Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:01.039><c> has</c><00:32:01.279><c> come</c><00:32:01.360><c> through</c><00:32:01.519><c>
• </c><00:32:09.360><c> May</c><00:32:09.519><c> I</c><00:32:09.679><c> speak</c><00:32:09.760><c> on</
• &gt;&gt; I'll<00:32:12.799><c> be</c><00:32:12.960><c> brief</c><00:32:13.200><c> in</c><00:32:13.440
• <00:32:39.360><c> in</c><00:32:39.519><c> this</c><00:32:39.760><c> room</c><00:32:40.000><c> did</c>
• </c><00:32:42.080><c> If</c><00:32:42.480><c> I</c><00:32:42.720><c> had</c><00:32:42.960><c> to</c><

Keywords: The live stream for the House Chambers was interrupted and this version was recovered from backups and should contain the complete Legislative Session. Convene 00:00:00 Senate Message 00:04:40 Calendar/2nd Readings 00:05:38 Orders of the Day 00:06:14 HB 312 00:06:42 Motions, Petitions, and Communications 01:11:07 Introduction of New Bills and Resolutions 01:13:24 Recess for ConC and Rules Meeting 01:14:30 ConC/Rules Report 01:19:42 Adjournment 01:21:18, 958, all

Summary: The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 89 members present, excused absent members, and suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications. The chamber approved the prior day’s journal and received notice that the Senate had passed SB 13, 22, 46, 51, and 90 and requested concurrence. On second reading, HB 134 (sexual assault nurse examiners), HB 168 with HCS 1 (voting under the influence), and HR 7 (recognizing guiding principles of elections in Kentucky) were reported. The House also recommitted HB 258 to the Transportation Committee and took up HB 312 for third reading and passage. HB 312, relating to concealed firearms and deadly weapons, drew the bulk of the debate. The sponsor argued the bill would allow law-abiding 18- to 20-year-olds to obtain a provisional concealed carry license, saying they are adults in other respects, the Second Amendment protects their right to bear arms, and Kentucky should align with other states. Supporters framed the measure as a constitutional rights issue and cited defensive gun use statistics, while one member argued the root problem is family upbringing rather than guns. Opponents said the bill would increase risks in schools and public spaces, pointed to concerns from school district police and SROs, and cited research linking younger age groups and loosened carry laws to higher firearm violence; they also argued the bill would make communities less safe and that no one’s rights would be taken away by voting no. The sponsor said no stakeholder had expressed opposition and clarified the bill would not change where firearms are permitted. The transcript provided does not include the final vote on HB 312.

Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:32:02.960><c> scope</c><00:32:03.200><c> of</c><00:32:03.440><c> these</c><00:32:04.000><c> six
• Um,</c><00:32:06.159><c> that</c><00:32:06.480><c> can</c><00:32:06.640><c> be</c><00:32:06.880><c>
• look</c><00:32:09.039><c> at</c><00:32:09.279><c> projects</c><00:32:09.679><c> like</c><00:32:10.000
• </c><00:32:12.480><c> You</c><00:32:12.720><c> look</c><00:32:12.880><c> at</c><00:32:13.519><c> uh</
• </c><00:32:20.960><c> Um</c><00:32:22.080><c> there</c><00:32:22.399><c> are</c><00:32:23.279><c> a</

Committee: Joint Select Natural Resource Funding Committee

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> I<00:32:04.960><c> can't</c><00:32:05.039><c> say</c><00:32:05.200><c> there'd</c><00:32:05.440>
• </c><00:32:12.880><c> U</c><00:32:13.200><c> and</c><00:32:13.360><c> there</c><00:32:13.519><c> was<
• U so you<00:32:16.559><c> could</c><00:32:16.640><c> pull</c><00:32:16.880><c> the</c><00:32:17.039><
• 00:32:53.919><c> you're</c><00:32:54.080><c> back</c><00:32:54.159><c> to</c><00:32:54.320><c> work.
• 32:08.840><c> to</c><01:32:09.840><c> if</c><01:32:10.159><c> we</c><01:32:10.400><c> can</c><01:32:10.560

