Transcript Highlights:

• This is line one. 26. >> Iran must include provisions related to student ages and grade levels student
• You are recognized for your line of questioning, sir.
• President, it's was asking there's not an and can joining the 50% or a surplus of 500.
• And that's just the bottom line. So I'm okay today. I'm I'm not entirely comfortable Norwood.
• Also want to thank and found for keeping us on task in in line. Always appreciate you very much.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's what this line is, this 108 line as well.
• <00:26:31.520> Um<00:26:32.159> I'm line is, this 108 line as well.
• Um I'm line is, this 108 line as well.
• So if you look at the first two lines, those are the same class lines.
• > lines.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee worked through several HB 2 budget amendments, focusing first on energy-related transfers and then on judicial funding. For the energy item, members discussed moving remaining money from the renewable energy fund into the general fund for the biennium, with later-year amounts going to the general fund rather than ratepayers. They noted the proposal was based on prior House Bill 111 language, that the exact amount was still being worked out with the Department of Energy, and that some language about “incentive payments” was being removed or clarified. Amendment 1211H was moved and adopted on a 5-4 vote. The committee then considered amendment 1040 on the governor’s scholarship fund, which would eliminate the program and sweep uncommitted funds. Members supporting the program argued it helps New Hampshire students afford in-state college and should be reworked rather than repealed; opponents said the remaining balance was limited and the program should be ended. Amendment 1040 was defeated 4-5. The committee then turned to a judicial council request tied to a Franklin Pierce criminal justice clinic that had previously used ARPA funds. Supporters said the clinic cleared 323 cases in nine months, provided training for future attorneys, and could reduce more expensive assigned-counsel costs by helping the public defender system handle cases more efficiently. The amendment would add $100,000 to the judicial council line for that purpose. There was some confusion over the line item and whether the request should be attributed to the judicial branch or judicial council, which was corrected during discussion. Members also discussed a larger issue: the judicial council’s budget request appeared lower than intended because of a possible clerical error in how prior-year funding was calculated, especially after the last budget combined HB 1 and HB 2 funding. The committee compared the public defender line and assigned counsel line, noting that if public defender funding is cut, more cases would shift to assigned counsel, which is more expensive. No final vote on the judicial council amendment is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a typographical error in lines 1.3, 1.9, and 1.1.9 through 1.11, and that's just making sure
• The second correction is to add requested language from the authors on lines 1.4 through 1.8.
• And that's on line 1.13 through 2.6.
• You will find that on lines 2.7 through 3.14.
• You can find that on lines 3.1 through 3.4 and on lines 2.5 through 3.17.

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders spoke to reporters about the ongoing Minnesota House standoff, saying Democrats had still not returned to the chamber and that no meaningful progress had been made toward a power-sharing deal. They rejected claims by Rep. Hortman that the sides were closer to an agreement, saying the same proposal had been offered for about 15 days and that any deal would first require Democrats to “show up to work.” Republicans also said they were open to written negotiations on a tie arrangement, but only if the terms were new and acceptable to both sides. The discussion focused heavily on the consequences of the absent Democrats and the Republicans’ efforts to keep legislative work moving. GOP members said they were still meeting with constituents, discussing bill ideas, and preparing work on capital investment, roads, bridges, wastewater, school funding, and budget issues. They emphasized priorities such as stopping fraud, improving reading outcomes, public safety, and limiting taxes and wasteful spending, while also saying agencies had previously been told not to attend Republican-led committee hearings and that they hoped those meetings could resume. Republicans also addressed questions about pay and per diem, saying members were still receiving legislative salary but not per diem and arguing that lawmakers who do not show up should face penalties, including loss of pay. They said such penalties would need to be authorized by the Rules Committee. On other matters, they said there was nothing new to announce on possible legal action, they had not yet fully reviewed the president’s funding freeze, and they were open to meeting again with Rep. Hortman, including at 3:30 the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Leeling, after you guys squandered an $18 billion surplus, raised taxes by $10 billion
• concerned about the price of eggs suddenly in this body, and members, after having an $18 billion surplus
• Thank you. members after having an $18 billion members after having an $18 billion Surplus<00:48:56.079
• uh two years ago we are now Surplus uh two years ago we are now facing<00:48:58.559> over<00:
• <01:05:46.760> that's<01:05:46.960> been the $8.5 billion do Surplus that's been the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll pause on this slide just to highlight some things of note, particularly on the central office line
• that is why it drops off in the base because of the one-time nature of that spend. central office line
• you see the huge central office line you see the huge increase<00:13:46.480> in<00:13:46.600>
• <00:14:01.920> that<00:14:02.040> the<00:14:02.199> legis portion of the Surplus
• uh that the legis portion of the Surplus uh that the legis the<00:14:02.639> 23<00:14:03.040>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It really deals with surplus lines.
• If you're not familiar, surplus lines is really going to be something mainly around the coast.
• It represents one year of losses—over 1,000 pages from front to back, line by line of prescriptions paid
• one paragraph, it states that the PBM cannot refer an individual to a mail order pharmacy; yet, five lines
• We have an imminent situation going on here, so it's a pretty fine line to walk there.

