Transcript Highlights:

• immigration on our state and key areas of state and local expenditures. infrastructure, health care, education
• to collaborate with various state and federal agencies, public subdivisions, institutes of higher education
• They have all the comprehensive numbers, not only... on border security, but also dealing with the education
• , K-12 education, children with special needs.
• Um, that has basically served to prevent local education agencies, school districts, open enrollment

Bills: SB825

Committee: Senate Border Security

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of human leftovers and cleanup efforts to local communities, state agencies must take the lead in educating
• take<00:03:36.280><c> the</c><00:03:36.439><c> lead</c><00:03:36.840><c> in</c><00:03:37.040><c> educating
• </c><00:03:37.560><c> the</c><00:03:37.760><c> public</c> take the lead in educating the public take
• the lead in educating the public providing<00:03:39.000><c> resources</c><00:03:39.959><c> and</c><00
• Our Keep It Clean Coalition began about three years ago, and after a huge education and awareness campaign

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1120, the follow-up “Keep It Clean” bill from Representative Andrew Myers, which would create grant funding for local governments and organizations to improve garbage removal and related clean-water programs, especially around frozen lakes and winter recreation areas. Myers said the earlier Keep It Clean effort to enforce litter laws on frozen lakes had already reduced garbage in the water, and he framed this bill as a way to expand that success with additional resources. Testifier Robin Dwight of the Upper Red Lake Area Association and Keep It Clean Coalition described growing problems with trash and human waste on ice, said the coalition now has 60 members representing more than 10,000 lakes, and explained that local programs use dumpsters and separation systems to manage waste. Tom Johnson of the MPCA and Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers of the DNR both testified in support, saying improper disposal of human and solid waste is a real and growing problem and that the public education campaign has changed behavior on the ice. Members asked about the bill’s results and funding needs. Representative Pelz asked for more context on the coalition’s impact, and Dwight said the group has been active for about three years and recently launched a survey to gather more data on infrastructure needs for wheelhouse users. Representative Fiser asked what dollar amount would be needed, and Myers said the bill seeks general fund dollars, with a rough ideal range of one to two million dollars, though he emphasized he wanted to work with the committee on the final amount and funding mechanism. The discussion also noted a second related bill with a $10 wheelhouse fee as another possible funding option. No opposition testimony was presented. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to lay over House File 1120 for possible inclusion in a future bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS A CURRENT DEFICIT IN HIGHER EDUCATION ENROLLMENT VERSUS WHAT WE KNOW WE NEED TO.
• WE HAVE TO HAVE ADVANCED LEVELS OF EDUCATION IN OUR PROFESSIONAL INDUSTRY TO DELIVER OUR INFRASTRUCTURE
• THE UMBRELLA PROGRAM FOR DEVELOPING I WOULD SAY CURRICULUMS AND PROCESSES BY WHICH PEOPLE CAN BE EDUCATED
• COULD DECIDE I'M GOING TO ADD THIS TRANSPORTATION CURRICULUM TO MY EDUCATION PORTFOLIO.
• AND THE GOAL IS HOW CAN WE TAKE EVERY SINGLE LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND BEGIN TO ATTRACTING PEOPLE INTO OUR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislation providing. for a universal education savings account program, legislation to provide salary
• teachers. through merit-based compensation programs, legislation expanding career and technical education
• McAllen is known for its natural beauty, home of Texas A&M University, McAllen Higher Education Center
• Thank you for educating those wonderful students. right where you are.
• So UTD is not only provide wisdom. knowledge, education, but also provided romance.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• James High School, Merrimack College, with a B.A. in early education, and a master's degree in education
• James High School, Merrimack College, with a B.A. in early education, and a master's degree in education

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, welcomed an intern in the presiding member’s office, Michael Morrison, and recognized former Senator Richard Moore. The chamber then adopted a motion to adjourn in memory of Helen Riley Curtin, with a brief tribute describing her life as a longtime Peabody teacher, community volunteer, and devoted family member, followed by a moment of silence. The Senate then took up several local bills for final action. It passed to be enacted House No. 3898, amending the charter of the Town of Natick, and House No. 4502, amending the town manager act for the Town of Arlington. It also passed to be engrossed House No. 2275, authorizing the City of Revere to pay a sum of money to Denise Matera Condelli, widow of former school committee member Anthony Matera; House No. 4292, amending the Hopkinton charter regarding appointment powers of the Board of Library Trustees; and House No. 4143, allowing Wellesley to amend the income threshold for senior real property tax deferments. The Senate also suspended rules to take up House No. 4962, establishing a sick leave bank for Sally DeRogier of the Department of Correction, and House No. 4763, validating the results of a Bourne annual election, ordering both to third reading. Finally, the Senate adopted an order to reconvene the following Monday at 11:00 a.m. and adjourned in memory of Helen Riley Curtin.

