Video & Transcript : 'ethical research' :
Page 332 of 500
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Katie Walden, Bureau of Legislative Research, Fiscal Division.
- of Health with UAMS, amendment four to an existing contract for an evidence-based health policy research
- Health with UAMS, amendment forward to an existing contract for an evidence-based health policy research
- program development and public issued. contract for an evidence-based health policy research program
- This is a new contract for integrated assessment and strategic frameworks to strengthen the research
Committee:
All ALC-REVIEW
Summary:
The committee met to review a supplemental agenda, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, and a member disclosure. The Office of State Procurement presented rule changes tied to 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, with updates to sole-source definitions, unrealistic bids, protest requirements, debarment procedures, and recodification references; the committee voted to accept the supplemental agenda and approve the rules. Members also approved eight methods of finance covering university repairs, equipment replacement, property purchase, and capital projects, along with a large slate of discretionary grants for courts, health, DHS, historic preservation, and tobacco prevention programs.
The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys, Department of Health costs from an ice-storm-related water leak, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, Veterans Affairs HVAC and medical-service payments, and a UA Little Rock painting contract. The Department of Public Safety ratification drew extended questioning about why the expired Motorola contract had not been renewed sooner and why the issue took months to reach the committee; agency officials said the project was bond-funded, had not been tracked in ASIS, and involved ongoing negotiations and system updates. Despite concerns, the committee approved the ratifications.
Members also reviewed a long list of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including numerous university, DHS, health, corrections, and state agency agreements. Several contracts were discussed in more detail, including an SAU custodial contract question about sales tax and transparency reporting, and Department of Corrections aerial application contracts for Tucker and Cummins farms, which officials said served separate facilities in different parts of the state. The committee approved the contract lists, reviewed reports, and accepted a disclosure from Representative Andrew Collins regarding his investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services before adjourning.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Apr 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- practitioners who know their students, that they use evidence, and that that evidence is based on research
- assure that our Martinez and Yazi students, wherever their local community is, can benefit from this research-proven
- In research conducted in schools and districts implementing the innovative staffing model, students gain
- Thank you to our research staff for each of the action items to give monthly updates.
- Chair, and I want to thank also LESC for helping us all with this information, research data.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kanner's landmark work identified distinct behaviors that laid the foundation for autism spectrum research
- than one in four individuals on the spectrum, those with profound autism remain underrepresented in research
- In 2019, a study revealed that only about 6% of clinical autism research studies include participants
- nonprofit that was founded only in 2023, are working tirelessly to close this gap through dedicated research
- today is this: I ask us to come together—lawmakers, families, providers, and communities—to increase research
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through a series of guest introductions, including Canadian diplomatic visitors and youth soccer champions from Senator Niello’s district. The body also recognized guests connected to arts education and later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for Caitlin “Katie” Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The President announced the Senate would enter a one-week spring recess and return on April 6, 2026.
On the floor, the Senate adopted SR 89 by Senator Alvarado-Gil, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day in California. Supporters emphasized the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and services for people with profound autism and their families. The resolution passed by a 35-0 vote. The Senate also adopted SCR 147 by Senator Allen, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with remarks stressing the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success; it passed 37-0.
The chamber then adopted SCR 141 by Senator Wahab, recognizing March 26, 2026 as Women’s Equal Pay Day. Senators discussed the gender pay gap, its impact on families, and the need for transparency and enforcement; the resolution passed 37-0. The Senate also approved AB 2156, an urgency measure to proclaim March 31 as Farm Worker Day, with extensive debate about farm workers’ historical contributions, labor conditions, and the decision to rename the day in light of recent allegations involving the prior honoree. The bill passed unanimously, 37-0, including the urgency clause.