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sure, we'll just go down the line and let everyone introduce themselves.
• The light blue line represents the reinsurance expense.
• The light blue line represents the reinsurance expense.
• they would exhaust 56% of their Surplus they would exhaust 56% of their Surplus in<00:31:42.120>
• Is there an excess surplus policy I could get for the $250,000 balance?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• key provisions, which are court approval and transparency, standardized sale process, oversight of surplus
• It ensures judicial oversight, protects surplus funds, and mandates independent professionals to handle
• Along those lines, though, I did want to ask, gentlemen, do you find that most squatters, or have you
• Just following the Chairman's line of questioning, how are the members, the citizen members, the non-lawyer
• Just following the chairman's line of questioning, um, how are the members, the citizen members, the

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and Senator Thompson excused. The committee first considered Senate Bill 48 by Senator Garcia on judicial sales and procedures. Garcia explained a delete-all amendment that would create clearer statewide procedures for alternative judicial sales, increase transparency, remove bidding credits, extend sale timelines, and add oversight for auctioneers and escrow agents to prevent fraud and collusion. After no questions or opposition, the amendment was adopted, Senator Pasadoma said the rewrite addressed many of his concerns, and the committee then voted CS for SB 48 favorably with unanimous yes votes from members present. The committee then received a presentation from the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office on the effectiveness of Florida’s recent anti-squatting law, House Bill 621/SB 888. Presenters described several cases in which deputies used the new process to remove unlawful occupants, including a false landlord report, a long-term fake lease situation, and a more recent unlawful occupancy case. They said the law has helped protect property owners and potential victims, but suggested technical changes: clearer authorization for deputies to enter and use force if needed, and a fix to the affidavit penalty provision because false statements are currently being charged as false reports rather than perjury under the existing wording. The Florida Bar also presented on its role in regulating lawyers, lawyer advertising, and the unlicensed practice of law. Bar leaders explained that the Bar operates under the Florida Supreme Court’s authority, is funded by member fees, and handles complaints through a multi-step process involving intake, branch offices, grievance committees, referees, and final Supreme Court review. They described advertising review procedures, discipline statistics, consumer assistance, the Clients’ Security Fund, and enforcement against unlicensed practice. Senators asked about the Legislature’s authority over lawyer advertising, the prevalence of legal ads, the role of public members on grievance committees, and how those members are selected and used.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a grant program for short line rail facilities.
• This is a grant program for short line rail facilities.
• It strikes a line.
• If you look at the bill on page one, line 23, Last line on page one, we strike everything after the word
• The rest of line 23, 24, and then on page two, lines one and two. So we strike that part.

Bills: HB2293, HB2694, HB2999, HB3694, HB3254, HB4662, HB5629, HB5632, HB5675, HB5664, HB5671, HB5680, HB5682, HB5693, HB4158, HB5695, HB4669, HB5696, HB5698, HB5677, HB5699, HB5694, HCR81, HCR83, HCR84, HCR89, HCR111, HCR142, HR868, SB682, SB1351, SB1895, SB1931, SB2141, SB3044, SCR1, SCR6, SCR37, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, HB75, HB5354, HB4683, HB4847, HB1449, HB3833, HB265, HB1845, HB 108, HB1960, HB1955, HB2512, HB2581, HB2803, HB1738, HB636, HB2638, HB2655, HB871, HB 1107, HB1765, HB1822, HB3679, HB4099, HB3732, HB3171, HB3749, HB2814, HB3977, HB4204, HB4207, HB4449, HB1820, HB1876, HB1939, HB1347, HB2593, HB2136, HB2658, HB2757, HB2080, HB3063, HB3006, HB2844, HB3241, HB3680, HB3169, HB2078, HB2507, HB4559, HB3405, HB475, HB3463, HB3441, HB3520, HB3178, HB158, HB2060, HB4991, HB1991, HB5596, HB2014, HB2731, HB2417, HB2399, HB2301, HB3335, HB3234, HB3320, HB4848, HB4748, HB4769, HB4795, HB2086, HB2234, HB4916, HB5624, HB4505, HB5093, HB5302, HB5402, HB5606, HB4630, HB4924, HB3339, HB3793, HB3631, HB4882, HB5509, HB5499, HB5520, SB1177, SB1559, SB746, SB434, SB1383, SB1214, SB1079, SB3031, SB2141, SB2185, SB1895, SB1241, SB901, SB1883, SB552, HB 1249, HJR218, HB5623, SB687, SB1332, SB458, SB482, SB927, SB984, SB651, SB1620, SB2124, SB2448, SB841, SB843, SB402, SB2662, SB2053, SB2332, SB2112, SB745, SB1247, SB1789, HCR76, HCR127, HCR9, HCR40, HCR118, HR559, HCR59, HCR135, HCR141, HCR46, HCR109, HCR10, SB3037

