Transcript Highlights:

• There are some letters in your packet of support for this.
• And so we've got a ...support.
• So I will not be supporting this because of that. Thank you. Thank you.
• I appreciate the opportunity to testify in support of H.R. 26.
• I appreciate the opportunity to testify in support of H.R. 26.

Summary: The House Resources and Conservation Committee heard an update from Idaho Fish and Game Director Jim Fredericks on agency performance measures and current issues. He reported strong access numbers, website traffic, and personnel retention, but noted a slightly elevated violation rate and ongoing work on a website overhaul. Fredericks also described the new nonresident deer and elk tag draw, which he said was successful and drew more than 40,000 applications, and he reviewed wolf management, including reduced harvest due to a federal injunction on trapping in grizzly bear areas. He also outlined a planned elk depredation response in the Big Willow drainage, involving removal of about 100 resident elk through a mix of translocation and lethal control, with meat donated to food banks. Committee members asked about translocation sites, survival, public communication, access agreements, depredation funding, and endowment land access. The committee then heard an American Falls FFA Ag Issues presentation on the 2001 federal roadless rule and its 2025 rescission. Students presented arguments for and against the change in a mock court format, focusing on forest health, wildfire risk, tribal consultation, timber and mineral access, recreation, and ecosystem protection. Committee members praised the students’ preparation and presentation. In legislative business, the committee held RS 33185 at the sponsor’s request, introduced RS 33168 related to Clean Water Act standards and the Sackett wetlands case, and introduced RS 33194 to recognize county expertise in federal consultation. The committee also advanced House Bill 587, which would provide spending authority for the Idaho Department of Agriculture to carry out grazing improvement work tied to prior legislation, after testimony from the sponsor and a Western Landowners Alliance representative in support. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 26 supporting wildlife crossings where locally supported, with testimony from the Idaho Wildlife Federation and Idaho Sportsmen, Access and Opportunity in favor. The motion to send HCR 26 to the floor with a do-pass recommendation passed despite several dissenting votes, and the meeting adjourned after the bill was assigned for floor carry.

Transcript Highlights:

• We urge your support. Thank you for and respectful approach. We urge your support.
• A couple of years ago, the legislature passed with overwhelming supporting support. Two pieces.
• Our tribe does support this bill.
• Our members do support the protection of cultural resources.
• We support strong, clear consumer protections around AI.

Summary: The Senate Environment, Energy, and Technology Committee held public hearings on two bills. On SB 5609, concerning cultural resource reviews under SEPA, staff explained that the proposed substitute would require cultural resource review for certain categorical exemptions, including infill housing and some GMA-related projects, unless a local government has an approved data-sharing agreement, ordinance, or cultural resources management plan with tribal consultation. Senator Kauffman said the bill is intended to protect tribal cultural sites without stopping development. Supporters, including tribal representatives and some local officials, said early review and consultation can prevent irreversible damage and provide clarity; opponents from business, builders, and county planning groups argued it would add costs, delay housing and permitting, and shift too much authority to state-level review without clear timelines or standards. The committee took public testimony only and then closed the hearing on SB 5609. The committee then heard SB 6284 on high-risk artificial intelligence. Staff described requirements for deployers of high-risk AI systems to maintain risk management policies, conduct impact assessments, notify consumers when AI is used in consequential decisions, and report algorithmic discrimination to the Attorney General, along with disclosures for government agencies and an extension of the AI task force with a workplace subgroup. Senator Elias said the bill is intended to focus regulation on high-risk uses while preserving innovation. Testimony was mixed: consumer and student advocates supported the bill’s transparency and accountability measures, while industry, banking, insurance, hospital, and technology groups raised concerns about definitions, implementation, overlap with existing regulation, and possible effects on innovation or regulated sectors. The committee heard public testimony and then adjourned after closing the hearing on SB 6284.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next witness in support of House Bill 2375. Thank you.
• We're going to go back to support. Anybody here in support of House Bill 2375?
• We're going to go, anybody, hop in in opposition, support.
• Anyone else here in support of House Bill 2375?
• All right, we're going to roll back to support. Anyone else here in support of House Bill 1789?

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm in full support. I think this is a good idea.
• I do support this.
• So, I am in support of this.
• We have an incredibly nonpartisan board and a broad level of support.
• Just thanks so much for the support of this committee. All right.

