Transcript Highlights:

• Shortline tax credits help these railroads budget and plan their annual maintenance and capital programs
• 00:03:34.239><c> of</c><00:03:34.360><c> the</c><00:03:34.480><c> governor's</c><00:03:34.959><c> budget
• </c> and it's part of the governor's budget and it's part of the governor's budget recommendations<00
• Nan Madden said she is the director of the Minnesota Budget Project.
• The state of Minnesota grew the state budget 38% over two years in the last cycle.

Bills: HF1698 , HF632 , HF1352 , HF2197 , HF618 , HF1248 , HF1697

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: property tax, exemption, leased land, public use, commercial property, HF632, Minnesota property tax, conservation easement, conservation restriction, assessed value, property valuation, tax assessment, real property, land conservation, farmland preservation, natural areas, riparian buffer, water quality, water quantity, county assessor

Transcript Highlights:

• IMLS translates 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion
• IMLS translates 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion
• IMLS translates 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion
• IMLS translates 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion
• </c><00:58:29.640><c> into</c> 0.003% of the federal budget into 0.003% of the federal budget into programs

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have a budget director within the Behavioral Health Administration that helps oversee that
• We also have budget proposals that are talking about midpoint billing and trying to put more specific
• We also have budget proposals that are talking about midpoint billing and trying to put more specific
• </c> as they go out we also have budget as they go out we also have budget proposals<00:46:41.920><c>
• </c> part of the governor's budget part of the governor's budget recommendations<01:37:41.880><c> for

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As described in our letter, these centers are not just subsidy hogs hurting our budget and energy grid
• </c><00:26:07.399><c> and</c><00:26:07.600><c> energy</c><00:26:08.000><c> Hogs</c> hurting our budget
• and energy Hogs hurting our budget and energy Hogs hurting<00:26:08.559><c> our</c><00:26:08.679><c>
• </c><01:04:25.720><c> budget</c><01:04:26.240><c> committee</c><01:04:27.240><c> uh</c><01:04:27.400>
• <c> Was</c> wildlife budget budget committee uh Was wildlife budget budget committee uh Was Heard<01:

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget Subcommittee Number One will be meeting in Room 2100 at 9:30 or upon adjournment of session.
• Budget Subcommittee Two will be meeting 15 minutes after adjournment in, I'm not sure what room. 2200
• I'm happy to report that the Budget Fiscal Review Subcommittee Number Five will be meeting five minutes

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard a prayer and pledge, welcomed a seventh-grade class from Contra Costa Jewish Day School, and made routine announcements. The body then took up two resolutions on the floor: SR 82 by Senator Pérez recognizing Children’s Dental Health Month and emphasizing the importance of early oral health, Medi-Cal dental access, and disparities in childhood tooth decay; and SR 84 by Senator Caballero recognizing Women in Construction Week and calling attention to workforce shortages, apprenticeship pathways, and the need to expand opportunities for women in the trades. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call vote, with 31 ayes and 0 nos. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, including hearings on the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Justice. The chamber then heard several adjourn-in-memory requests, including one for the victims of a fatal avalanche near Truckee and another for Camille Moran of San Francisco, a transgender advocate and artist. The presiding officer noted a birthday for Senator Hurtado and made lighthearted remarks about an “artificial intelligence” experiment running the meeting. The Senate announced it would remain in recess until later in the day for an adjournment motion and would reconvene on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Budget Subcommittee No. 1 will be meeting in Room 2100 at 9:30 or upon adjournment of session.
• Budget Subcommittee No. 2 will be meeting 15 minutes after adjournment in, I'm not sure what room—2200
• I'm happy to report that the Budget Fiscal Review Subcommittee No. 5 will be meeting five minutes after

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• kind of piggyback off of Representative Steinmeyer, how might the CPI indexing affect the future budget
• However, it's still subject to appropriations annually, depending on budgets and the will of the legislature
• However, it's still subject to appropriations annually, depending on budgets and the will of the legislature

Committee: House Local Government

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when our budget is tight, when our departments are being excoriated for not exhausting federal
• I saw one within the past two weeks, $24 million in another budget line.
• dealing with this every day of their lives, not just us, who were in here for five months, and maybe on budget

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Summary: The committee held an open hearing on House Bill 3006, which would create a state coordinator position to identify and recover federal funds appropriated to Missouri but never disbursed. The sponsor said the bill is aimed at broadband and other federal programs that failed to deliver promised money, arguing the state should have a mechanism to pursue those funds and that the expected recoveries would far exceed the cost of the new position. Members asked about the coordinator’s authority, the role of the Attorney General, and whether the bill would apply to pass-through funds or individual claims; the sponsor said it was intended for funds owed to the state, not for local or individual pass-through disputes. No testimony in favor or opposition was recorded, and the hearing concluded without a vote on HB 3006. The committee then moved into executive session and took up several bills. House Bill 2288 was brought up for a do pass vote and failed on a roll call vote of 5 ayes and 7 noes. House Bill 3000 was then considered and passed unanimously, 12 ayes and 0 noes. The committee next considered House Bill 313. A substitute was adopted after a brief explanation that it added a definition of “public building” used elsewhere in the chapter and made a grammatical change. The House Committee Substitute for HB 313 then received a do pass recommendation by a vote of 11 ayes and 1 no, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• At a time when our budget is tight, when our departments are being excoriated for not exhausting federal
• I saw one within the past two weeks, $24 million in another budget line.
• dealing with this every day of their lives, not just us, who were in here for five months and maybe on budget

Committee: House Special Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know, it's going to be a part of what we need to make sure we keep in our state funds and in our budget
• conversation about gambling is one that I'm looking forward to having with colleagues as we go through the budget
• Yes, that's why I'm excited to go through the budget process and support and see it through the Governor's

Committee: Senate Alcoholism And Substance Use Disorders

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Alcoholism and Substance Use Disorders held its first meeting of 2026, chaired by Senator Nathalia Fernandez, who opened with remarks about the committee’s recent work, declining overdose deaths in New York overall, continuing disparities in some communities, and the need to protect state funding amid possible federal cuts. She also emphasized alcohol-related harm, the importance of maintaining treatment and recovery supports, and the need to prepare for expanded gambling with downstate casino development. Senator Rob Rawlinson and Ranking Member Senator Oberacker participated, with Oberacker later praising the committee’s bipartisan approach and Fernandez’s leadership. The committee considered eight bills, all of which were advanced. The measures included S. 489 on referrals to appropriate substance use disorder service providers; a scholarship program bill for addiction professionals; S. 1812 on certifying innovative statewide substance use disorder treatment services; S. 3632 establishing a problem gambling advisory council; S. 4950 concerning payment of substances at addiction treatment centers operated by OASAS; S. 4953 creating an intensive addiction and medical services integrated services pilot program; S. 5105 directing OASAS to issue rules for providers in rural locations; and S. 5382 related to privacy protections for chemical dependency services. Several of the bills were sponsored by Senator Fernandez, while others were sponsored by Senator Peter Harckham and Senator Harkham. Discussion focused heavily on integrated care, co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, the value of dual licensing and collaboration among providers, and the practical barriers faced in rural areas, including long travel distances, weather, transportation shortages, and limited broadband for telehealth. Members also noted the importance of privacy in treatment settings and the need for accessible, centralized services so people are less likely to fall through the cracks. Each bill was moved and reported either to the calendar or to finance, with no negative votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Both these programs have been funded through proviso and the state budget for some time, the one with
• Lakewood since 2002, the one with the City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget
• City of Medical Lake since 2017, a particularly good operating budget that year.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• calendar for the day, is an act relating to corrections, appropriating money for deficiencies in the budget
• approval to reallocate approximately $10 million in previously appropriated funds to address the budget
• We needed to take the budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm challenging our budget subcommittee. We can do better.
• I'm challenging our budget subcommittee chairs to dive into the budget and find real savings in recurring

Summary: The Florida House convened for the opening day of the 2025 regular session with prayer, moments of silence honoring Senator Geraldine Thompson and Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a quorum call, presentation of colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the national anthem. The chamber also recognized Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz as law enforcement officer of the day and approved the journal. Numerous guests were introduced, including members of the Florida Cabinet, Supreme Court justices, former House speakers, former legislative leaders, former members, and Speaker Perez’s family. Speaker Daniel Perez delivered the opening address, emphasizing that the session should focus on meaningful reforms, strong committee work, and bipartisan engagement rather than personal priorities. He highlighted property insurance as a major issue and said the insurance and banking subcommittee would investigate possible misconduct by insurers, including the use of subpoenas, sworn testimony, and outside experts. He also pointed to housing, health care, public education, public safety, government accountability, and budget savings as key areas for legislative work. The House received a letter from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting a joint session on March 4 at 11 a.m. for the State of the State address. The chamber adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 1294 to authorize the joint session, and the related House concurrent resolution was laid on the table. The House then adjourned to conduct committee and other business and to reconvene for the joint session at 11 a.m. or upon call of the Speaker.

Transcript Highlights:

• We will call the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services to order.
• allocations are based on previous historic budgets rather than client needs.
• Although the feared budget cuts never appeared, that anxiety remained.
• And it really helps with the budget and what services are available.
• Our children must never be reduced to a budget or cost calculation.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on several Department of Developmental Services proposals, with no votes taken. The first item focused on equitable access to intake and services for regional center clients, including standardizing eligibility assessments and modernizing the strengths-and-needs evaluation used to inform individual program plans. DDS said the changes would create a more consistent, equitable, and evidence-based process statewide, while the LAO explained the proposals as a response to disparities and inconsistent regional center practices. Advocates and regional center representatives were divided: Disability Rights California, the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and some providers supported modernization but urged clearer safeguards, more community co-design, and stronger legislative review; others, including some regional center leaders and family advocates, warned against replacing the CEDER too quickly and stressed the need to preserve the person-centered IPP process. Committee members emphasized fair process, fidelity, and the need for a validated tool, while also noting that the proposals would not change eligibility definitions or replace IPPs. The second major item addressed state-operated transitional and rehabilitative services, including proposed time limits for stays at Porterville Developmental Center and Canyon Springs, plus the merger of the Community Placement Program and Community Resource Development Program. DDS argued that people should not remain in locked facilities for years and that the proposal would create urgency, clearer transition planning, a right of return, and a more efficient single program for community resource development. Supporters, including Disability Rights California, the State Council, the Public Defenders Association, and some service providers, said the proposals align with Olmstead and the Lanterman Act, reduce overreliance on institutions, and should be paired with stronger mental health supports, oversight, and notice to counsel. Opponents, including a district attorney representative, argued that a blanket 24-month limit could endanger public safety and that some individuals require longer, case-by-case commitments. Committee members said they wanted a more comprehensive plan showing that community placements and supports will be ready before people are moved, and they questioned whether an arbitrary timeline could work for such a complex population. Throughout the hearing, members repeatedly stressed that any implementation must be fair, transparent, and backed by valid tools, adequate community capacity, and public input. DDS said both sets of proposals would require legislative approval and that the department is still open to changes in trailer bill language and further stakeholder consultation. The hearing ended with the committee indicating it would continue reviewing the proposals and hear public comment, but no formal action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• are not bearing a disproportionate burden, especially since in the past we've seen cost overruns, budget
• , and schedule overruns from different nuclear We've seen cost overruns, budget overruns, and schedule
• This obviously can create some concerns about overruns and, you know, mismanaged budgets.
• This obviously can create some concerns about overruns and, you know, mismanaged budgets.
• In Tennessee, the governor's budget, which was approved by the legislature, included some funding for

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and schedule overruns from different nuclear We've seen cost overruns, budget, and schedule overruns
• This obviously can create some concerns about overruns and, you know, mismanaged budgets.
• So we're also seeing states put in guardrails for, you know, specific milestones, specific budget progress
• And I'll just add in Tennessee, the governor's budget, which was approved by the legislature, included
• stabilization board. ...under the direction of the Legacy Fund Budget Stabilization Board.

Committee: Joint Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And he'd always have something in the budget bill for the Cumbrite.
• We got the budget bill coming up, blah, blah, blah.”
• in the budget bill for the<00:54:00.880><c> Cumbrite.
• We got the budget bill coming of time.
• </c> be meeting uh as the joint budget be meeting uh as the joint budget committee<01:52:24.960><c> across

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I wonder if you can just talk more about decoupling and just what is the impact on the state budget if
• But having that extra time will allow families an opportunity to be able to budget better and be able
• By Commerce Committee, Budget Committee, Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee, Housing, Agriculture,
• By Commerce Committee, Budget Committee, Please. Show the motion adopted.
• By Commerce Committee, Budget Committee, Civil Justice to Claim Subcommittee, Housing, Agriculture, and

Keywords: 998, house, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for two service members killed in the Middle East, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. Members adopted the special order report and then began taking up the special order calendar. The first major measure was HB 7031, the annual tax package, which included a hunting, fishing, and camping sales tax holiday, a back-to-school holiday moved earlier in the summer, property tax changes for mobile home parks and other exemptions, reductions in pari-mutuel taxes and fees, extensions and expansions of several tax credit programs, vacation-rental tax collection changes, and a full decoupling from federal tax changes in the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” The bill drew questions about the fiscal impact of decoupling and the firearm-accessories holiday; supporters emphasized fiscal caution, housing and home-hardening provisions, and family tax relief, while opponents objected to the firearm-related tax break. HB 7031 passed 105-2. The House then passed CS/CS/CS HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, which updates business development rules, board membership, and creates a strategic spaceport hub designation. CS/CS HB 639/CS SB 246 on specialty license plates also passed after a strike-all amendment that added several new plates, revised the Fraternal Order of Police plate, and tightened financial and nonprofit requirements for plate sponsors. CS HB 697 on drug prices and coverage passed after debate on pharmacy benefit manager reforms requiring equal reimbursement, prohibiting forced losses on drugs, and allowing consolidated appeals. CS/CS HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation passed with an amendment clarifying fingerprinting provisions, and CS/CS HB 527 passed with a human-review requirement for insurance claim denials so AI cannot be the sole basis for denying or reducing claims. Additional bills approved included CS HB 1449, which limits use of the statewide provider and health plan claim dispute resolution program when a claim is already in the federal process and, by amendment, narrows the bill to out-of-network emergency services and claims of $50,000 or less; CS HB 93, requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems in hospitals and surgical centers, which passed overwhelmingly after emotional bipartisan praise for the sponsor’s multi-session effort; and CS HB 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting net-zero greenhouse gas policies, after Democrats argued it would preempt local climate and resilience efforts and Republicans argued it protects energy reliability and affordability. The House also passed CS/CS HB 1461 establishing a framework for licensing and regulating advanced nuclear reactors, with supporters framing it as a step toward reliable, affordable, cleaner energy. Later, CS HB 1229 on residential homes for medically or technologically dependent children was explained as creating a licensure program for medically complex children’s homes and was rolled over for final passage as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• do</c><00:57:24.119><c> have</c><00:57:24.240><c> to</c><00:57:24.440><c> think</c> general fund budget
• we do have to think general fund budget we do have to think about<00:57:25.760><c> the</c><00:57:25.880
• ><c> and</c><00:57:27.280><c> the</c> about the Imp on local budgets and the about the Imp on local budgets
• </c><00:58:46.359><c> of</c><00:58:46.520><c> local</c> to think about the budgets of local to think
• about the budgets of local communities<00:58:47.839><c> and</c><00:58:47.960><c> the</c><00:58:48.079

Bills: HF1359 , HF1829 , HF290 , HF1933 , HF926

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• That being said, the budget... Representative Gentry: Thank you.
• That being said, the budget that we passed last session accounted for this tax exemption, so the refund
• for this tax exemption itself would not have an impact on our current budget.
• </c> that it can also come from their budget that it can also come from their budget as<00:12:32.480>
• we are coming to the to the ban budget we are coming to the committee<00:43:57.119><c> to</c><00:43:

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:29 Roll Call 00:00:40 HB 2 Discussion 00:02:55 HB 2 Vote 00:14:10 Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Discussion 00:17:22 HB 545 Discussion Only 00:39:15, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2, which would address the taxation of currency and bullion and was presented as a response to last session’s dispute over whether a line-item veto could be applied to a revenue measure. The sponsor said the bill, as amended by Committee Substitute 2, was largely technical but also made the tax exemption retroactive to August 1, 2024 while making the $1,000-per-day penalty prospective only. Members asked about fiscal impact, possible legal liability for executive branch officials, and whether the issue should instead be resolved by the courts. The sponsor argued the Constitution limits the governor’s line-item veto power to appropriations, not revenue bills, and said the bill would create a judicial remedy and refund process if the executive branch continued collecting the tax. The committee approved the committee substitute and then passed House Bill 2 by a vote of 19-1, with two members passing; the bill was reported favorably to the floor. During discussion, Representative Bojanowski voted no, saying he could not support removing taxes on gold bars while parents pay taxes on diapers. Representative Gentry passed, saying he supported the original intent but was not yet convinced and wanted more time to review the issue. The sponsor also clarified that any liability would be joint and several and could involve executive officials or their budgets if the tax collection continued despite the exemption. The committee then heard a discussion-only presentation on the Kentucky Exposition Center Redevelopment Plan Phase 2. Facility representatives described Phase 1 and the planned Phase 2 expansion, saying the center had record attendance and needed more space to remain competitive and meet client demand. They said Phase 1 was about 20% complete, with completion now expected in October 2026 and an opening target of December 31, 2026 after a short testing period. Phase 2 would follow, including demolition of the West Wing, utility work, and improvements to food service and circulation areas. They said the project would be funded without federal dollars and estimated that, once complete, it could generate about $683 million in annual economic impact, $302 million in state sales tax, and 850,000 room nights in Jefferson County.