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:32:16.640><c> explanation</c><00:32:17.120><c> bill</c><00:32:17.280><c> and</c><00:32:17.400>
• </c><00:32:21.240><c> Uh,</c><00:32:21.360><c> before</c><00:32:21.640><c> I</c><00:32:21.680><c> get
• 32:23.080><c> of</c><00:32:23.120><c> the</c><00:32:23.200><c> body</c><00:32:23.480><c> of</c><00:32
• :24.080><c> bill,</c><00:32:24.320><c> there</c><00:32:24.520><c> is</c><00:32:24.680><c> a</c><00:32
• We<00:32:57.640><c> have</c><00:32:57.760><c> put</c><00:32:57.960><c> into</c><00:32:58.760><c> in</

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum with 96 members present, excused absent members, and approved the journal from March 4, 2026. The chamber also received notice that the Senate had passed Senate Bills 50 and 191 and requested concurrence. Several bills were reported for second reading and committee action, including measures on schools, barbering, virtual currency kiosks, eminent domain, DUI, fire protection, school district reporting, teacher certification, legal representation, cost and fee reporting, dentistry, credit insurance, harmful practices, elections, child welfare, health data, Medicaid directed payments, workplace violence in health care, utilities, solid waste, carbon sequestration, and coal/energy affordability. House Bill 534 was sent to the Rules Committee after receiving prior readings, and House Bill 600 was brought up for third reading and passage. House Bill 600, relating to the collection of delinquent tax bills, was explained as allowing counties to use a consolidated procedure to collect multiple delinquent tax cases more efficiently, requiring county attorney contracts with the Department of Revenue to include that option, and extending to counties some property-tax collection tools already used by cities for delinquent and dilapidated properties. A member from Jefferson raised concerns that the bill could allow foreclosure on occupied properties and warned about potential harm to elderly or low-income homeowners; the sponsor responded that the bill was not intended to remove anyone from their property. The House passed HB 600 by a vote of 82-11, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 662, concerning regulation of low-voltage battery-charged security fences by local governments, was described as a business-friendly measure supported by the Chamber of Commerce and affected industries, intended to define the fences and reduce regulatory uncertainty in commercial and industrial zones without removing local regulation. It passed unanimously, 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 364, relating to benefits for Kentucky National Guard members, was amended by House Floor Amendment 1 to define Commonwealth emergency pay and hazardous duty for Guard members on state active duty during emergencies. Supporters emphasized compensation for Guard members responding to disasters and emergencies, and members cited recent flood and crash responses as examples of their service. The bill passed 96-0, and a clincher was applied. House Bill 534, an elections bill, was taken up with House Committee Substitute 2 adopted. The sponsor said the bill was the product of work by the Secretary of State, the Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and others, and was intended to strengthen election laws. Debate focused on a provision that would remove from voter rolls individuals convicted of felonies even while appeals are pending; one member argued this would disenfranchise people before appeals are resolved and sought to offer an amendment, but a motion to suspend the rules for that amendment failed with only 18 votes in favor. Another member said the substitute was the best version of the bill and indicated he would offer amendments, including changes to the felony-appeal language and campaign finance timing, while also seeking to remove a section requiring federal cooperation. The transcript cuts off during that discussion, before final action on HB 534 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:17.760><c> And</c><00:32:17.919><c> that</c><00:32:18.240><c> is</c><00:32:18.399><c> a</c
• ><00:32:25.760><c> or</c><00:32:26.000><c> one</c><00:32:26.240><c> or</c><00:32:26.399><c> two</c><00
• </c><00:32:28.080><c> So,</c><00:32:28.240><c> I</c><00:32:28.320><c> I</c><00:32:28.720><c> think</c
• I<00:32:41.039><c> I'm</c><00:32:41.440><c> struck</c><00:32:41.840><c> by</c><00:32:42.240><c> the</
• </c><00:32:54.799><c> Um,</c><00:32:55.200><c> and</c><00:32:55.440><c> I</c><00:32:55.760><c> know</

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• change<00:32:06.080><c> it</c><00:32:06.240><c> or</c><00:32:06.480><c> not</c><00:32:06.720><c> at<
• I'd say it keeps<00:32:08.480><c> it</c><00:32:08.640><c> from</c><00:32:08.880><c> getting</c><00:32
• And then<00:32:18.960><c> while</c><00:32:19.200><c> I'm</c><00:32:19.360><c> on</c><00:32:19.519><c>
• </c><00:32:31.919><c> one</c><00:32:32.080><c> or</c><00:32:32.320><c> two</c><00:32:32.559><c> RFPs<
• c> went</c><00:32:33.519><c> out</c><00:32:33.679><c> on</c><00:32:33.919><c> that</c><00:32:34.080><