Bills: HF1354 , HF1901 , HF2124 , HF2130 , HF2260 , HF2099 , HF104 , HF134 , HF1769

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety, school safety, active shooter, active shooter drill, violence prevention, threat reporting, anonymous tip line, See It, Say It, Send It, Minnesota Fusion Center, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, officer-involved death, missing person, endangered missing person, criminal background check, national background check, FBI fingerprint check, adult entertainment license, massage license, correctional facilities

Transcript Highlights:

• There are three main reasons I support this pause and spending.
• </c><00:07:45.159><c> this</c> are three main reasons I support this are three main reasons I support
• </c> encourage as legislators to support encourage as legislators to support house<00:09:37.600><c> resolution
• </c> off on funding support off on funding support hr14<00:19:08.400><c> and</c><00:19:08.679><c> really
• uh bus rapid uh they they not support uh bus rapid uh they they support<00:21:22.360><c> bus</c><00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the the the hopes to work, um supporting the the the hopes to support<00:15:07.480><c> socially</c><
• </c> spread more of this co-op and support spread more of this co-op and support each<00:23:32.920><c
• </c> support worker owner co-ops. support worker owner co-ops.
• </c> early extra support to do that. early extra support to do that.
• So, I ask for your support.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That work requires meaningful support. Mr.
• I am not supporting...
• I'll support comprehensive sex education, and I'll support pre- and postnatal care, but I won't support
• I cannot support this legislation.
• We are in strong support of HB 2093.

Committee: House House Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 2076, which would create a program and fund within ADE, in consultation with AZPOST, to reimburse eligible schools and employees for approved training, certification, and school safety equipment, and would allow schools to adopt policies permitting certain employees to carry concealed firearms on campus if they meet training, notification, and confidentiality requirements. The sponsor, Rep. Bliss, framed the bill as an optional, fiscally responsible medical-response measure focused on bleeding control and emergency preparedness, not a mandate to arm schools. Supporters said the bill adds guardrails, expands access to training, and could help staff respond in emergencies. Opponents, including Giffords, Arizona for Gun Safety, and the Arizona Education Association, argued it would normalize firearms in classrooms, create confidentiality and law-enforcement concerns, expose students and staff to new risks, and divert attention from prevention, mental health, and other school safety investments. After debate, the committee voted 6-5-1 to give HB 2076 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up House Bill 2830, which directs the State Board of Education to adopt science standards requiring instruction on fetal and prenatal development and specifies that the content is not sex education. Supporters, including the sponsor, a school board president, and a biology teacher, said the bill is about age-appropriate, medically accurate science, parental rights, and clear statewide guidance. Opponents, including the AEA and Reproductive Freedom for All, said it fragments science instruction, politicizes the curriculum, and omits the broader reproductive and public health context students need. Members debated whether fetal development can be taught without discussing reproduction, and whether the bill is an education measure or an anti-abortion effort. The committee approved HB 2830 on an 8-4 vote. The transcript also included discussion of House Bill 2093, which would repeal required mental health instruction and social-emotional learning in schools; supporters argued it restores parental control and refocuses schools on academics, while opponents said school-based mental health education saves lives and helps students who may not have support at home.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I come to present in support of this bill, House 2013.
• So I do support this bill. I support this bill for all of us.
• Next, we strongly support people and grace judicial resources.
• And I am, as Chair Day mentioned, in support of all five of the bills.
• I urge you with everything in me to support H. 1631.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered a wide range of Judiciary Committee bills, with much of the testimony focused on criminal justice, public safety, and civil asset forfeiture reform. Several lawmakers and advocates supported bills to increase penalties or create new offenses related to assaults on sports officials, assaults on transit workers, reckless discharge of firearms, fires and explosives, pill press machines, and drug-induced homicide. Testifiers described rising harassment and violence against youth sports officials and transit workers, as well as the fentanyl overdose crisis and the need for stronger tools to prosecute dealers whose conduct leads to death. Supporters of the sports-official and transit-worker bills emphasized declining referee availability and repeated assaults on commuter rail and MBTA workers. District attorneys also backed bills on reckless firearm discharge and fires/explosives, saying current law does not adequately address dangerous conduct that endangers bystanders. The committee also heard testimony on several proposals related to youth diversion and prison mitigation. Supporters of the youth court justice fund bill said youth courts are peer-led diversion programs with strong compliance and low recidivism, and argued for a stable funding source rather than annual earmarks. A representative from Bridgewater supported a prison mitigation fund for municipalities that host state prisons, saying the costs of public safety and emergency services are not fully covered. On gun policy, testimony split between supporters of a bill to ban in-state manufacture of assault-style rifles for civilian sale and opponents or skeptics of other firearm-related measures, including a bill on collateralizing firearms and a bill to increase penalties for drug trafficking combined with illegal firearm offenses. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to civil asset forfeiture reform. Advocates from the ACLU, CPCS, the Boston Bar Association, the Institute for Justice, and others supported bills to increase the burden of proof, improve transparency and reporting, require counsel, and limit or eliminate the current practice of directing forfeiture proceeds to law enforcement. They argued the current system creates perverse incentives, lacks adequate due process, and is insufficiently transparent. District Attorney Paul Tucker defended current forfeiture practices, saying his office has reporting and oversight, uses the funds for investigations and community programs, and warned that reducing forfeiture revenue would hinder crime fighting. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing; the chairs repeatedly thanked witnesses and indicated the bills would remain under consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• In support, please proceed. you. In support, please proceed.
• I rise in support.
• </c> that again I just stand in support. that again I just stand in support.
• I rise in support. I just Speaker. I rise in support.
• In support, please proceed. Speaker. In support, please proceed.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> strongly support. Thank you. strongly support. Thank you.
• </c> testifying in support or in opposition? testifying in support or in opposition?
• </c> and supporting them as they do support and supporting them as they do support teachers<01:10:51.440
• We are in support of this bill.
• </c> the department does support this bill. the department does support this bill.

