Transcript Highlights:

• "Now in high school, on a recent visit to my band teacher's office, her ceiling was leaking.
• Now in high school, on a recent visit to my band teacher's office, her ceiling was leaking.
• I left him there for two weeks and came back to visit Billy.
• During hospital visits, I would often overhear my parents' phone calls.
• And after I was discharged, I never visited the mental hospital again.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Ways and Means Committee held its final public hearing on the FY26 state budget, with chairs and members emphasizing that public testimony would help shape the budget and asking speakers to keep remarks brief. Committee leaders introduced members, explained the hearing process, and repeatedly thanked residents, students, and advocates for participating. No votes were taken during the hearing. Testimony focused heavily on education funding and the Chapter 70 formula. Students from Amherst, Northampton, Gateway Regional, Chester Elementary, and other districts described budget-driven cuts to electives, special education supports, paraprofessionals, counselors, transportation, and building maintenance. They urged higher Chapter 70 aid, increased minimum aid, rural school aid, and a reopening or restructuring of the funding formula, arguing that current formulas leave many districts unable to meet student needs and force local layoffs and overrides. Other speakers urged funding or protection for a range of programs and facilities, including the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for homicide survivor services, the Museum of African American History, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and CART/interpreter services, the Access to Counsel housing legal aid program, the Department of Mental Health and Pocasset Mental Health Center, and Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children. One speaker opposed offshore wind-related spending and urged a reset of the state’s energy approach, while another advocated ending the aircraft sales tax exemption. Committee members responded sympathetically to many speakers, asked a few follow-up questions, and several expressed support for maintaining or expanding the programs discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, as I heard from public health people who came and visited me, talked about how this would just be
• Some were denied, some received four visits or four months, others received 16.
• :08:01.560><c> four</c> denied, some received four unit four denied, some received four unit four visits
• or four months, others received visits or four months, others received 16. 16. 16.
• Last year alone, we provided over 585,000 low-income visits to our patients across urban, rural, and

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Not only do we ask that you welcome them this morning, but also visit them.
• They're visiting the Capitol to learn about the fine work we do here.
• I said that virtual visits shall not be reimbursable.
• But prior to COVID, there were no virtual visits.
• Well, there's things you can do in an in-home visit setting.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the previous day’s journal by a 126-0 vote, and suspended business for the Speaker to sign several bills and substitutes. Members then spent much of the day introducing guests, including county assessors, students, civic groups, and visitors from local schools and universities. The chamber then took up House Bill 2002, the elementary and secondary education budget. Members adopted several amendments, including technical fixes to allow board-operated schools to use personal service funds for career ladder payments, clarifications to child care subsidy language, and changes to Parents as Teachers rules so that enrollment remains voluntary and virtual visits are not reimbursable. An amendment to shift $1 million from one child care facilities line to Child Care Works passed, as did an amendment to fund a new Success-Ready Student Assessment with $2 million to help replace the MAP test. A proposal to pay child care subsidies for foster children based on enrollment rather than attendance failed 53-93, and an amendment to divert $10 million in Title I funds into a competitive grant program also failed. A later amendment to send budget reports to the ranking minority member passed, while an attempt to remove child care subsidy language from the bill failed. The House then moved to higher education and workforce development appropriations. Members approved an amendment broadening a pre-apprenticeship program statewide and supported funding for Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries through a transfer from dual credit scholarship funds. The most extensive debate centered on House Bill 2003’s higher education funding model, where the chair defended an FTE-based approach as more transparent than the long-standing status quo, while opponents warned it would sharply cut funding for institutions such as Harris-Stowe, Lincoln, Truman State, and some community colleges, and would ignore factors like graduation rates, research, and workforce needs. A compromise amendment to soften the transition was withdrawn, and a separate amendment to restore the governor’s recommendation was also debated at length, with members arguing over the fairness and consequences of the proposed model.

