Video & Transcript : 'Chapter 32' :
Page 385 of 500
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conf: DFL Leaders Speak on Vote Overturning Boundary Waters Mining Ban - 04/16/26
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- many of my Republican colleagues signing on<00:32:05.520><c> to</c><00:32:05.679><c> that</c><00:32:
- 05.960><c> one</c><00:32:06.440><c> cuz</c><00:32:06.640><c> I</c><00:32:06.720><c> think</c><00:32:06.920
- </c><00:32:08.840><c> I</c><00:32:08.880><c> have</c><00:32:08.960><c> one</c><00:32:09.040><c> more<
- I<00:32:10.400><c> wanted</c><00:32:10.640><c> to</c><00:32:10.720><c> just</c><00:32:11.000><c> comment
- </c><00:32:15.480><c> And</c><00:32:15.600><c> that</c><00:32:15.840><c> is</c><00:32:16.080><c> when
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/29/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:32:31.040><c> of</c><01:32:31.280><c> the</c><01:32:31.600><c> change</c><01:32:31.840><c> it
- ><c> a</c><01:32:32.880><c> mandatory</c><01:32:33.360><c> mailing</c><01:32:33.679><c> to</c><01:32:
- /c><01:32:36.159><c> notice</c><01:32:36.480><c> and</c><01:32:36.639><c> then</c><01:32:36.800><c> a
- Um that the<01:32:55.040><c> OS</c><01:32:55.600><c> told</c><01:32:55.760><c> me</c><01:32:55.920><c
- > that</c><01:32:56.159><c> they</c><01:32:56.320><c> sent</c><01:32:56.480><c> it</c><01:32:56.639><
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Children and Family Law (02/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- 32:13.519><c> me</c><00:32:13.600><c> a</c><00:32:13.720><c> pink</c><00:32:14.200><c> card</c> and at
- ><c> for</c><00:32:24.360><c> allowing</c><00:32:24.720><c> me</c><00:32:24.840><c> to</c><00:32:25.000
- c><00:32:55.720><c> property</c><00:32:56.600><c> settlements</c><00:32:57.600><c> and</c><00:32:58.039
- :10.320><c> sidel</c><01:32:11.320><c> if</c><01:32:11.440><c> you</c><01:32:11.560><c> are</c><01:32
- ><01:32:14.560><c> vote</c><01:32:14.920><c> Yes</c><01:32:15.199><c> if</c><01:32:15.320><c> you</c>
Summary:
The House Children and Family Law Committee opened its February 4, 2025 hearing with a business item on House Bill 553, appointing a subcommittee chaired by Representative Greg and including several named members. The committee then took up House Bill 486, which would revise New Hampshire’s grandparents’ visitation law. The prime sponsor said the bill is intended to address gaps in current law, especially in situations involving divorce, separation, kinship care, and parental substance use, so that children can maintain important relationships with grandparents or other kin caregivers. He emphasized that the proposal was meant to supplement existing law rather than replace it, and said the language was modeled on statutes from other states.
Several witnesses testified in support of HB 486, describing painful family separations and arguing that current law can be interpreted too narrowly. One grandmother said the existing statute had been used to dismiss her visitation case because she was restricted while the parents were separated, and she asked for language changes so courts could still order visitation in similar circumstances. Another witness, testifying online, urged passage of the bill as being in the best interest of children. A third witness described a family living arrangement in which grandparents had been a consistent presence in their grandchildren’s lives but were later cut off during a contentious separation, and said the bill would help repair those relationships. Committee members asked about the six-month timeframe in the bill, whether the proposed language would affect cases where a grandparent does not live with the child but is still a regular caregiver, and whether the sponsor had written amendment language; the sponsor said the six-month language was taken from other states’ statutes and that the new language would not change existing visitation rights but would add to them.