Committee: Senate Public Safety and Military Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 433, which would restrict the carrying of “bladed weapons” and related items. The Office of the Public Defender, Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Firearms Coalition, Knife Rights, and many individual testifiers opposed the bill, arguing it is overbroad, vague, and likely unconstitutional. Common concerns were that the term “bladed weapon” could sweep in ordinary tools such as pocketknives, Leathermans, multi-tools, fishing and camping gear, and items used by farmers, ranchers, hunters, divers, and martial arts practitioners. Several speakers also warned that the bill could burden lawful self-defense and create an affirmative-defense scheme that shifts costs and proof burdens onto defendants. Supporters and opponents alike focused on the need for a clearer definition, with HPD saying a narrower definition would help distinguish ordinary tools from dangerous weapons used in assaults. Opponents repeatedly urged the committee to defer or kill the measure, citing pending and related court cases and the risk of new constitutional challenges. Some testifiers tied the bill to Native Hawaiian gathering rights and subsistence practices, saying it would interfere with hunting, fishing, and food gathering, while others argued it would do little to deter criminals and instead penalize law-abiding residents and visitors. After finishing testimony on SB 433, the committee moved on to Senate Bill 2575 relating to firearms. The transcript shows the start of that item with the Office of the Public Defender and other agencies being called, but no substantive testimony or action on SB 2575 is included before the excerpt ends. No votes or final committee actions are reflected in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I encourage your support. I encourage your support.
• </c> been broadly supported, so. been broadly supported, so.
• </c> won't support this bill. won't support this bill.
• I will not be supporting this.
• Uh first, I I support the support.

Bills: HF4407 , HF4382

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 133 is for student support.<00:15:41.199><c> It's</c> support. It's support.
• <c> which</c> supporting init support initiative which supporting init support initiative which is<00
• </c><00:53:50.559><c> You</c> support. You have a choice today. You support.
• </c> those supports.
• It creates a support those supports.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Peters, here to speak in support of the bill.
• So we welcome your support.
• So, anyway, we welcome your support in getting this fix passed.
• People support a constitutional amendment like this.
• Otherwise, with caution, I support House Bill 1802.

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we would stand for questions and support. All right. Thank you so much.
• So I guess my, you know, I can't support this.
• Anybody online in support or opposition? All right.
• I do have J.D. and Melania online as supportive.
• We are in full support of the legislation before you.

Summary: The committee took up a series of bills in its final meeting, beginning with House Bill 200, which had previously been left on the table on a tie vote. The committee voted to bring it back and then approved it as amended on a 7-2 vote. House Bill 38, dealing with coverage for complex rehabilitation technology devices and allowing up to two devices in a three-year period, received testimony in support and was advanced on a 9-0 vote. Members then heard House Bill 270, which would require certain public works projects to contribute to apprenticeship and training programs or the state apprenticeship fund. Supporters argued it would create a level playing field and strengthen workforce development, while opponents said it would raise costs, burden contractors without accessible apprenticeship programs, and hurt small businesses. An amendment to delay the effective date failed 4-6, and the bill was then approved 6-4. House Bill 291, the Taxation and Revenue Department’s annual tax cleanup bill, was presented as a package of technical and policy updates, including rounding rules, fee changes, tax credit clarifications, and property tax collection adjustments; it passed 8-2. House Bill 108, a cleanup measure for watershed districts to address tax-levying authority after a change from elected to appointed boards, passed 10-0. House Bill 306, which limits facility fees for preventive care, vaccinations, and telehealth while exempting rural facilities, also passed 10-0 after brief discussion. House Bill 20, allowing Native American applicants to request a voluntary designation on driver’s licenses and ID cards with privacy protections, received supportive testimony from tribal and law enforcement representatives and passed 10-0. Finally, House Bill 309, expanding a special property tax valuation method to include electric power storage facilities, drew support from labor and energy representatives and passed 10-0. The chair closed by thanking staff and members and adjourned the meeting, noting it was likely the committee’s last of the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• SelectFlorida is our direct support organization.
• Senator Wright is the chair of the Florida Defense Support Commission.
• This was an area that was supported by the Job Growth Grant Fund.
• This was an area that was supported by the Job Growth Grant Fund.
• We were able to support them with a small business loan.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions. Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Kent Irvin, ERVIA, and Nevada Faculty Alliance, in support of AB 397.
• The NFA supports low tuition for all students, and we support fee waivers for deserving groups as a policy
• Full support. Thank you, Mr. Adler. Please go ahead.
• Avi H., thank you, Chair, to testify in support of Assembly Bill 397.
• Chair, we have no callers in support at this time. Thank you so much.