Transcript Highlights:

• got bit on get rabies shots because they got bit on an<01:23:36.840><c> home</c><01:23:37.080><c> visit
• <c> Um</c><01:23:38.520><c> it's</c><01:23:39.120><c> things</c><01:23:39.480><c> that</c> an home visit
• Um it's things that an home visit.
• 01:35:30.200><c> to</c> topic that the work group was able to topic that the work group was able to visit
• </c> visit with input from all the parties. visit with input from all the parties.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , how many days patients were in the hospital, what the occupancy is, and how many emergency room visits
• 08.320><c> room</c> the occupancy, how many emergency room the occupancy, how many emergency room visits
• Uh data on financing visits have we had.
• It operates the busiest emergency department in Minnesota, with more than 100,000 visits annually.
• We also serve 100,000 emergency department visits every year.

Bills: HF4343

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If one of these programs is in your district and you haven't visited them, you really should get out
• them, you really should haven't visited them, you really should get<00:45:01.440><c> out</c><00:45:01.599
• If you haven't visited, we opened Holman's Table at the MAC-owned property in 2018.
• If you haven't<01:26:08.960><c> visited,</c><01:26:09.840><c> we</c><01:26:10.080><c> opened</c><01:26
• :10.320><c> Holman's</c> haven't visited, we opened Holman's haven't visited, we opened Holman's Table

Bills: HF3889 , HF2567 , HF3878

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, grant program, employment, economic development, funding, employment contract, labor policy, employee rights, unconscionable provisions, public policy, legal enforcement, airport workers, wage standards, labor rights, minimum wage, economic equity, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• State officials should be visiting construction job sites on a regular and unannounced basis to verify
• > unannounced</c> is um talking about the the unannounced is um talking about the the unannounced visits
• 01:31:30.560><c> me</c><01:31:30.720><c> a</c><01:31:30.800><c> sense</c><01:31:31.240><c> or</c> visits
• So can you give me a sense or visits.
• With that, the meeting is adjourned. we are never going to site visit or we are never going to site visit

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's your first visit in 2026. >> It is, Mr. Chair. Um, thank you so much.
• I think it's<00:17:23.760><c> your</c><00:17:24.000><c> first</c><00:17:24.400><c> visit</c><00:17:24.880
• </c> it's your first visit in 2026. it's your first visit in 2026.
• </c><00:26:39.760><c> one</c><00:26:39.919><c> of</c> you know either have uh visited one of you know
• either have uh visited one of our<00:26:40.159><c> outdoor</c><00:26:40.559><c> spaces</c><00:26:40.960

Bills: HF624

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF624, Minnesota fishing law, game and fish, walleye stamp, walleye stamp validation, angling, angler, fishing lines, two lines, four lines, open water fishing, ice fishing, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, fishing regulations, fish harvest, conservation, Minnesota Statutes 97C.315, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• of the goals of the RSVP program is to help seniors remain in their own homes by providing home visiting
• 00:11:04.800><c> by</c><00:11:05.120><c> providing</c><00:11:05.680><c> home</c><00:11:06.000><c> visiting
• </c><00:11:06.399><c> to</c> homes by providing home visiting to homes by providing home visiting to
• Whether it's a ride to a doctor's appointment, a delivered meal, or a friendly visit, these services
• So I know willingly the cost of conflict, when I still to this day visit Staff Sergeant Jose Pageno,

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Jones might visit about this, about some provision that takes into account the ability of the defendant
• I'd challenge every representative here to visit their property rooms in their area, and they will see
• It was mentioned earlier: visit your property room. I visited mine in my home city.
• I've also visited the city of Humble, I mean, the city of Houston, and it is overflowing.
• Yeah, and it's safe to say you should be able to protect But if anyone wants to visit with him about

