Transcript Highlights:

• state housing affordability districts throughout the state.
• state housing affordability districts throughout the state.
• state housing affordability districts throughout the state.
• So it's really not intended for affordable housing. Thank you.
• So it's really not intended for affordable housing. Thank you. intended for affordable housing.

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with staff giving brief descriptions and members flagging which items were on consent, had unanimous committee votes, or should be pulled for further discussion. Topics included education, health care, public safety, labor, water, taxation, housing, and elections. Several measures were noted as party-line or mixed votes, while many others were reported as unanimous and placed on third-read or consent calendars. Among the more discussed items were bills on school and labor policy, including a proposal to prohibit teacher strikes, a measure restricting school district bond actions, a bill requiring school safety protocols and assigning felony penalties for noncompliance, and a resolution limiting public money for labor organization activities. Members also raised concerns or requested further review on bills involving pharmacist testing authority, expired opioid antagonists, a county sheriff-related measure, a housing affordability district proposal, and a tobacco/vape regulation bill. Some measures were explicitly pulled from consent, including a Medicaid audit resolution, a budget-related pay-withholding resolution, and several education and public safety bills. The caucus also heard multiple health and human services measures, such as genetic counselor licensing, nursing board and pharmacy board continuations, foster care rights, psychiatry access funding, and free school meals. In addition, there were water and energy bills on Colorado River management, groundwater, transmission-line review, and renewable energy valuation, plus election and campaign-related proposals. The meeting ended with announcements, including an upcoming Colorado River breakfast briefing and an internal award recognizing Representative Brian Garcia, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Higher pay, affordable housing, is really hand in hand because now we don't have to worry about people
• housing development and affordable housing development.
• And so it's really hand in hand. higher pay, affordable housing, uh is higher pay, affordable housing
• </c><00:08:39.599><c> And</c> and affordable housing development.
• And and affordable housing development.

Transcript Highlights:

• I can't afford afford the 6% increase.
• I'm going to talk about affordability, energy affordability.
• </c> talk about affordability, energy talk about affordability, energy affordability.<00:42:30.160><c
• </c> questions uh around affordability. questions uh around affordability.
• medication, whether they can afford asthma care, and whether they can get their house insured.

Bills: HF3298

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> to make life more affordable. to make life more affordable.
• </c> life more affordable. life more affordable.
• This House File is about making Minnesota more affordable.
• We cannot afford this anymore. House Republicans came out today.
• We cannot afford this anymore. House Republicans came out today.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you think of, you know, a three-story house or four-story house.
• housing.
• housing.
• The state of Washington is facing a housing affordability crisis, and Seattle is arguably at its epicenter
• housing.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2239, which would allow family burial grounds on privately owned land and exempt them from private cemetery requirements, while imposing limits such as recording burials with the county auditor, setbacks, and a cap on the burial ground covering no more than 10% of the parcel. The sponsor said the bill is intended to help rural landowners and families, including Native communities, keep burials on land with family and cultural significance. Testimony from a farmer and the Washington Cattlemen’s Association strongly supported the bill as a way to honor family ties to land. A question was raised about what happens if a later property owner wants to disturb an existing burial ground; staff said the bill requires notice but is silent on that issue. No action was taken on HB 2239 in the transcript. The committee also heard House Bill 2304, a follow-up to last year’s condominium liability reform, expanding the option for declarants to use a 2-10 warranty for stacked-flat or mid-rise condominium buildings up to four stories. Supporters from housing, real estate, builders, AARP, Habitat for Humanity, the City of Seattle, and others said the bill would reduce liability barriers, increase condo production, and create more attainable and accessible homeownership options for first-time buyers, older adults, and people with mobility challenges. The Office of Insurance Commissioner supported the bill but suggested technical language changes to avoid referring to the warranty as insurance. Members asked about consumer protections and the distinction between warranties and insurance, and staff and testifiers noted existing layers of protection. No vote was taken on HB 2304 in the transcript. In executive session, staff summarized House Bill 2095 on vulnerable users of public ways and House Bill 2248 on Secretary of State filing processes. For HB 2095, staff described a proposed substitute and several amendments, including changes to education requirements, civil liability language, protected areas, punitive damages thresholds, and liability rules. For HB 2248, staff said the proposed substitute made cleanup and consistency changes to corporate filing provisions. The committee then moved the proposed substitute for HB 2248 out of committee with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 11-0 with two excused members. Action on HB 2095 was deferred to a later date.

Transcript Highlights:

• What we know is that there's a gap between what housing costs and what people can afford.
• afford for their<00:08:44.399><c> housing.
• So, this is can afford for housing.
• can impact and support the affordable housing system in Minnesota.
• We cannot afford to lose a single dollar in our fragile housing stability system.

