Transcript Highlights:

• focused on rights, resources, and resilience offered by the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Equity
• /c><00:47:05.840><c> the</c><00:47:05.960><c> Office</c><00:47:06.240><c> of</c><00:47:06.440><c> Equity
• </c> Student Affairs, the Office of Equity Student Affairs, the Office of Equity and<00:47:06.880><c>

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

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:

• Um, we viewed all of these topics through two lenses: one is equity and the other is farm viability.
• lenses.<00:55:40.640><c> Um</c><00:55:40.960><c> one</c><00:55:41.200><c> is</c><00:55:41.520><c> equity
• Um one is equity and the other lenses.
• Um one is equity and the other is<00:55:42.720><c> farm</c><00:55:43.240><c> viability.

Summary: The committee first took up a Senate message on HB 179, relative to hazardous waste accident fees. Members reviewed the Senate amendment, which would cap the daily non-payment penalty at no more than $1,000 per day and limit the cumulative penalty to 25% of the cost, with no additional daily penalty if the responsible party is following an agreed payment plan. Members discussed the change from the committee’s earlier version, which had allowed penalties up to 100% of the damages, and agreed the revised language was reasonable. The committee voted to concur with the Senate amendment and indicated the bill could be placed on consent. The committee then recessed SB 302, requiring background checks for solid waste facility owners, because a late request for an additional change had not yet been fully reviewed. It next voted on SB 229, relative to the sale of uninspected bison, red deer, and elk meat. Supporters said the bill would expand retail access to these meats, support New Hampshire farms, and improve food security. Members also noted the Department of Agriculture did not object, that the bill would remove a sunset and keep more workable inspection rules in place, and that the animals involved are largely from closed herds. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 229 and agreed to place it on consent. Finally, the committee considered SB 50, establishing a committee to study the regulation of private animal boarding facilities. Members described disturbing testimony about missing, injured, or dead dogs and the lack of clear oversight, licensing, or even a reliable list of kennels in the state. They discussed possible study topics including licensing, inspection authority, standards, penalties, and protections for both pet owners and boarding operators, including disclosure of medical conditions. The committee voted unanimously to pass SB 50 and also agreed to place it on consent. After the executive sessions, the committee heard a presentation from the New Hampshire Food Alliance on the state’s first food and agriculture strategic plan, introduced by director Nicole Cardwell, with participation from advisory committee members including Rep. Bixby and Commissioner Sean Jasper.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, again, just to make sure that we have the equity spread so that everything's not always funneling
• that</c><01:30:20.400><c> we</c><01:30:20.480><c> have</c><01:30:20.639><c> the</c><01:30:20.800><c> equity
• </c><01:30:21.120><c> spread</c><01:30:21.440><c> so</c> sure that we have the equity spread so sure
• that we have the equity spread so that<01:30:21.840><c> everything's</c><01:30:22.239><c> not</c><01:

Bills: HF2115 , HF2276 , HF1644 , HF99 , HF2068 , HF2707 , HF2704 , HF2406 , HF1674 , HF1579

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Supporting this bill means supporting equity in education funding.
• means</c> ALCS supporting this bill means ALCS supporting this bill means supporting<00:09:19.399><c> equity
• c><00:09:19.720><c> in</c><00:09:20.120><c> education</c><00:09:21.120><c> funding</c> supporting equity
• in education funding supporting equity in education funding provided<00:09:21.920><c> by</c><00:09:22.040

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• changes to appropriation House File 2435 and clarifies the membership requirements to the health equity
• requirements<01:38:46.800><c> to</c><01:38:46.960><c> the</c><01:38:47.119><c> health</c><01:38:47.360><c> equity
• </c> requirements to the health equity requirements to the health equity advisory<01:38:48.320><c> and

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• requirements on those options to consider, which are at the bottom of this screen: things like social equity
• 00:03:13.080><c> things</c><00:03:13.440><c> like</c><00:03:13.760><c> social</c><00:03:14.120><c> Equity
• </c> this screen things like social Equity this screen things like social Equity Financial<00:03:15.080

Bills: HF1167 , HF1242

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Debt-to-equity ratio sheet, and then review by our DEED Finance Director to ascertain the risk level
• that</c><00:44:37.920><c> uh</c><00:44:38.040><c> debt</c><00:44:38.240><c> to</c><00:44:38.400><c> equity
• </c><00:44:38.720><c> ratio</c><00:44:39.319><c> sheet</c> about that uh debt to equity ratio sheet about
• that uh debt to equity ratio sheet uh<00:44:40.480><c> and</c><00:44:40.599><c> then</c><00:44:40.839