Finally, the Senate adopted the consent calendar, which included SB 968, SJR 11, SB 1005, and SB 1080, by unanimous vote. A committee announcement noted Budget Subcommittee 3 would meet upon adjournment.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Lear-Kanner's landmark work identified distinct behaviors that laid the foundation for autism spectrum research
- than one in four individuals on the spectrum, those with profound autism remain underrepresented in research
- In 2019, a study revealed that only about 6% of clinical autism research studies include participants
- nonprofit that was founded only in 2023, are working tirelessly to close this gap through dedicated research
- today is this: I ask us to come together—lawmakers, families, providers, and communities—to increase research
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through several guest introductions, including a Canadian diplomatic delegation visiting for Canada Day at the Capitol and the undefeated Under-11 San Juan Spirits soccer team. The chamber also recognized guests connected to later resolutions, including families and advocates tied to profound autism and farm worker issues, as well as arts education leaders.
The Senate adopted SR 89, recognizing March 17, 2026 as Profound Autism Day, after remarks emphasizing the need for greater awareness, research inclusion, and lifelong services for people with profound autism and their caregivers. Members also adopted SCR 147, proclaiming March 26 as Arts Education Month, with support focused on the value of arts education for creativity, engagement, and student success. Both resolutions passed by unanimous or near-unanimous roll call votes.
The chamber then took up AB 2156, an urgency measure renaming Cesar Chavez Day as Farm Worker Day and proclaiming March 31 as Farm Worker Day. Supporters from multiple caucuses and regions spoke about the history of farm labor, the contributions and sacrifices of farm workers, and the need to honor the broader movement and its diverse participants; some speakers also referenced recent allegations and the desire to center survivors and workers rather than one individual. The bill passed with 37 ayes and 0 noes, including the urgency clause.
The Senate also adopted a consent calendar of several items without objection, then adjourned in memory of Caitlin Mardell Mallet and Roxanne Miller. The session concluded with announcements of a committee meeting and a one-week spring recess, with the next floor session scheduled for April 6, 2026.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session Mar 26th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Kanner's landmark work identified distinct behaviors that laid the foundation for autism spectrum research
- than one in four individuals on the spectrum, those with profound autism remain underrepresented in research
- In 2019, a study revealed that only about 6% of clinical autism research studies include participants
- nonprofit that was founded only in 2023, are working tirelessly to close this gap through dedicated research
- I ask us to come together—lawmakers, families, providers, and communities—to increase research inclusion
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- It would allow us to do some research, to travel, to get more supporters for a grant.
- It would allow us to do some research, to travel, to get more supporters for a grant.
- It would allow us to<00:07:11.360><c> do</c><00:07:11.599><c> some</c><00:07:11.840><c> research</c><
- > travel</c><00:07:13.199><c> to</c><00:07:13.759><c> to</c><00:07:14.319><c> get</c> to do some research
- to travel to to get to do some research to travel to to get more<00:07:15.759><c> uh</c><00:07:16.160
Committee:
Senate Agriculture and Environment
Keywords:
cesspool, wastewater systems, public health, environmental protection, affordable upgrades, coral reefs, water quality, Hawaii legislation, cesspools, wastewater, environment, pollution, Hawaii, sustainable development, sewerage system, real estate, disclosure, environmental impact, wastewater management, housing
Summary:
The committee heard several agriculture-related bills. HB 1953 would create a two-year conservation and environmental stewardship pilot program in the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB); testimony from Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii supported investing in conservation agriculture and farm practices that protect waterways and native species. HB 248 would establish a climate-resilient food systems grant program, with DAB explaining the types of equipment and processing investments such grants could support, such as coffee roasting, packaging, harvesting equipment, and other value-added infrastructure. HB 2246 would create a grant administration program and revolving fund to help DAB manage grants; DAB said the bill would help leverage federal, state, county, and private funding by retaining part of the indirect cost recovery to meet matching requirements. HB 2549 would create a clean plant program to produce and distribute disease-free plant material, and reforestation advocates said it would support large-scale reforestation efforts. HB 2551 would fund an area fruit fly suppression program; DAB described sterile fruit fly technology and said the program could help reduce fruit fly populations statewide. HB 2216 would authorize DAB to package and sell part of its loan portfolio to third parties, and HB 2152 would clarify liability and penalties for dog attacks on livestock, with the Hawaii Sheep and Goat Association discussing proposed language and the Hawaiian Humane Society’s suggested amendment on euthanasia procedures.
