Transcript Highlights:

• </c> that really impacts northern Minnesota. that really impacts northern Minnesota.
• Generally in going to have an impact?
• that it's making, and also see the impact that it's having on outcomes.
• It's not a rural issue. It's a statewide issue.
• It's not a rural issue. It's a issue. It's not a rural issue.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Impacts on birds are tremendous.
• Rats are to flourish in our urban, suburban, and rural landscapes.
• They impact the soil, the waters, our children. They shouldn't be here.
• DDT became infamous for its impact on the breeding success of the bald eagle.
• I'd like to tell you about how all this has impacted me and my neighbors.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a hybrid hearing on a large slate of bills focused on pesticides, pollinators, rodenticides, mosquito control, invasive species, and local authority over pesticide regulation. Chair Becca Rausch set strict two-minute testimony limits due to the very large number of speakers. Early testimony from Senator Moore and Representative Hawkins strongly supported a bill to restrict second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, citing harms to wildlife, pets, and public health, and noting that California has already adopted a similar model. Testimony also supported a Lowell home rule petition to allow the city to prohibit or restrict these rodenticides, with local officials describing documented raptor poisonings and municipal efforts to phase out use on city property. A major portion of the hearing focused on pollinator protection and neonicotinoid-treated seeds. Witnesses from environmental groups, conservation organizations, academics, and beekeepers argued that neonics harm bees and other beneficial insects, contaminate soil and water, and provide little or no economic benefit in most corn and soybean fields. Several speakers pointed to New York, Vermont, and Quebec as models for restricting treated seeds, and one panel cited research showing only a small percentage of fields benefit economically from the treatments. Support was also voiced for a bill establishing an ecologically based mosquito management program, with advocates criticizing aerial and truck spraying and urging non-chemical, locally tailored approaches. Other testimony supported bills to reform the pesticide board and pesticide regulation process, to give vulnerable municipalities more local control over pesticide use, to protect schoolchildren from pesticides on school grounds, and to respond to invasive species through a centralized state office, coordinator, strategic plan, and trust fund. Many speakers, including representatives from Mass Audubon, MSPCA, the Xerces Society, the Sierra Club, watershed groups, and local wildlife rehabilitators, described impacts on hawks, owls, pets, fish, and broader ecosystems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and committee members generally asked few questions, with the hearing remaining in testimony mode throughout.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill this impacted neighborhood.
• The 1997 flood... region from the devastating impacts of region from the devastating impacts of flooding
• The impact is large. visitors and it.
• by</c><01:27:15.600><c> over</c> e annual economic impact uh by over e annual economic impact uh by
• Paul impacts us as a impacts us in St.

Bills: HF2080 , HF356 , HF1968 , HF228 , HF569 , HF603 , HF692 , HF1455 , HF2224 , HF1361

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: contamination, water supply, municipal bonds, environmental mitigation, city funding, Sauk Rapids, PFAS contamination, drinking water, pollution control, bond issuance, Cokato, capital investment, school infrastructure, state bonds, HF228, Lakes Area Police Commission, Lindstrom, Chisago City, regional training facility, public safety facility

Transcript Highlights:

• The CDC considers intimate partner violence a pervasive issue impacting millions each and every year
• And when we look at the impact that it has here in Massachusetts, in a very high-income state, we look
• And when we look at the impact that it has here on Massachusetts in a very high income state, we look
• The loss of just a few programs will significantly impact your already severe placement shortages that
• My mom was a single mom in the military, so your testimony is particularly impactful. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing on a wide range of state, probate, and family bills, with chairs Edwards and Day outlining strict testimony limits and accepting written testimony. Early testimony focused on H. 1911/S. 1138, which would clarify that a durable power of attorney may create a trust if that authority is expressly granted; sponsors and elder law advocates said the bill would resolve uncertainty created by the Barbetti decision and align Massachusetts with other states. A major portion of the hearing centered on S. 1102, a proposal to establish medical panels in Probate and Family Court. Supporters, including attorneys, parents, physicians, and advocates, said neutral three-doctor panels would help judges resolve disputed medical issues in guardianship and custody cases involving children, elders, and people with disabilities. Testifiers described cases where medical treatment was blocked or contested by one parent or guardian, arguing the panels would provide impartial expertise and protect vulnerable people. The committee also heard support for bills addressing disability discrimination in family court, military parents’ custody rights, and a shared parenting bill, H. 1710, which drew strong opposition from domestic violence advocates and others who said a 50-50 presumption could harm survivors and children. The committee also took testimony on several probate and court-administration measures. Senator Lovely supported a bill on nominee trust partition, and Senator Comerford and probate officials backed legislation to codify additional registry staff positions and modernize registry operations. Other bills discussed included foster care liability insurance, with providers warning that rising premiums and loss of coverage could force program closures; health care proxy storage and activation; access to decedents’ email accounts; uniform trust decanting; the Uniform Voidable Transactions Act; heirs’ property partition protections; a constitutional right to health care; alimony-related reforms; child-centered family law; and a right of disposition for funeral arrangements. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the committee repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if they come back with a huge decision against the state of New Hampshire, that may have an impact
• , a very large impact upon A very large impact upon the youth detention center settlement fund, to move
• That's an impact, but these cases and...
• That's an impact, but these cases and any claimant, if they don't like the decision that I make, can
• And we expect that also we will learn a lot through the rural health transformation.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee opened by approving the May 15 minutes and then recognized Pam Ellis for her long service with the Legislative Budget Assistant’s office and upcoming retirement. The committee adopted the consent calendar with two items removed for separate consideration, then approved transfers for the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Environmental Services after questions about court benefit costs and dam project funding. The Department of Health and Human Services also received approval for a general fund transfer item. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Youth Development Center settlement fund. New administrator Jared Boyle, joined by the Attorney General, described the fund’s remaining caseload, the payment matrix, and the need for additional funding to begin hearings in August. Members raised concerns about administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, payday loans, structured settlements, and the long-term fiscal impact on the state. Boyle requested $55 million, but the committee ultimately approved a reduced appropriation of $20 million, with members noting the possibility of returning for more funding later depending on revenues and the October revenue review. The Department of Corrections then received approval for a smaller shortfall transfer and a larger overtime-related transfer, with officials citing a 52% corrections officer vacancy rate, ongoing recruitment, academy classes, and efforts to use civilian staff in some non-security roles. A late item from the Veterans Home was also approved to cover overtime, holiday pay, and indirect cost shortfalls within its existing budget. The committee then heard an informational presentation on implementation of Senate Bill 134 and the new federal Medicaid work-requirement rule. DHHS said it plans to submit a state plan amendment, seek approval for hardship exceptions, start with one eligibility check cycle, and use existing federal grant funding to make system changes. Finally, the committee received a performance audit of the Doorway opioid treatment program, which found weak written procedures, incomplete data use, reimbursement delays, and problems with the Governor’s Commission on Addiction Treatment and Prevention. Members discussed follow-up reporting, and the next Fiscal Committee meeting was scheduled for August 21 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• work in partnership and in conjunction with this new movement to help foster these claims so that in rural
• get the people involved, then you get smart people involved, and you get the people that's going to impact
• Full-duty police officers pursuant to Title 40, and it also ensures that this will have no impact on
• It adds some key provisions: victim impact statements, it allows and expands the preservation of those
• The Boot has placed and recruited 325 military members, which is a $25 million economic impact to our

Committee: Senate Judiciary B

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So how would this law, should it come into effect, impact city budgeting?
• Okay, so the city plan would not be impacted at the current time.
• Okay, so the city plan would not be impacted at the current time.
• areas. ...the ability to dispense that, especially in rural areas, given a clear definition of what
• Do we know how this has impacted them? This would be the first. No.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So could there be cascading impacts you're not looking at?
• I'm from a rural district.
• I'm from a rural district.
• How would that impact helping to reduce individuals on parole and probation?
• And that's my concern: the cascading impacts of such a policy.

Bills: HB2244 , HB2364 , HB2573 , HB2749 , HB2862 , HB2870 , HB4117 , HCR2004

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: evictions, judgment satisfaction, tenant rights, landlord obligations, court procedures, abortion-inducing drugs, medical abortion, pharmaceutical regulation, felonies, state law, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges, alcohol education, felony conviction, misdemeanor designation, court judgment, criminal justice reform, rehabilitation

Transcript Highlights:

• We were down here at the annual convention, and we were meeting with Idaho Rural Water.
• And over the last three years, we partnered with Idaho Rural Water Association, enrolling them in the
• There is no fiscal impact to the...
• That did impact our fire preparedness spending authority, and we just had to be really cautious about
• So there would be an impact, but not a long-term impact, if that answers your question. Follow-up.