After hearing the testimony, the chair said the committee would hold HB 486 aside for a week or two while awaiting additional information before voting. The hearing then moved to House Bill 320, an act relative to enforcement of marital property settlements. The sponsor explained that the bill would require courts to enforce final property decrees and would clarify the difference between enforcement and contempt, arguing that courts should have clear authority to fashion remedies and that litigants, especially self-represented parties, need clearer statutory guidance. Committee members questioned the legal distinctions the sponsor drew, including whether the bill was aimed at enforcement rather than contempt and how the proposed language would operate in practice. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 320.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JDC, JDC DEFER Public Hearings 03-20-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:34.640><c> Gluck</c><00:32:34.960><c> for</c><00:32:35.039><c> a</c><00:32:35.120><c> term
- Gluck for a term to<00:32:35.440><c> expire</c><00:32:35.760><c> in</c><00:32:35.919><c> 10</c><00:32
- :32:44.000><c> to</c><00:32:44.159><c> consent</c><00:32:44.720><c> to</c><00:32:44.880><c> the</c> uh
- </c><00:32:51.279><c> Chair's</c><00:32:51.600><c> recommendation</c><00:32:52.080><c> is</c><00:32:52.240
- </c><00:32:55.919><c> Senator</c><00:32:56.240><c> Chang.</c><00:32:56.559><c> Hi.
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee first considered Governor’s Message 574, confirming Michael Tenoi to continue serving on the Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation through June 30, 2028. Several supporters testified, and Tenoi said he valued working with Hawaii and national commissioners and hoped to focus on emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data security. The committee recommended advise and consent and adopted the measure, with a photo taken afterward.
The committee then heard HB 1519 on campaign contributions, which would require disclosure of compensated officers and immediate family members of certain state contractors and grantees. The Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office supported the bill but asked for clarifying amendments; several advocacy groups supported the measure but urged stronger language, including removing branch-of-government limits and narrowing loopholes. The chair proposed amendments to remove monetary thresholds, limit the bill to paid officers, add appropriations for the Campaign Spending Commission and State Procurement Office, define “officer” more broadly, and note that false-name contributions are already felonies. The committee voted to pass HB 1519 with amendments.
HB 2250, the claims against the state bill, drew testimony from the Attorney General and multiple departments in support, but members raised extensive questions about why many claims would be paid from the general fund, how corrective action is being pursued, and the handling of several specific claims, including wrongful imprisonment, a cesspool citation, Department of Corrections deaths, a large special education settlement, a charter school lease dispute, and an outdated check. Because of those outstanding questions, the committee postponed decision-making on HB 2250 until Tuesday, March 24, at 10:30 a.m. in Room 016. Later, the committee also considered Governor’s Message 725, confirming Daniel M. Gluck as an associate judge of the Intermediate Court of Appeals; the committee recommended consent and adopted the measure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:00.560><c> However,</c><00:32:00.920><c> the</c><00:32:01.080><c> net</c><00:32:01.400><c>
- and protective services for state<00:32:37.760><c> officials,</c><00:32:38.960><c> Senator</c><00:32
- :32:47.760><c> be</c><00:32:47.920><c> meeting,</c><00:32:48.280><c> as</c><00:32:48.440><c> I</c><00
- ><c> assuming</c><00:32:57.280><c> we're</c><00:32:57.400><c> not</c><00:32:57.679><c> done.