Committee: House Criminal Jurisprudence

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2777 by Representative Rose, which would bar the death penalty for defendants who can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they had schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and active psychotic symptoms at the time of the offense. Rose said the bill would still hold defendants accountable through life without parole, would save money by avoiding lengthy capital litigation, and would address cases where severe mental illness was not adequately considered. Supporters from NAMI Texas, the Catholic bishops, and a forensic psychologist said the bill is narrowly tailored, consistent with neuroscience and moral principles, and would prevent executions of people whose psychosis substantially impaired reality testing. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with existing competency and insanity law, whether the diagnosis is sufficiently defined, and whether the statute requires active psychosis at the time of the offense. An opponent argued the death penalty should remain available for juries to decide in all cases. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard House Bill 1221 by Representative Lozano, which would raise the cap on pretrial intervention program fees from $500 to $1,200. Lozano and a district attorney witness said the increase is needed because program costs have risen and the fees help make diversion programs self-sustaining, allowing first-time or low-level offenders to complete rehabilitation and potentially obtain expunction. Opponents from the Texas Fair Defense Project argued the higher fee could make diversion unaffordable for indigent defendants and undermine an important alternative to incarceration, especially where related supervision and monitoring costs already add up. Members discussed whether the fee applies only to PTI participants, how payment plans and waivers work, and whether ability to pay should be addressed more explicitly. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1738 by Representative Jones, which would repeal Penal Code Section 21.06 and related Health and Safety Code references concerning homosexual conduct. Jones said the law is unconstitutional under Lawrence v. Texas, remains harmful on the books, and has led to confusion and unnecessary costs even though it is unenforceable. Supporters said the bill simply removes outdated language and protects civil liberties, while opponents from Texas Values argued the statute still serves as a statement that homosexual conduct is unacceptable and should remain as a warning, even if unenforceable. Members debated whether the law’s remaining language is merely symbolic or still harmful, and whether other criminal statutes already cover conduct such as prostitution, incest, and offenses involving minors. The bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• And she did verify that you talked and we appreciate all of your offices by the way as we have visited
• For years I visited for Every year, I visited doctor after doctor across the country, trying every possible
• The Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has visited our shop, as well as we are across from a high school
• products over 25 milligrams per serving. all the issues he has with the hemp industry, all in one visit
• And why are they visiting our shop so often when we have shown we are in compliance? Mr.

Bills: HB 28 , SB 3

Committee: House State Affairs

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, state health, youth protection, licensing fees, criminal offenses, HB28, public testimony, committee decorum, bill substitute, legislative process

Summary: The meeting featured significant discussions regarding HB28, where the chair outlined the plans to bring forward a substitute for the bill. The chair emphasized the importance of maintaining order and decorum during the proceedings. Members engaged in deliberations, and a number of public witnesses were invited to testify, thereby enriching the discussion around the bill. This interaction provided valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• 07:05.559><c> with</c><01:07:05.720><c> regular</c><01:07:06.079><c> in-person</c><01:07:06.480><c> visit
• </c> all adults with regular in-person visit all adults with regular in-person visit and<01:07:07.200
• health outcomes are later addressed, unfortunately, and often too late, through an emergency room visit
• <01:08:46.359><c> an</c><01:08:46.520><c> emergency</c><01:08:46.960><c> room</c><01:08:47.279><c> visit
• </c> late through an emergency room visit late through an emergency room visit hospitalization<01:08:

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that during spring visits they had conversations about naloxone access at every university and
• /c><00:03:32.879><c> set</c><00:03:33.040><c> of</c><00:03:33.159><c> spring</c><00:03:33.480><c> visits
• </c><00:03:33.879><c> we</c><00:03:34.040><c> had</c> during this set of spring visits we had during
• this set of spring visits we had conversations<00:03:35.280><c> about</c><00:03:35.480><c> noock</c><
• was just a confirmation on the visits was just a confirmation on the importance<00:03:47.200><c> of<

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I asked these gentlemen, I hope you heard in their testimony today, but I've had a chance to visit with
• with them extensively uh we've had visit with them extensively uh we've had several<00:48:59.319><c>
• I didn't draft it on my own, um, but I have not visited with the other educational organizations that
• However, um, in a lot of the testimony and visits that I've had prior to session, the message is the
• However, um, in a lot of the testimony and visits that I've had prior to session, the message is the

Bills: HF56 , HF780

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF56, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Hutchinson Area Transportation Services, Hutchinson, McLeod County, transportation facility, vehicle storage, equipment storage, fueling facility, temperate storage, local infrastructure, public works, general obligation bonds, education finance, school funding, state aid, appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:02:40.720><c> conducted</c><00:02:41.599><c> 23</c><00:02:42.120><c> team</c><00:02:42.599><c> visits
• </c><00:02:43.599><c> to</c><00:02:44.239><c> 39</c> and conducted 23 team visits to 39 and conducted
• 23 team visits to 39 different<00:02:45.040><c> venues</c><00:02:45.720><c> uh</c><00:02:45.879><c>
• 00:02:48.280><c> those</c><00:02:49.040><c> during</c><00:02:49.400><c> those</c><00:02:49.720><c> visits
• </c><00:02:50.200><c> they</c> during those during those visits they during those during those visits

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• residents from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who have taken the journey to the State House to visit

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, briefly recessed several times, and noted receipt of Massachusetts Gaming Commission reports on December 2024 and January 2025 casino and sports wagering revenue, which were placed on file. The chamber also featured several ceremonial introductions, including Cohasset High School’s boys’ soccer team, recognized for winning the school’s first state championship, and a group of visitors from Northborough and Worcester welcomed by Senators Kennedy and Donaghue. The only substantive action taken was adoption of an order extending the previously established subcommittee under the temporary committee on rules so it could continue handling matters related to Chapter 250 of the Acts of 2024, with its membership unchanged. The Senate also adopted an order to adjourn and set the next meeting for Monday at 11:00 a.m. No roll call votes were recorded; both orders were adopted without objection, and the Senate adjourned accordingly.

Transcript Highlights:

• the second division, to welcome to the chamber the Palmer chapter of Operation Friendship, who are visiting

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and then received a gubernatorial message recommending legislation to empower municipalities and local governments. The message was referred to the appropriate committees by subject matter, including Municipalities and Regional Government, Public Service, and Revenue. The House also acted on a Rules Committee report suspending Joint Rule 12 for several filed petitions, including proposals on vocational admissions policy, naming tennis courts in Boston, newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus, and a sick leave bank for a state employee; the rule suspensions were approved by voice vote. Members also welcomed visiting guests to the chamber, including the Palmer chapter of Operation Friendship with students from France and Sweden, and guests from the Green Team of the Southwest Boston CDC. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee then reported several House bills for consideration, including measures on local journalism, assessor certificates, Machado Joseph Disease Awareness Day, a Seekonk charter amendment, a Dartmouth Fire District treasurer appointment, and a Wayland Free Public Library Millennium Fund. The House suspended Rule 7A, took second readings on those bills, and ordered them to a third reading by voice vote. Finally, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet again Monday at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned to that time in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark's, and they are visiting through BC High.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House convened briefly, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several visiting groups and individual honorees, including students from France and Northbridge High School basketball standout Molly Gahan. The House also received a gubernatorial supplemental appropriations message for fiscal year 2025, which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and a message validating the results of a special election in Hardwick, referred to the Committee on Election Laws. The Committee on Rules reported several resolutions for adoption, including commendations for Richard T. Herody, the IBS patient support group’s recognition of World IBS Day, and Anticoagulation Forum, Inc.’s recognition of Hypertension Awareness Month. The House suspended the rules and adopted those resolutions. The Rules Committee of the two branches also recommended suspending Joint Rule 12 on several petitions, including bills on pet shop sales of certain animals, spouses serving as MassHealth caregivers, and utility services; the House agreed to suspend the rule and referred the petitions to the appropriate committees. After a brief recess, the House adopted an order to adjourn to meet again Monday at 11:30 a.m. in informal session, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we're going to start off today by welcoming the students that have come to visit us from the

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met briefly, confirmed that a quorum was present, and welcomed visiting students from the College of Central Florida and other counties. The committee then took up confirmation hearings for appointments on Tabs 1 through 4, with Senator Simon moving to recommend confirmation of all appointees and the motion seconded. The roll call vote was favorable, and the appointees were reported favorably. After the vote, members offered remarks thanking committee staff for their work and praising Florida’s higher education system, state colleges, and universities. Chair Calatayud noted this was the committee’s final meeting and encouraged the visiting students to stay engaged in advocacy and public service. Senator Harrell also commended the committee’s policy work and funding support for higher education. With no further business, Senator Simon moved to adjourn. There was no objection, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• that, you know, the work that you put in, not just on this committee, but also outside when you go to visit

Committee: Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security

Keywords: 999, senate, all