurisdiction over deadly-force and related use-of-force incidents, require broader notification and records access from law enforcement and emergency responders, and exempt certain OII investigative records from public disclosure. Rep. Deborah Entenman and OII staff supported the bill as a way to improve independent, transparent investigations, while committee members raised questions about when cases are considered “closed” and how to protect against repeated or harassing investigations. OII representatives said formal reviews are referred to prosecutors, administrative closures are not, and the bill would clarify existing public records protections. Law enforcement and public-interest witnesses were split, with some supporting the expansion and others objecting to added secrecy provisions and questioning safeguards and oversight. House Bill 2539, as amended by a proposed substitute, would raise the Department of Corrections inmate indigency cap from $25 to $100 so incarcerated people can retain more money for hygiene and basic necessities before deductions are taken. Rep. Chappala Street said the change would help people buy essential items and reduce conflict, while incarcerated witnesses and advocates testified that current deductions leave too little for basic needs and place burdens on families. A committee member questioned whether DOC already provides those items, and Street and supporters responded that provided items are often low quality or insufficient. No vote was taken. House Bill 2490 would expand extraordinary medical placement for incarcerated people with serious, chronic, or terminal conditions, extending the expected life-expectancy threshold from six months to approximately 18 months and adding clearer DOC review criteria and appeal rights. The prime sponsor and supporters argued the bill would improve humane care, reduce costs, and allow more people to receive treatment in the community when they no longer pose a public-safety risk. DOC said the revised language would reduce legal concerns and allow more time to develop safe placement plans, while opponents of the current system said EMP is underused and people die waiting for decisions. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 2387, which would tie certain sheriff decertification actions to recall procedures and preserve an elected sheriff’s office unless voters remove them. Supporters, including the sponsor and several sheriffs, said the bill protects voter control and local accountability; opponents, including civil rights and immigrant-rights groups, argued it weakens certification standards, creates unequal accountability for sheriffs, and improperly uses recall-like consequences through statute rather than constitutional process. The chair indicated the committee intended to act on House Bill 2508 the following Monday, February 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we also find that NDSU is the number one state of choice for students in Minnesota, which is really
• You know, if you look at Minnesota today, nearly half of our student body here comes from Minnesota,
• Forty-six percent of our Minnesota graduates accept their first job in North Dakota.
• Forty-six percent of our Minnesota graduates accept their first job in North Dakota.
• That excites me. around the world, but two-thirds of them live in North Dakota and Minnesota.

Committee: Joint Higher Education Institutions Committee

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met at NDSU and heard an extensive presentation from President David Cook/President Stewart and NDSU leadership on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research growth, and use of New Horizons funding. Leaders emphasized NDSU’s land-grant mission, its role in workforce development, and its goal of becoming more distinctive through strategic planning, recruitment and retention, commercialization, and partnerships. They highlighted that NDSU awarded 2,370 degrees in 2025, produces a large share of the state’s engineering, nursing, and agriculture graduates, and reported strong outcomes for graduates staying and working in North Dakota. They also noted enrollment headwinds, competition from other institutions, and the need to manage tuition waivers more carefully through a scholarship optimization effort. Provost Sherry Vale outlined academic stewardship efforts, including review or consolidation of low-producing programs, strategic hiring tied to institutional priorities, faculty workload policy changes, and expanded online and regional offerings. She said the university is using New Horizons dollars to strengthen advising, student support, and programs in engineering, agriculture, and health. NDSU leaders also described new or expanded academic offerings such as robotics and automation, artificial intelligence, material science and engineering, nuclear engineering certificates, accelerated nursing, nurse practitioner certificates, a Master of Health Administration, and a clinical research master’s program with Sanford Health. They stressed that these investments are intended to improve student completion, meet workforce needs, and increase return on public investment. The committee also heard testimony from students and recent graduates who described the value of NDSU’s education, mentorship, internships, research opportunities, and support services. Alyssa Hodges spoke about pharmacy education, public health work, and campus support as a parent and student; Ethan Blessy described engineering coursework, internships with Marvin, and career preparation; and Aiden Freolic discussed neuroscience research, federally funded projects, and plans for graduate study. Their testimony was followed by presentations on partnerships with Gateway to Science for K-12 STEM outreach and with Sanford Research on biomedical research, clinical trials, obesity research, and a joint biostatistics hire. NDSU also highlighted systemwide shared services, Governor’s School programming, and research growth, including a reported 8% increase in research expenditures from $199 million to $215 million. No bill votes were taken; the meeting was informational and featured presentations, testimony, and discussion of future planning and partnerships.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, I'll use Minnesota as an example. >> I'm sorry.
• So, for example, in Minnesota, um, where we have individuals that really do need that one-on-one time
• So, they'll tell >> So, um the way it works, and I'm going to use Minnesota as an example.
• So, for example, in Minnesota, um, where we have individuals that really do need that one-on-one time
• So, for example, in Minnesota, um, where we have individuals that really do need that one-on-one time