Testimony was largely supportive across the measures, with DAB, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and other agriculture and conservation groups generally backing the bills. There was some discussion on funding levels and implementation details, including DAB’s estimate of about $750,000 for three clean plant stations and a question about the appropriations needed for the fruit fly suppression program. For HB 2152, the chair noted an amendment incorporating Hawaiian Humane Society language that would require surrender of a dog found to have caused livestock loss or damage for humane euthanasia within 24 hours.
In decision-making, the committee voted to pass all of the measures discussed, most with technical amendments or date-defect amendments to July 1, 2050. HB 1953, HB 2548, HB 2549, HB 2551, HB 2216, and HB 2152 were all adopted unanimously by the members present, and HB 2246 also passed with technical amendments. The chair’s amendment to HB 2152 was specifically adopted to include the humane euthanasia language.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Health Policy Jan 20th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- We've asked OPAGA to present to us today research on health care practitioner regulation, with particular
- Wendy Scott, OPAGA's staff director for health and human services, is here to discuss this research.
- However, research suggests that licensing requirements can create barriers to entering professions, and
- According to research, best practices to reducing licensure barriers include promoting licensure reciprocity
- In addition, research suggests best practices to comply with antitrust laws. In 2010, the U.S.
Summary:
The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute.
SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We've asked OPAGA to present to us today research on health care practitioner regulation, with particular
- Wendy Scott, OPAGA's staff director for health and human services, is here to discuss this research.
- However, research suggests that licensing requirements can create barriers to entering professions, and
- According to research, best practices to reducing licensure barriers include promoting licensure reciprocity
- In addition, research suggests best practices to comply with antitrust laws. In 2010, the U.S.
Committee:
Senate Health Policy
Keywords:
drowning prevention, water safety, swimming lessons, swim vouchers, child drowning, infant safety, toddler safety, pool safety, bath safety, safe bathing practices, postpartum education, newborn care, childbirth education, birth centers, home birth providers, Department of Health, public health, water competency, swim instruction, infant supervision
Summary:
The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably.
The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute.
The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits May 14th, 2025
JLARC I-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the first legal requirement on the slide, researching communities surrounding the site This is
- the first legal requirement on the slide, researching communities surrounding the site at the start
- First, researching community demographics, and second, contacting local organizations and agencies.
- We found that for all six sites, Ecology had researched the community demographics.
- For example, we plan to enhance our engagement work by improving community research up front as recommended
Summary:
The I-900 Subcommittee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s performance audit, Community Engagement During Contaminated Site Cleanups. Auditors said Ecology directly conducts or supervises cleanup at only about 8% of active contaminated sites, while most sites are handled by third parties or have no cleanup plan yet. The audit found that Ecology generally met legal requirements at the sites it oversees, but community engagement varied, was not consistently tailored to local needs, and lacked a systematic “lessons learned” process. Auditors also found inconsistent coordination between Ecology and the Department of Health, and limited guidance for staff on when to collaborate. Tribal feedback was mixed: some tribes said engagement met their needs, while others wanted earlier and more tailored outreach.
Committee members pressed the auditors on why many third-party-managed sites appeared to have little or no public involvement, and whether Ecology has broader authority to require public engagement and oversight. The auditors responded that their review focused on community engagement requirements, not the full cleanup permitting process, and said the gap they identified was the lack of required oversight for third-party engagement. Members also asked about tribal engagement, exposure scenarios, and the meaning of “active” and “planless” sites. Ecology officials said they agreed with many of the findings, were already taking steps to improve community research, lessons-learned reviews, tribal guidance, and coordination with Health, and had recently launched a public email notification system for site status changes. They also said some recommendations would require additional funding or staff resources.
Public testimony supported stronger community engagement and more resources for Ecology. Washington Conservation Action said contaminated sites disproportionately affect communities of color and low-income communities, praised the audit for highlighting the need for better site-specific engagement, and urged full funding for MTCA-related work. The hearing ended with the chair inviting written comments and adjourning the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- I've worked on CCS, uh, uh, for 18 years, uh, as part of a dedicated research group with about 12, uh
- , full-time PhD research scientists.
