Transcript Highlights:

• and adopted over the last five years in about 20 states, from New Jersey to Florida to Alabama to Minnesota
• and adopted over the last five years in about 20 states, from New Jersey to Florida to Alabama to Minnesota

Bills: SB5992 , SB5918 , SB5951 , SB6042 , SB5952 , SB5961 , SB5969

Committee: Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education

Keywords: youth development, funding, positive programs, youth services, community programs, school funding, education, supplies, operating costs, K-12 education, albuterol, access, public schools, private schools, healthcare, school safety, emergency preparedness, mapping, local education policies, curriculum requirements

Bills: SB 8 , HB 7 , HB 15 , HB 265 , HCR 13

Keywords: immigration enforcement, ICE agreements, sheriff grants, law enforcement, county jail, federal immigration law, parental rights, public education, Texas Education Agency, TEA inspector general, school grievance process, student records, teacher certification, human sexuality instruction, parental consent, library materials, school transparency, educator misconduct, child abuse reporting, neglect reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• workforce compensation for Task Force One Incident Management Teams and Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid

Bills: HB446 , HB1609 , HB4443 , HB4464 , HB4735 , HB5476

Committee: House S/C on Workforce

Keywords: heat illness prevention, workplace safety, Texas Workforce Commission, advisory board, employee rights, administrative penalties, training requirements, employee training, occupational health, employer penalties, worker rights, heat illness, volunteer firefighter, volunteer emergency responder, emergency medical services volunteer, EMS volunteer, firefighter, fire department, emergency services, declared disaster

Bills: SB49 , SB60 , SB365 , SB685 , SB895 , SB1191 , SB1400 , SB1401 , SB1786

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: junior college funding, performance tier, credentials, education, workforce development, Texas education law, performance tier funding, junior college, Texas education, student success, performance funding, education policy, state finance program, public junior colleges, educational outcomes, SB 60, public junior college library, community college, library materials, book donation

Transcript Highlights:

• with the people of Minnesota.
• </c> spaces, making sure we're rendering aid. spaces, making sure we're rendering aid.
• And we're we're Minnesota.
• ,</c> in America, in this moment in Minnesota, in America, in this moment in Minnesota, it's<00:04:17.760
• </c><00:19:37.240><c> We'll</c> Minnesota. They deserve that. We'll Minnesota. They deserve that.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leadership said members were working through a fast-paced, intense session before a break, with many committee hearings still scheduled and about 27 bills expected to be heard that day. The leader highlighted several priorities for when lawmakers return, including an independent Inspector General proposal, additional anti-fraud measures, and packages on gun violence prevention and the Metro Surge response. The Metro Surge package was described as roughly 11 bills dealing with masks in essential spaces, aid obligations for federal agents, civil-rights/Bivens issues, and BCA participation in investigations; the broader gun violence package includes school safety, mental health, an assault-weapons ban, and a ban on high-capacity magazines, though it still awaited Finance Committee action. The leader also said bonding remains a high priority and that the Senate plans to continue moving policy quickly after the break. On budget matters, the leader said supplemental funding is needed for Capitol and Senate building security, largely because of increased personnel and overtime costs. He also said HCMC needs a short-term financing step because it is under financial pressure, but that the issue points to broader instability in Minnesota’s hospital system, especially as other hospitals may face difficulties related to HR1. Other budget-related items mentioned included housing support, rental and heating assistance, energy assistance, small business aid, health care, and food support, with some governor-proposed tax and spending ideas possibly left out because they are not affordable. The leader said the Senate is still working on fraud legislation, including the Inspector General proposal and related enforcement and oversight measures, and expects House differences to be worked out in conference committee. He described the House as a question mark and said the two chambers are moving at different paces, but he hopes to resolve differences and send bills to the governor. He also noted a rough end to the Senate Jobs Committee, said Senator Champion is considering next steps, and said Senator Mohamed and other DFL members had sent the Attorney General’s anti-fraud bill through a different committee path. He added that legislator safety is a growing concern because members from both parties are receiving threats, and he is working with counsel on possible responses. On guns in the Capitol, he said the issue reflects broader divisions and that current law allows permitted carry after screening, though he is frustrated by those using the issue to provoke emotion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Supplemental Aid program is a state program that provides supplemental cash assistance
• The Minnesota Supplemental Aid program is a state program that provides supplemental cash assistance
• The Minnesota Supplemental Aid program is a state program that provides supplemental cash assistance
• The Minnesota Supplemental Aid program is a state program that provides supplemental cash assistance
• housing</c> Minnesota supplemental Aid and housing Minnesota supplemental Aid and housing support<01

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:45.280><c> have</c><00:21:45.360><c> the</c> Minnesota, the counties don't have the Minnesota
• Um, of their neighbors in mutual aid.
• </c> projects or programs under Minnesota projects or programs under Minnesota statutes<00:36:02.800>
• Minnesota? Minnesota? &gt;&gt; Thank<00:37:42.320><c> you,</c><00:37:42.720><c> Mr.
• This is the people of Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The value of the AIS prevention aid program has indeed slowed the rate of new infestations in Minnesota
• ><c> go</c><00:58:35.200><c> um</c> aid because those are aids that go um aid because those are aids
• And Minnesota ranks seventh in the nation in proportion of state aid to the proportion of state aid plus
• </c><01:19:42.719><c> And</c> Minnesota and central Minnesota. And Minnesota and central Minnesota.
• in Minnesota, deposition over in Minnesota or court hearing over in Minnesota, then that is taxed as

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 135 of the Chapter 41 spreadsheet is supplemental aid to non-metro campuses.
• Line 135 of the Chapter 41 spreadsheet is supplemental aid to non-metro campuses.
• Line 135 of the Chapter 41 spreadsheet is supplemental aid to non-metro campuses.
• Line 135 of the Chapter 41 spreadsheet is supplemental aid to non-metro campuses.
• Line 135 of the Chapter 41 spreadsheet is supplemental aid to non-metro campuses.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota State Colleges and Universities presented an overview of the system and several budget riders. Board Chair George Soul described the system’s structure, noting 26 colleges and seven universities governed by a 15-member board, and emphasized that Minnesota State serves about 270,000 students annually, including many students of color, adult learners, Pell-eligible students, first-generation students, and veterans. He highlighted the system’s workforce role, saying it offers more than 4,000 programs, extensive employer partnerships, and that 86% of graduates find jobs in their field or a related field. He then turned the presentation over to system staff to discuss specific funding requests. Associate Vice Chancellor Kim Lynch focused on the Z-degree textbook program, which supports zero-textbook-cost courses and degrees. She said prior legislative support has produced about $3.1 million in savings in academic year 2024 and more than $12.6 million in aggregate savings, with 10 colleges now offering Z degrees and 12 more on track or exploring implementation. She described the program’s use of open educational resources, instructional design support, and library resources to fill gaps where free materials are not available, and said students save roughly $7 to $10 for every $1 invested. Members praised the program and asked about its expansion. Associate Vice Chancellor Paul Shepard discussed student support funding, including a centralized basic needs resource hub, the Mantra Health mental health platform, and the emergency grant program. He said student surveys showed significant food, housing, and homelessness insecurity, and that the basic needs hub has served over 2,400 students with a 97% positive response rate. He said Mantra provides telecounseling, peer support, self-paced courses, and crisis support, and clarified in response to questions that it is not AI-driven and does not sell student data; general usage data is collected, and follow-up with campus counselors occurs only at the student’s request. He also said the emergency grant program has distributed over $3 million to more than 4,800 students, with grants averaging just under $700, and that campuses use application review and recordkeeping to manage repeat requests. Members asked about counselor staffing, data privacy, and grant safeguards. The final item addressed sexual assault reporting and prevention funding. System staff said the appropriation supports technology infrastructure for statutory reporting, case management for investigations, campus prevention training, and professional development for Title IX coordinators and related staff. They noted that the statutory student training requirement is funded by individual colleges and universities, not by this appropriation. No formal votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, that's not what we expect in Minnesota, and if people are going to be in Minnesota, they should follow
• </c> colleagues and really proud of Minnesota colleagues and really proud of Minnesota in<00:02:58.239
• :45.360><c> are</c> expect in Minnesota and if people are expect in Minnesota and if people are going
• So, I hope that they Minnesota House.
• And perhaps he people of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the financial aid analyst in the Office of Undergraduate Education at the University of Minnesota
• I am the financial aid analyst in the Office of Undergraduate Education at the University of Minnesota
• And that is something that is unique to students at Minnesota State receiving a Minnesota State grant
• And that is something that is unique to students at Minnesota State receiving a Minnesota State grant
• </c><00:30:43.760><c> state</c> covered because under Minnesota state covered because under Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, Minnesota does not provide any funding in this program.
• </c> it provides State funding to supplement it provides State funding to supplement the<00:02:07.560
• </c> this is primarily a greater Minnesota this is primarily a greater Minnesota bill<00:02:51.360><c
• Next we have Trisha Leite with the Minnesota Rural Electric Association.
• Next we have Trisha Leite with the Minnesota Rural Electric Association.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:29.400><c> kids</c> Minnesota kids Minnesota kids this<00:01:30.759><c> morning</c><00:01:31.400
• </c> on education in the state of Minnesota on education in the state of Minnesota 90%<00:08:16.400><
• </c> concentrations of poverty Minnesota concentrations of poverty Minnesota becomes<00:17:55.280><c>
• </c> such an ongoing issue here in Minnesota such an ongoing issue here in Minnesota for<00:26:57.640
• We have about $7.4 million, which the state has supplemented with matching funds. services and the Minnesota

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and SEIU healthcare state of Minnesota and SEIU healthcare Minnesota<00:21:15.760><c> and</c><00:21:
• </c> temporary commissioner for the Minnesota temporary commissioner for the Minnesota Department<00:
• </c> at the University of Minnesota, Dr. at the University of Minnesota, Dr.
• </c> work of age friendly Minnesota Council. work of age friendly Minnesota Council.
• </c><01:42:39.840><c> Please</c> Minnesota. Uh thank you so much. Please Minnesota.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 02:33:19.200><c> uh</c> supplemental aid we did some uh supplemental aid we did some uh reallocations
• </c><02:36:48.479><c> aid,</c> created the the basic supplemental aid, created the the basic supplemental
• It money into basic supplemental aid.
• That into into basic supplemental aid.
• The basic supplemental aid is district?"

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Service in Minnesota.
• Aging policy and leadership in Minnesota.
• And the problem is that Minnesota is aging.
• units with the supplemental rate.
• It's located in Virginia, Minnesota.

Bills: HF2434

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, personal care assistance, worker retention, disability services, state funding

Transcript Highlights:

• whether a student is eligible for in-state tuition, as opposed to Minnesota resident financial aid.
• whether a student is eligible for in-state tuition, as opposed to Minnesota resident financial aid.
• </c><01:10:22.480><c> And</c> Minnesota resident financial aid.
• And Minnesota resident financial aid.
• institutions, students, and Minnesota institutions, students, and financial<01:41:26.880><c> aid</c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Finance and Policy Conference Committee met publicly to compare House and Senate positions on the higher education budget, with the chairs emphasizing transparency and alternating gavel control. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through a spreadsheet of differences across the Office of Higher Education and Minnesota State, including major items such as state grants, childcare grants, work study, tribal college grants, emergency assistance grants, hunger-free campus grants, student parent support, direct admissions, paramedic scholarships, and several medical residency and fellowship programs. The House and Senate also differed on administrative funding, campus sexual assault reporting, and a House FY25 cancellation that would be carried forward. Members discussed several of the larger policy and funding choices. The Senate explained its increase for Minitex as support for operating costs and statewide access to information. The House explained its cuts to student parent support and other items as necessary to work within a zero target and to prioritize direct aid to students, while the Senate said it focused on direct appropriations and access-related programs. On hunger-free campus grants and emergency assistance grants, the Senate said it was changing the distribution method and direct appropriations rather than reducing the overall money, while the House noted differences in whether nonprofit institutions remained included. The committee also reviewed Senate-only additions and reductions in Minnesota State, including free course materials, Lake Superior College remediation, and changes to the Kids on Campus appropriation. A representative from Lake Superior College testified that the PAS remediation funding would help address contamination issues at an emergency training site near Lake Superior and that the money was shifted from the Kids on Campus initiative. No final conference agreement or vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee continued discussing differences and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> government has created a supplemental government has created a supplemental payment<00:08:29.840
• </c> stabilizing MA funding for Minnesota stabilizing MA funding for Minnesota hospitals.<00:19:43.760
• recreation cabin tax base, like in northern Minnesota and central Minnesota.
• Um, our greater Minnesota schools.
• Many of the more than of Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This represents the most complex and expensive care in Minnesota.
• This represents the most complex and expensive care in Minnesota.
• to provide aid and save Senate's push to provide aid and save our<00:02:19.599><c> safety</c><00:02:
• </c><00:18:38.640><c> assistance</c> qualify for some supplemental assistance qualify for some supplemental
• Uh Minnesota Minnesota Minnesota put<00:24:03.120><c> together,</c><00:24:03.840><c> you</c><00:24:04.000

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and to Minnesota State.
• And there are costs estimated to both Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota.
• ><c> Minnesota.
• of Minnesota.
• They apply for financial aid.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.