- Well,<00:32:58.280><c> maybe</c><00:32:58.560><c> we</c><00:32:58.679><c> will</c><00:32:58.840><c> be
Committee:
Senate Finance
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources Committee, February 17, 2026 - PM
Travel, Recreation, Wildlife & Cultural Resources
Transcript Highlights:
- :00.080><c> but</c><00:32:00.320><c> none</c><00:32:00.559><c> of</c><00:32:00.640><c> them</c><00:32
- </c><00:32:08.720><c> It</c><00:32:08.880><c> is</c><00:32:09.120><c> how</c><00:32:09.360><c> do</c>
- It is how do we<00:32:09.679><c> make</c><00:32:09.840><c> this</c><00:32:10.080><c> truly</c><00:32:
- It's<00:32:27.600><c> so</c><00:32:27.840><c> much</c><00:32:28.399><c> a</c><00:32:28.640><c> part</
- c><00:32:28.799><c> of</c><00:32:28.880><c> the</c><00:32:29.120><c> flavor</c><00:32:29.440><c> of</
Keywords:
landowner licenses, hunting, wildlife management, quota hunt areas, game and fish commission, game management, hunting regulations, black bear, tracking dogs, wildlife conservation, conservation, contracting, supervisor, funding, districts, hunting licenses, donated licenses, life-threatening illness, vision impairment, nonprofit organizations
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- year<00:32:02.440><c> we</c><00:32:02.559><c> share</c><00:32:02.919><c> the</c><00:32:03.039><c> goal
- alike<00:32:15.399><c> the</c><00:32:15.600><c> LA</c><00:32:16.039><c> report</c><00:32:16.320><c>
- <00:32:17.440><c> from</c><00:32:17.639><c> last</c><00:32:17.760><c> year</c><00:32:17.919><c> makes
- subjective<00:32:22.600><c> that's</c><00:32:22.760><c> why</c><00:32:22.880><c> we</c><00:32:23.039
- an honest<00:32:46.559><c> mistake</c><00:32:47.120><c> education</c><00:32:47.720><c> and</c><00:32
Committee:
House Taxes
Keywords:
taxation, income tax, property tax, corporate tax, homestead credit, local government aid, tax credits, economic development, taxpayer assistance, tax credit outreach, tax preparation, free tax help, IRS, Department of Revenue, general fund appropriation, earned income tax credit, child tax credit, volunteer income tax assistance, VITA, low-income taxpayers
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (03/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:30.600><c> if</c><00:32:30.799><c> if</c><00:32:30.880><c> you</c><00:32:30.960><c> want</
- 32:36.919><c> can't</c><00:32:37.159><c> really</c><00:32:37.360><c> put</c><00:32:37.519><c> it</c><
- in the<00:32:38.240><c> law</c><00:32:39.240><c> and</c><00:32:39.600><c> so</c><00:32:40.600><c> you
- :32:47.960><c> serious</c><00:32:48.480><c> effect</c><00:32:49.159><c> precatory</c><00:32:49.880><c
- :32:27.159><c> I</c><04:32:27.239><c> see</c><04:32:27.399><c> a</c><04:32:27.560><c> hand</c><04:32:
Summary:
The committee took up House Bill 2 provisions affecting the New Hampshire Retirement System, focusing on Group 2/Tier B retirement changes in pages 25 through 39 of the bill. NHRS Executive Director Jan Goodwin and deputy chief counsel Mark Kavanaugh explained that the 2025 bill is largely similar to prior versions and to HB 727, with the main difference being that the 2025 version does not include the earlier increase in the maximum benefit. They also said the fiscal note for HB 2 is based on earlier actuarial work and that an updated valuation was expected later in the week.
A major topic was whether the bill accidentally removed an anti-spiking or special-duty compensation limit. NHRS said the omission appears to be a scrivener’s error caused by moving language between Group 1 and Group 2 definitions, and they planned to flag it in the fiscal note. Members also reviewed the bill’s intent to restore Tier B members to pre-2011 benefit rules, including changes to earnable compensation, average final compensation, and the comp-over-base rule. Some members questioned whether restoring those older rules was appropriate, arguing the 2011 changes were meant to curb pension spiking and that undoing them could be problematic.
The committee also discussed the bill’s cost and funding assumptions. NHRS said the 2025 bill would reduce unfunded actuarial liability by about $98.2 million and would have a more favorable effect than the 2023 version, while employer contribution impacts would remain relatively small. Members noted the bill assumes annual appropriations of $27.5 million for 10 years, but House Bill 1 currently provides only $5 million in the first year, and NHRS had not yet analyzed the effect of that shortfall. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the discussion was informational and focused on clarifying the bill’s language, intent, and fiscal impact.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- .<00:32:56.480><c> So</c><00:32:56.799><c> I</c><00:32:57.120><c> thank</c><00:32:57.360><c> him</c><
- I think I<00:32:59.279><c> think</c><00:32:59.440><c> this</c><00:32:59.679><c> might</c><00:32:59.840
- </c><01:32:15.280><c> Um</c><01:32:15.520><c> this</c><01:32:15.679><c> is</c><01:32:15.840><c> one</
- .<01:32:20.239><c> It's</c><01:32:20.400><c> not</c><01:32:20.560><c> necessarily</c><01:32:21.120><c
- </c><01:32:23.040><c> So,</c><01:32:23.760><c> um</c><01:32:24.080><c> the</c><01:32:24.320><c> the</
Committee:
Senate Finance
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Children and Family Law (04/03/2025)
Children and Family Law
Transcript Highlights:
- :32:02.000><c> how</c><00:32:02.240><c> to</c><00:32:02.399><c> disperse</c><00:32:03.159><c> them.
