Transcript Highlights:

• We do see an uptick in demand, at least according to forecast by ISO New England, but we do not see the
• At first, ISO thought, um, and some of their forecasts from a couple of years ago were saying you're
• by ISO New England according to forecast by ISO New England but<00:39:43.760> we<00:39:44.000
• from a couple of some of their forecasts from a couple of years<00:39:52.320> ago<00:39:52.640
• And if you can understand the volatility, you can forecast the price and you can decrease the overall

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• numbers of openings that are forecasted numbers of openings that are forecasted to<00:38:45.920>
• Um, that did in fact occur as it was forecasted. The USNH enrollment in 2019 was 30,400 students.
• c><00:46:45.839> to assembled, um it's not too hard to assembled, um it's not too hard to forecast
• um occur as it was as it was forecasted. um occur as it was as it was forecasted.
• The projection that we use as a system to forecast our enrollment out at the end of this in 2030, which

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senate File 4282 with amended on our education finance forecast article.
• These forecast adjustments align with the February 26 forecast data that funds each of our K-12 programs

Transcript Highlights:

• As a forecast show, the reason we are okay now is because the national economy is doing quite well.
• We heard last week in the budget forecast that the surplus is now $3.7 billion dollars.
• We heard last week in the budget forecast that the surplus is now $3.7 billion dollars.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Senate Republicans held a press conference unveiling a package of affordability and tax-relief bills aimed at property taxes, taxes on tips and overtime, and vehicle registration costs. Leader Mark Johnson said the proposals were meant to counter rising costs for wages, homeownership, and driving, and argued that Democrats’ policies had made life more expensive. Several senators echoed that theme, saying Minnesotans need immediate relief and that the state has room to act because of a reported surplus. Senator Michael Kunesh described a property-tax cap bill that would limit increases for cities and counties to inflation plus 50% of population growth, with higher increases requiring voter approval. He said constituents, including seniors, a disabled veteran, and young people, are seeing unsustainable property-tax hikes, and he argued that state and federal mandates have driven local costs. In response to a question about added county workload from federal SNAP and Medicaid changes, he said the solution is both to pause new mandates and to cap property-tax growth. Senator Karin Housley outlined a proposal to end state taxes on tips and overtime, with deductions up to $25,000 for tips and $12,500 for overtime, phased out at $150,000 for individuals and $300,000 for families. She said the measure would help workers keep more of what they earn and would not cost small businesses directly. Senator John Jasinski proposed rolling back vehicle registration tab fees to pre-2023 levels, saying Minnesota’s fees are far higher than neighboring states and that the change would save drivers money over time. Senator Julia Coleman also supported the package, saying the bills would provide practical relief for families facing high housing, driving, and work-related costs. No votes were taken; the event ended with questions from reporters about fiscal impacts, offsets, and whether the proposals would worsen the state’s structural budget imbalance.

Transcript Highlights:

• This work is primarily focused on forecasting wildfire risk months in advance.
• We combine that with seasonal forecasts and long-term weather forecasts, and with that information, we

Transcript Highlights:

• provide funding for students eligible for the Family Empowerment Scholarship who are above the forecasted
• Because one of the things that we are discovering is your staff is very good at forecasting, but they're
• funds to the scholarship funding organizations for the first quarter of the fiscal year based on forecast

Summary: The committee first heard the Pre-K-12 education budget proposal for fiscal year 2025-26 and voted to adopt it as the committee’s recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The proposed $34.7 billion budget includes increases for the FEFP, Family Empowerment Scholarships, VPK, school safety, the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, school hardening, Jewish day school security, and an education enrollment stabilization fund. Members asked no questions on the budget before it was advanced, and staff was authorized to make technical corrections. The committee then passed CS/SB 1402, which expands eligibility for dropout retrieval services to any individual who has withdrawn from high school and clarifies how school grades are calculated for virtual instruction providers that offer only dropout retrieval services. An amendment to clarify the grading calculation was adopted without objection, and the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also took up SPB 7030, a comprehensive scholarship-program bill sponsored by Senator Gates, which would separate Family Empowerment Scholarship funding as its own categorical, expand the education stabilization fund, create fall and spring application windows, require a single scholarship application and more documentation, assign student IDs, change payments to a monthly schedule, require background checks for paid instructional providers, mandate annual FTE audits by the Auditor General, and standardize reimbursement and eligibility procedures. After extensive discussion and public testimony, the bill was adopted as a committee bill and reported favorably, with Senator Osgood voting no. Finally, the committee considered CS/SB 508, which requires private schools participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to disclose in writing what accommodations, modifications, and services they will provide for students with existing plans such as IEPs, 504 plans, or ELL plans. An amendment was adopted to require public schools to consult with private schools about equitable services, and the bill was reported favorably. Public testimony included support from parent-choice advocates and concerns from private-school representatives about administrative burden and the scope of the required disclosures. The meeting concluded after the final roll call votes and adjournment motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The February forecast shows a small $377 million positive balance in the 2028-2029 biennium, but that's
• They come in and give you the best forecast they're going to give you on your house.
• They come in and budget forecast, okay?
• <01:14:04.800> they're<01:14:04.880> going give you the best forecast they're going
• give you the best forecast they're going to<01:14:05.080> give<01:14:05.320> you<01:14