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services heard a presentation on Kentucky personal care homes from representatives of the Kentucky Association of Healthcare Facilities, Management Systems of Kentucky, and Elder Care Partners. Witnesses described personal care homes as a lower-cost, 24/7 residential option for adults with serious mental illness who do not qualify for nursing home care but need structured support, medication assistance, meals, housekeeping, transportation, and supervision. They said the homes are regulated by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, are not Medicaid-funded, and rely on a state supplementation rate of about $50.70 per day, which they argued no longer covers operating costs because of rising food, labor, insurance, and maintenance expenses. The presenters said the sector has shrunk significantly over time, citing a drop from 64 homes in 2002 to 34 today among the homes serving this population, with 30 closures over 23 years and two more closures since August. They argued that the closures have contributed to homelessness, hospital overcrowding, and longer stays in psychiatric hospitals, and they gave examples of residents who had spent many months in hospitals before stabilizing in a personal care home. One provider also described spending more than $800,000 on capital improvements after acquiring Kentucky facilities and said reimbursement is too low to sustain safe operations. They asked for an incremental reimbursement increase over two years and said they have also proposed an assisted-living model for people with mental illness. Members asked about staffing, reimbursement, and the number of people still needing placement. The presenters said there is no requirement for licensed or certified staff in these facilities, though some homes use medication technicians and occasional LPNs. They estimated they are currently serving about 2,000 residents and said they receive roughly 30 referrals for every one person admitted, with many referrals involving people whose needs exceed the personal care home level. Senator Meredith and Representative Fleming said any funding request would need documentation of savings and corresponding budget offsets, while Representative Duval expressed support and asked about possible staffing and program improvements. The witnesses also compared Kentucky’s flat-rate reimbursement to a more individualized reimbursement model in Minnesota, saying a needs-based system would better match staffing and reduce hospitalizations.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the example that I was using in my mind is our utility in Minnesota.
• We've been doing this in Minnesota for at least 20 years, and it is going exceedingly well.
• It is the law of the land and it's on our statutes today.
• It's not statute, though. Oh, absolutely, it can be changed.
• The statute under which he was prosecuted says, unless otherwise authorized by law.

Bills: HB246 , HB796 , HB 1056 , HB1544 , HB1846 , HB2001 , HB2618 , HB2625 , HB2869 , HB2898 , HB3069 , HB3114 , HB3157 , HB3228 , HJR98 , HB246

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: federal directives, state authority, Tenth Amendment, government enforcement, local governance, gold standard, legal tender, currency, transactional currency, financial transactions, electronic payment systems, state finance, regulatory compliance, electric trucks, charging infrastructure, advisory council, transportation, sustainability, criminal penalties, official information

Transcript Highlights:

• just yesterday, a United States citizen, a mother, a poet, and a community member of Minneapolis, Minnesota
• 06:01.520><c> Minneapolis,</c> community member of Minneapolis, community member of Minneapolis, Minnesota
• 03.680><c> Nicole</c><00:06:04.319><c> Good,</c><00:06:05.199><c> was</c><00:06:05.520><c> shot</c> Minnesota
• , Renee Nicole Good, was shot Minnesota, Renee Nicole Good, was shot by<00:06:07.039><c> ICE</c><00:06

Transcript Highlights:

• And it's just about bringing clarity and consistency to our statutes while also keeping public safety
• And it's just about bringing clarity and consistency to our statutes while also keeping public safety
• The court noted that nothing in the SRA-related statutes or Washington statutes in general clearly establishes
• Much of the amendments could be included in current statute.
• Much of the amendments could be included in current statute with just minor word changes.

Summary: The committee began with Senate Bill 5962 on spring blade knives, first suspending the five-day notice requirement. Staff explained the bill would remove spring blade knives from the list of dangerous weapons while keeping restrictions on carrying them in schools, child care, and other protected locations. Proponents, including Knife Rights and the prime sponsor Sen. T’wina Nobles, described the measure as a modernization and cleanup bill that would reduce confusion and support lawful use and manufacturing; one testifier strongly objected to the bill’s added location-based restrictions. Public testimony was overwhelmingly in support, and the hearing then moved on without a vote. Senate Bill 6105 would raise the wage exemption from garnishment for medical debt judgments from 30 to 60 times the state minimum wage, while keeping the 80% disposable earnings exemption and adding notice requirements identifying the debt as medical. Sen. Marko Liias said the bill is intended to protect low-wage workers from severe financial hardship and reduce incentives to work off the books. Supporters from patient, consumer, AARP, and anti-poverty groups said medical debt is often unexpected and garnishment can destabilize families; opponents from collectors and trade groups argued the bill was too broad, lacked stakeholder input, could hurt providers, and should define medical debt more clearly. The hearing closed with no action taken. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6203, which would clarify that out-of-state convictions can include foreign-country convictions for offender scoring if obtained with sufficient due process safeguards. The sponsor, Sen. Matt Boehnke, said the bill closes a gap in sentencing law; prosecutors supported the concept and suggested simplifying the language, while the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, defense attorneys, and public defense opposed it, citing undefined standards, difficulty verifying foreign convictions, and due process concerns. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6296 on involuntary treatment, which would expand who may petition for detention, change rules for assisted outpatient treatment and police assistance, require firearm surrender compliance procedures, and make other ITA changes. The sponsor and several providers and family members supported the bill as a needed modernization, while DCRs, disability advocates, behavioral health organizations, hospitals, and others raised concerns about due process, implementation, rural transport, capacity, and unintended consequences. No votes were taken on either bill during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm from Jordan, Minnesota, and I'm a Jaguar.
• There are also other policy changes relating to Minnesota math core and requiring evidence-based instruction
• When we put the fund together, I spoke with the Minnesota Rural Educators Association to determine what
• What we know is that across the state of Minnesota, in every school, in every single district, hourly
• In fact, there was an article, I believe it was in either the MinnPost or Minnesota Reformer, where a

Bills: HF1049

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• the following Senate file, returned: Senate File 2884, a bill for an act relating to retirement, Minnesota
• ><00:13:52.720><c> changes</c><00:13:53.200><c> to</c><00:13:53.519><c> the</c><00:13:53.680><c> Minnesota
• </c><00:13:54.079><c> sex</c> have made changes to the Minnesota sex have made changes to the Minnesota
• </c><00:14:05.920><c> President,</c><00:14:06.399><c> one</c><00:14:06.639><c> one</c> Minnesota.
• President, one one Minnesota. Um, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• So Minnesota rates are determined based on a Minnesota reciprocity agreement.
• So we have the Minnesota reciprocity rate in column two, North Dakota residents...
• The states, the Minnesota, and international.
• In Minnesota and Montana, we actually go to their Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, our Minnesota Association
• In Minnesota and Montana, we actually go to their Montana Wheat and Barley Committee, our Minnesota Association

