Transcript Highlights:

• I want to get that more close to 65% and then use that PrN staffing model, which means those pins may
• The primary one that is needing more funding is the consent decree.
• We watch our portfolio very closely to make sure that we don't just continue to do programs because we've
• We're working closely with the state procurement office, Amanda Otis, on how we do that.
• You know, that I, personally, have worked with you very well and very closely.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lasting impacts on our community, so this is a huge investment for our state, but we are not even close
• WAEYC partners closely with colleges to support students’ ongoing professional development and career
• Now, HB 2438 closes that gap.
• Oh, wait—Vice Chair, now it's so close. Yes. Pardon the 11th-hour question here.
• To close us out here, Kaylee DeMayo. Hello, thank you for having me.

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee met on January 27 and first took executive action on three bills. House Bill 2311, which makes administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, was reported out with a do pass recommendation after the Leavitt amendment was withdrawn; supporters emphasized transparency, accountability, and student success metrics, while one member opposed moving it forward and urged more interim work. House Bill 2324, which extends tuition waiver access for children of eligible veterans when a disability determination occurs after age 18, passed unanimously. House Bill 288, the Dietitian Licensure Compact, was amended to delay implementation until July 1, 2028 and then passed unanimously as a substitute bill; members cited workforce shortages and the value of broader licensure portability. The committee then held public hearings on several bills. House Bill 2422 would shift private security guard licensing fees from individual guards to their employers, eliminate transfer fees, and penalize companies that require reimbursement; the sponsor and workers testified that the current system burdens low-wage guards and contributes to high turnover, while some members asked about whether fees could instead be lowered or eliminated. House Bill 2438 would create the SEEDS scholarship for early childhood education students using up to $10 million from the GET account if it remains sufficiently funded; the sponsor described it as a targeted test of surplus GET funds to address early learning workforce shortages, and testimony from educators, providers, and advocacy groups strongly supported it, while WASAC said the bill may need technical changes to avoid conflicts with existing 529 rules. The committee also heard House Bill 2525, which would create a WSU heritage orchard program and registry for old or rare apple varieties; the sponsor and industry witnesses said it would preserve agricultural history, support research, and aid future breeding and education. Finally, House Bill 2586 would align Passport to Careers with federal financial aid formulas and automatically deem Passport-eligible youth financially needy for the Washington College Grant; the sponsor and WASAC said it would help foster youth and homeless students access aid earlier and more predictably, and multiple students and advocates testified in strong support. No final action was taken on the bills heard in public testimony during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• nutrition support services be approved by the state and that registered dietitian nutritionists and primary
• And we will temporarily close this hearing and do some business, and then we'll open it up for public
• I'm going to go to my closing highlight now, but just to take a beat on SNAP and give appreciation to
• Now, I'm going into my closing highlight and I am watching the clock.
• Through the pandemic, we learned just how important it is to keep food systems close to home.

Bills: SB5966

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: healthcare, nutrition, medically tailored meals, dietary support, food security, chronic illness, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Moeller, any closing comments? Thank you.
• I have a few close ones that have motivated me to look into and study this issue for years.
• Representative West, any closing comments?
• Is closed as well.
• And now we'll move to closing remarks. Chair Jordan, please. Thank you, Chair Hill.

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> closely to what they have to say. closely to what they have to say.
• My personal apartment building closed itself off to outsiders.
• on-campus were forced to make the decision on whether to keep their offices open to the public or closed
• As a university, our primary focus has been the safety and well-being of our students, balanced with
• </c><00:41:58.280><c> focus</c><00:41:59.040><c> has</c> As a university, our primary focus has As a