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 State Health Insurance Plans 00:00:03 Executive Branch Salary Schedule Adjustments 00:29:15 Nutrition Program for the Elderly 00:34:52 Update on DORIS 01:05:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met on November 5, 2025, and first approved the minutes after a moment of silence for the UPS airport tragedy. The main presentation was from the Personnel Cabinet on the state health insurance plans and executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Officials said the health plan covers roughly 265,000 active members and up to about 300,000 across all benefit offerings, including school board employees, retirees, and other eligible groups. They described rising claims and expenditures, especially from high-cost claimants and pharmacy spending, and said recent premium and benefit changes were intended to balance costs while preserving recruitment and retention efforts. They also explained that employee premiums had not increased for several years, while employer contributions rose sharply in recent years, and projected a 10% employer increase and 3% employee increase going forward based on actuarial analysis. Committee members asked about deductibles, GLP-1 drug costs, claims validation, and the causes of cost growth; officials said the plan uses multiple payment-integrity vendors and that the increases reflect utilization, drug trends, and high-cost cases rather than a change in coverage. The committee also discussed executive branch salary schedule adjustments. Personnel and budget officials explained that when the legislature approves annual pay increases, the salary schedule is adjusted by the same percentage through executive order so the minimum and midpoint stay aligned with approved compensation levels. They said the 2025 adjustment was a 3% match effective September 16 and that the change was costless because salaries had already been increased. Members raised concerns about salary compression, noting that new hires can sometimes be paid near the level of long-serving employees. Officials said the adjustment helps prevent compression from worsening but does not solve it, and they acknowledged prior RFP efforts to address the issue were unsuccessful because no qualified bidder met the requirements. After the health plan and salary discussions, the committee began a presentation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services on Kentucky’s senior meal program. Secretary Stack explained that the program is a federal-state-local partnership under the Older Americans Act, with area development districts helping deliver services. He outlined eligibility rules, noting that congregate meals at senior centers are available to people age 60 and older, with a spouse of any age allowed to join, and that home-delivered meals have additional homebound and assistance requirements. Members asked whether there was any means test for congregate meals, and the secretary said there is not; the only threshold is age for the center-based meals, while the home-delivered program has additional criteria.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Maybe</c><00:32:03.440><c> you're</c><00:32:03.600><c> thinking</c><00:32:03.840><c> a</c><00:32
• > When</c><00:32:13.120><c> we</c><00:32:13.360><c> all</c><00:32:13.679><c> have</c><00:32:13.919><c
• 24.000><c> to</c><00:32:24.240><c> build</c><00:32:24.480><c> out</c><00:32:24.640><c> our</c><00:32:
• </c><00:32:33.840><c> And</c><00:32:34.000><c> we</c><00:32:34.159><c> have</c><00:32:34.240><c> a</c
• 42.640><c> 12th</c><00:32:43.200><c> in</c><00:32:43.519><c> size</c><00:32:43.919><c> and</c><00:32:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> uh</c><00:32:19.919><c> to</c><00:32:20.320><c> make</c><00:32:20.559><c> sure</c><00:32:20.720>
• <00:32:23.360><c> on</c><00:32:23.679><c> some</c><00:32:23.919><c> con</c><00:32:24.159><c> for</c><
• I'm</c><00:32:26.880><c> going</c><00:32:27.279><c> pass</c><00:32:27.600><c> today</c><00:32:27.919
• ><c> the</c><00:32:29.440><c> floor</c><00:32:29.919><c> and</c><00:32:30.240><c> hopefully</c><00:32
• :32:31.519><c> once</c><00:32:31.760><c> I</c><00:32:31.919><c> find</c><00:32:32.080><c> out</c> >>

Committee: House Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:05 HB 313 Discussion 02:16 HB 313 Roll Call Vote 04:33 HB 60 Discussion 05:30 HB 60 Roll Call Vote 20:12 HB 397 Discussion 21:18 HB 397 Roll Call Vote 31:35, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:02.640><c> Bills</c><00:32:02.960><c> give</c><00:32:03.120><c> a</c><00:32:03.279><c> favor
• Uh<00:32:04.640><c> Senate</c><00:32:04.960><c> Bill</c><00:32:05.200><c> 39,</c><00:32:05.760><c> Senator
• </c><00:32:07.279><c> This</c><00:32:07.440><c> is</c><00:32:07.760><c> uh</c><00:32:08.000><c> same<
• <c> think</c><00:32:39.279><c> you're</c><00:32:39.600><c> on</c><00:32:40.320><c> to</c><00:32:41.039
• ><c> that</c><00:32:42.240><c> the</c><00:32:42.480><c> governor</c><00:32:43.039><c> not</c><00:32:43.519

Bills: SB7 , SB22 , SB39 , SB40 , SB45 , SB46 , SB86 , SB95 , SB107 , SB7 , SB22 , SB39 , SB40 , SB45 , SB46 , SB86 , SB95 , SB107

Committee: Senate State Governmental Affairs

Keywords: voting rights, absentee ballot, protected classes, Alabama Voting Rights Act, felony conviction, election integrity, preclearance, Alabama Jobs Act, incentives, job creation, economic development, recapture provisions, capital investment, employment, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:05.080><c> I</c><00:32:05.159><c> have</c><00:32:05.240><c> a</c><00:32:05.360><c> quick</
• </c><00:32:11.679><c> I</c><00:32:11.760><c> would</c><00:32:11.960><c> just</c><00:32:12.159><c> say
• ><c> they</c><00:32:13.000><c> passed</c><00:32:13.320><c> is</c><00:32:13.440><c> a</c><00:32:13.600
• 00:32:16.519><c> concerns</c><00:32:17.080><c> are</c><00:32:17.360><c> scare</c><00:32:18.360><c> is
• > that</c><00:32:19.639><c> we</c><00:32:19.799><c> don't</c><00:32:20.080><c> know</c><00:32:20.360>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:18.000><c> funding</c><00:32:18.559><c> from</c><00:32:19.559><c> the</c><00:32:19.720><c>
• ><c> uh</c><00:32:25.000><c> work</c><00:32:25.360><c> we</c><00:32:25.480><c> do</c><00:32:25.639><c
• should</c><00:32:29.080><c> provide</c><00:32:29.519><c> that</c><00:32:30.000><c> so</c><00:32:30.279
• <c> uh</c><00:32:37.960><c> for</c><00:32:38.159><c> more</c><00:32:38.760><c> um</c><00:32:39.080><c
• :32:41.000><c> entertain</c><00:32:41.399><c> any</c><00:32:41.639><c> that</c><00:32:41.760><c> you<

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:22.960><c> you</c><00:32:23.120><c> know,</c><00:32:23.279><c> I</c><00:32:23.360><c> I</c
• ><c> think</c><00:32:28.640><c> we</c><00:32:28.799><c> need</c><00:32:28.880><c> to</c><00:32:29.120
• </c><00:32:34.399><c> I</c><00:32:34.559><c> I</c><00:32:34.880><c> really</c><00:32:35.120><c> feel<
• </c><00:32:35.919><c> So,</c><00:32:36.640><c> um</c><00:32:36.720><c> I</c><00:32:36.880><c> mean</c
• on on<00:32:40.000><c> your</c><00:32:40.240><c> approach,</c><00:32:40.559><c> but</c><00:32:40.720

Committee: Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• &gt;&gt; Uh,<00:32:01.200><c> any</c><00:32:01.440><c> other</c><00:32:01.679><c> questions</c><00:32
• I do<00:32:04.080><c> have</c><00:32:04.240><c> a</c><00:32:04.480><c> question</c><00:32:04.799><c>
• </c><00:32:15.279><c> Um</c><00:32:16.480><c> clearly</c><00:32:16.880><c> in</c><00:32:17.039><c> my
• </c><00:32:23.039><c> for</c><00:32:23.279><c> the</c><00:32:23.600><c> sheriffs</c><00:32:24.080><c>
• :32:41.200><c> retain</c><00:32:41.840><c> officers</c><00:32:43.200><c> just</c><00:32:43.519><c> in

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard House Bill 2095, which would provide supplemental appropriations for the Judiciary for the 2025-2027 biennium. Judiciary Administrative Director Brandon Kimura testified in strong support and outlined a request for about $6.4 million in supplemental operating funds, plus four permanent full-time position conversions. He grouped the request into security, services to court users, and staffing needs, including $3.25 million for supplemental armed private security at judiciary facilities statewide, nearly $200,000 for cybersecurity staffing and support, restoration of funding for substance use treatment purchase-of-service contracts, restoration of funding for the Office of Public Guardian on Kauaʻi, salary commission funding, a Kona court operations position, and two Court-Appointed Special Advocates positions converted from temporary to permanent. He also described five capital improvement requests totaling $55.4 million, led by $30 million for construction of a new South Kohala courthouse, $1.2 million each for air conditioning upgrades in Hilo and Kauaʻi, $15 million for elevator upgrades at Kahumanu Hale, and $8 million in lump-sum bond funds for emerging projects. Several organizations testified in support, including Parents and Children Together and the True Cost Coalition. Supporters emphasized the importance of the purchase-of-service funding for domestic violence and substance use treatment services and said the restoration would return funding to pre-COVID levels and help providers maintain capacity. Kimura explained that the Judiciary often shifts funds among contracts during the year to avoid service interruptions, but that the reduced funding has caused delays and operational problems for providers and probationers. Members asked detailed questions about the capital projects and operating requests. Representative Shimizu asked for more information on the lump-sum bond funds and the elevator project, and Kimura explained that the Kahumanu Hale request covers four remaining elevator shafts after earlier funding addressed the first five elevators. Representative Cochran asked about the absence of Maui County projects, and Kimura said the Judiciary is still planning for its older Maui facilities with DAGS. Chair Tarnas questioned the need for armed private guards and discussed whether court security should be prioritized within the Department of Law Enforcement; Kimura said the Judiciary needs additional personnel now and has not asked DLE to deprioritize other missions, though the chair suggested further coordination between the agencies. No vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:32:02.399><c> the</c><00:32:02.600><c> shortage</c><00:32:03.039><c> of</c><00:32:03.480><c> of</c
• :32:10.519><c> up</c><00:32:11.399><c> I</c><00:32:11.559><c> um</c><00:32:11.960><c> in</c><00:32:12.159
• :32:15.159><c> to</c><00:32:15.360><c> build</c><00:32:15.600><c> new</c><00:32:15.799><c> housing</c
• we're<00:32:16.919><c> just</c><00:32:17.080><c> not</c><00:32:17.279><c> building</c><00:32:18.039>
• :32:30.799><c> people</c><00:32:31.159><c> at</c><00:32:31.320><c> the</c><00:32:31.480><c> lowest</c

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:06.880><c> now</c><00:32:07.279><c> you</c><00:32:07.440><c> know</c><00:32:07.600><c> our</c><00
• way</c><00:32:14.720><c> and</c><00:32:15.039><c> as</c><00:32:15.360><c> Craig</c><00:32:15.760><c>
• <00:32:17.200><c> we</c><00:32:17.360><c> need</c><00:32:17.440><c> to</c><00:32:17.600><c> be</c><00
• :32:25.279><c> by</c><00:32:25.519><c> step</c><00:32:25.840><c> as</c><00:32:26.080><c> they</c><00:
• </c><00:32:34.559><c> Um</c><00:32:35.120><c> but</c><00:32:35.919><c> um</c><00:32:36.640><c> like</

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:32:13.399><c> unit</c><00:32:13.799><c> uh</c><00:32:14.039><c> responded</c><00:32:14.480><c
• sorry</c><00:32:16.880><c> over</c><00:32:17.120><c> 500</c><00:32:17.519><c> calls</c><00:32:17.799
• ><00:32:23.840><c> include</c><00:32:24.840><c> um</c><00:32:25.600><c> our</c><00:32:25.799><c> four
• that's<00:32:51.559><c> overseen</c><00:32:52.000><c> by</c><00:32:52.080><c> The</c><00:32:52.159><
• > into</c><00:32:56.039><c> three</c><00:32:56.240><c> areas</c><00:32:57.120><c> uh</c><00:32:57.279