- So I'll be speaking here on, on my own personal research experience and industry experience as well as
- those of our research center.
- You will be happy to know that Fort Bliss is actively researching geothermal potential right now.
Committee:
House Energy Resources
TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Licensing & Administrative Procedures Mar 25th, 2025
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Transcript Highlights:
- Research shows that when women have access to informal social supports like their relationships with
- Furthermore, salon workers have told researchers that they are already having conversations about domestic
- Research shows that when given screening tools, 20% of salon clients disclose abuse.
- Uh, as part of my research and work on the state occupational licensing index, I found that Texas is
- Uh, my research, the state occupational licensing index, we look at 248 occupations that are licensed
Committee:
House Licensing & Administrative Procedures
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 25th, 2025
Governmental Oversight and Accountability
Transcript Highlights:
- for Human and Machine Cognition is a nationally recognized center of scientific and engineering research
- This language moves certain and engineering research located in Pensacola.
- NFIB, our Small Business Research Foundation, did a small business economic trend survey. our Small Business
- Research Foundation did a small business economic trend survey.
- All right, Matthew... our small business research foundation did a small business economic trend survey
Summary:
The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief presentations, amendments, and roll calls. SB 1760, by Senator Grall, would require certain elected officials and agency heads to reside in Florida, with agency heads also required to be U.S. citizens and live in the county where their agency is headquartered; it also clarifies the constitutional prohibition on holding more than one office. SB 1202, by Senator McClain, expands insurance benefits for firefighters who are totally and permanently disabled during official training exercises, and its amendment was adopted to avoid local fiscal impact. SB 582, by Senator Leak, increases penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and limits the higher penalty to properties on the National Register of Historic Places or in a listed district; supporters included representatives of St. Augustine and the Florida League of Cities, while one opponent waived in opposition. SB 312, by Senator Gates, revises governance of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and allows affiliated nonprofit subsidiaries to enter agreements with universities; an amendment adding one public member to the board was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably.
The committee then considered SB 676, by Senator Martin, which would allow employees to waive the state minimum wage right under a framework the sponsor said would help young or inexperienced workers gain entry-level experience. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing it could help small businesses hire and create opportunities, and opponents saying it would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage, invite coercion, and exploit vulnerable workers. Senator Martin’s amendment clarifying the Fair Labor Standards Act exception was adopted, and the bill passed on a favorable vote despite opposition from Senator Arrington and others. Finally, SB 440, by Senator McClain, was heard as an expansion of prior law to cover public employees and prohibit certain employment practices related to gender identity and pronoun use; after an amendment narrowing the bill by deleting references to training, instruction, or other activity regarding sexual orientation, the committee heard extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters framing it as protecting conscience rights and opponents calling it discriminatory. The committee ultimately reported SB 440 favorably as well.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- With Austin booming, texting, Houston Medical Research powerhouse, and Dallas business friendly environment
- would allow people in both places, Israeli or not, to create and expand partnerships to develop research
- My family has been involved in medical research of pancreatic cancer at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel
- Uh, Shiba Medical is collaborating with MD Anderson in Houston in several researches for years.