- > they</c><00:32:11.360><c> could</c><00:32:11.600><c> not</c><00:32:12.399><c> uh</c><00:32:12.559><
- :14.240><c> give</c><00:32:14.480><c> me</c><00:32:15.519><c> uh</c><00:32:15.840><c> a</c><00:32:16.159
- ><c> of</c><00:32:20.559><c> the</c><00:32:20.880><c> residents</c><00:32:21.360><c> in</c><00:32:21.600
- </c><01:32:02.400><c> And</c><01:32:02.800><c> uh</c><01:32:03.159><c> just</c><01:32:04.159><c> for<
Committee:
Senate Children and Family Law
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 41 (3-6-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:17.160><c> That</c><00:32:17.320><c> was</c><00:32:17.520><c> not</c><00:32:18.160><c> the
- </c><00:32:22.560><c> Speaker,</c><00:32:23.000><c> I</c><00:32:23.040><c> move</c><00:32:23.240><c>
- </c><00:32:25.120><c> 1</c><00:32:25.400><c> to</c><00:32:25.520><c> House</c><00:32:25.800><c> Bill<
- Motions<00:32:29.120><c> for</c><00:32:29.240><c> the</c><00:32:29.320><c> adoption</c><00:32:29.720>
- House<00:32:41.920><c> Floor</c><00:32:42.080><c> Amendment</c><00:32:42.400><c> 1</c><00:32:42.560><
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- :01.600><c> but</c><00:32:01.840><c> back</c><00:32:02.080><c> in</c><00:32:02.480><c> you</c><00:32:
- /c><00:32:05.120><c> both</c><00:32:05.840><c> you</c><00:32:06.000><c> know</c><00:32:07.039><c> on<
- on the road<00:32:07.600><c> and</c><00:32:07.840><c> off</c><00:32:08.000><c> the</c><00:32:08.080>
- <c> roads</c><00:32:08.480><c> you</c><00:32:08.559><c> know</c><00:32:08.640><c> we</c><00:32:08.799
- ><00:32:14.320><c> that</c><00:32:14.720><c> I</c><00:32:15.200><c> support</c><00:32:15.519><c> the<
Committee:
Senate Transportation
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 2/13/25 - Part 2
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- :04.399><c> speed</c><00:32:05.440><c> um</c><00:32:06.760><c> and</c><00:32:07.760><c> the</c><00:32
- :11.200><c> uh</c><00:32:11.320><c> she</c><00:32:11.559><c> just</c><00:32:11.720><c> lit</c><00:32:
- ><c> had</c><00:32:24.559><c> to</c><00:32:24.679><c> rush</c><00:32:25.039><c> that</c><00:32:25.200
- c><00:32:27.279><c> and</c><00:32:27.399><c> she</c><00:32:27.600><c> had</c><00:32:27.919><c> to</c>
- ><c> to</c><00:32:30.840><c> care</c><00:32:31.039><c> for</c><00:32:31.279><c> the</c><00:32:31.440>
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (2-19-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- >> And<00:32:05.039><c> I</c><00:32:05.200><c> guess</c><00:32:05.279><c> I</c><00:32:05.519><c
- Um so how<00:32:15.039><c> are</c><00:32:15.200><c> we</c><00:32:15.440><c> going</c><00:32:15.519><c
- >> From<00:32:17.200><c> the</c><00:32:17.360><c> bond</c><00:32:17.679><c> supported</c><00:32
- >> It's<00:32:25.760><c> part</c><00:32:25.919><c> of</c><00:32:26.000><c> the</c><00:32:26.399
- >> I<00:32:33.440><c> am</c><00:32:33.600><c> glad</c><00:32:33.840><c> to</c><00:32:34.000><c>
Keywords:
0:00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:30 Approval of Minutes
0:00:49 Information Items
0:01:54 Louisville Arena Authority
0:24:50 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions - MSU
0:26:35 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet
0:37:52 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet
0:40:13 Rpt from OFM – KIA
0:56:00 Rpt from OFM – EDF Grants
0:58:45 Rpt from OFM – OFM
1:01:46 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases.