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Facility fees are directly passed on to patients without transparency, equity, or strong notification
• without</c> passed on to patients without passed on to patients without transparency<00:08:24.680><c> Equity
• </c><00:08:25.080><c> or</c><00:08:25.400><c> strong</c> transparency Equity or strong transparency Equity

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• to me was that the training currently provided is for conflict of interest, monitoring, diversity, equity
• 18:27.080><c> in</c><00:18:27.360><c> monitoring</c><00:18:28.360><c> divers</c><00:18:29.039><c> Equity
• </c> interest in monitoring divers Equity interest in monitoring divers Equity inclusion<00:18:29.880

Transcript Highlights:

• MnDOT's goals are to promote a safety culture, advance transportation equity, champion sustainability
• /c> promote a safety culture Advan promote a safety culture Advan Transportation<00:48:56.319><c> equity
• </c><00:48:57.119><c> Champion</c> Transportation equity Champion Transportation equity Champion sustainability

Bills: HF5

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Definitely, we want to ensure that there is equity across the board, and we want to make sure that there
• ensure<00:29:38.240><c> that</c><00:29:38.600><c> there</c><00:29:38.760><c> is</c><00:29:39.039><c> equity
• </c><00:29:39.399><c> across</c><00:29:39.720><c> the</c> ensure that there is equity across the ensure
• that there is equity across the board<00:29:40.960><c> and</c><00:29:41.200><c> we</c><00:29:41.360>

Committee: House Human Services & Homelessness

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness met on February 6, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. HB 44, which would appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to work with community-based organizations on social services needs, drew broad support from nonprofit providers and coalitions that said contracts and reimbursement rates have not kept pace with the actual cost of services, leaving agencies unable to retain staff or meet demand. DHS said it supported the bill’s intent but asked for clarification because the language was broad and did not specify which organizations or how funds should be allocated. Committee members and the bill’s introducer discussed how to make the measure more specific and equitable, including whether to set a percentage increase, use a baseline date, and direct DHS to distribute funds among different program areas; the True Cost Coalition and DHS agreed to follow up in writing with proposed language and a funding number. The committee then heard HB 1349, which would authorize Medicaid/CHIP coverage for income-qualified pregnant persons and children regardless of immigration status. Supporters, including the Legal Clinic, Aloha Care, and the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, said the bill would improve prenatal and child health, reduce the chilling effect of immigration enforcement on care-seeking, and help prevent premature or underweight births by ensuring earlier access to providers. DHS provided comments and the committee asked where the measure would fit in the budget; the department identified the relevant budget code. Written testimony in support came from multiple advocacy and health organizations and dozens of individuals. Finally, the committee heard HB 613, which would appropriate funds to DHS for emergency shelter and services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The Office of the Public Defender, the Statewide Office of Homelessness and Housing Solutions, the Office of Youth Services, Rise, the Hawaiʻi State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others supported the bill, emphasizing youth homelessness, the need for coordinated shelter and outreach, and the high share of LGBTQ+ youth among homeless minors. OYS asked that the committee consider funding its existing Safe Spaces pilot rather than creating a new program, while DHS said it supported the intent but wanted clarification because multiple department programs could be implicated. No votes were taken during the hearing; the chair instead requested follow-up language and funding information for HB 44 and continued the measures for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• the, you know, like I said, they—the two pensions keep going further and further apart in terms of equity
• the, you know, like I said, they—the two pensions keep going further and further apart in terms of equity
• the, you know, like I said, they—the two pensions keep going further and further apart in terms of equity
• the, you know, like I said, they—the two pensions keep going further and further apart in terms of equity
• the, you know, like I said, they—the two pensions keep going further and further apart in terms of equity