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Summary: The committee first approved the April 9 minutes, then took up House File 2988, which would extend for eight more years a sales tax exemption tied to Minnesota State High School League tournament ticket revenue that is funneled into the league’s foundation and returned to schools as grants. Chair Youakim and Executive Director Eric Martins said the program sends more than $1.1 million annually back to schools for activity fee reductions, scholarships, coaching and training, AEDs, late buses, and other school needs, with over 98% of funds going directly to schools. Representative Huot and others spoke in support, while Representative Robinson questioned the structure and suggested the state could instead simply reduce ticket prices and not tax the tickets. The committee laid HF 2988 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then heard House File 4906, as amended, which would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for owners of residential homesteads and the homestead portion of agricultural property, funded by a $4 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a clawback for delinquent taxpayers and offsets to ensure no one receives more in property tax refunds than they paid. A House Research staffer said the Department of Revenue viewed the refund as potentially taxable, while House Research said it likely should be treated as a recovery of prior taxes, and the two would follow up. The bill was introduced with testimony from Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, both of whom opposed it, arguing it would create a large budget hole, force future cuts, and disproportionately benefit homeowners while excluding renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Several members also raised concerns. Representative Hewitt said the state should prioritize public safety, rural EMS, and safety-net hospitals rather than a large rebate, and Representative Youakim argued the money would be better spent on longer-term property tax relief and education funding. Representative Hollins said the proposal would worsen racial and wealth inequities because homeownership is lower among communities of color and renters would get nothing. In response, the author and supporters said the bill is meant to put money back into people’s budgets and that individuals should be able to decide how to use their own money. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s size and fiscal impact, but no final action on HF 4906 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We’ve received the budget forecast and worked with many stakeholders and partners in order to bring this
• We've received the budget forecast<00:02:34.319> and<00:02:34.560> worked<00:02:34.879>
• with<00:02:35.200> many forecast and worked with many forecast and worked with many stakeholders
• committees to be able to vet them to ensure that they meet with our budget outlooks as we've seen the forecast
• They meet with our budget outlooks as we've seen the forecast a couple weeks ago.

Bills: HF3403, HF2687, HF2381

Keywords: HF3403, emergency rental assistance, rental aid, homelessness prevention, housing crisis, imminent risk of homelessness, eviction prevention, county aid, Tribal governments, local government aids, general fund appropriation, Minnesota revenue commissioner, poverty level, low-income housing, housing stability, family homeless prevention and assistance, emergency housing assistance, HF2687, single-family homes, corporate landlords

Transcript Highlights:

• It is formatted in the same way as the November forecast, as well as the governor's recommendations spreadsheet
• 06.799> as<00:03:07.000> well<00:03:07.400> as<00:03:07.599> the November forecast
• as well as the November forecast as well as the governor's<00:03:08.440> recommendations<00:03
• It is already pushed out when we can do our forecast to March 6th instead of February.
• It is already pushed out when we can do our forecast to March 6th instead of February.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• end of the last legislative session, or what was included in the most recent budget and economic forecast
• of the previous legislative session or what was included in the most recent budget and economic forecast
• In a fiscal note, we need to not forecast.
• those are the two and economic forecast those are the two areas<00:09:28.440> that<00:09:28.519
• in a fiscal note we need to not forecast in a fiscal note we need to not make<00:09:50.760> sure<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• that our electricity prices are through the roof is because your utility is required to do load forecasting
• for the energy that data centers need. ...is because your utility is required to do load forecasting

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approvals, quorum call, and a series of guest recognitions, including students, interns, local officials, and advocates visiting the chamber. Members also announced caucus and committee meetings, and the House recessed before returning later in the day for floor action. After reconvening, the House adopted several committee reports and then considered a series of resolutions and bills. It adopted House Resolution 462, designating May 17, 2026, as World Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day, and House Resolution 553, designating May 19, 2026, as Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day, both by 200-2 votes. The chamber also agreed to House Bill 733 on marriage ceremony law, House Bill 2529 on scheduling metatomidine as a Schedule 3 controlled substance, and Senate Bill 1294 on civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools. The House then debated House Bill 2359 on data center nondisclosure agreements and related amendments. One amendment requiring hyperscale data centers to pay their own energy and infrastructure costs failed on a 101-101 tie, while another amendment to make the bill effective immediately passed 201-1 and a third amendment to protect trade secrets failed 87-115. The bill itself was agreed to after amendment. The House also approved House Bill 2455 on collective bargaining rights for Pittsburgh school administrators, House Bill 2499 on State Workers Insurance Fund investment authority, Senate Bill 604 joining the Counseling Compact, and House Bill 1006 on penalties against abusive towing practices, with one agreed-to amendment added. Several measures then passed finally by recorded vote: House Bill 2014 on opportunities for minors in emergency service organizations, House Bill 2037 on cryptocurrency-related ethics restrictions for public officials, House Bill 2512 prohibiting ride-share pricing based on certain device conditions, House Bill 2644 authorizing capital bridge projects, and House Bill 2559 on Millersville University and other conveyances. House Bill 2559 drew floor criticism from Representative Conklin over the state land conveyance process, though it still passed 154-48. Before adjournment, the House recommitted several bills to Appropriations, removed additional Senate bills from the table calendar, and adjourned until June 30, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the consensus forecast group met twice in September and December and revised the estimates and
• forecasted the next two years.
• ended up with a $156 million revenue shortfall in the general fund after the December consensus forecasting
• ,<00:20:33.679> lots<00:20:33.919> of estimate of forecasting, lots of estimate of
• forecasting, lots of variables,<00:20:34.720> lots<00:20:35.039> of<00:20:35.520> uh

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• A 2024 analysis found utility load growth forecasts jumped from 38 gigawatts in 2023 to 128 gigawatts
• bill, I think one thing that we have seen as states try to kind of grapple with this, like demand forecasting
• bill, I think one thing that we have seen as states try to kind of grapple with this, like demand forecasting
• bill, I think one thing that we have seen as states try to kind of grapple with this, like demand forecasting
• bill, I think one thing that we have seen as states try to kind of grapple with this, like demand forecasting

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If we knew there was a flash flood watch, we would be more vigilant watching the forecast.
• And we see that those different Weather Service offices can give different forecasts.
• It says the Austin-San Antonio Weather Forecast Agency coordinated with its core partners, and this is
• We are watching the sky every time the forecast calls for rain. We cannot do this alone.
• Days after TDEM and the National Weather Service forecasted flash flooding, while the roads were still

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• do want to say, and I want to stress this to the entire committee: if you're reading the national forecast
• What I stress is if you look at the forecast, one of the examples of a very low season was 1992.
• We're prepared, and we will always be prepared no matter what the forecast is. Thank you.
• which is just another way of saying it’s analogous to a year averaged based on the factors that forecasters
• the left, our emergency operations plans that we've conducted so far this year: 13 of 16 of the forecasted

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster. Laura Sori of the Department of Conservation and Energy said the agency has inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the earthquakes, found no permit violations, and is requiring monthly reporting of daily injection data. LSU and Tulane researchers explained that the swarm includes about 50 earthquakes detected by USGS since December 2025, including a 4.9 magnitude event on March 5, and that better monitoring is needed because Louisiana has very limited seismic station coverage. Dr. Cynthia Ebinger said her temporary array has detected more small quakes than USGS, that the pattern looks more like a swarm than normal aftershocks, and that the data suggest pressure changes in the subsurface, though no definitive cause was identified. Keith Hall of LSU described how other states responded to suspected induced seismicity with more monitoring, more frequent reporting, injection limits or moratoria, and “traffic light” systems that escalate regulatory responses as seismicity increases. Members asked about depths, fault locations, possible links to injection or fracking, and whether more monitoring and data-sharing should be pursued; several speakers said Louisiana likely needs a denser monitoring network and more structured data collection. A Texas geoscientist, William Berger, also testified that Texas uses large-scale data analysis and AI to study injection-related seismicity and argued for secure sharing of operator data to improve forecasting and risk management. The committee then took testimony on UAV and drone incursions over Barksdale Air Force Base. GOSEP said the incident was logged in WebEOC and the common operating picture, but that Barksdale did not request direct GOSEP resources and that the matter was handled through law enforcement channels. Louisiana State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose, but confirmed multiple drone sightings on the morning and evening of March 9 and continued monitoring for several days. State Police said they have created a task force with the Police Chiefs Association, Sheriffs Association, GOSEP, and LSP, and that officers are receiving FBI-related training to help detect and, where authorized, mitigate drones. Members discussed whether the activity was nefarious, what counts as an incursion, and the need for better public education about drone restrictions near military and critical infrastructure sites. No formal action was taken, but members said the issue will continue to be tracked alongside pending legislation. Finally, the committee received a one-year update on the merger of GOSEP with the Louisiana National Guard and Military Department. Major General Thomas Freelieu and Brigadier General Jason Maffus said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, shifted administrative functions to the Military Department, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance. They said the agency has modernized its common operating picture, returned staff to in-person work, and continued statewide preparedness exercises. Freelieu highlighted Guard missions including cyber expansion, the new Air National Guard cyber squadron at Jackson Barracks, modernization of the 159th Fighter Wing, and ongoing support for homeland security missions in New Orleans and Washington, D.C. Maffus said GOSEP’s core mission remains emergency preparedness, response, and recovery, and that the merger is intended to make state support to parishes faster and more efficient.