Transcript Highlights:

• Metropolitan School Districts, MSBA's, the bigger umbrella, and maybe even look at Minnesota Rural Educators
• and maybe even look at<00:01:18.560><c> Minnesota</c><00:01:19.000><c> Rural</c><00:01:19.280><c> Educators
• </c><00:01:19.800><c> Association</c> at Minnesota Rural Educators Association at Minnesota Rural Educators

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• field that are working directly in the industry through their employment with one of our research, education
• Is this making higher education now be in the same category as a business because the tax credit is for
• reality: we've got these young mechanical aero engineers graduating from. institutions of higher education
• But if I'm reading this correctly, it just says an institution of higher education.

Bills: HB3882 , HB4273 , HB4280 , HB4281

Committee: House A&B Transportation Subcommittee

Keywords: transportation, revolving fund, grants, infrastructure, economic development, income tax, aerospace, higher education, tax credit, qualified employee, funding, safety, state highways, bridges, apportionment, Oklahoma, transportation funding, sales tax, road maintenance, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've done a lot of education. We follow our sales very closely.
• And part of the issue we seen was when, before the education, you.
• When the education requirements came in and the smaller city level.
• But we've done a lot of education. We follow. You bet. But we've done a lot of education.
• They didn't want to go for the education.

Summary: The subcommittee of the Tax Reform and Relief Committee met to begin its study of the feasibility and desirability of revising the content of the real estate tax statement to improve property tax transparency. Legislative Council staff reviewed the study directive under House Bill 1176 and the statutory requirements for tax statements, including required line items such as true and full value, mill levy, legislative tax relief, primary residence credit, and the Legacy Fund portion of that credit. The Tax Department then explained how the current uniform statement is prescribed and approved, and noted that changes are typically driven by statute and implemented collaboratively with counties and vendors. County officials from the North Dakota Association of Counties described the full annual tax cycle, from county budgeting and valuation notices to budget hearing notices, levy certification, cap calculations, and final tax statement mailing. They emphasized that counties and auditors do extensive coordination with taxing districts and neighboring counties, and that the process is labor-intensive and often manual. Members discussed the limited public response to budget notices and tax statements, the difficulty of explaining the legislative tax relief line, the 3% cap and valuation issues, and whether more frequent assessments or different timing would improve understanding. Several members and witnesses noted that many taxpayers only engage when they receive their final bill, and that clarity may be more important than adding more detail. NDACO also presented a rough cost survey from eight counties, estimating an average tax statement cost of about 74 cents and a statewide total near $600,000 for printing and mailing tax statements alone, with outsourcing generally cheaper than in-house printing. Witnesses noted that House Bill 1176 added other mailings and notices, increasing county workload and cost beyond the statement itself. The committee then heard from software vendors, who explained how their systems handle tax billing, budget notices, valuation notices, primary residence credit processing, and tax levy calculations, and they identified the 1600/1685 primary residence credit and discount interaction as a current programming challenge. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on gathering testimony and identifying issues for possible future recommendations or bill drafts.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an educator in the Boston Public Schools, and I'm here to testify in support of S. 1447.
• It can help our educators ensure that they can live in the community that they teach in.
• All youth deserve a steady education and a safe environment.
• And every time we had to move, it disrupted my education.
• It gives children a chance to stay in the same school and receive the education they deserve.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a long public hearing focused mainly on two sets of issues: proposals to amend or repeal the MBTA Communities Act, and bills to allow local rent stabilization. Committee chairs opened by explaining the hearing would be tightly managed because of the very large number of speakers, with testimony limited to two minutes per person and written testimony still accepted by email. Members and witnesses were called in a mix of in-person and virtual order throughout the hearing. On the MBTA Communities Act, several legislators and local officials argued the law is too rigid and should be revised to account for local conditions. Speakers from small, rural, or infrastructure-limited communities such as Hanson, Halifax, Marshfield, Winthrop, Dracut, Carver, Rehoboth, and others said the law’s one-size-fits-all approach does not fit towns with limited water, sewer, transit access, or buildable land. Some filed bills would repeal the law, exempt certain communities, or create appeals processes based on infrastructure, environmental, or historical constraints. Supporters of the law’s changes emphasized local control and the need to avoid forcing development where communities believe it is impractical or inconsistent with town character. A large portion of the hearing was devoted to rent stabilization legislation, especially S. 1447 and related House bills. Supporters included legislators, city councilors, tenant advocates, labor leaders, housing nonprofits, public health organizations, and residents who described sharp rent increases, displacement, homelessness risk, and the strain on working families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. They argued local-option rent stabilization would let municipalities cap excessive increases and prevent no-fault evictions while preserving flexibility for local conditions. Opponents, including small landlords and property owners, said rent control would discourage investment, worsen housing quality, burden responsible owners, and drive small landlords out of the market. Some witnesses also supported a Cape Cod/Island transfer fee bill and a suburban infrastructure fund, arguing those would provide local revenue for housing or roads. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• to educate adolescence and parents<00:11:05.200><c> because</c><00:11:05.440><c> I</c><00:11:05.760>
• Even though I had the wherewithal to try to educate him about it beforehand, my son still died.
• Um, the story was and education.
• our students on these topics and educate our students on these topics and when<00:17:19.679><c> we</
• > are</c><01:06:17.599><c> reporting</c> Education and Colleges are reporting Education and Colleges

Bills: HF2358 , HF3496 , HF3504 , HF2169 , HF3440

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Keywords: public safety, coercion, criminal penalties, law enforcement, victim protection, HF3496, supervision abatement, earned compliance credit, earned compliance credits, conditional release, supervised release, corrections, Minnesota Department of Corrections, restitution, willful nonpayment, probation-like supervision, release supervision, community supervision, lifetime conditional release, early termination of supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the Department of Education in support. Hello, Chair, Vice Chair, members of the committee.
• Kei Aashi, Superintendent, testifying on behalf of the Department of Education.
• We have the Department of Land and ... the Department of Education we stand on the Department of Education
• Kei Aashi, Superintendent, testifying on behalf of the Department of Education.
• We’re going to modify details on that for the Department of Education, page 206.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Does a college education incentivize any candidate to join the MSP?
• Is there any value to a candidate that has a college education or a college degree?
• So the more education, the more educated troopers we have, I would argue, that would support us.
• I was on the Education Committee hearing earlier, so apologies for being late.
• We conduct educational programming. We perform... We conduct educational programming.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held its sixth public hearing on the Governor’s FY27 H-2 budget proposal, focused on public safety and judiciary agencies, at the Foxborough Community Center. After opening remarks and local welcomes, the committee heard testimony from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), led by Secretary Gina Kwan, who described the $1.72 billion budget as a 4% increase over FY26 and emphasized readiness, local partnerships, and support for core operations rather than expansion. She highlighted ongoing work on firearms-law implementation, State Police academy reforms, DOC’s new strategic plan, disaster response, hate-crime prevention, and planning for major 2026 events including the World Cup, Marathon, and America’s 250th anniversary. Members also raised concerns about State Police capacity, DNA backlog reporting, academy boxing/training reforms after a trooper’s death, ICE coordination, diversity in public safety leadership, the disaster relief fund, crime lab funding, reentry programming, and whether OEMS should move from DPH to EOPSS; Kwan said she would keep an open mind on some issues but was not ready to commit to an OEMS transfer. The committee then questioned EOPSS officials and the State Police colonel on several operational matters. The colonel said the academy boxing program remains suspended and likely will not return in its prior form, pending an IACP review, and that future training will likely emphasize jujitsu-style control techniques. He also said the State Police uses the civil service exam, with current advancement scores ranging from 83.72 to 98.78 for the most recent class, and acknowledged the need to improve recruitment, preparation, and diversity. On the DNA and sexual assault kit backlog, EOPSS said it supports extending the statute of limitations and is working with the courts and crime lab to identify and collect lawfully owed DNA. On disaster preparedness, officials said the new disaster relief fund is being developed with MEMA and A&F, is currently capitalized at $14 million with another $14 million expected, and should be designed to respond flexibly to different regional needs. They also said the crime lab increase is largely to cover core operations and a structural deficiency rather than expansion. Several members focused on public safety coordination and staffing. Questions from legislators from Bristol, Plymouth, Cape Cod, and elsewhere stressed the need for State Police to absorb additional forensic work if county resources shift, and to maintain strong communication with local chiefs and federal partners. Rep. Holmes pressed EOPSS on racial and gender diversity in the department and State Police; Kwan and Colonel Noble said diversity has improved but will take time to show up in senior leadership, and they pointed to internships and hiring practices as ways to broaden the pipeline. The hearing also included discussion of the World Cup security plan, with Kwan saying planning has been underway for about 18 months through 14 working groups and that current staffing and overtime resources appear sufficient for now. After EOPSS concluded, the committee recessed briefly and then began testimony from district attorneys, led by Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who said prosecutors are seeking a 10% budget increase to address staffing and salary pressures, especially the widening pay gap between assistant district attorneys and newly hired public defenders after recent CPCS funding increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• Does a college education incentivize any candidate to join the MSP?
• So the more education, the more educated troopers we have, I would argue, that would support us.
• I was on the Education Committee hearing earlier, so apologies for being late.
• We conduct educational programming. We perform... ...activities.
• We conduct educational programming.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have the amendment here for educational purposes.
• purposes if that we will educational purposes if that we will consider<00:01:23.079><c> this</c><00:
• and compens a helps or teacher education and compens a helps or teach<00:10:00.760><c> Early</c><00:
• Thank you for supporting HF 470 and advancing childhood education and support. Thank you.
• </c> available for critical educational available for critical educational programming<01:05:57.160><

Bills: HF2436 , HF470 , HF2643 , HF2456 , HF102 , HF1367

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, early education, scholarships, funding, children, families, Minnesota education, child care licensing, family child care, child care center, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families, correction order, conditional license, fix-it ticket, documented technical assistance, license suspension

Transcript Highlights:

• Worked with him from the beginning on education. He's been amazing.
• I think of especially Tim Strom and Christina Pera, who I've worked with on education.
• ><00:07:41.840><c> worked</c><00:07:42.120><c> with</c><00:07:43.040><c> on</c><00:07:43.160><c> education
• </c> who have I've worked with on education. who have I've worked with on education.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for a child that either has an IEP or an independent educational plan or is handicapped.
• An act to amend the Public Health Law and the Education Law in relation to enhancing patient access to
• An act to amend the Public Health Law and the Education Law in relation to enhancing patient access to
• Looking forward to the further discussions; that's certainly something that will happen in the Higher Education
• I'm sure that there will be plenty of discussion on the Higher Education Committee if it was considered

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health considered a series of health-related bills, many of which were reported favorably. Among the measures approved were SB 999, which would restructure Medicaid reimbursement for early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services for children with IEPs or disabilities; SB 1816, lowering the state definition of elevated blood lead levels to 3.5 micrograms per deciliter; SB 1911A, extending due process protections for health care professionals when insurers terminate or fail to renew them; and SB 3105, allowing reciprocity for out-of-state medical cannabis patients. The committee also advanced SB 4589 on federally qualified health center rate adequacy, SB 4955B on Medicaid Inspector General audit procedures, SB 9196 to ban new for-profit hospices, SB 9237 expanding the definition of family for certain foster care health facility services, and SB 9275 requiring Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming care and prohibiting related discrimination. Several of these bills were sent to Finance, while others were sent to First Reading or Higher Education as noted. The committee also discussed SB 2625, which would expand pharmacists’ authority to prescribe, administer, and dispense medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder. One member raised concerns about expanding scope of practice without coordination with primary care or a holistic review of patient conditions, and indicated opposition; the bill was nevertheless referred to Higher Education. SB 5056B, requiring the Department of Health to examine heat vulnerability and heat-related deaths, prompted discussion about whether the bill should explicitly require recommendations for prevention; the sponsor said the idea was to gather data and that recommendations could be added, and the bill advanced with some reservations. Other measures included SB 7460, reauthorizing a maternal infant care centers pilot program using an existing $350,000 appropriation, and SB 9388, requiring public notice and engagement when a general hospital closes or shuts down a psychiatric, mental health, or substance use unit. The hospital closure bill drew discussion about relocations and whether moves that shift services to a new site would trigger the community engagement process; the sponsor said they would. Most bills were approved by voice vote, with some members voting no or without recommendation on certain measures, and the committee adjourned after reporting the bills onward.

Transcript Highlights:

• , to study the return on investment with respect to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, education
• Department of Education and memorialize Congress to take action necessary to fully cooperate with these
• efforts, education.
• Department of Education and memorialize Congress to take action necessary to fully cooperate with these
• efforts, education.

Bills: HR19 , HR20 , HR21 , HR22 , HR23 , HR24 , HR25 , HR26 , HR27 , HR28 , HR29 , HR30 , HR31 , HR32 , HR33 , HR34 , HR35 , HR36 , HR37 , HR38 , HCR15 , HCR16 , HCR17 , HCR18 , HB115 , HB208 , HB465 , HB832 , HB964 , HB965 , HB966 , HB967 , HB968 , HB969 , HB970 , HB971 , HB972 , HB973 , HB974 , HB975 , HR14 , HR15 , HR16 , HR17 , HR18 , HCR14 , SCR4 , SCR7 , SCR8 , HB362 , HB963 , HB207 , HB300 , HB331 , HB428 , HB464 , HB587 , HB618 , HB629 , HB801 , HB853 , HB891 , HB78 , HB112 , HB148 , HB149 , HB190 , HB221 , HB346 , HB354 , HB355 , HB356 , HB358 , HB384 , HB427 , HB657 , HB675 , HB716 , HB901

Keywords: HR19, House Resolution 19, Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association Day, LNLA, nursery industry, landscape industry, horticulture, green industry, environmental stewardship, beautification, sustainability, state capitol, special day resolution, commemoration, trade association, wholesale growers, landscape architects, grounds maintenance, interiorscapers, Louisiana agriculture

Summary: The House convened with 97 members present, heard an invocation by Pastor Morris St. Angelo, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then received Senate messages noting concurrence in HCR 8, HCR 9, and HCR 12, and the adoption of SCR 10, which expressed condolences on the death of Dr. Norman Christopher Francis. The House also received an enrollment report confirming several resolutions as properly enrolled. A series of personal privilege recognitions highlighted local and civic observances, including Amite Oyster Festival Day, Opportunity in Action Day at the Capitol, and a visit from international policy fellows. The House introduced numerous resolutions and bills, including measures to designate special days and highways, express condolences, commend individuals and organizations, create or modify local districts, address bail, parole, rural health clinic Medicaid reimbursement, and establish a Department of Public Service. Several committee reports were also received, including transportation and ways and means reports on multiple bills. The House adopted, without objection, several resolutions already lying over, including HR 14, HR 16, HR 18, SCR 4, SCR 7, and SCR 8, while other resolutions and bills were referred or left to lie over. Members also moved to discharge and withdraw certain bills from committee files without objection. The chamber was reminded of upcoming committee meetings, an interim emergency board ballot deadline, and adjourned until 1:00 p.m. the following day.

Transcript Highlights:

• briefs I sent over last year of all the nuclear stuff we're trying to do, get everybody on board, educate
• our people, educate your constituents, that this opportunity is so massive.
• So there's education requirements. We need to lean into this. So we come into this reprocess fuel.
• going to try to do is come and brief you folks and get everyone excited about this legislation for education
• As long as we get everyone educated and excited, we've got a great opportunity.

Committee: House Environment, Energy and Technology

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moving down to K-12 education, you'll see a net impact of $110.2 million in NGFO savings over the four-year
• So on to higher education: in this case, the four-year near-general-fund impact is minus $237 million
• But instead, we cut from our paramount duty, $250 million from K-12 education, mostly from a rural district
• ... $150 million from K-12 education, mostly from rural districts like mine and the ones that my side
• budgets, and as it is collected in the future, we'll see increased funding that will be available for education

Summary: The conference committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 met to review the operating budget conference report. House and Senate budget coordinators walked through comparison documents showing the Senate-passed budget, House-passed budget, and the conference proposal, including statewide totals, agency detail, revenue assumptions, transfers, and the four-year outlook. They said the conference budget uses the February 2026 ERFC forecast, includes an $880 million transfer from the budget stabilization account to the general fund, and reflects a four-year net near-general-fund impact of about $800 million, with an ending fund balance of $231 million in 2025-27 and $563 million in 2027-29. They also noted that future collective bargaining agreements are not included in the outlook beyond those already settled. The briefing highlighted major policy items across the budget, including Working Families Tax Credit expansion, a proposed city and county fiscal health account, changes to Working Connections child care attendance payments, behavioral health facility and staffing adjustments, long-term care funding for certain non-citizen residents affected by federal changes, Apple Health and other health-related responses to H.R. 1, K-12 changes such as free school meals contingent on related legislation, Running Start and transportation depreciation adjustments, higher education administrative reductions, corrections staffing and bed changes, wildfire response funding, and state employee compensation agreements. Members also discussed the budget’s reliance on revenue measures and transfers, including legislation referenced as 2487, 6228, 6231, and 6346. After the presentation, Senator Robinson moved adoption of the conference report and passage of the bill as recommended by the committee. In discussion, supporters said the budget protected core services and responded to federal H.R. 1 impacts, while opponents criticized the size of the budget, the use of reserves, future outlook assumptions, and reductions in some K-12 and other programs. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference report and ESSB 5998 to the legislature, with Representatives Gregerson and Ormsby and Senators Robinson and Stanford in favor, and Representative Couture and Senator Gildon opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, let's go to the top, I'm sorry, section 301, which is the bicycle education grant program.
• version that you heard previously of this, $27 million was going to go into newly created bicycle education
• Moving on to Part 11, online driver education. Four years.
• Moving on to Part 11, online driver education courses.
• courses in order to focus teaching resources on the behind-the-wheel portion of driver training education

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 904, all