Summary: The public hearing opened on HB 728-FN, which would authorize video lottery terminals at charity gaming facilities and repeal historic horse racing licensing. Representative Om explained that the bill would convert the current historic horse racing terminals into true video lottery terminals/slot machines and change the revenue split, reducing the operator share from 75% to 70% while increasing the state share from 25% to 30%. He also noted the bill would increase the amount going to charities and other state beneficiaries. Former State Rep. Pat Brammy, who had served on the Charitable Gaming Study Commission, testified in support of the bill’s basic structure. He said a consultant’s report found historic racing machines cost facilities 12% to 18% more to operate because of totalizer and track-related fees, and that slot machines would be cheaper because there are more manufacturers and more competition. He argued that although the operator share drops by 5%, facilities could still benefit from lower operating costs, and he said the commission concluded that moving to slot machines would increase revenues to facilities, charities, and the state. He also said the bill would create a more stable stream of funding for problem gambling, since the current HHR “breakage” funding mechanism is limited and dependent on a single vendor. Brammy also discussed the commission’s concerns about market concentration in HHR machines, saying the commission found the market was dominated by only a few manufacturers and recommended legislation to address that issue under Article 83 of the state constitution. He interpreted the bill as allowing a phase-in of slot machines upon passage, with the remaining HHR provisions phasing out by January 1, 2028, and said facilities would likely transition as leases expire. Committee members asked about HHR contracts, machine programming, testing, and whether removing HHR would reduce competition; Brammy said he believed leases were likely short-term, machines are tested by a lab, and the legislature could decide whether the change is appropriate. No vote or final action was taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• we're taking care of our constituents' most core needs, which at this time are housing, child care, energy
• <00:15:03.839><c> care,</c> this time are housing, child care, this time are housing, child care, energy
• </c><00:15:06.079><c> This</c><00:15:06.320><c> bill</c> energy costs, and healthcare.
• This bill energy costs, and healthcare.

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• They've found items funded by the Department of Energy here, where universities in Texas are partnered
• We also provide energy-efficient service to help lower energy costs and water use for data centers and
• state and strengthens industries that matter to Louisiana, including healthcare, biomedical research, energy

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection and Energy will come to order
• including trail construction, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat enrichment, fuel reduction, energy
• It is also worth noting that there are no fully funded fire crews or GGRF energy crews at Greenwood,
• Center funding that was mentioned, and the funding for Cal Fire in consultation with the Office of Energy

Summary: The subcommittee heard an overview from the California Conservation Corps on its 50-year history, current operations, and budget proposals. Director J.P. Patton described the CCC’s work in conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development, noting 26 facilities, about 3,000 Corps members annually, and a funding mix of roughly 55% General Fund and 45% reimbursements. Members praised the program and asked about revenue sources, recruitment, retention, and post-service tracking. The CCC said it has a 5,000-person waitlist, uses first-come, first-served admissions with minimal eligibility requirements, and is working to improve data on outcomes. The committee also discussed the Greenwood Residential Center, where the CCC seeks staffing and operating funds to reopen a rebuilt facility in El Dorado County; the LAO suggested considering fewer new members or a delayed opening to reduce General Fund pressure, but no vote was taken and the item was held open. The committee then considered a CCC wildfire readiness proposal to move hand crews to a seven-day operational schedule. CCC and Cal Fire representatives said the change is needed because wildfire is now year-round and because the current model leaves crews unavailable in many months due to staffing gaps. They said the proposal would improve reliability for Cal Fire, preserve training opportunities for Corps members, and better align the CCC with Cal Fire’s 66-hour workweek. The LAO supported the concept but recommended considering lower-cost alternatives, such as relief staffing or partial reimbursement. Members also discussed the decline in incarcerated fire crews, with Cal Fire explaining that reforms and eligibility changes have reduced the pool of incarcerated people who qualify for camp and fire work. One member raised the use of goats and grazing for fuel reduction, and staff responded that such methods can help with prevention but cannot replace hand crews for suppression. The item was held open. Cal Fire then presented its department overview, emphasizing its expanded workforce, year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and partnerships with federal, local, tribal, and private entities. Members asked about contract counties such as Orange County, reforestation and seedling capacity, federal reimbursement, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Cal Fire said it is still below the seedling capacity needed for post-fire reforestation and relies heavily on public-private partnerships. The committee also reviewed a proposal for permanent funding for defensible space inspections. Cal Fire said it needs 31 positions and ongoing General Fund support to replace temporary funding that expires in 2027 and to maintain a goal of 250,000 inspections per year. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested alternatives such as a different General Fund/GGRF mix, reinstating an SRA fee, or approving the positions on a one-time basis. Members generally supported the work but raised budget concerns, and the proposal was held open. Finally, Cal Fire began presenting a fixed-wing pilot and mechanics contract increase, explaining that its aviation fleet has grown and become more complex, requiring more pilots and maintainers for year-round operations. The department said labor market pressures have increased contractor costs and that the contract is needed to support continuous aerial firefighting readiness. The transcript cuts off before further discussion or any action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Budget Subcommittee Number 2 on Resources, Environmental Protection, and Energy will come to order
• including trail construction, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat enrichment, fuel reduction, energy
• It is also worth noting that there are no fully funded fire crews or GGRF energy crews at Greenwood,
• Center funding that was mentioned, and the funding for Cal Fire in consultation with the Office of Energy