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee adopted the minutes from its February 24, 2026 meeting after a motion by Vice Chair Coulter. The hearing then focused on the impact of federal immigration enforcement, referred to throughout as Operation Metro Surge, on Minnesota college campuses. The chair said the purpose was to document alleged abuses, campus fear, and racial discrimination, and to hear from testifiers about effects on students, faculty, and staff. Representative Novotny briefly objected to the framing, saying the committee should be finding facts rather than making a predetermined presentation, and the chair responded that members should remain respectful and that questions would be held until after all presenters testified. Augsburg University President Paul Pribbenow described what he called relentless and unprecedented disruption, including student stops and interrogations, family separations, and an ICE operation on campus in which armed masked agents allegedly detained a student without a warrant and pointed weapons at students and staff. He said the campus received bomb threats afterward, increased virtual learning options, and saw spikes in student support needs, housing assistance, and leaves of absence. Jenna Chernega of the Inter Faculty Organization said faculty across Minnesota State universities reported widespread student and colleague stress, increased workload, disappearing students, and a need for clearer sensitive-location protections and academic freedom guidance. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College Faculty said community conditions inevitably affect classrooms, that campuses have not yet had an ICE incident but are bracing for one, and that faculty want to support students and may need financial help if enrollment declines. Jennifer Irwin of AFSCME said fear from ICE activity extends beyond campus boundaries and is affecting attendance, work, and daily life for staff and students; she cited a member detained in St. Paul while trying to prove legal status. Student testifiers Brendan Frazier of Concordia University, St. Paul, Jonathan Fitzgerald of Minnesota State Mankato, Sudi Adow of Lead MN, and Will Luther of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities described panic, reduced attendance, food insecurity, disrupted classes, and fear of leaving home or commuting to campus. They urged stronger student privacy protections, support for international and immigrant students, emergency aid, and policies to keep campuses safe. No further committee action or votes were taken after the minutes approval.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> abandoning employment selling a primary abandoning employment selling a primary residence<01:29:
• Reviewing custody hearings is not the primary recommended action.
• </c><02:03:15.119><c> cards,</c><02:03:15.760><c> I</c><02:03:16.080><c> will</c><02:03:16.400><c> close
• </c> Seeing no other pink cards, I will close the hearing on 1710.
• <03:28:35.040><c> the</c><03:28:35.760><c> hearing</c><03:28:36.080><c> on</c> close the hearing on close

Committee: House Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• area but also biology Premed primary area but also biology Premed exercise<00:10:57.000><c> physiology
• </c> it back over to Mr cirvik for closing it back over to Mr cirvik for closing comments<00:46:23.880
• Do you have any closing remarks about this bill? Representative Robbins, thank you.
• Do you have any closing remarks about this bill?
• Okay, any closing comments?

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look close enough, it's a whole little kit.
• That has not been their primary objective. That is not what their primary training is about.
• </c><01:52:11.760><c> That</c> not been their primary objectives.
• That not been their primary objectives.
• It's probably not fair to just close the door on them being a for-profit entity.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To close as a farmer, I'm excited to see our state lead in the development of sustainable aviation fuel
• To close as a farmer, I'm excited to see our state lead in the development of sustainable aviation fuel
• We're a trade association representing the primary wood-consuming mills in the state, so they think of
• wood consuming Mills in the primary wood consuming Mills in the state<01:01:49.160><c> so</c><01:01:
• So using wood is this kind of closed circle of carbon, as opposed to taking billion-year-old carbon out

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, seeing none, you may close. Thank you.
• And with that, you may close. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Up to several weeks after the polls have closed.
• Okay, seeing none, you may close. Well, thank you, Mr. Reiner.
• And I know that, and we'll work closely as the bill continues to evolve.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments heard several election-related bills. SB 1175 by Senator Rubio would require lobbyists to file employment changes and terminations directly with the Secretary of State through the new Cal-Access replacement system, rather than through employers or firms, to reduce delays and improve transparency. SB 1357 by Senator Ochoa Bogh would protect the privacy of voters who sign a notice of intention to circulate a recall petition by omitting signatures and street addresses from the published notice and adding a disclosure explaining the notice’s purpose. Both bills drew support from state election officials and were advanced by committee vote. The committee also heard SB 1369 by Senator Reyes, which would add safeguards to judicial recall efforts by requiring oral disclosure when signature gatherers are paid and shortening the signature-gathering period for judicial recalls from 160 days to 80 days. Supporters, including judges and trial lawyers, argued the bill would protect judicial independence and safety amid recent recall efforts, while one senator questioned whether judges should be treated differently from other officials. The bill passed on a 3-1 vote and was re-referred to the Senate Committee on Public Safety. SB 1414, also by Senator Reyes, would create an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County; supporters said it would reduce gerrymandering and improve public trust, while county representatives raised concerns but remained open to amendments. It advanced on a 3-1 vote to the Local Government Committee. SB 970 by Senator Cervantes would direct the Secretary of State to adopt regulations allowing military and overseas voters to return ballots electronically, responding to the loss of the federal DOD fax service and mail delays. County election officials and veterans groups supported the bill, while the Secretary of State’s office and voting integrity groups opposed it, arguing that secure electronic ballot return is not feasible and could conflict with existing law. The bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 1420 by Senator Richardson, which would expand voter awareness of “sign, scan, and go” voting and require guidance on implementation; it was supported by election officials and advocacy groups and advanced to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1310 by Senator Choi would allow limited sharing of jury questionnaire information with election officials to help update voter rolls, but opponents warned it could lead to erroneous voter cancellations; the author narrowed the bill’s scope in response to concerns, and it passed to Judiciary. Several bills were held on call briefly until absent members were added, after which the committee completed its business and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Garcia, you're recognized to close on your Bill.
• Senator Garcia, you're recognized to close on the amendment.
• on the substitute amendment waived close. >> Having waived close all in favor of the amendment say yea
• Senator Harrell, you're recognized to close on the amendment with close all in favor of the amendment
• If you could be close by noon Senators.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:04.720><c> by</c> At case loads that are recommended by national organizations, and come as close
• We're so close to... I certainly check. I'm not trying to force it.
• The primary motion was made by Representative Spillsbury on the amendment 0714H.
• <04:06:35.640><c> to</c> close to close to $4,400<04:06:38.600><c> so</c><04:06:39.000><c> there</c><
• </c><04:18:38.800><c> proponents</c> who uh have been the primary proponents who uh have been the primary

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session on HB 563, which revises the adequacy education grant formula, including differentiated aid for free and reduced-price meals, English language learners, and special education, and also restores fiscal capacity disparity aid. Members explained that for FY 26 the formula largely stays the same with the usual 2% increases, while FY 27 would raise the base cost and several aid categories, including a substantial increase in special education differentiated aid. Supporters said the bill recognizes higher special education costs and separates fiscal capacity disparity from the extraordinary needs grant, which they argued better targets property-poor communities. A major point of discussion was the fiscal capacity disparity aid component. Some members asked for more detail on how the formula affected individual towns and how much money was being allocated. The sponsors said the spreadsheet showed the impacts and estimated the fiscal capacity disparity portion at about $13.3 million, benefiting roughly 40 communities, with Manchester the only municipality expected to receive less under the new approach. They also said the change partially rebalances money that had shifted heavily toward larger cities under the extraordinary needs grant and that the special education increase is new money, not taken from the hold harmless or extraordinary needs funds. Several members supported the amendment as a good-faith step and a bipartisan compromise, while others expressed frustration that they did not have enough time or information to review the spreadsheets in detail before voting. After extended debate, the committee recessed for lunch to allow the spreadsheet to be distributed and reviewed, with the understanding that the bill would continue later in the day and then move on to the other bills on the docket.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, with that I'll close and to operate.
• </c><01:22:34.680><c> In</c><01:22:34.880><c> closing,</c> Let's see. In closing, Let's see.
• Parents are the primary educators of their children.
• ><c> they're</c><02:24:23.720><c> failing</c> schools closing because they're failing schools closing
• </c> have lawful status as the primary have lawful status as the primary educators<02:40:59.560><c> of

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So what it does, it's effective with weeds because weeds don't have the ability to close up a shell and
• So the mussels close themselves up, open themselves up when the copper is gone, and they're good to go
• How close? Very close. Thank you. Try it again. Give me your full name. Mr.
• We based it on three primary factors: number one is safety, number two is exposure to the state in terms

Keywords: 989, all

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard presentations on the Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the State Liquor Division. For Agriculture, legislative staff reviewed the agency’s structure, staffing, dedicated funds, and FY 2026–2027 budget requests, including pay adjustments, replacement items, IT hardware, a reappropriation for the Resilient Food Systems Grant, and two major one-time requests: a deficiency warrant for exotic pest response and a supplemental appropriation for quagga mussel treatment. Director Chanel Tewalt emphasized the history and urgency of Idaho’s invasive species program, described the state’s rapid response to quagga mussels, and explained how the program uses inspections, stations, chemicals, and other tools to reduce risk. Members asked about grant timing, vehicle replacement, signage costs, research into alternative treatments, chemical costs, possible use of sturgeon, and whether budget cuts would affect inspection stations; the director said some station openings or hours could be delayed or reduced, but priority would be given to border crossings and higher-risk locations. The committee then reviewed the State Liquor Division budget. Staff outlined the division’s dedicated-fund operations, personnel levels, statutory distributions, and FY 2027 requests for inflation, replacement items, and IT/security equipment, all recommended by the governor. Director Andrew Arulenandum said his priorities were safety, legal exposure, and operational continuity, citing a store shelving collapse and warehouse safety needs as reasons for some requests. Members asked about a policy proposal to restrict bulk lottery ticket purchases by out-of-state syndicates, the division’s pricing and markup structure, and whether Idaho might move away from a state-run liquor model. The director and his staff said the lottery restriction would not have a fiscal impact, that the markup is standardized, and that while the division remains open to efficiency ideas, the current control-state structure is intended to support revenue and temperance. The meeting ended with notice that the committee would return the next day to take action on FY 2027 maintenance budgets.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is our primary opposition. Happy to answer any questions.
• What we don't want to do is start saying we're going to tell local governments how close they can go
• to schools or how close they can go to neighborhoods or churches.
• What we don't want to do is start saying we're going to tell local governments how close they can go
• to schools or how close they can go to neighborhoods or churches.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Commerce Committee reconvened and continued its hearing on House Bill 2085, a measure to establish statewide preemption over the sale of tobacco, vape, and nicotine products. Supporters, including representatives of vape stores, grocers, convenience stores, and petroleum marketers, argued the bill would prevent a patchwork of local ordinances, protect small businesses, and create consistent statewide rules for retailers. Several supporters said federal Tobacco 21 rules already control underage sales, and that local bans or flavor restrictions would hurt businesses and push sales to neighboring jurisdictions. Opponents, including the Missouri Public Health Association and the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, said local tobacco regulation has helped prevent youth smoking and that the bill could invite litigation over existing ordinances and limit future public health regulation. Committee members repeatedly questioned whether the bill would affect zoning authority or local decisions about where vape shops can locate, especially near schools and child care facilities. The sponsor, Representative Keithley, said the bill was intended to preempt only state standards on the sale and retail regulation of tobacco products, not local zoning, and emphasized that local governments would remain free to regulate zoning. Much of the hearing focused on the bill’s language, especially whether it required a 21-and-over purchase age or merely allowed local jurisdictions that already use 21 to keep doing so. The sponsor explained that the bill was designed to preserve local 21 ordinances without forcing all localities to change from 18 to 21, while still setting statewide standards for sale-related rules. An informational witness from MOST Policy Initiative described health risks of vaping, including nicotine addiction and youth appeal from flavored products, and noted that Missouri does not currently impose a special tax on vapor products. The committee took no vote and adjourned after concluding testimony on HB 2085.

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the last testifier, so I’m going to close the public hearing for House Bill 2201 and open the
• In the Puget Sound region, the primary cost escalator for farmland is not conservation.
• So I'll just close by saying that limiting conservation district tools risks removing one of the few
• So I'll just close by saying that limiting conservation district tools risks removing one of the few
• We will close our public hearing today, and that was the last item on our agenda.

Bills: HB2201 , HB2154

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: urban growth, city planning, county regulations, development standards, land use, land ownership, conservation districts, property rights, regulatory authority, environmental policy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, I think the discussions I had with the field, we're getting very close to getting things in
• It's also not particularly close to where our contractors are.
• Once we get close to construction documents, having a certain level of surety, we can present to the
• That is my primary focus right now: to see how I can staff the organization to ensure that we're not
• Members, the next item on the agenda this morning is... ...getting close to the end is the semi-annual

Committee: House Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

Transcript Highlights:

• Felix's words, “I knew I had to find a way to incorporate myself back into society, but the doors kept closing
• In closing, the Community Services Block Grant empowers organizations like CESA to fight poverty effectively
• I think David Knight mentioned in his remarks that we maintain a very close working relationship with
• However, since 1986, NCIDC has also been the primary statewide CSBG service provider for the American
• In closing, CSBG funding is not just a line item in a budget for the families in our community, CSBG

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just make closing comments. Anybody got questions? No? It's a closing.
• I happen to be close with the administrator of the Phe Care Center, Patrick Craigie.
• I happen to be close with the administrator of the Phe Care Center, Patrick Craigie.
• I happen to be close with the administrator of the Phe Care Center, Patrick Craigie.
• </c> different and so we were forced to close different and so we were forced to close some<01:33:20.239

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• says in the closed doors, cannot be used later on.
• They don't have a primary care physician. So, just the same. Also called U&M.
• This will close that loophole, and it says if a conviction doesn't stop mattering after 10 years when
• This will close that loophole, and it says if only conviction doesn't stop mattering after 10 years,
• Yeah, and we're rural, we'll close us and Pardales. Thank you. What is the will of the committee?

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 25, which would prohibit a juvenile who committed a firearm-related delinquent act that would be a felony if committed by an adult from legally owning or possessing a firearm for 10 years after disposition. The sponsor and supporters said the bill is intended to address serious youth gun violence without lengthening juvenile sentences or unsealing records, and they emphasized that the substitute language was meant to clarify, not change, the bill’s intent. Support came from law enforcement, the district attorney’s office, CYFD, and business interests, while opponents including the Public Defender, ACLU, and criminal defense advocates argued it conflicts with juvenile-code principles, creates civil disabilities based on juvenile conduct, and could raise Second Amendment and sealing-record concerns. Members raised extensive questions about how the NICS background-check process would work, what offenses would qualify, whether the measure would apply retroactively, and how sealed juvenile records and pardons would be handled. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute, but no final vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided; members discussed possibly working on the language further in Judiciary or tabling it. The committee then took up House Bill 15, the Medical Injury and Collaborative Resolution Act, described by the sponsor as New Mexico’s version of a candor law. The bill would create a protected adverse outcome conference process allowing patients and providers to discuss medical injuries or undesirable outcomes outside of court, with the goal of improving communication, giving patients answers, and reducing litigation. A family medicine doctor and a trial lawyer testified in support, saying patients often want explanations more than money and that open conversations can sometimes resolve disputes early. Public commenters also supported the concept, though one noted concerns about how pro se litigants would fit into the process. Committee questions focused on how the bill would define injury, how confidentiality would be enforced, whether statements could be used in court, who would pay for the process, and how it would interact with existing malpractice procedures. The sponsors said the conference would be voluntary, not require an apology, and would be protected by evidentiary rules; if protected statements were introduced at trial, they said remedies such as mistrial could apply. The discussion continued into procedural details, but no final action on HB 15 appears in the provided portion.