- healthcare innovation, I believe that the opening of a trade office in Israel would foster the medical research
Committee:
House S/C on International Relations
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Senate Republicans Introduce Minnesotans Safety First Plan - 02/25/25
Transcript Highlights:
- directing my comments to the issue of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, once considered a research
- 00:03:41.159><c> once</c><00:03:41.640><c> considered</c><00:03:42.200><c> a</c><00:03:42.519><c> research
- </c> commission once considered a research commission once considered a research and<00:03:43.879><c>
- directing my comments to the issue of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission, once considered a research
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Feb 11th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- first established in 2014, we had an affiliate network of social work and other faculty providing research
- Each year we hold an annual symposium together, researchers and professionals in the community in the
- Also what we try to do each year with our symposium over the last few years is align our research priority
- So we've released a priority research, a word that we are looking for more research specifically on the
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Feb 11th, 2025
Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security
Transcript Highlights:
- side of that business growth phase I mentioned earlier, to help those companies develop, find the research
- opportunities, and then... ...earlier to help those companies develop, find the research opportunities
- work we've done to collaborate with the state of Florida to develop the Florida University Space Research
- This symbiotic partnership makes way for collaborative research opportunities and increased exposure
- to advanced technology, significantly enhancing NASA's research output in fields such as aerospace engineering
Summary:
The committee met to hear presentations on Florida’s space economy and related infrastructure. SpaceX Vice President Kiko Donchev described the company’s Florida operations, launch cadence, reusable rocket program, Starlink service, and plans for future Starship activity at the Cape. Senators asked about Florida employment, expansion plans, satellite lifetimes, disaster-relief uses of Starlink, and recreational connectivity; members also praised SpaceX’s hurricane response and broader public benefits. Donchev said SpaceX’s Florida workforce has grown to about 1,600 and that the company hopes to add Starship pads and continue expanding in the state.
The committee then recognized Commander Dennis Baker for his military service and veteran advocacy, including his leadership of the Florida Veterans Foundation, grant work, the Walk of Honor, and the Gadsden Flag license plate program. Members highlighted that revenue from the plate helps fund veterans’ dental care and noted upcoming dental services for veterans in Volusia County. Baker received a flag flown over the Capitol and a framed gubernatorial proclamation.
Newview CEO Clint Grumman presented the company’s commercial satellite LiDAR mapping system, describing its Lake Nona headquarters, Florida ownership, planned jobs, and applications for infrastructure planning, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. He said the company’s satellite data could improve accuracy and lower costs, and noted partnerships including a Department of Defense contract and a European Space Agency moon-mapping effort. Space Florida then outlined its role as the state’s aerospace finance and business development authority, emphasizing its pipeline of projects, spaceport improvement program, workforce academy, and efforts to address infrastructure constraints and seek tax-exempt bond authority for spaceports. NASA’s Kelvin Manning closed with an update on Kennedy Space Center, highlighting Artemis progress, rising launch demand, commercial partnerships, economic impact, and the Florida University Space Research Consortium. No bills were voted on, and the meeting adjourned after comments from members.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Gov. Tim Walz's tax policy proposals heard in House Taxes Committee 4/23/26
Transcript Highlights:
- And the big one is the full expensing on research and experimental.
- And the big one is the full expensing on research and experimental.
- And the big one is the full expensing on research and experimental.
- </c><00:10:19.240><c> and</c> is the full expensing on research and is the full expensing on research
- But according to Department of Revenue research, in looking at the federal Consumer Expenditure Survey
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House File 5055, the governor’s supplemental tax budget. Commissioner of Revenue Paul Marquart outlined the proposal as a balanced budget package that would leave a positive bottom line in the current biennium and beyond. He emphasized family-focused tax relief, especially a new refundable young child credit for children ages 0 to 4, which would provide up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two or more, benefit about 104,000 families, and phase out at higher incomes. He also described federal conformity changes, including updates to business interest deductions, dependent care credits, and Section 179 expensing, along with omitted federal items such as research expensing and opportunity zones due to cost and policy concerns.
Marquart also defended broader tax modernization proposals, including expanding the sales tax to selected consumer services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services while lowering the statewide sales tax rate, and creating a social media tax on consumer data collection that would fund an AI readiness special revenue fund rather than the general fund. He said these changes would make the sales tax less regressive and better aligned with the modern economy. Additional provisions mentioned included a gun-related gross receipts tax on firearms and ammunition, cannabis tax technical changes, historic structure rehabilitation conformity, and added auditors for tax compliance.