Summary: The subcommittee met to discuss several California Conservation Corps (CCC) and Cal Fire budget proposals, with no votes taken and all items held open for a future hearing. The CCC overview highlighted the program’s 50th anniversary, its statewide conservation, disaster response, education, and workforce development work, and its funding mix of General Fund and fee-for-service reimbursements. Members praised the program’s impact on young adults and communities, and asked about revenue sources, partnerships, recruitment, and outcomes for Corps members after service. A major CCC item was reopening and staffing the Greenwood Residential Center in El Dorado County. The department said the center is needed to restore local wildfire and fuel-break capacity, especially when winter road closures limit access to other facilities. The LAO said the proposal has merit but suggested the Legislature consider lower-cost alternatives, such as using fewer new Corps members or delaying opening, given the budget condition. The committee also discussed a proposal to move CCC hand crews to a seven-day wildfire readiness schedule; the department argued this is needed to match Cal Fire’s year-round operations and reduce chronic staffing gaps, while the LAO recommended considering partial funding or other cost-saving options. Cal Fire’s department overview focused on year-round wildfire response, vegetation management, community preparedness, and the 66-hour workweek rollout. Members asked about contract counties, federal partnerships, reforestation capacity, and the use of cap-and-invest and General Fund dollars amid structural deficits. Cal Fire said its nursery capacity is far below reforestation needs and relies on public-private partnerships, and it described reimbursements for work on federal lands. The committee also discussed defensible space inspections, with Cal Fire seeking permanent staffing to replace temporary positions and maintain its goal of 250,000 inspections annually; the LAO suggested alternatives such as different funding mixes, a reinstated SRA fee, or one-time funding. Finally, the committee heard a request to increase Cal Fire’s fixed-wing pilot and mechanic contract. Cal Fire said the larger, more complex aircraft fleet and year-round fire season require more pilots and maintainers, and that contracting provides flexibility and avoids some benefit costs. The LAO said the proposal addresses significant health and safety concerns and merits consideration, while members questioned whether in-house staffing or longer contract terms might be more cost-effective. Throughout the hearing, members emphasized wildfire risk, budget pressures, and the need to balance public safety with fiscal discipline.

Transcript Highlights:

• : Chair and Senator Rasmusson, we don't imagine that this will be partnered with, for example, an energy
• 08.800><c> an</c> will be partnered with, for example, an will be partnered with, for example, an energy
• </c> energy omnibus or anything like that. energy omnibus or anything like that.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Gordon Shemp is here, and he is a senior energy advisor with Nemecu Analytics LLC.
• To meet that demand without exposing families and businesses to volatile energy costs, we need to leverage
• down safely without human intervention or external power, and are carbon-free, helping meet clean energy
• about ensuring a predictable permitting path so that investors and utilities can commit to advancing energy

Bills: HB2014 , HB2031 , HB2078 , HB2102 , HB2103 , HB2117 , HB2261 , HB2262 , HB2264 , HB2278 , HB2428 , HB2494 , HB2756 , HB2758 , HB2762 , HB2782 , HB2932 , HB2933 , HB2986

Committee: Senate Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• language around ESG—I'm just going to take one that people are going to fall on both sides of: renewable energy
• If for some reason we voted on a renewable energy project, or a coal project, we'll take it, you're going
• That people are going to fall on both sides of renewable energy, for instance.
• If for some reason we voted on a renewable energy project, or a coal project, we'll take it, you're going

Bills: SB1090 , SB1293 , SB1414 , SB1429 , SB1503 , SB1536 , SB1633 , SB1724 , SB1764

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• bills and resolutions to the Health Services Committee: Senate Bill 56; to the Natural Resources and Energy
• 38:05.200><c> Natural</c><00:38:05.599><c> Resources</c><00:38:06.160><c> and</c><00:38:06.400><c> Energy
• </c> to the Natural Resources and Energy to the Natural Resources and Energy Committee<00:38:07.680><