Bills: HF3425 , HF3424 , HF1385

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Jacob Lipson, staff, briefed House Bill 2436.
• House Bill 2605 relates to naturally occurring fibrous silicate materials.
• When it first came out, we need to have more affordable energy.
• .a pretty negative impact on the affordability issue.
• I'm asking for a yes vote on House Bill 2605.

Bills: HB2296 , HB2301 , HB2212 , HB2515 , HB2436 , HB2496 , HB2605

Committee: House Environment & Energy

Keywords: distributed energy, renewable energy, energy resources, sustainability, energy policy, extended producer responsibility, paint waste management, environmental regulations, recycling, microplastics, pollution, environmental protection, washing machines, water quality, energy facilities, large energy use, regulation, state oversight, infrastructure, oil tanker

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we will move on to tab 5, SB 962 on affordable housing by Senator Bradley.
• You know, we understand the need for more affordable housing.
• affordability by increasing housing supply.
• affordability by increasing housing supply.
• Housing affordability is a priority, not an optional local policy choice.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee took up a broad agenda of local government, land use, housing, and public notice bills. It reported favorably SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits, SB 1612 requiring local governments to accept electronic payments, SB 1180 creating a recall process for community development district board members and adding related CDD provisions on synthetic turf and compact urban mixed-use districts, SB 936 on temporary door locking devices, CS/SB 380 expanding options for publishing legal notices, SB 962 clarifying that the Live Local zoning preemption does not unintentionally capture farms and farm operations, SB 1444 on state preemption involving religious gatherings, private clubs, and certain permitting issues, SB 218 narrowing hurricane-related land-use protections to affected counties, SB 1020 regulating chickee huts, and SB 1434 creating a redevelopment framework for environmentally impacted parcels in certain urban counties. Several of these bills were amended before passage, including SB 1180, SB 380, and SB 948. Testimony was mixed on the more controversial measures. Supporters of SB 984 said the bill clarifies benefits for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancer. On SB 380, the Florida Press Association and Common Cause opposed shifting legal notices away from newspapers and warned that publication would become more fragmented and harder to find, while the sponsor argued the bill would save money and reflect digital practices. SB 1444 drew support from Florida Family Voice on religious freedom grounds, but the Florida League of Cities and Florida Association of Counties warned that the bill was broad, undefined in places, and could create unintended consequences for local zoning, parking, and permitting. SB 1434 on redevelopment of environmentally impacted land drew support from housing advocates but opposition from counties and cities, which said it would bypass local development review and could allow overdevelopment. The committee also heard substantial testimony on SB 948, which would create a statewide framework for starter-home and lot-split regulations in residential areas. Supporters, including housing advocates, a Gainesville city commissioner, and an urban economist, said local regulations have constrained housing supply and that the bill would help produce more starter homes. Opponents, including the Florida Association of Counties, 1,000 Friends of Florida, and the Florida League of Cities, argued it would function as a statewide zoning code, reduce local planning authority, and create infrastructure and litigation concerns. The bill was amended and then laid over for further consideration after extensive debate and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under House rules, matters that were filed in the House that are being heard today are required to be
• And just for the record, I'll mention I know we have House 3158, House 3106, Senate 1972, and Senate
• In 2021, as you all know, the housing industry, the interest rates went up, the housing market is gone
• is never what you really can afford.
• afford, which is further compounded with interest they can't afford.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on several property and local tax bills. The main focus was H.56, the Municipal Empowerment Act, which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo supported as a package of local options and administrative reforms. Supporters said municipalities need more tools to relieve pressure on property taxes and fund services, citing proposed increases to local meals and lodging taxes, a new local vehicle excise surcharge, senior property tax relief, one-year override flexibility for emergencies, and central valuation of telecom and utility property by DOR. The administration said the bill was based on municipal listening sessions and was intended to give cities and towns optional, not mandatory, revenue tools. Opponents, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, argued the tax increases would hurt restaurants, hotels, tourism, and small businesses and add to affordability concerns. The committee also heard testimony on H.3211, dealing with deeds excise receipts, from Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staidi. He said Norfolk County is financially stable but needs additional revenue for major capital needs at its agricultural school, especially a new cafeteria and other aging facilities, and also to support county programs such as veteran transportation services. On S.2020, a bill to allow settlements of tax liability, Greater Boston Legal Services, the Asian American Civic Association, and several individual taxpayers urged creation of a more workable offer-in-compromise process at DOR. They said the current system is too subjective, requires an unaffordable $5,000 threshold, lacks clear standards and appeal rights, and leaves low-income taxpayers stuck with unmanageable debt, license suspensions, or business closures. Supporters said the bill would give both taxpayers and DOR a practical way to resolve liabilities and bring people back into compliance. The committee also took testimony on S.1966, which would require nonprofits selling property to disclose any back-tax obligations to buyers. Senator Peter Durant said the bill was prompted by a personal experience in which a tax bill arrived after a nonprofit property purchase was already completed, and he argued the disclosure would prevent buyers from being surprised by retroactive tax liability. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed the session after hearing from all scheduled witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• How can you afford? Because that's $7.25 an hour.
• You afford, because that's $7.25 an hour for a month. Excuse me.
• It's a good start to making life a little bit more affordable.
• People who are working, but they can't afford to make ends meet.
• People who are working, but they can't afford to make ends meet.