Keywords: Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors, local governance, elections, healthcare administration, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, vacancies, resignation, hydrogen vehicles, weight limitations, transportation, environmental impact, clean energy, deep fake, intimate depictions, consent, digital media, criminal penalties, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:29.120> on that our person Staffing the line on that our person Staffing the line on
• > the<00:13:31.079> issue that particular line knows the issue that particular line knows
• ensure that whoever is Staffing the line ensure that whoever is Staffing the line at<00:16:27.199
• The majority of their coverage is coming from what's called a surplus lines carrier, and they can charge
• Surplus lines insurers and providing Surplus lines insurers and providing some<01:13:23.760>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, madam Chair, members, as you mentioned, this is uh just a vehicle bill on line 1.9.
• House File 1049 also has no practical effect on lines 1.7.
• House File 1049 also has no practical effect on lines 1.7.
• <00:13:29.040> the Um the first line shows the Um the first line shows the non-representative
• So, number seven at line 4.15 is evaluate the best uses of compensatory.

Bills: HF1048, HF1049, HF745, HF2210

Keywords: charter schools, education funding, revenue calculation, general education revenue, special education, school library aid, education finance, school districts, funding eligibility, compensatory revenue, task force, free meals, school funding, education equity, HF2210, school unemployment aid, Minnesota Department of Education, general fund appropriation, unemployment insurance, unemployment claims

Transcript Highlights:

• in The budget and economic forecast released in November predicts the biennium will end with a surplus
• Whether we are facing structural surplus or structural imbalance, we know our job is to balance the budget
• structural budgets whether we are facing structural budgets whether we are facing structural Surplus
• > structural<00:24:36.919> imbalance<00:24:37.840> that<00:24:38.000> we Surplus
• or structural imbalance that we Surplus or structural imbalance that we know<00:24:38.279> our

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a trade surplus with Australia, not a deficit. We have a trade surplus with Australia.
• We also maintain lines to continue communication so that we might not have miscalculation in the region
• writ large whether that be on the MDL or across the northern limit line in the west see.
• on a unique capability, and on that front, if I leave the space between. the surface and the Kármán line
• Let me ask you, in a follow-up to Senator Blumenthal's line of questioning on submarines.

Keywords: Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. military strategy, China military drills, Taiwan, Philippines, North Korea, defense budget, military modernization

Summary: The meeting focused on significant strategic discussions regarding the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and its military posture in the region. Admiral Paparo and General Brunson were commended for their services, with the Chair noting an alarming shift in the balance of power towards China. Key topics included China's aggressive military drills near Taiwan, the increasing coercion against the Philippines, and the need for the U.S. to reaffirm its commitments to its allies in the region. Concerns were raised regarding China's military modernization and its implications for U.S. forces, alongside discussions on North Korea's threats and its burgeoning nuclear capabilities. The committee emphasized the urgent need for military and defense appropriations to counteract these growing security challenges.

Transcript Highlights:

• Since 2012, a portion of UGRI surplus, is mitigation.
• This line of questioning is very disturbing.
• I guess you spent $515,000 out of surplus in ’24.
• Before we had that line of communication, it wasn't going anywhere.
• The orange line represents data at five-minute intervals, and the gray line represents a one-hour reporting

