Transcript Highlights:

• COLLAGEN ENTITY THAT EVALUATES PROGRAMS LIKE THESE LOOKED AT 300 COLLEGES ACROSS THE NATION.
• CONCEPT BECAUSE OF THE PROPOSED $900 MILLION BUT OVER 30 YEARS 15 BUILDING DOLLARS BASED ON THEIR EVALUATIONS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But each year we evaluate our BMAPs annually.
• and see whether there have been changes in land use or any new sources, or whether there is a re-evaluation

Committee: Senate Environment and Natural Resources

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources convened with a quorum present, heard opening remarks from Chair Rodriguez and member introductions, and discussed broad priorities including water quality, climate change, budget oversight, and accountability for environmental investments. Members emphasized concerns about nutrient pollution, springs, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and the need for better data and measurable results. The committee then received a presentation from DEP Deputy Secretary Adam Blaylock on the state’s water quality restoration framework. He explained how water quality standards, total maximum daily loads (TMDLs), Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and reasonable assurance plans work together to address impaired waters, and noted that BMAPs are updated every five years with annual reviews in between. He also described recent statutory changes requiring five-year milestones, restrictions on new septic systems in certain areas, and public-facing data tools to track projects and water quality trends. Members questioned whether BMAPs are producing enough improvement and whether the five-year update cycle is too slow. Blaylock said results can take years because of project lag and environmental variability, but that the department can adjust plans if data show they are not working. He also highlighted $2.9 billion in statewide water quality funding since 2019, nearly 1,100 funded projects, and a $1.1 billion water quality improvement grant program that now covers impaired waters beyond BMAP areas. The committee discussed agricultural projects, DEP and FDACS funding roles, and a new dashboard and centralized monitoring platform under development. No formal votes or other actions were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment moved by the vice chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• that they can perform their duties in<00:19:58.799><c> in</c><00:19:58.960><c> the</c><00:19:59.120>
• </c><00:20:07.760><c> their</c><00:20:07.919><c> official</c> they're performing their official they're
• He says this is almost a daily occurrence from him for him performing his duties where he will be on
• He says this is almost a daily occurrence from him for him performing his duties where he will be on
• </c> ensure people don't continue to perform ensure people don't continue to perform this<00:31:23.200

Committee: Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, & Public Protection

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is very important because it highlights the accuracy and the freshness of that data when we're. performing
• There are some limited cases where we can perform the cancellation for deceased voters but most of the
• Um, when the voter registrar gets that form and they enter it into the system, that's when they perform
• And we are committed to continually enhancing the performance, security, accuracy. and accessibility
• One issue we're supportive of is the standardization of the logic and accuracy testing that is performed

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, eligibility verification is currently the responsibility of counties and DHS, and they perform
• This is essentially a technical change to make clear that the services are performed by pharmacists and
• Technicians perform their jobs at times with little to no training, and yet they are required to know
• Central service technicians perform tasks that are Integral to patient safety, yet their profession is
• In addition to that, a hospital that has 15 operating rooms cannot perform on average 13,000 cases per

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine I I it for performance. I imagine I I totally<00:38:31.440><c> agree.
• We don't give money to people that aren't performing.
• And then if we find out that they aren't performing, there's course correction to help them perform or
• </c> money to people that aren't performing. money to people that aren't performing.
• </c> help them perform or to move on. help them perform or to move on.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• The plan uses a phased timeline that allows us to scale efforts responsibly, evaluate outcomes, and adapt
• phase timeline that allows us to scale efforts<00:19:45.919><c> responsibly,</c><00:19:47.200><c> evaluate
• </c><00:19:47.840><c> outcomes,</c> efforts responsibly, evaluate outcomes, efforts responsibly, evaluate
• </c><00:21:38.960><c> and</c> reviews, and stronger evaluation and reviews, and stronger evaluation and
• I think it would be important for this committee to evaluate that. Thank you. That'd be helpful, M.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• this does feel to me like an attempt to do an end run around the process that we have set up to evaluate
• this does feel to me like an attempt to do an end run around the process that we have set up to evaluate
• this does feel to me like an attempt to do an end run around the process that we have set up to evaluate
• this does feel to me like an attempt to do an end run around the process that we have set up to evaluate
• </c> process that we have set up to evaluate process that we have set up to evaluate this<01:14:36.320

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was meant to clarify a situation in which someone who was declared, evaluated by the United
• requested that they also be given a placard, they were told that they would have to get another evaluation
• I did hear from DMV that they, in fact, had intended to recognize that if you've had that first evaluation
• /c><01:19:46.560><c> from</c><01:19:46.719><c> the</c><01:19:46.840><c> Veterans</c> that first evaluation
• from the Veterans that first evaluation from the Veterans Affair<01:19:47.600><c> that</c><01:19:47.719

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Committee: Joint Appropriations

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would also increase access to dance through partnership with Lungsrom Performing Arts, expanding
• This would also increase access to dance through partnership with Lungsrom Performing Arts, expanding
• This would also increase access to dance through partnership with Lungsrom Performing Arts, expanding
• We performed and shared with different communities and neighborhoods different programs, for example
• We performed and shared with different communities and neighborhoods different programs, for example

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• be levied against the department for not performing this.
• be levied against the department for not performing this.
• be levied against the department for not performing this.
• be levied against the department for not performing this.
• Not perform this principle.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a program that talks about utilizing greenhouse gas reduction as the new performance metric for
• </c><00:41:53.839><c> metric</c> reduction as the new performance metric reduction as the new performance
• ><01:04:45.920><c> a</c> to drive down energy prices and a to drive down energy prices and a re-evaluation
• <c> the</c><01:04:47.119><c> RPS</c><01:04:47.680><c> was</c><01:04:47.839><c> certainly</c> re-evaluation
• of the RPS was certainly re-evaluation of the RPS was certainly there<01:04:48.720><c> but</c><01:04

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, April 13, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought it was like that's what people performed.
• </c><00:09:50.160><c> um</c> like that's what people performed. um like that's what people performed.
• If it's just performative, then no.
• If it's just performative, work session. If it's just performative, then<03:25:54.000><c> no.
• </c><04:37:53.439><c> their</c> that work hard to properly perform their that work hard to properly perform

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , do solemnly and sincerely swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform
• <00:47:51.720><c> discharge</c><00:47:52.240><c> and</c><00:47:52.480><c> perform</c><00:47:53.160><c
• > all</c><00:47:53.359><c> the</c> perform discharge and perform all the perform discharge and perform
• Hampshire, so help me God. ...swear and affirm that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform
• their duties that you would performing their duties that you would give<01:34:50.920><c> them</c><01

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's basically a list of requirements for performance and also the type of scholarship you pursue,
• It also includes not only the performance in the type of classes that you take, but also doing some research
• There's basically a list of requirements for performance and also the type of scholarship you pursue,
• It also includes not only the performance in the type of classes that you take, but also doing some research
• it also allows for special cords at graduation, red, white, and blue cords that also designate performance

Committee: House Education

Summary: The House Education Committee first agreed by unanimous consent to hear RS 33413C1 before House Bill 712, and then introduced RS 33413C1. The proposal, presented by Rep. Byswinger, would allow students to participate in sports at the school they attend, including flexibility for homeschool and charter school students to play different sports at different schools if needed. Members asked about how the arrangement would work across multiple schools and whether there was a funding mechanism; the sponsor said eligibility limits by the IHSAA would remain intact and that no funding mechanism was attached. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee then heard House Bill 712, a voluntary “seal of excellence in civics” for graduating students. Rep. Veeley said the bill would let students earn a civics endorsement on their diploma, special graduation cords, and allow schools to be designated as civics-excellence schools if they meet certain standards involving GPA, civics coursework, research, and volunteerism. Rep. Nelson noted the bill could provide a useful pathway for senior projects. During testimony, Edward Clark of the Idaho Family Policy Center supported the bill, saying it would help strengthen civics instruction and patriotism. After questions about who would pay for seals and cords, the committee voted to send House Bill 712 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Next, the committee introduced RS 33400, presented by Rep. Ehart as a parental-rights measure requiring parental permission to enroll a student in a school district. Rep. Nelson raised concerns about how the proposal might affect custody disputes and school responsibilities when parents are separated. The committee voted to introduce the RS. The committee also introduced RS 33461, another Rep. Ehart proposal aimed at clarifying homeschool students’ ability to participate in school activities such as sports and band, while allowing schools to charge fees. Rep. Nelson questioned what would count as a reasonable fee. That RS was also introduced. The meeting ended with a visit from Fruitland’s mayor and members of the city’s new mayoral youth council, who described their meetings, community service projects, and an upcoming 5K event tied to America 250 celebrations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will go ahead and call this October 21st meeting of the Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement
• An annual tax performance report must be submitted in years that businesses use that exemption, and on
• that annual tax performance report, businesses have to report the amount of natural gas produced and
• However, on those tax performance reports, no natural gas was reported, as those exemptions were used
• However, on those tax performance reports, no natural gas was reported, as those exemptions were used

Committee: Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences

Summary: The Citizens Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on October 22, 2025. Members approved the September 22, 2025 meeting minutes unanimously and reviewed a draft 2026 meeting schedule, tentatively setting meetings for May 6, August 4, September 15, and October 20, 2026, without taking a formal vote. The commission then worked through its commissioner comments on tax preference reviews, with Commissioner Forsyth recusing himself from the natural gas for transportation and energy sales to silicon smelters items. The discussion focused on reconciling endorse/endorse with comment/does not endorse positions into final recommendations. The commission adopted comments for the liquefied natural gas preference, the natural gas for transportation preference, the energy sales to silicon smelters preference, several low-income housing and veterans-related preferences, and other reviewed tax preferences. Several comments emphasized reporting burdens, the need for clearer legislative guidance, and in the veterans’ item, the possibility that low use may reflect limited visibility of the preference. Staff also clarified the reporting requirements for the natural gas transportation preference and the rationale for continuing the LNG preference while asking the legislature to consider a Department of Revenue workgroup report. All commissioner comment packages were ultimately adopted by roll call votes, with the relevant recusals noted. No members of the public testified in person. The chair invited written testimony by email or mail and thanked staff and members for their work. The next commission meeting was announced for May 6, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• and set the adjustment timeline to once per year instead of immediately at the time the work is performed
• This includes, for example, that the person is free from the control or direction over the performance
• The service is outside the usual course of business for the contractor for whom the person performs the
• The service is outside the usual course of business for the contractor for whom the person performs the
• When three or more independent contractors are performing the same type of work, L&I must investigate

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on several labor-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5874, staff and Senator McEwen described a proposal to let the Employment Security Department waive penalties for minor quarterly reporting errors by employers, especially inadvertent electronic filing issues involving occupational codes and job titles. No one testified in opposition, and the public hearing was closed. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5847, which would expand injured workers’ access to medical providers, allow medically appropriate departures from L&I treatment rules, prohibit employers from requiring treatment from a specific provider, and set timelines for utilization review. Supporters, including workers’ advocates and union representatives, said the bill would improve access to care and reduce delays, while business groups opposed it as weakening the provider network and raised concerns about costs and claim duration. L&I said it could implement the bill with a technical fix and noted that the fiscal note was still being updated. A previously adopted claims-manager staffing amendment was discussed but not included in the version heard. On Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5061, the committee heard testimony on requiring public works contracts to update prevailing wage rates annually rather than freezing them at bid time. Labor groups supported the bill as protecting workers from wage erosion on long projects, while contractor groups opposed it unless amended to allow change orders for wage increases above 5 percent, citing unpredictable jumps in prevailing wage rates and added risk for small contractors. L&I requested a delayed effective date to July 1, 2028 because of IT changes. The committee also heard testimony on Senate Bill 5944, which would make missed or canceled appointment payments bargained economic compensation for language access providers, and on Substitute Senate Bill 5972, which would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of county population. Labor groups supported both bills; counties and a city representative opposed 5972 over cost concerns and asked for fiscal safeguards. Finally, the committee heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302, which would require L&I to investigate possible misclassification when three or more independent contractors are used for the same type of finishing work on a public works project. Labor and contractor groups both supported the amended version, saying it targets misclassification without banning legitimate independent contractors. The hearing ended after testimony, with no votes or final committee actions taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• PREVENTION, PERFORMANCE, QUALITY MEASURES, AND INNOVATION.
• PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND OUTCOMES PUTTING FORWARD MEASURES AND OUTCOMES BUT AGAIN NOT REALLY TIED TO
• NUMBER ONE, I KNOW THESE WERE IN THE SLIDE DISCUSSED AS POTENTIAL PERFORMANCE OF QUALITY MEASURES.
• ONE I LOOK AT PERFORMANCE MEASURES OR QUALITY TEARS ET CETERA YOU CAN MAKE A CASE THAT SHOULD THAT BE
• IS LOW TO THAT RISK CORRIDOR ACCESS LIKE 75 PERCENT OR 85 PERCENT OR 50 PERCENT IF YOUR PERFORMANCE

Transcript Highlights:

• in D.E.E.S., but said that, um, you know, there was the wildlife biologist would and would still perform
• in D.E.E.S., but said that, um, you know, there was the wildlife biologist would and would still perform
• If someone raises a concern that you need to go out and evaluate a property, just walk me through the
• So, I could certainly take that question back and get information back to the committee on that. evaluate
• a property, just walk me evaluate a property, just walk me through<00:41:58.319><c> the</c><00:41:58.480

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all