Transcript Highlights:

• do want to say, and I want to stress this to the entire committee: if you're reading the national forecast
• What I stress is if you look at the forecast, one of the examples of a very low season was 1992.
• We're prepared, and we will always be prepared no matter what the forecast is. Thank you.
• which is just another way of saying it's analogous to a year averaged based on the factors that forecasters
• the left, our emergency operations plans that we've conducted so far this year: 13 of 16 of the forecasted

Summary: The committee met on May 26, 2026, and first approved the minutes from the May 22, 2025 meeting. The main topic was the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster, with testimony from Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy staff, LSU and Tulane geoscientists, and later LSU law professor Keith Hall. Witnesses said the cause of the swarm has not been definitively identified, but induced seismicity from wastewater injection or hydraulic fracturing remains a concern. They described 50 earthquakes reported by the USGS in Red River, Bienville, DeSoto, and Natchitoches Parishes, including a magnitude 4.9 event on March 5, 2026, and explained that Louisiana’s sparse seismic network limits detection and depth/location estimates. C&E said it inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the events, found no violations, now requires more frequent injection reporting, and is working with researchers and LSU on a possible state monitoring network and future policy changes. Committee members asked about injection depths, fault locations, whether the activity could be natural, and whether Louisiana should adopt stronger monitoring or a traffic-light regulatory system like other states. The witnesses said more data is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, but that denser monitoring can detect smaller quakes and help identify patterns. Professor Hall summarized responses in other states, including more frequent reporting, increased monitoring, injection reductions, moratoria, and traffic-light systems in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. Members also discussed whether operators should share more seismic and geologic data, and several said the state should avoid jumping to conclusions while still improving oversight. The committee then heard from William Berger, a Texas geoscientist, who described using AI and operator data to model wastewater injection and seismic risk, and said broader data sharing would improve forecasting and siting decisions. He and another witness emphasized that many earthquakes arise from clusters of wells rather than a single well, and that proprietary concerns limit voluntary disclosure. The committee also received a brief update from GOSEP and the Louisiana National Guard on the Barksdale Air Force Base drone incursions. GOSEP said it logged the incident in WebEOC and shared releasable information, while State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose. Officers said a task force has been formed, some personnel have received federal drone-mitigation training, and House Bill 940 is intended to mirror the task force MOU. Finally, Major General Thomas Friloux and Brigadier General Jason Maffus updated the committee on the merger of GOSEP into the Louisiana Military Department. They said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, brought back employees to in-person work, modernized the state’s common operating picture, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance through staffing and contract changes. They also noted the planned transfer of the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, ongoing hurricane preparedness, and continued coordination with parish emergency managers. No votes were taken on the substantive topics, and the meeting ended with the committee moving through its agenda items and receiving informational testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• includes the 24 to 25 the current biennium appropriation amounts according to the February 2025 forecasts
• includes the 24 to 25 the current biennium appropriation amounts according to the February 2025 forecasts
• 12.599> 2025 amounts according to the February 2025 amounts according to the February 2025 forecasts
• <00:04:15.680> What<00:04:16.000> what forecasts for that bienium.
• What what forecasts for that bienium.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Over the next few years, I think in ways that we could not have predicted because I think the forecast
• And there's something of a scale that the agency really didn't have historic data to be able to forecast
• that will come in the future, but we are not in a position yet to have enough data to be able to forecast
• that will come in the future, but we are not in a position yet to have enough data to be able to forecast
• enough data to be able to forecast enough data to be able to forecast um<01:03:42.960> you

Bills: SF2434

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 371 is a proposal to reduce the trend in the forecast payments for managed care MA capitation
• payments for managed care MA forecast payments for managed care MA capitation<00:22:06.400> payments
• I know the budget forecast poses challenges for all of us, and I want to highlight MDH's priorities in
• I know<00:52:52.960> the<00:52:53.200> budget<00:52:53.520> forecast<00:52:54.079
• > poses know the budget forecast poses know the budget forecast poses challenges<00:52:55.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The budget impact of the change would reduce a cancellation assumption we have in our forecasts, and
• The budget impact of the change would reduce a cancellation assumption we have in our forecasts, and
• The budget impact of the change would reduce a cancellation assumption we have in our forecasts, and
• The budget impact of the change would reduce a cancellation assumption we have in our forecasts, and
• The budget impact of the change would reduce a cancellation assumption we have in our forecasts, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all