Committee: House Resources and Conservation

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The intent is for it to be very low or no fiscal impact. But JLARC does have capacity currently.
• The intent is for it to be very low or no fiscal impact. But JLARC does have capacity currently.
• House Bill 2636 is without any funding, asking educators to determine how legislation impacts the K-12
• system. ...asking educators to determine how legislation impacts the K-12 system.
• I serve as the director of the Rural Education Center, a statewide cooperative of over 110 small rural

Summary: The committee first took up a motion from Ranking Member Root to promptly schedule public hearings on two citizens’ initiatives. Supporters argued the Constitution and public accountability required hearings so voters could hear pro and con arguments; opponents said the legislature was not obligated to act that way and the initiatives would still be heard at the ballot. On a voice vote, the motion failed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1295, which would require evidence-aligned, comprehensive literacy instruction for K-4 students, update teacher endorsement standards and preparation programs, and require literacy-related continuing education for some teachers. The bill also repeals several older literacy-related provisions. The sponsor and supporters said Washington’s reading results are too low and that structured literacy reflects the science of reading; districts such as Puyallup described strong gains after adopting evidence-aligned instruction. Opponents and alternative-program advocates argued the bill could narrow instructional approaches and exclude programs they say have worked well. PESB testified neutrally that much of the endorsement work is already underway but asked for clarification on recertification language. The hearing on HB 1295 was suspended and later resumed with additional pro testimony from students, parents, and literacy advocates. House Bill 2262 was then heard and completed. It would require high school civics instruction to include teaching students to produce a legible, repeatable official signature and explain how signatures are used in elections and ballot processes, while also requiring related outreach and reporting on signature mismatch ballot rejections. The sponsor and county auditor testimony emphasized that younger voters often have signatures that change over time and that better instruction could reduce ballot rejections; questions focused on whether the bill should account for printed signatures and diverse writing systems. The Secretary of State’s office and county auditors were reported as supportive, and the hearing closed after a large number of pro sign-ins. The committee also heard House Bill 2636, which would create a public education performance, operations, and funding review commission to evaluate whether education mandates and funding are effective, relevant, and adequately supported. Supporters said the bill would help identify unfunded mandates and reduce administrative burdens on districts; rural district testimony urged a narrower scope and earlier start date. Finally, House Bill 2007 was heard, proposing competency-based assessments as additional graduation pathway options in place of some existing course/exam requirements. Student testimony supported more flexible, equitable pathways, while the State Board of Education said it supports competency-based education but preferred to wait for its broader Future Ready graduation-requirements work and noted the bill would require additional rulemaking. The hearing on HB 2007 closed after testimony from students and a neutral statement from SBE.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill and the amendments that we're proposing would expand that medical review without impacting
• What I want to focus on is the fiscal impact, to clarify two things.
• But even more importantly, the fiscal impact reported by the Department of Corrections really ignores
• And we know that in rural communities where there may not be as many resources and services available
• And we know that in rural communities where there may not be as many resources and services available

Bills: HB2387 , HB2490 , HB2508 , HB2539

Committee: House Community Safety

Keywords: elected sheriff, sheriff accountability, recall election, peace officer certification, certified peace officer, law enforcement authority, Washington RCW, criminal justice training commission, special election, public official recall, decertification, sheriff removal, voter accountability, county sheriff, police powers, extraordinary medical placement, compassionate release, medical parole, terminal illness, serious medical condition

Transcript Highlights:

• Impact restoration using hand labor and local materials. So there are some pictures of that.
• So I just want to say, in rural New Mexico, these might make this picture does not do it justice, and
• So it's just what you're really doing is building resiliency in rural New Mexico, and I think that's
• We need to talk a little bit about that, with the impact and costs of wildfires and climate change.
• Point, you know, we've yet to see impacts and the way that we did this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• District 5, I represent a lot of rural areas and 30A, so I'm very diverse in that way.
• After Hurricane Helene and Milton, we set up four insurance villages throughout the impacted areas and
• The impacted areas dealt with thousands of insurance consumers.
• A small agency like PERC can be especially impacted by illegal immigration, which can strain limited
• It impacts all of our agencies, our universities, and now the colleges that are going to be added to

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they better built in more rural communities? Um, answer that question for me. Yeah, sure.
• </c> they better built in more rural they better built in more rural communities?
• </c><00:44:55.680><c> So</c><00:44:55.920><c> somewhere,</c> impact than the internet.
• So somewhere, impact than the internet.
• And so whether you're in a rural community or urban community, the community support is the main thing

Keywords: Meeting Start - 00:00 Roll Call – 00:15 Approval of Minutes of the July 15, 2025, Meeting 00:55 Helping Power Kentucky’s Growth – 01:25 Powering and Deploying AI – 41:00 Fueling America’s Intelligence – 56:12 Adjournment – 01:10:37, 958, all

Summary: The Artificial Intelligence Task Force met with a quorum, adopted prior meeting minutes, and then focused on energy policy and economic development as they relate to AI and data centers. John Bevington of LG&E and KU, introduced by Caroline Clark of LG&E/KU and PPL, described the utility’s Kentucky-only service territory, vertically integrated system, 1.3 million customers, and about 7.5 gigawatts of generating capacity. He said the company has supported 76 Kentucky projects in 2024 totaling about $3 billion in announced investment and roughly 3,000 jobs, with a large share of statewide announcements occurring in its service area. Bevington said LG&E and KU’s current project pipeline is unusually strong, totaling about 170 projects and 8.5 gigawatts of requested power, with data centers accounting for about two-thirds of that demand. He broke the pipeline into existing customer expansions, new-to-Kentucky projects, and 20 data center projects representing about 5.6 gigawatts of potential load. He highlighted a Louisville data center project by PO Development Company and Powerhouse Data Centers that has announced a 400-megawatt facility and may expand to 525 megawatts, estimating that such a project could represent about $4 billion in investment. He also explained that large data centers generally must locate near transmission lines and that utilities must conduct studies, order long-lead equipment, and secure reimbursement commitments before proceeding so other customers are not harmed. Members asked about how Kentucky compares with other states, the size of data center projects, and whether regulatory reform is needed. Bevington said the 20 projects reflect current Kentucky interest, which he attributed in part to the state’s sales tax exemption for data centers, and noted that states like Ohio have had similar incentives for years. In response to questions from Senator Thomas, he confirmed that data centers can vary in size and said the state should have a regulatory environment that supports economic development, while emphasizing that the benefits would flow to the state, local communities, and schools rather than just the utility. He also cited national and regional data suggesting data centers generate indirect jobs and tax revenue, and said LG&E and KU are investing in transmission, reliability, solar, and gas generation projects, including proposed additional 645-megawatt natural gas units and other system upgrades, to meet expected demand.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll start with sections three and six. as well as those in rural areas uh the as well as those in rural
• Two important crimes are addressed in House File 7 that I believe would have a significant impact on
• on reigning in the significant impact on reigning in the lawlessness<00:44:10.920><c> that</c><00:44
• </c><00:55:25.720><c> communities</c> arrests in our quiet rural communities arrests in our quiet rural
• the impact of uh president<01:40:15.480><c> Trump's</c><01:40:16.159><c> pardons</c><01:40:16.560><c

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're talking about low-income farming families, families that live in rural Kentucky that normally
• </c><00:28:09.040><c> Kentucky</c><00:28:10.000><c> that</c> that live in rural Kentucky that that live
• in rural Kentucky that normally<00:28:10.600><c> would</c><00:28:10.760><c> not</c><00:28:11.160><c>
• </c> what is that impact? what is that impact?
• Some are tax exempt and some aren't, and that impacts something along this function, and that's really

Committee: Joint Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Votruba Young Scholars Academy 00:01:55 Taxation of Financial Deposit Institutions 00:36:50, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Did you have any, since you have the fiscal note in front of you, were there any concerns of local impact
• So you've really had a strong impact on me, and I really like your bill.
• Now let's talk about the economic impact.
• you're just doing customer service calls, if you're doing surveys and stuff like that, it doesn't impact
• If you're doing surveys and stuff like that, it doesn't impact the call center then.

Summary: The House first established a quorum after several member introductions and announcements, including recognition of guests from foster care, a Bayless High School Scholar Bowl team, public utility representatives, and family members. The chamber then moved into House Bills for Perfection, beginning with HB 1812, a voter-roll maintenance measure that requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to send deceased-voter lists to the Secretary of State every 30 days for distribution to election authorities. An amendment added a 10-day processing deadline, and the bill was supported as an election-integrity measure before being ordered perfected and printed. Members also advanced HCS for HB 3308, a sales-tax exemption for materials used to construct facilities or improvements for public use that will be deeded to a political subdivision, such as parks. Supporters said it would help public-good projects while limiting the exemption to public-use construction; questions focused on fiscal impact and ensuring there is a formal agreement to transfer the property. The substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then took up HCS for HB 3010, a prior-authorization reform bill for health care providers. Supporters said it would reduce administrative burden, add an API-based tracking component, and create a gold-carding process for providers with high approval rates; members from both parties emphasized the strain prior authorization places on physicians and patients. The committee substitute and bill were adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber next considered HCS for HB 2872, a major literacy bill centered on the science of reading. The bill requires phonics-based instruction, early screening in grades 1-3, teacher training, and retention for students who are not reading on grade level by the end of third grade, subject to exemptions for students with disabilities, English learners, IEPs, 504 plans, prior retention, and other good-cause cases. Amendments clarified that three-cueing cannot be the primary instructional strategy and added parent involvement and earlier intervention language; the most contentious debate focused on retention and parental rights, but the amendment passed 103-27-1 and the bill was then adopted and ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House advanced HCS for HB 1826 and related bills to expand authorized epinephrine products beyond EpiPens to include nasal spray and other approved forms for use in schools, child care centers, nursing homes, and by first responders; supporters cited allergy emergencies and needle fear, and the substitute was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The chamber also began debate on HCS for HB 2069/2208, a bill to authorize autonomous vehicles in Missouri, with the sponsor describing safety and economic benefits and the first amendment adding liability, jurisdiction, and U.S.-based operator requirements; a second amendment removed commercial vehicles and made technical changes. Debate on the underlying autonomous-vehicle bill continued, with supporters emphasizing modernization and opponents raising concerns about local control, surveillance, and the lack of independent safety data.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, what we're mostly talking about here is the impact on home rule cities.
• the same couple of people because they're fairly broad, or a broad swath of impacts.
• the same couple of people because they're fairly broad, or a broad swath of impacts.
• There's going to be a significant impact on the services that the city can provide.
• And to your point, it's going to have an impact on the residents.

Committee: House Governmental Oversight, Select

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The witness also wanted to point out the potential impacts on court operations and the district courts
• </c><00:49:36.880><c> on</c><00:49:37.079><c> that</c> potential impacts on that potential impacts on
• We support this bill because jaywalking citation impacts a large number of residents in Hawaii.
• or not impact our local communities.
• </c> and how it can impact or not impact our and how it can impact or not impact our local<01:37:19.520

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation held a hearing on several traffic safety and transportation bills. HB 1163 would update commercial driver licensing rules to meet federal requirements and allow limited-term non-domiciled commercial learner’s permits and licenses; the Department of Transportation supported it as a fix to an FMCSA-identified issue, while Frank Schultz testified in opposition. HB 1166 would appropriate funds for the automated speed enforcement program; the Department of Law Enforcement, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Edgardo Diaz Vega supported it, while Chad Taniguchi opposed and Frank Schultz offered support. The committee then heard HB 1231, which would prioritize photo red light cameras in school zones and direct related fine revenue to the Safe Routes to School fund; DOT supported the intent but cautioned against limiting placement decisions, Judiciary raised concerns about added court workload, and several advocacy groups and individuals supported the bill as a pedestrian and school safety measure. The committee spent substantial time on HB 1471, which would fund traffic-actuated signals, including leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals, and add a $5 vehicle registration fee for the Safe Routes to School special fund. DOT supported the bill with comments, saying its older signal controllers make LPIs harder to implement but that statewide upgrades are underway; the Department of Health also supported the safety and Vision Zero goals and said it is working with counties on public education. Testimony in support came from Hawaii Appleseed, Hawaii Bicycling League, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Path People for Active Transportation Hawaii, the Hawaii Self-Advocacy Advisory Council, and others, with one opposition noted among many supporters. Members asked questions about whether LPIs would address “beg buttons,” how red-light and speed-camera programs interact with county roads, and whether speed humps might be more effective in school zones. DOT explained that LPIs improve visibility but do not solve every signal issue, that newer adaptive signals use camera-based sensing, and that the department coordinates with counties and communities on crash mitigation and enforcement priorities. Officials also discussed the status of Safe Routes to School programs, noting that the federal program remains but is difficult to use and that the state program had been moved out of DOT; county coordinators and related coalitions were said to still be active. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The problem in Minnesota: across Minnesota, thousands of small businesses, particularly in rural communities
• </c> businesses, particularly in rural businesses, particularly in rural communities,<00:04:26.400><c
• And if you also look in your packet on slide four, you can see the impact that Fortis has had over the
• that Fortis has can see the um impact that Fortis has had<00:07:03.520><c> over</c><00:07:03.840><c>
• So being exposed to this material at this stage is really impactful, and we aim to expand the impact

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

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

Keywords: unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.