Bills: AB328 , AB397

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: Juneteenth, education, economic commission, cultural affairs, racial healing, policy recommendations, African-American studies, higher education, fee waivers, Native American students, unaccompanied youth, academic progress, Nevada System of Higher Education, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Barney Bishop, Florida Smart Justice Alliance, waves in support.
• And with that, I ask for your favorable support. Thank you.
• Foreign-supported political organizations must register by January 1, 2026, Foreign-supported political
• I'm supportive of the bill.
• , and Barney Bishop, waving in support.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met and took up a long agenda of policy bills, local bills, and open government sunset review measures. The committee first heard HB 433 on administrative procedures, as amended by a strike-all that would create a five-year repromulgation process for agency rules, require review of guidance documents, add cost-benefit analysis requirements, and tighten licensing reporting. Members questioned whether the bill duplicated existing JAPC review functions and raised concerns about costs and the scope of agency authority, but the amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably 12-3. The committee then approved HB 699, which increases penalties for certain traffic infractions when they result in a crash; CS/HB 404, a local bill updating the City of Tampa firefighters’ and police officers’ pension plan; HB 711, creating a statewide Spectrum Alert and law-enforcement training for missing children with autism; HB 4023, a local ethics-related charter change for the North Springs Improvement District; HB 583, requiring registration and disclosure for agents and organizations associated with foreign principals and foreign-supported political organizations; HB 251, recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida; and HB 749, extending medical benefits for firefighters who suffer catastrophic injuries during training. Most of these bills drew supportive testimony and were reported favorably by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The committee also considered several OGSR/open-records measures. PCB GOS-25-04 preserved exemptions for public safety communications system infrastructure records, PCB GOS-25-05 aligned cybersecurity-records sunset dates to October 2, 2026, and PCB GOS-25-06 narrowed exemptions for certain records held by the Department of Financial Services as receiver for insolvent insurers, making more information public. All three were reported favorably on 17-0 votes. The meeting adjourned after the final roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support that I did. support that I did.
• </c> detained, or they are working to support detained, or they are working to support their<00:30:11.640
• </c><01:09:45.120><c> Bill</c> support of SF 3570 as amended. Bill support of SF 3570 as amended.
• </c><01:19:47.680><c> I'm</c> can and should do to support us. I'm can and should do to support us.
• </c> feel safe, valued, and supported. feel safe, valued, and supported. Thank<01:20:12.000><c> you.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’d like your support to send this bill to the General Register as a vehicle bill.
• Yes, this is language supported by the department and the board.
• So I’ll just leave it at that, and I encourage support for my bill today. Thank you.”
• </c><01:04:40.680><c> ensuring</c> provide critical early support ensuring provide critical early support
• </c><01:07:49.160><c> my</c> products this program has supported my products this program has supported

Bills: HF363 , HF2155 , HF1524 , HF821 , HF1677 , HF1292

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: HF363, property tax credit, agricultural water quality credit, Minnesota agricultural water quality certification program, clean water fund, class 2a, class 2b, certified acres, conservation incentive, water quality, agricultural property, county assessor, county auditor, Department of Revenue, Department of Agriculture, property tax reimbursement, school district reimbursement, legacy finance, taxes committee, southeastern Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Opportunity for the state to support Opportunity for the state to support these<00:09:30.839><c>
• </c><00:21:13.279><c> services</c> maintain class sizes support services maintain class sizes support
• The city of Becker strongly supports House File 28, and I urge the committee support.
• house file 28 and I urge the supports house file 28 and I urge the committee<00:36:23.359><c> support
• </c><00:45:55.160><c> last</c> data centers our Union supported last data centers our Union supported

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house