Summary: The committee first reviewed the 2024-25 tuition waiver report for the North Dakota University System. Staff explained that waivers were reported for degree-seeking students and broken out by residency, institution, and waiver type. Members asked about partial versus full waivers, institutional discretion, athletic waivers, and whether campuses have published guardrails or transparency requirements. Staff said most waivers are set by institutions, with some statutory and board-required categories, and that athletic waivers are a small share of total waiver dollars. The report showed total gross tuition of $354.5 million, tuition waived of $38.9 million, and 11,193 of 42,040 students receiving some waiver. Members also discussed how waivers affect net tuition revenue, housing and food collections, and whether campuses are using waivers strategically compared with scholarships and other funding sources. The committee then heard a presentation on tuition rates by campus and State Board policy. Staff explained the board’s tuition factors for resident, Minnesota reciprocity, contiguous-state/U.S. nonresident, and international students, and noted that campuses often seek exceptions based on program-specific competition and enrollment goals. Members asked whether rates are based on cost or competition, and staff said campuses typically bring forward estimates and market comparisons when requesting special rates. The presentation also reviewed general fund appropriations versus net tuition revenue by campus, and members discussed how local tuition decisions and waivers do not directly affect the state funding formula, though they do affect institutional revenue and reserves. Questions were also raised about the Higher Learning Commission’s financial composite indicator and how it differs from the more intuitive reserve and revenue figures. The committee next received a broad overview of non-higher-education entities affiliated with the State Board of Higher Education, beginning with NDSU agriculture-related units. Dr. Greg Lardy described the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, the NDSU Extension Service, the Agricultural Experiment Station, and the branch research centers, emphasizing their statewide role in crop and livestock research, extension education, and county-based outreach. He outlined funding mixes for extension, the experiment station, and branch stations, noting that grants and contracts support both research and education, while the agronomy seed farm is self-funded through seed sales. Members asked about the new and vacant FTE pool, R1 research status, matching requirements for grants, and whether state appropriations count toward research expenditures. Dr. Lardy also highlighted major research impacts, including crop varieties, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, and NDAWN weather data. The Northern Crops Institute and the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute also presented. NCI described its role in market development, technical services, and education for regional agriculture, its governance through the Northern Crops Council, and its funding from state appropriations, other states, and earned revenue. Members asked about the source of out-of-state funding, intellectual property, and the institute’s international reach. UGPTI then outlined its transportation research, federal and state funding structure, and work on road and bridge condition assessments, travel demand modeling, and workforce training. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we want to put that in statute that a job shouldn't require a particular license?
• One statewide clear statute for judges, lawyers, and practitioners to agree upon.
• And that's what these two statutes that would be amended do.
• Thank you, Senator Dewey, for her diligence on this statute and bringing this to my attention.
• Develop all these other things are defined in the other parts of the statute, but decisional capacity

Bills: SB1 , SB3 , SB1 , SB3

Committees: Senate Senate Judiciary , Senate House Judiciary

Keywords: interstate medical licensure compact, physician licensure, medical license reciprocity, expedited licensure, medical practice act, New Mexico medical board, compact commission, physician mobility, telemedicine, license portability, background check, disciplinary action, joint investigation, reproductive health care, gender-affirming care, scope of practice, medical board transparency, multistate compact, licensure renewal, health care workforce

Transcript Highlights:

• Why do we want to put that in statute that a job shouldn't require a particular license?
• One statewide clear statute for judges, lawyers, and practitioners to agree upon.
• And that's what these two statutes that would be amended do.
• Thank you, Senator Dewey, for her diligence on this statute and for bringing this to my attention.
• Develop all these other things are defined in the other parts of the statute, but decisional capacity

Bills: SB1 , SB3

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 221 is a deletion of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation appropriation.
• Line 333 is a transfer to the University of Minnesota regarding heritage oilseed research.
• Section 5 involves transfers to the University of Minnesota. and to MDA accounts in the Ag Fund and Special
• Paragraph D is for the Minnesota Grown Account.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development