Summary: The joint Senate and House disaster preparedness hearing convened in Kerrville with quorum, public testimony limited to three minutes and invited testimony to 10 minutes. Leaders from both chambers, along with the lieutenant governor and speaker, framed the hearing as an unprecedented joint effort focused on learning from the July 4 flood, honoring victims, and identifying actions to reduce future loss of life. The committee also heard opening remarks about decorum, logistics, and the intent to continue work in future sessions. The first panel included Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Sheriff Larry Leitha, Emergency Management Coordinator William B. Thomas IV, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, Upper Guadalupe River Authority representative William Rector, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk, and Real County Judge Bella Rubio. They described the flood as sudden and catastrophic, with Kerr County reporting 108 deaths and two missing. Local officials emphasized that they received no timely warning of the scale of the event, that responders and volunteers acted heroically under extreme conditions, and that communications, cell coverage, and rural emergency resources were strained. Several witnesses said the county’s existing alert systems were limited by geography, sparse broadband, and the speed of the flood. Testimony focused on possible improvements, including real-time flood gauges and predictive monitoring, stronger rural emergency management staffing and training, better interoperability and alerting tools such as IPAWS, CodeRED, WENS, and sirens, and expanded broadband and radio coverage. Kerrville asked for a flood warning system before next summer and state help for stormwater, floodplain, and disaster recovery funding. UGRA described its past and current flood-warning and mitigation efforts, including gauge funding, a new software-based flood prediction project, and consideration of additional retention dams. Kendall and Real counties highlighted successful or needed alerting and evacuation practices, while also stressing the difficulty of funding and maintaining such systems in small rural counties. Members asked detailed questions about the timeline of the flood response, low-water crossings, communications failures, sirens, bridges, and whether regional consolidation or additional infrastructure could improve future preparedness.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to thank him for his determination and his heart in this line of effort.
• a Hope operator and school district to negotiate an agreement for use of an underused, vacant, or surplus
• Miami-Dade County to co-locate in any public school facility with a utilization rate of less than 50% or surplus
• Senator, with going down the same line of questioning as my colleague, when you are talking about the

Summary: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee heard and advanced a series of education-related bills, beginning with SB 540, the Evan B. Hartzell Act, which would require age-appropriate disability history and awareness instruction across grade bands. The committee adopted a delete-all amendment, heard emotional testimony from Melissa Hartzell about her son Evan’s experience with disability and inclusion, and reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1296, creating a pilot study on school cellphone bans; SB 1590, creating a task force to review educator preparation, certification, and professional learning; SB 1702, a broad education bill with provisions on private school facilities, marching band credit, school readiness reimbursements, and charter school monitoring tools; SB 1150, exempting school social workers from certain certification testing requirements; SB 1708, revising School of Hope rules and adding a Miami-Dade co-location framework; SB 822, updating charter school governance and operations; SB 444, requiring annual human trafficking awareness training for school personnel; and SB 742, expanding workforce development and money-back guarantee programs. Most of these bills were amended before being reported favorably by committee vote. The committee also considered and reported favorably SB 8, a claims bill providing a $1.2 million settlement for Marcus Button and his family arising from a 2006 Pasco County school bus crash that caused severe lifelong injuries. Senator Gaetz opposed claims bills in general, arguing the sovereign immunity cap should be raised so such cases can be resolved locally. Several bills drew questions and debate over implementation details, including concerns about charter school dress and hair policies under SB 822, the scope of human trafficking training under SB 444, and the zoning implications of private school facility provisions in SB 1702. Sponsor responses generally emphasized that the bills were intended to clarify existing policy or improve student safety, access, or educational outcomes. The committee also took up confirmation appointments. It recommended confirmation of the slate of appointees on Tabs 12 and 14 through 21 by voice vote, and separately recommended confirmation of Daniel Fogunoli to the State Board of Education after debate in which Senator Davis and Senator Osgood opposed the appointment. The meeting concluded with members recording additional votes, including Senator Burgess’s affirmative vote on SB 1150, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you look into this line here, $7.4 million, that does not mean they went down from $160 to $7.4
• So, originally, the forecast had an expected surplus of $185 million.
• Now with the updated forecast by the FNA, there's an expected surplus of $334 million.
• the concern here is as we go down the road, the first two entities are on a four-year expenditure line
• So I don’t have a hard line for that. I don’t think this body does either. We just...”

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then line 7, or page 17, Environment Department, line 52 is the only one that is approved in House
• And then this one on line 13, Mr.
• On line 25 for the Rio Grande Trail.
• And I would just flag briefly on line 29.
• Technical adjustment on line 54.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the tour yesterday, and I have an understanding of some of the shortcomings with our sewer and water lines
• Maybe it becomes a property, a surplus property that can be sold. Whatever, it's irrelevant.
• The needs of the youth are the first priority across every service line that we have.
• that we have the need. the needs of the youth are the first priority across every service line that
• We also are needing to replace gas lines.

Keywords: 956, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the line. A quorum is present.
• We're involved; we're on the front lines in these facilities, and we urge you.
• We had a surplus last session, and we have a surplus this session.
• Four by any of, we felt like, to get us to that finish line.
• Of that article, you're seeing the drawing line of what has been encumbered.

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity