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:

• I did want to start off by saying that most of our comments have to do with the statewide impacts from
• We do feel that in smaller rural communities and also disaster-impacted communities that an appropriate
• The bill directly addresses gaps by requiring measurable affordability outcomes, including bill impacts
• This one technical fix could have an enormous positive impact in California by allowing our members to
• From the communities impacted by this, because it is, as has been said before, greatly impacting us,

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of energy, water, and utility bills. SB 952, SB 1417, SB 924, SB 925, SB 1011, SB 1168, SB 1196, and SB 1350 were all discussed, along with consent items SB 1008 and SB 1245. SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility in meeting clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. SB 1417 would extend transparency and notice requirements to mutual water companies, especially in response to wildfire-related rate increases in Altadena; supporters described lack of notice, meeting access, and public accountability, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and potentially conflicting with existing law. SB 924 would modernize low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs to better measure affordability outcomes and tenant benefits, and it passed with broad support. SB 925 would direct the Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; it was supported by industry and clean energy groups and passed without opposition. SB 1011 would require CPUC standards for human review of utility AI systems and labor consultation; supporters framed it as a safety and workforce protection measure, while utilities and business groups warned about cost, duplication, and overbroad regulation. SB 1168, now a study bill, would have the CPUC examine how data centers pay for load growth and rate impacts; it drew mixed reactions, with some industry opposition and some labor support after amendments. SB 1196 would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines; housing advocates supported it and it passed. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with strong support from hydrogen, labor, and utility interests, but TURN opposed it unless amended, arguing it lacked safeguards against greenwashing and resource shuffling. The committee also approved the consent calendar and several bills were reported out on recorded votes, with most measures advancing on strong bipartisan support and a few no votes from Senators Strickland and Dahle on selected items.

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:

• 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:

• So, I know in some of these rural areas, it's not unusual for a lot of landowners to have their own little
• But the question remains has There been any physical impact run on this a possibility?
• But what's the status of physical impact? Thank you for that question.
• The fiscal impact statement says that there is a $0 fiscal impact.

Bills: HB2053 , HB2123 , HB2603 , HB2979 , HB2997 , HB3148 , HB3982 , HB4058 , HB4108 , HB4143 , HB4266

Committee: Senate Aeronautics and Transportation

Keywords: outdoor advertising, transportation, state law, commercial activities, sign regulations, urban areas, turnpike, infrastructure, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, construction, bridges, motor carriers, public safety, enforcement, Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Corporation Commission, transition period, roadside investigation, motor vehicle laws, HB2979

Transcript Highlights:

• six programmatic goals, which include operations, efficiency, market access, and mitigation for impacted
• with six programmatic goals which include operations efficiency market access and mitigation for impacted
• Bill 5649 is a bipartisan Bill 5649 is a bipartisan attempt to make progress on an issue that's impacting
• In those conversations, we heard over and over from growers and shippers about the impact congestion
• possible for supply chain investments, not only in Port Angeles, but across the state, especially other rural

Summary: The committee held public hearings on two bills. Senate Bill 5420 would expand access to state benefits and preferences for veterans, uniformed service members, and military spouses by adding the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Corps to various eligibility provisions, extending some employment preferences to military spouses, and updating related protections. Staff and the prime sponsor, Sen. John Lovick, described it as a long-worked-on measure that passed the Senate overwhelmingly. Tammy Pro of the Department of War supported the bill, saying it modernizes state law and better recognizes service members and military families. The committee also heard Engrossed Senate Bill 5649, which would create a Washington State supply chain competitiveness infrastructure program to provide grants and loans for public and tribal port projects tied to freight mobility and supply chain performance. Sen. Marko Liias and port representatives testified in support, saying ports are critical to Washington’s trade-driven economy and that the bill would help fund needed infrastructure, including rail and terminal improvements, especially for smaller and rural ports. Testifiers said the program would fill a gap because ports lack a dedicated state grant program and could help leverage federal funding. An amendment to SB 5649 was explained as limiting eligible projects to those not already eligible for funding from the Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, to avoid duplication. The committee paused and later closed the hearing on SB 5649, then returned to SB 5420 to hear additional testimony. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended after the public hearings were closed.

Transcript Highlights:

• purchase licensing, the bill reduces costs, ensures a steady supply, and levels the playing field for rural
• I also wanted to note that there's no adverse impact on the Medicaid population. Thanks.
• But regarding your research on this, the fiscal impact report shows the Department of Health just gave
• And so, this bill cannot change and impact that federal law, that statute.
• But this bill cannot impact self-insured populations in the state, so it was the case before, and it

Committee: Senate Senate Health & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding for their work in addressing the devastating impacts
• For future flooding disasters in the areas directly impacted, it reflects our commitment to stand with
• Gulf Coast emergency service districts respond, and other states respond as well, recognizing the impacts
• Board did ask for some technical assistance money as part of FIF, which could help a lot of those rural
• that way, and typically FEMA on the monies that most of the average person on the street that were impacted

Bills: SB3 , SB 3

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: disaster relief, emergency funding, flood management, Meteorological forecasting, local government assistance, training facilities, flash flood, flood warning, outdoor warning siren, emergency alert, disaster preparedness, flood mitigation, Hill Country floods, Texas Water Development Board, municipalities, counties, local government mandate, public safety, grant program, backup power

Transcript Highlights:

• assessment will include information on each crop or product considered, detailing the environmental impact
• concerns, but my concerns aren't overwhelming when you consider the amount of people that live in rural
• This prevents not only dental decay but also more severe bacterial infections that could impact the brain
• So I've done a letter to the Senate President asking for an Apaga study to determine what the impact
• of this removal might be. ...to determine what the impact of this removal might be so that we can be

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met and considered four bills. SB 178, by Senator Rouson, created an agronomic study to be conducted by Florida A&M University, subject to appropriation, to identify viable crops or products for land taken out of production by disease or weather and to assess environmental and economic impacts; it passed unanimously and was reported favorably. SB 980, by Senator Bernard, created a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program within FDACS to help postsecondary institutions address student hunger through task forces, SNAP assistance, food pantries, and related measures; DACS support was noted, one student government representative appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 786, by Chair Truenow, prohibited assignment of assessments on agricultural improvements for agricultural purposes on lands classified as agriculture; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 700, the FDACS “farm bill,” via a strike-all amendment. The amendment included a broad package of technical and substantive changes, including restrictions on additives to public water systems, limits on ESG considerations in agricultural lending, criminal penalties related to drone harassment, updates to disaster loan programs, truth-in-labeling provisions, charity registration changes, on-farm worker housing provisions, and support for FFA and 4-H dues. A major point of discussion was the provision preempting local governments from deciding whether to fluoridate water; supporters argued for statewide consistency and consumer choice, while opponents, including the Florida Dental Association and local officials, warned it would remove local control and harm public health, especially for low-income residents. Other speakers addressed concealed carry due process concerns, landowner rights, and labeling issues. The strike-all was adopted, and CS/SB 700 was reported favorably, with some senators noting they would continue working on concerns before later stops. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton asked to be recorded as voting yes on SB 178, SB 980, and SB 786, and the committee agreed. The chair also welcomed Warner University agriculture policy students visiting the Capitol, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Filmer County is a small<01:04:22.559><c> rural</c><01:04:22.960><c> county.
• We're just a little small rural county. We're just a little over<01:04:24.480><c> 21,000.
• </c> shifts have a significant impact on us. shifts have a significant impact on us.
• on what is being passed in your committees, what is the potential workforce impacts?
• </c> and maybe even look at Minnesota Rural and maybe even look at Minnesota Rural Educators<01:19:55.199

Bills: HF3396

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, task force, assessment, state revenue, local government, 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:

• </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:

• Our smaller institutions and projects in New Hampshire's rural and underserved communities will be impacted
• These will be impacted.
• These will be impacted. The Arts These will be impacted.
• </c> our part of the state and to all rural our part of the state and to all rural parts<00:20:21.520
• This does not only impact agencies; it directly impacts the people receiving the care.

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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:

• 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:

• . >> House Bill 461, Economic Development Rural Readiness Program and Rural Maryland Capacity Building
• <01:19:57.640><c> Assessments</c><01:19:58.240><c> Transportation</c><01:19:58.880><c> and</c> Impact
• </c><01:29:45.200><c> the</c> talking about um how this impacts the talking about um how this impacts
• </c> 18 jurisdictions in this state are rural 18 jurisdictions in this state are rural jurisdictions.
• Maryland are rural jurisdictions that rely<01:31:27.880><c> on</c><01:31:28.040><c> highways,</c><01

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, March 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Summary: The House met in Annapolis on February 27, 2026, with 128 members present. After a prayer, the chamber adopted the previous day’s journal and recognized a resolution honoring Brunswick High School’s first Tech Challenge team, Minerva’s Mechanics, for winning the FTC Regional Championships and qualifying for the World Championship in Houston. The resolution was read and adopted with applause. The main legislative item was House Bill 355, concerning the Education, Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program and human and sex trafficking; the House adopted the favorable committee report and ordered the bill printed for third reading. The next bill, House Bill 534 on nonpublic school transcripts and prohibiting punitive measures related to student debt, also received a favorable report. Debate then centered on an amendment offered to HB 534 that would have tied school funding to student choice for students in repeatedly one-star-rated schools and allowed parents of habitually violent or disruptive students to consider military boarding school options. The sponsor argued Maryland’s public schools, especially in Baltimore City, were failing students despite heavy spending, citing low literacy, violence, and the book Failure Factory; several members echoed concerns about school performance, bureaucracy, and the need for educational freedom. Opponents and procedural speakers said the amendment was not germane to HB 534, which they described as a narrow bill about transcript access for students leaving nonpublic schools with unpaid fees, often students with disabilities. The floor leader urged the body to resist the amendment and stick to the bill’s actual subject. Despite multiple members explaining their votes in support of school choice and criticizing the Blueprint and school outcomes, the House ultimately took a roll call on the amendment after a voice vote was challenged. The transcript cuts off during the roll call and does not show the final recorded result on the amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, what is the fiscal impact on this bill? Thank you for the question.
• Currently, there's not a fiscal impact on this. The date originally was would have been.
• He's wanting this, and this is a business owner in a border town in rural Oklahoma.
• There is no fiscal impact to the state.
• So there's no fiscal impact. All we're raising is the maximum credit for eligible caregivers.

Bills: HB2947 , HB3257 , HB3264 , HB3834 , HB3940 , HB3944 , HB3979 , HB4003 , HB4118 , HB4326 , HB4346 , HB4421

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: behavioral health, Medicaid expansion, clinical interns, mental health services, licensing requirements, veterans, disability benefits, federal law, Oklahoma Statutes, military service, criminal justice, minimum sentences, parole eligibility, violent crimes, Oklahoma statutes, HB3834, Oklahoma Breakthrough Therapy Act, ibogaine, ibogaine-based therapeutics, ibogaine analogs

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:

• 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.