Transcript Highlights:

• Local community colleges and behavior technician programs are part of the solution.
• We need more resources for this community, and this is another starting point.
• We need more resources for this community, and this is another starting point.
• We need more resources for this community, and this is another starting point.
• At the Gender Health Center, we provide low-barrier services to our community.

Committee: Senate Health

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• does not physically hold or support, with any part of the person's body, the portable wireless communication
• Community service. It still feels punitive and it might be different than monetary.
• , right, you know, I'm all for community engagement and community service, but this, Madam Chair, this
• Community service, but this, Madam Chair, this bill feels very unnecessary to me.
• It is entitled Nuclear Ready Communities Comprehensive Plans, and for brevity, members, everything is

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of House bills with Senate amendments, with members generally indicating the sponsors intended to concur on most measures. Topics included public health and medical regulation (HB 2086 on face coverings/vaccinations, HB 2140 on gold and silver bullion investments, HB 2195 on nursing facility complaint timelines, HB 2189 on licensed health aides, HB 2932 on Access reimbursement and prior authorization, HB 2557 on medical records timing, and HB 2641 on PFAS firefighting foam), criminal justice and courts (HB 2673 creating an inmate mental health study committee, HB 2028 on community restitution for indigent homeless defendants, HB 2662 on expert testimony in parenting-time cases, HB 2440 on prisoner transition services, and HB 2594 on address confidentiality in family court), and education-related bills (HB 2830 on prenatal development instruction, HB 2249 on parents’ rights and social transitioning, HB 2481 on school district financial record compliance, HB 2482 on school construction job-order caps, HB 2895 on Native American language proficiency, HB 2423 on automatic advanced math enrollment, HB 2621 on special education and certificates of educational convenience, HB 2592 on AI rules, HB 2379 on school board training, and HB 2380 on out-of-state travel and public meeting materials). Other bills addressed transportation, development, housing, and local government issues, including HB 2909 on distracted driving, HB 2369 on photo enforcement citations, HB 2745 on legislative subpoenas, HB 2946 on development fees, HB 2999 on infrastructure finance districts, HB 2244 on eviction record sealing, HB 2342 on HOA shade structures, and HB 2752 on Commerce Authority trade offices. Several members raised concerns or asked questions on bills such as HB 2932, HB 2249, HB 2830, and HB 2028, but no formal votes were taken in the transcript; the meeting ended with adjournment after brief discussion of the final bills on Caucus Calendar 19, including HB 2248 on medical intervention requirements for businesses and schools.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the members of the Joint Committee to hear directly from our administrators, our teachers, our community
• On behalf of our students, educators, and the entire school community, it is my great honor to welcome
• Grant funding opportunities will also be highlighted, along with how our community business partners
• Program advisory committees are comprised of members who reflect the communities served by the school
• Members who reflect the communities served by the school, diversity, and members in recommendations to

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Small communities, large communities, they all have the same question.
• So how can we be developing research and products that can serve all of these communities?
• Communities are concerned about drinking water.
• Communities are concerned about drinking water.
• Communities are concerned about drinking water.

Committee: Senate Resources and Environment

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For deserving of our interest here, except that Dory, through her life of service to her community and
• And once again, with a life of service to her community like that, I certainly think that she...
• our communities, we help shape a better future.
• On Sunday, December 14th, my community in the state of Missouri lost a dedicated, loving lady.
• They're telling us that the federal government is threatening their communities.

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 4, 2026 by roll call vote, 123-1. Members spent a substantial portion of the morning introducing special guests and recognizing birthdays, including visitors from Missouri Technology Corporation, educators, pediatricians, a longtime legislative photographer, and several family members and constituents. A member also delivered a lengthy personal-privilege tribute for Black History Month honoring his father’s military service, postal career, ministry, and mentorship work, and another member paid tribute to the late Donna Kramer Scott. The chamber then took up first reading of House Bills 3218, 3219, and 3220. On third reading, House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1667 and 2294 was debated as a “born alive”/abortion-related measure; supporters argued it protects infants born alive and clarifies provider duties, while opponents said the issue is already covered in statute and that the House should focus on other priorities. The bill passed 103-40. The House also considered House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1694, 1674, 1780, 2056, 2312, and 1755, a package centered on the Act Against Abusive Website Access Litigation and related accessibility/ADA litigation concerns. Supporters described it as curbing settlement-driven lawsuits and helping businesses, while opponents and some supporters emphasized the need for real accessibility improvements. That package passed unanimously, 149-0. During announcements, members highlighted an American Idol contestant from a district, an upcoming rural health care funding informational session, a property tax reform committee executive session, a St. Charles festival, an American Heart Month photo opportunity, and several committee meetings. The House was told to be prepared to consider additional bills upon return, and it adjourned until 4 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Starting on page two, House communication numbers 799 to 802 and 804 to 805 inform the Senate that the
• He's demonstrated a tireless dedication to serving his community. Throughout his career, Mr.
• She has long served as a respected voice in policy discussions and community-based efforts focused on
• He's demonstrated a tireless dedication to serving his community. Throughout his career, Mr.
• He's demonstrated a tireless dedication to serving his community. Throughout his career, Mr.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Moreover, we're looking to use it to address an underserved community.
• Moreover, we're looking to use it to address an underserved community.
• Moreover, we're looking to use it to address an underserved community.
• Moreover, we're looking to use it to address an underserved community.
• Moreover, we're looking to use it to address an underserved community.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This data highlights the undeniable reality: newspapers are no longer the primary way our communities
• with their communities.
• I'm Chris Shultz, owner of Herald Journal Publishing and Greater Minnesota Communications.
• We publish five community newspapers that serve 21 communities, 10 school districts, three counties,
• No, they're going to a community newspaper.

Transcript Highlights:

• When you look at it, there's not going to be anything communicated to a student prior to them withdrawing
• To academic and technical training that we offer through the community college system.
• True justice and harmony for all of our communities.
• We owe it to our children and our community to remind them of these enduring truths that have helped
• community and tradition.

Bills: HB266 , SB85 , SB166 , HB266 , SB85 , SB166

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: education, diploma, adult education, dropout prevention, nontraditional high school program, driver's license eligibility, vaccination exemption, religious exemption, medical exemption, vaccine mandate, testing requirement, public schools, K-12, students, parents, guardians, higher education, college enrollment, university attendance, public institutions of higher education

Transcript Highlights:

• to help improve their management and programs to remove garbage, making it easier for our local communities
• to help improve their management and programs to remove garbage, making it easier for our local communities
• Management and programs to remove garbage, making it easier for our local communities to improve and
• state agencies must local communities state agencies must take<00:03:36.280><c> the</c><00:03:36.439
• </c><00:04:50.199><c> Resources</c> management and Community Resources management and Community Resources

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1120, the follow-up “Keep It Clean” bill from Representative Andrew Myers, which would create grant funding for local governments and organizations to improve garbage removal and related clean-water programs, especially around frozen lakes and winter recreation areas. Myers said the earlier Keep It Clean effort to enforce litter laws on frozen lakes had already reduced garbage in the water, and he framed this bill as a way to expand that success with additional resources. Testifier Robin Dwight of the Upper Red Lake Area Association and Keep It Clean Coalition described growing problems with trash and human waste on ice, said the coalition now has 60 members representing more than 10,000 lakes, and explained that local programs use dumpsters and separation systems to manage waste. Tom Johnson of the MPCA and Assistant Commissioner Bob Myers of the DNR both testified in support, saying improper disposal of human and solid waste is a real and growing problem and that the public education campaign has changed behavior on the ice. Members asked about the bill’s results and funding needs. Representative Pelz asked for more context on the coalition’s impact, and Dwight said the group has been active for about three years and recently launched a survey to gather more data on infrastructure needs for wheelhouse users. Representative Fiser asked what dollar amount would be needed, and Myers said the bill seeks general fund dollars, with a rough ideal range of one to two million dollars, though he emphasized he wanted to work with the committee on the final amount and funding mechanism. The discussion also noted a second related bill with a $10 wheelhouse fee as another possible funding option. No opposition testimony was presented. After discussion, the chair renewed the motion to lay over House File 1120 for possible inclusion in a future bill, and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's the benefit for our business community, for our housing community in the state.
• </c><00:11:08.519><c> in</c> Community for our housing community in Community for our housing community
• </c><00:38:07.960><c> as</c> speaking acces of of your community as speaking acces of of your community
• </c> our North Country Comm communities our North Country Comm communities these<01:20:25.480><c> are
• </c> people in to enjoy our our communities people in to enjoy our our communities and<01:27:06.920><

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think that Minnesotans want all people to be included in their community.
• And people with disabilities want and deserve to be part of our community.
• I do think that most people community.
• They want to be part of our community.
• communicate? communicate?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And really to serve the community because these people come from and will return to their communities
• We're a small community.
• How do we attract people to the communities?
• How do we attract people to the communities?
• The community seems to be happy.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> roll with it um is the communication roll with it um is the communication that<00:04:15.760><c>
• We partner with community agencies and schools for early intervention and supports.
• We partner with community agencies and schools for early intervention and supports.
• We partner with community agencies and schools for early intervention and supports.
• We partner with community agencies and schools for early intervention and supports.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a number of different languages in the Asian American community.
• Several of our communities also raise concerns that they're under cost pressures, Several of our communities
• I'm the Director of Housing Services for Sacramento LGBT Community Center.
• We want to continue to see that money trickle down into our smaller communities.
• We want to continue to see that money trickle down into our smaller communities.

Summary: The committee opened with the State Controller’s Office May Revision requests, including funding for Fiscal book-of-record stabilization, a Broadcom IDMS licensing adjustment, the California State Payroll System, ACFR reporting automation, and $3 million for unclaimed property outreach. Testimony emphasized progress on Fiscal becoming the state’s accounting book of record in July, faster ACFR publication, and the move to electronic unclaimed property claims. Members asked about the size of the unclaimed property fund and how quickly money is transferred to the General Fund; the Controller’s office said about $15 billion is held, with most excess transferred regularly, and the LAO noted the fund is the General Fund’s fourth-largest revenue source. No concerns were raised by Finance or the LAO, and the item was closed after no public comment. The committee then heard the administration’s proposal to tax prewritten digital software and software-as-a-service, with Finance saying it would modernize sales tax treatment and raise an estimated $450 million General Fund and $560 million local revenue in 2026-27. The LAO supported modernizing the tax but suggested broader digital goods coverage and a business-use exemption; industry and taxpayer groups opposed the proposal, warning of higher costs for consumers and businesses. Members also heard CDTFA’s administrative request tied to the proposal, plus a separate CDTFA budget reduction reflecting lower operational needs; that reduction was presented as a savings item and drew positive reactions. Next, the committee considered federal conformity for “Trump accounts,” which would align California tax treatment with federal rules for tax-deferred children’s accounts and avoid tracking burdens for families. The LAO recommended approval, and the item drew no opposition. The committee also heard a proposal to cut the first-year $800 annual business tax to $400 for LLCs, LPs, and LLPs; Finance argued it would lower startup costs and encourage new business formation, while the LAO said the benefit was not well targeted and could subsidize entities that would form anyway. Members discussed the policy tradeoff, and public commenters split between support for small business relief and concern about revenue loss. The final major revenue item was a permanent business tax credit limitation, capping credits at the greater of $5 million per corporation or 50% of pre-credit liability, while excluding the low-income housing tax credit and personal income tax credits. Finance said it would raise significant revenue from large profitable corporations, and the LAO said it was a reasonable option but noted it would mainly affect the R&D credit and could have future implications for programs like California Competes. Public testimony was sharply divided, with business groups opposing the cap and anti-poverty advocates supporting it as a way to recapture revenue. The committee also heard FTB’s CalFile realignment request, which would return most of the direct-file-related resources to the General Fund while retaining a smaller staff to improve CalFile, and the California Arts Council’s request to reauthorize the Keep Arts in Schools voluntary contribution fund, which members and advocates supported despite relatively modest annual donations. The hearing continued with GoBiz proposals on civic media funding, CA RISE reappropriation, and a semiconductor facility reversion, with the LAO supporting the latter two and members raising questions about the civic media program’s scope, outreach, and inclusion of broadcast and ethnic media.

Transcript Highlights:

• in terms of benefit to the community in terms of property<00:04:43.080><c> taxes.
• , the closest any American community in the country has to live to nuclear waste.
• , the closest any American community in the country has to live to nuclear waste.
• </c><00:09:31.960><c> They</c> Prairie Island Indian community.
• They Prairie Island Indian community.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused first on Minnesota’s energy and affordability agenda, with Senator Nick Frentz discussing the state’s clean-energy leadership, rising electricity demand, and the Senate’s 100% clean energy framework. He said Minnesota’s clean energy growth supports jobs, lowers costs for ratepayers, and includes recent wins such as sustainable aviation fuel tax treatment in the supplemental budget. Frentz also said the Senate passed an energy omnibus bill that continues clean-energy permitting reforms, promotes conservation and demand response, and includes a nuclear study rather than lifting the nuclear moratorium. Frentz spent much of the interview defending data centers as both a challenge and an opportunity. He said large hyperscale projects can create major construction jobs and substantial local property-tax revenue, while a 2025 law requires data-center companies to contribute to low-income energy assistance and report water use. He pointed to the Google data center planned for Pine Island as an example, saying it is air-cooled, will pay $5 million a year, and will fund 1,600 MW of clean energy at its own expense, which he argued could save Xcel ratepayers money over time. He also said climate change is already driving higher costs through homeowners insurance and storm damage. The second segment highlighted Senator Zach Duckworth’s housing and banking bills. Duckworth said Senate File 4168 would make it easier to finance investment properties by giving buyers more flexibility to roll closing costs and lender fees into payments, while keeping strong protections in place for primary residences. He emphasized that the bill is not about predatory lending and is intended to expand options for informed investors. He also described Senate File 4652 as an anti-fraud, no-cost measure that lets bank customers name a trusted contact so banks can alert someone if suspicious activity is detected. Duckworth said both bills passed unanimously in both chambers, and he credited quick action and good working relationships across the aisle for their success. The program closed with a broader reflection on the end of session and the Senate’s political climate. It noted that 15 senators are retiring and two are leaving for higher office, and that final floor votes often split along party lines, including one bill passing 34-33. Several retiring senators used farewell speeches to urge civility, compromise, and putting people first, while the segment emphasized that despite partisan conflict, quiet bipartisan cooperation still produced much of the session’s enacted legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I don't know if you've heard from your community, but I have from my community.
• And we're taking that away from local communities to be able to do that.
• Do they understand the role of the state and the local community?
• We want to increase communications to constituents and voters.
• They're scamming their own community because of the false cognate.

Bills: SB1627 , SB227 , SB366 , SB1193 , SB1433 , SB1450 , SB1481 , SB1749 , SB1810 , SB1812 , SB1921 , SB1948 , SB2044 , SB2178 , SB169 , SB1877 , HB1409 , SB1266 , SB1432

Keywords: criminal code cleanup, duplicate statutes, statutory consolidation, repealer bill, emergency clause, Title 21 crimes, Title 47 DUI, child abuse reporting, child neglect, child sexual abuse material, child pornography, sex offenses, rape, stalking, domestic abuse, domestic violence, human trafficking, sex trafficking, gang-related offense, eluding police

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you can imagine, community.
• </c> also lets you know at community also lets you know at community resources<00:03:32.799><c> there
• </c> day, these folks stay in our community. day, these folks stay in our community.
• It talks about community resources.
• It talks about community resources.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lean into the possibilities of community college.
• University-based, community-based alternatives cannot exist in silos.
• The utilization of community college pathways, I really am a true believer now in utilizing our community
• In the community colleges, that essentially serves as financial aid.
• The one distinction would be that that funding goes to the community college districts; the community

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Math learning communities is a partnership between the Community College System of New Hampshire and
• </c><06:02:50.080><c> are</c> contributions uh some communities are contributions uh some communities
• are</c> community so folks communities are community so folks communities are definitely<06:03:11.478
• </c> there think about Great Bay Community there think about Great Bay Community College<06:04:45.000
• If we communicate through Mr.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division 2 work session first took up HB 506, a bill dealing with the return of seized firearms. Members discussed how the measure would shift background-check processing for firearm returns through the Department of Safety, while the physical firearms would still remain with local police unless State Police had taken custody. The department said the bill would change which cases come to it, and members clarified that the bill concerns the background-check decision rather than possession of the firearms. The committee then voted OTP on HB 506 FN by a 7-0 roll call. The committee next discussed HB 671, establishing a kindergarten literacy readiness program. Department of Education staff explained that the bill grew out of a COVID-era Waterford contract that provided home-based early literacy support for families using federal relief funds, at a cost of about $600,000 per year, but that the program ended when those funds expired. Members raised concerns that the bill’s $1 appropriation was not realistic, that the prior program lacked sufficient outcome data, and that the references to ESSA tier-one benchmarks were unclear. The department said it was conducting a broader literacy needs assessment and updating the state literacy plan, including data from the zero-to-five range, K-5, and dyslexia-related work. Waterford representatives described the program as an early-literacy, pre-K readiness service for children ages zero to five, originally designed to work in homes with computers and internet provided where needed, and later expanded in some settings such as daycares and pre-K classrooms. They said the program used assessments at the beginning and end, had served hundreds of children, and was intended to support family engagement and kindergarten readiness. Despite that testimony, members remained concerned about funding and the lack of clear results, and one member moved to retain the bill for more information. The discussion ended with the bill retained rather than advanced.