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an opening/orientation session in which members introduced themselves and explained their interest in the committee. Several members noted backgrounds in trucking, piloting, boating, motorcycles, road safety, or constituent concerns about transportation issues. The chair also noted several absent members and said the committee would first hear agency presentations before covering committee procedures. The Department of Safety gave the main presentation, outlining its seven divisions and how they relate to transportation policy and the Highway Fund. The assistant commissioner emphasized that Highway Fund revenue supports both the Department of Transportation and the Department of Safety, with collections coming largely from the road toll/gas tax, DMV fees, and the new electric vehicle surcharge. He also noted that 12% of Highway Fund revenues go to local road repair through the DOT Betterment Fund, and warned that the fund has had a structural deficit for several biennia, requiring General Fund transfers that may be uncertain this session. He said the department aims to provide data and fiscal context on legislation and fiscal notes. State Police then provided a detailed overview of its structure and operations, including the Operations Bureau, Investigative Services Bureau, and Justice Information Bureau. Testimony highlighted Troop G’s role in vehicle inspections, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, fraud investigations, and consumer complaint handling, as well as statewide staffing shortages. The division reported rising calls for service, motor vehicle stops, DWI arrests, and other arrests despite a vacancy rate of about 17%. It also described aviation, K-9, bomb squad, special events response, SWAT, narcotics, major crime, forensic laboratory, and other specialized units, with statistics on drug seizures, investigations, and lab workload. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• interpreters and<00:32:24.640><c> daycare</c><00:32:25.039><c> before</c><00:32:25.279><c> a</c><00:32
• <00:32:39.360><c> not</c><00:32:39.519><c> have</c><00:32:39.600><c> a</c><00:32:39.840><c> study</c>
• Um I think I<01:32:03.280><c> have</c><01:32:03.520><c> concerns</c><01:32:04.080><c> that</c><01:32:
• um<01:32:14.560><c> you</c><01:32:14.800><c> know</c><01:32:14.880><c> it</c><01:32:16.000><c> as</c
• ><c> been</c><01:32:19.679><c> shown</c><01:32:19.920><c> to</c><01:32:20.239><c> increase</c><01:32:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :32:05.400><c> a</c><00:32:05.440><c> prior</c><00:32:05.880><c> off</c><00:32:06.280><c> because</c>
• ><c> know,</c><00:32:09.040><c> post</c><00:32:09.400><c> stroke,</c><00:32:10.160><c> you</c><00:32:
• ><c> 10</c><01:32:02.840><c> nonprofit</c><01:32:03.880><c> um</c><01:32:03.960><c> mental</c><01:32:
• <01:32:08.520><c> that</c><01:32:08.680><c> could</c><01:32:08.920><c> come</c><01:32:09.120><c> up</
• Um<01:32:12.280><c> let</c><01:32:12.400><c> me</c><01:32:12.480><c> say</c><01:32:12.680><c> that</c

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of reasons.<00:32:02.960><c> Um,</c><00:32:04.159><c> and</c><00:32:04.480><c> I</c><00:32:04.720><c
• <c> who</c><00:32:08.080><c> are</c><00:32:08.159><c> here</c><00:32:08.320><c> if</c><00:32:08.480><
• 00:32:17.279><c> grants</c><00:32:17.600><c> as</c><00:32:17.840><c> well</c><00:32:17.919><c> as</c>
• </c><00:32:18.559><c> to</c><00:32:18.720><c> cancel</c><00:32:19.120><c> three</c><00:32:19.519><c>
• The largest<00:32:20.960><c> of</c><00:32:21.279><c> this</c><00:32:21.600><c> is</c><00:32:22.080><c

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um so<00:32:34.559><c> my</c><00:32:34.880><c> question</c><00:32:35.279><c> is</c><00:32:35.519><c>
• /c><00:32:38.880><c> it</c><00:32:39.120><c> it</c><00:32:39.360><c> seems</c><00:32:39.600><c> like<
• <00:32:40.159><c> a</c><00:32:40.320><c> new</c><00:32:40.480><c> activity</c><00:32:41.519><c> but</
• this bill.<01:32:10.239><c> We</c><01:32:10.480><c> carried</c><01:32:10.880><c> something</c><01:32
• c><01:32:16.000><c> of</c><01:32:16.080><c> falls</c><01:32:16.400><c> into</c><01:32:16.719><c> that

Bills: HF4438 , HF4467 , HF4379 , SF3402 , HF4349 , HF4064 , HF84 , HF85 , HF3804

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: healthcare, WIC, community health, licensing, speech-language pathology, audiology, contract term limits, healthcare services, provider enrollment, disenrollment, premium payments, medical assistance, substance use disorders, mental health, children's mental health, early childhood, early intervention, consultation grants, Head Start, child care