Committee: Senate Local & Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Housing affordability: third worst. Cost of living: fourth worst. Rent affordability: fifth worst.
• But affordability isn't just about money.
• Affordability isn't just about the cost of daily expenses. Thank you.
• Affordability isn't just about the cost of daily expenses.
• Washington families simply can't afford it.

Summary: This was a Republican response to the Governor’s State of the State address, delivered by Sen. Keith Wagoner. The speaker argued that Washington is facing an affordability crisis driven by recent tax increases, high living costs, and what he described as unsustainable state spending. He cited inflation in housing, fuel, food, and other essentials, along with concerns about crime, homelessness, drug overdoses, and declining student outcomes, as evidence that the state is failing residents. A major focus was the state budget and tax policy. The speaker criticized Governor Ferguson and the Democratic majority for signing a budget he said included the largest tax increase in state history, followed by a projected revenue shortfall. He also objected to proposed new taxes on items like fuel, cell phones, storage units, and employers, warning that these measures would be regressive and could pave the way for a state income tax. He said Republicans support property tax relief and a spending limit, and he accused Democrats of rejecting those ideas. The response also highlighted cuts to Medicaid in the 2025 budget, saying reductions disproportionately affected people with disabilities, seniors, and long-term care services. The speaker framed this as inconsistent with claims of compassion and said the state should not raise taxes while cutting care for vulnerable residents. He urged viewers to testify on legislation, contact lawmakers and the governor, and support what he called fiscally responsible, common-sense policies during the short legislative session.

Transcript Highlights:

• more affordable housing in California.
• commitment of affordable housing being built by the developer.
• housing that is for sale is also built at affordable rates, deed-restricted.
• We need to build for-rent housing for sure that's affordable and deed-restricted.
• Again, we've seen the success with affordable housing on the rental side.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• to affordable and accessible housing in the community.
• Affordable and accessible housing was chosen more than any other topic as a top priority within this
• Chris Ho: A friend of mine develops affordable housing in gateway cities, in old mill buildings.
• On the housing issue, it’s all about the older buildings that we want to convert to affordable housing
• I am here to speak about the disproportionate impact that the affordable housing...

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The Public Safety and Homeland Security Joint Committee heard testimony on several bills focused on accessibility, fire safety, and transportation safety. House 2569, expanding adaptable housing for people with disabilities and seniors, drew broad support from Rep. Christine Barber, disability advocates, and members of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council. Witnesses said the bill would close gaps in the Architectural Access Board’s authority, require more adaptable housing in rehabs and older conversions, and extend accessibility requirements to employee-only work areas. They emphasized the shortage and cost of accessible housing, the benefits for aging in place, and the risk of institutionalization when accessible units are unavailable. The committee also heard strong support for House 2577, which would allow local fire departments to inspect and enforce fire code compliance in state-owned buildings. Rep. Robert Cataldo and Boston Fire Chief Pat Ellis described this as closing a long-standing loophole that leaves state properties outside local fire-code enforcement, despite the hazards posed by aging state buildings and life-safety systems. Fire service representatives also supported bills to create a statewide technical rescue system under the Department of Fire Services, standardizing training, equipment, funding, and coordination across regional rescue teams, and they backed related fire-safety measures including sprinkler-related legislation and professionalism measures. Rep. James O’Day testified for House 2676, which would require window screens to prevent child falls, arguing it is a common-sense safety measure and noting recent fatal incidents. Ann Shuey and John Kalura testified for House 2601, which would require motor coach passengers to wear seat belts, citing a family tragedy, low seat-belt use, and research showing signage can improve compliance. Steven Poglisi of NAGE supported House 2568, requiring carbon monoxide alarms in public buildings, describing a past CO exposure incident involving a union member. The committee took no votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, because of the CARB proposals, we're going to defund the affordable housing program part of
• How can we deliver on jobs when we're cutting $2 billion in investment in affordable housing, public
• These programs have been successfully utilized by SANDAG on affordable housing projects, major transit
• This will impact Tier 3 funding, which includes welfare funding, affordable housing funding, as well
• This will impact Tier 3 funding, which includes welfare funding, affordable housing funding, as well

Transcript Highlights:

• It cuts $14 million from affordable housing during the midst of an affordable housing crisis.
• Data centers first, affordable housing last.
• And when I say affordable housing, I don’t just mean public housing or Section 8.
• When you can’t afford your housing, how are you going to be able to afford your utilities that are continuing
• And when I say affordable housing, I don’t just mean public housing or Section 8.

Summary: The House convened, approved the journal, and spent much of the opening portion recognizing guests and interns from both parties, along with former lawmakers and a newly seated member, Representative Sylvia Allen. The chamber then took up House Concurrent Resolution 2065 honoring the late Alfredo Gutierrez. Members from both parties gave extended remarks about his life as a civil rights advocate, student activist, legislator, and mentor, and the resolution was unanimously adopted and transmitted to the Senate. Family members of Gutierrez were recognized in the gallery during the memorial tribute. The House then moved into Committee of the Whole on the first budget-related measures. On House Bill 4138, the “feed bill”/budget operations measure, Democrats argued the budget favored corporations and data centers over seniors, health care, housing, universities, and vulnerable families, while Republicans defended it as a continuation of prior policy and said it preserved tax conformity and modest agency cuts. After debate and questions, the committee recommended the bill do pass and the House adopted that report, sending HB 4138 to engrossing. The chamber next considered House Bill 4139, the amusement/gaming-related budget bill. Members debated whether it was essentially unchanged from last year’s budget language, with Republicans saying it was a continuation bill and that gaming-related provisions would support rural economies and tourism, while Democrats questioned the broader budget context and its effects on working families. The committee recommended HB 4139 do pass, and the House adopted that recommendation. The House then began debate on House Bill 4140, the state budget implementation bill, focusing on the budget stabilization fund and a proposed government efficiency initiative; discussion was still underway at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think, you know, I gave the housing example.
• of housing policy.
• The expanded protections will safeguard commercial entities such as HOAs, condos, affordable housing
• So this is about housing affordability. This is not about electric vehicle chargers.
• They cannot afford another take.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. SB 371 by Senator Cabaldon would lower uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage requirements for rideshare companies from the current $1 million level to $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident, with added transparency and data-reporting provisions. Uber, Lyft, and several business groups supported the bill as a way to reduce fares and improve affordability, while consumer attorneys, labor groups, and others opposed it as a major cut in protection for injured passengers and drivers. Committee members raised concerns about whether savings would actually reach riders and drivers, but the bill was approved on a do-pass vote to the next committee, with one member not voting. SB 487 by Senator Grayson would change how settlement or judgment proceeds are distributed when peace officers or firefighters are injured by a third party, ensuring they receive at least two-thirds of the at-fault party’s liability insurance limits in certain cases. Supporters, including public safety unions and an injured deputy sheriff, said current law can leave injured first responders with little or no recovery after employer reimbursement, while opponents representing cities, counties, and public agencies argued the bill would reduce recovery of taxpayer-funded workers’ compensation costs and lacked sufficient data. The committee members who spoke largely supported the bill, and it passed on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with one member not voting. SB 616 by Senator Rubio would create an independent community hardening commission within the Department of Insurance to develop statewide wildfire mitigation recommendations and a post-catastrophe reporting process. The Department of Insurance, local governments, consumer groups, and fire-related organizations supported the measure as a way to improve wildfire resilience and insurance availability, while water agencies opposed provisions touching water infrastructure and warned of litigation and ratepayer impacts. The bill advanced on a do-pass vote to Appropriations, with some members not voting and one member voting no. The committee also heard SB 547 by Senator Perez, coauthored by Senator Rubio, which would extend wildfire-related insurance cancellation/nonrenewal moratoriums to commercial properties; insurers removed their opposition after amendments, and the bill passed to Appropriations on a do-pass vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• As New Mexico continues to face a shortage of affordable entry-level housing, particularly in communities
• House Bill 200 provides a targeted, practical solution that helps bridge the affordability gap. by reducing
• As you can imagine, and as I'm sure you've heard, affordable and accessible housing is one of the many
• more, people can afford that housing.
• I think every New Mexico community is feeling the effects of not having affordable housing and not having

Committee: House House Commerce & Economic Development Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• in quotations, affordable options for people to stay here.
• And as you know, unfortunately, it's not counted in for 40B as affordable housing, which is another issue
• Our neighbors in manufactured housing communities are in crisis.
• Some are no longer insured because they can't afford it.
• The second benefit of this bill is affordability.

Bills: S2732 , S2738 , S2739

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Bolick, we have looked at a variety of issues related to housing availability, housing affordability
• options are more affordable. ...and local government must do more to ensure housing options are more
• I think that making affordable should be our goal. Making housing affordable should be our goal.
• Frankly, in places like Maricopa, they are building affordable houses that look nice, that are, again
• We heard that houses are more affordable in Maricopa, but obviously you'll be driving for a while.

Summary: The committee first considered the reappointment of Troy L. Campbell to the Arizona State Liquor Board. Campbell described his nearly 10 years of service, his role as chair since 2019, and his focus on fairness, public safety, and applying the law consistently. He answered questions about the board’s workload and authority, noting it hears roughly 40 to 50 cases a year and does not issue fines. With no public testimony, the committee voted 6-0 to recommend his confirmation to the full Senate. The committee then heard several liquor and consumer-related bills. SB 1478, an annual liquor-policy cleanup bill, made technical changes to liquor statutes, including conforming the definition of cider to federal tax law and clarifying other terminology. The bill drew support from industry stakeholders and neutral testimony from the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control; the committee adopted a clarifying amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. SB 1108 would require Swedish rounding of cash transactions when pennies are unavailable, with signage and enforcement provisions; an amendment removed an individual-item exemption and clarified tax calculations, and the bill passed as amended with support from business groups. SB 1205 would regulate private-property vehicle booting by setting signage, notice, fee, and recordkeeping requirements and making violations a misdemeanor; members raised concerns about appeals and signage on non-parking property, but the committee adopted a technical amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee also took up SB 1241, which would allow private permitting providers to conduct plan reviews and inspections for single-trade residential projects without municipal or county approval. Supporters argued it would reduce delays and costs for homeowners and help cities focus on higher-priority work, while cities and counties opposed the bill on public-safety and local-control grounds, warning about private incentives and inspection quality. After adopting an amendment granting immunity to municipalities that rely on private providers, the committee recommended the bill do pass as amended by a 5-2 vote, with some members explaining their votes and asking for further stakeholder work. Finally, the committee heard SB 1366, which creates a Public Property Towing and Impound Practices Study Committee to review towing fees, standards, insurance, background checks, and related DPS policies, and to report recommendations by the end of 2026. Supporters said the study would help address inconsistent standards and consumer concerns before permanent changes are made. Some members objected that the study committee did not include minority-party appointments, but the sponsor said that could be addressed later. The committee adopted a strike-everything amendment and recommended the bill do pass as amended. The committee then began SB 1431, a housing-design bill limiting municipal design standards and restrictions on certain shared features, but the transcript cuts off during extended debate and no final action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• No matter where you live in our state, you should be able to afford the essentials: groceries, housing
• Minnesotans can't afford the House GOP strategy of running out the clock. Thank you.
• issue of affordability from the House<00:02:12.560><c> GOP.
• </c> House GOP. House GOP.
• Minnesotans can't afford the<00:02:45.520><c> House</c><00:02:45.800><c> GOP</c><00:02:46.240><c> strategy

Summary: Senate DFL leaders held a press conference focused on affordability, federal cuts, and end-of-session negotiations. Senators Heather Gustafson, Erin Maye Quade, Liz Boldon, Grant Hauschild, and Majority Leader Erin Murphy highlighted prior DFL accomplishments such as universal school meals, North Star Promise, paid family and medical leave, property tax relief, the child tax credit, and Social Security tax cuts, while arguing that House Republicans have not shown enough urgency on current affordability issues. A major theme was the impact of federal policy on Minnesota, especially cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, rising health care and energy costs, and cost shifts to counties and local governments. The senators said the state is spending heavily to backfill federal cuts and protect Minnesotans from higher costs, with particular concern for rural communities, hospitals, EMS, food shelves, and county property taxes. Hauschild emphasized that rural counties and seniors would bear added burdens from federal mandates, while Murphy said the Senate is trying to put money directly into people’s pockets through rental assistance, heating assistance, food support, and targeted property tax relief. The leaders also discussed a Senate Tax Committee proposal for about $100 million in direct property tax refunds, and Murphy said the Senate’s position on HCMC funding is the strongest, while also needing support for rural hospitals and providers statewide. In response to questions, she said the Senate hopes to reach a global deal before the weekend and by Sunday midnight, described the Senate’s proposals as public and already passed, and said some items, including rental relief for people affected by an ICE operation, still have support and may move in the House. No votes were taken at the event.