The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule.
The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously.
Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- So that um that's<00:32:04.000><c> just</c><00:32:04.080><c> a</c><00:32:04.320><c> delete.
- they</c><00:32:44.720><c> might</c><00:32:44.880><c> be</c><00:32:44.960><c> able</c><00:32:45.120><c
- On question<00:32:54.720><c> on</c><00:32:54.960><c> on</c><00:32:55.200><c> that.
- This is<00:32:56.559><c> on</c><00:32:56.960><c> I'm</c><00:32:57.120><c> sorry.
- </c><00:32:57.279><c> It's</c><00:32:57.440><c> not</c><00:32:57.519><c> a</c><00:32:57.679><c> tramway
Committee:
Senate Capital Budget
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee BR Sub. on Justice, Public Safety, & Judiciary (3-4-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- :32:02.000><c> be</c><00:32:02.159><c> there</c><00:32:02.279><c> to</c><00:32:02.519><c> testify</c>
- </c><00:32:03.720><c> bill</c><00:32:04.039><c> so</c><00:32:04.200><c> I</c><00:32:04.279><c> heard<
- ><c> in</c><00:32:09.320><c> fact</c><00:32:09.559><c> some</c><00:32:09.720><c> of</c><00:32:09.840>
- </c><00:32:19.399><c> the</c><00:32:19.519><c> guardian</c><00:32:19.919><c> at</c><00:32:20.159><c>
- c> how</c><00:32:26.480><c> much</c><00:32:26.720><c> they've</c><00:32:26.919><c> been</c><00:32:27.080
Summary:
The subcommittee met to discuss the guardian ad litem system, including appointment qualifications, training, payment, and whether any changes are needed. Roll was called, the February 25, 2025 minutes were approved, and the chair emphasized that the meeting was informational only and no vote would be taken. Representatives from the Court of Justice, including Chief Justice Deborah Henry Lambert and several family and district judges, testified about how the system has evolved since concerns raised in 2019 about overappointment and fees.
Court witnesses said the judiciary responded to earlier concerns by requiring open appointment lists of trained and qualified attorneys, improving training, and increasing oversight of fee orders. They reported that statewide GAL fees have fallen from a little over $14 million in 2019 to about $12 million, even as caseloads have grown, and said the average payment works out to about $650 per case, with the statutory cap for trial-level GAL fees still set at $500 since 1986. They argued that the current local appointment model works well, especially in rural areas, and warned that moving to a DPA-style regional model would create serious scheduling and conflict problems because of overlapping dockets and related criminal cases.
Judges from rural districts described shortages of available attorneys, high burnout, travel burdens, and the difficulty of finding enough counsel in smaller counties. They also said the Court of Justice cannot seek certain federal Title IV-E reimbursements, but urged the legislature to encourage the Finance and Administration Cabinet and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to pursue that funding through an MOU. One judge noted that some appointed attorneys are effectively underpaid relative to private rates and that better compensation would help attract and retain lawyers.
The discussion also covered training standards adopted after the 2019 audit. Witnesses said Rule 37 now requires initial training and four hours of multidisciplinary continuing training every two years, with topics including child development, trauma-informed care, substance use, child welfare, forensics, ethics, and communication with clients. They said the Court of Justice has offered in-person regional trainings and remote options, and that the goal is to keep qualified attorneys on the appointment lists while improving representation for children and parents in dependency, neglect, abuse, and termination-of-parental-rights cases.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Public Pension Oversight Board (12-12-25) - Part 2
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh<00:32:34.880><c> my</c><00:32:35.120><c> name</c><00:32:35.200><c> is</c><00:32:35.360><c> John</c
- <00:32:38.640><c> Um</c><00:32:39.039><c> and</c><00:32:39.279><c> I</c><00:32:39.519><c> have</c><00
- > be</c><00:32:41.200><c> impacted</c><00:32:42.480><c> uh</c><00:32:42.640><c> by</c><00:32:43.279><
- transportation<00:32:48.880><c> cabinet</c><00:32:49.200><c> and</c><00:32:49.440><c> I'll</c><00:32:
- </c><00:32:51.600><c> Um</c><00:32:52.080><c> I</c><00:32:52.320><c> just</c><00:32:52.480><c> want</
Summary:
The committee heard testimony from Rep. Ashley Tacket Laferty on a bill to expand minimum hazardous-duty retirement and health benefits for certain public safety workers injured in the line of duty. She used a video and examples from Floyd County to describe officers and an emergency management director who were catastrophically injured but did not qualify for existing hazardous-duty coverage because their employers had enrolled them in non-hazardous retirement plans. The bill would provide a minimum benefit of 25% of pay, plus 10% for dependent children and limited health coverage, for eligible workers who cannot return to hazardous work. Laferty said the proposal would apply retroactively through a five-year window, estimated to affect a limited number of workers statewide, and would be funded by small increases in employer contribution rates. Committee members questioned how many former employees might qualify, how the bill interacts with the pension system, and who would pay the added cost. Discussion also noted that local governments choose whether to place employees in hazardous or non-hazardous coverage, largely based on cost. The sheriff’s association was present online in support, and no vote was taken.
The committee then heard Rep. Daniel Gber present a revised bill allowing teachers and school district employees to use accumulated sick leave to observe religious holidays not already on the school calendar, if they provide a personal statement and sufficient advance notice. He said the measure is intended to address the rigid school calendar and the difficulty teachers face in observing non-school holidays without losing service credit toward retirement. He noted that the earlier version of the bill had allowed make-up work time, but the current draft is shorter and focused on sick leave use. He also referenced a supporting letter from a constituent who could not attend because of weather. The bill was presented for discussion only, with no committee action reported.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Minnesota House committee considers bill to tax social media platforms, HF3117 4/9/25
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:32:03.200><c> They</c><00:32:03.360><c> want</c><00:32:03.519><c> you</c><00:32:03.919><c> to
- for bringing this<00:32:18.720><c> forward</c><00:32:19.519><c> and</c><00:32:19.919><c> uh</c><00:32
- We<00:32:21.919><c> we</c><00:32:22.440><c> do</c><00:32:23.679><c> um</c><00:32:24.320><c> need</c><
- 00:32:24.559><c> more</c><00:32:24.799><c> revenue</c><00:32:25.200><c> and</c><00:32:25.360><c> our<
- > to</c><00:32:26.960><c> pay</c><00:32:27.200><c> for</c><00:32:27.440><c> our</c><00:32:27.600><c>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill.
Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services.
Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 22 January, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- :08.880><c> I</c><00:32:09.120><c> have</c><00:32:09.279><c> a</c><00:32:10.320><c> appropriation</c>
- subcommittee meetings<00:32:12.720><c> that</c><00:32:13.039><c> are</c><00:32:13.440><c> scheduled<
- >> Thank<00:32:18.240><c> you,</c><00:32:18.399><c> Senator</c><00:32:18.720><c> Deleno.
- Listen to<00:32:20.240><c> the</c><00:32:20.399><c> resolution,</c><00:32:20.960><c> please,</c><00:32
- As I don't<00:32:22.399><c> in</c><00:32:22.640><c> my</c><00:32:22.799><c> time</c><00:32:22.960><c>
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- where<00:32:02.640><c> those</c><00:32:03.360><c> sorts</c><00:32:03.760><c> of</c><00:32:04.159><c>
- </c><00:32:22.159><c> Uh,</c><00:32:22.320><c> and</c><00:32:22.559><c> I</c><00:32:22.720><c> will</
- Any<00:32:25.360><c> other</c><00:32:25.519><c> discussion</c><00:32:25.919><c> on</c><00:32:26.080><
- Thank<00:32:29.760><c> you,</c><00:32:30.000><c> Madam</c><00:32:30.399><c> Chair,</c><00:32:30.640><
- As I was<00:32:33.120><c> listening</c><00:32:33.519><c> to</c><00:32:33.760><c> the</c><00:32:34.240
Committee:
Senate Elections