Testimony from outside groups was mixed. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project supported the governor’s approach as a response to federal tax and spending changes, praised the decision not to conform to opportunity zones or federal no-tax-on-tips/overtime provisions, and urged even stronger revenue measures. Brian Lake of the Minnesota State Bar Association strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on consumer legal services, arguing it would burden low- and middle-income people in sensitive cases and create unfairness when individuals litigate against the state. Tanner Fritsinger of the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees supported the sales tax base expansion and the social media tax as ways to broaden revenue without raising the base rate. The committee chair thanked the commissioner and then began hearing public testimony, with additional testifiers queued up.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Representative Cooper, how will school librarians stay current on best practices and literacy research
- You talked about helping students be able to cite when they were doing research online.
- You talked about helping students be able to cite when they were doing research online.
- School libraries are one of the best tools for encouraging reading, research, and independent learning
- School libraries are one of the best tools for encouraging reading, research, and independent learning
Committee:
House House Education Committee of Reference
Summary:
The committee first heard Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horn’s annual State of Education address, which focused on school safety, academic outcomes, school choice, teacher pay, and opposition to DEI/CRT in schools and teacher preparation. Horn said the department has expanded school police officers, promoted Project Momentum and tutoring, supported cell phone restrictions in classrooms, and pushed for more phonics-based reading instruction and stronger university teacher-prep programs. Members questioned him about DEI complaints, cell phone implementation, ESA oversight, school safety funding, reading proficiency, and teacher compensation; Horn said ESA spending is reviewed and recovered when inappropriate, and argued teacher raises should come directly to teachers, not through districts. No formal action was taken on his presentation.
The committee then considered HB 2008, which would prohibit public school libraries from using public funds to pay dues to professional library associations. Sponsor Representative Cooper argued the bill would keep school libraries politically neutral and prevent taxpayer money from supporting ideological advocacy, while saying membership itself would still be allowed if paid privately. Opponents, including a former librarian, a school board member, and the ACLU of Arizona, said the bill would undermine professional development, local control, literacy support, and constitutional rights of association and petition. Supporters said associations promote ideological content and that free professional-development alternatives exist. After public testimony and debate, the committee voted to return HB 2008 with a do-pass recommendation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2446 5/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- Megan Mullen, House Research.
- Megan Mullen, House Research. Chair and members, my name is Ken Savory.
- So, a transfer from the general fund to the pollinator research account.
- </c> general fund to the pollinator research general fund to the pollinator research account.<00:21:12.960
- There's an additional transfer in FY 26 of $347,000 for prion research.
Summary:
The Agriculture Conference Committee met for an initial organizational and comparison session on House File 2446, the agriculture broadband and rural development bill. Members introduced themselves, noted that no conference target had yet been set, and agreed to begin with a side-by-side review of House and Senate positions. No oral testimony was taken; instead, the chair listed written testimony submitted by a wide range of agricultural, environmental, local government, food bank, and industry groups.
Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the major funding differences. Both bills included some shared items such as operating adjustments, wolf and elk damage compensation, and certain technical changes, but they differed on several major appropriations. The House generally proposed larger increases for meat inspection, local food purchasing, and the Board of Animal Health, and added items such as county inspector grants, biofertilizer innovation, a biosolids/PFAS-related study, a soil health study, broadband installation study funding, an Agri Works program, an Agri Support program, a milk grant program, and several House-only transfers and grants. The Senate included items such as a climate coordinator position, biofuel-related reductions and policy changes, livestock processing funding, farm-to-school and urban agriculture changes, MARL funding, cottage foods licensing updates, and several Senate-only pass-through grants and transfers. Staff also noted differences in the agriculture emergency account transfer approach and in how the two bodies handled the Second Harvest Heartland and related food distribution provisions.
House Research then reviewed the policy language differences in the bill. The House language included provisions allowing more flexible use of grant administration funds, unpaid prior-year claims, county inspector grants, and updates tied to its own policy article, while the Senate language included the climate coordinator, PFAS-related commercialization language, cooperative development grant permissive language, and other Senate policy changes. The committee did not take any votes or final actions at this meeting; the session was informational and focused on identifying differences for later negotiation.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the director of tax research at the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
- </c> Wulette, director of tax research Wulette, director of tax research division<00:00:41.600><c> will
- So those are significant tax... research team who are here.
- Uh there are research team who are here.
- Uh corporate research and to 15%.
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax