Transcript Highlights:

• Most recently, Howard Lake opened the first net-zero library in the state of Minnesota.
• Most recently, Howard Lake opened the first net-zero library in the state of Minnesota.
• </c><00:03:09.920><c> the</c><00:03:10.159><c> first</c><00:03:10.560><c> net</c><00:03:10.879><c> zero
• </c><00:03:11.360><c> library</c><00:03:11.680><c> in</c> opened it the first net zero library in opened
• it the first net zero library in the<00:03:12.000><c> state</c><00:03:12.159><c> of</c><00:03:12.319

Bills: HF1972 , HF229 , HF1090 , HF1084 , HF1307 , HF1274 , HF1609 , HF2110 , HF211 , HF216 , HF222 , HF224 , HF225 , HF203 , HF206 , HF207 , HF208 , HF227 , HF246 , HF427 , HF466 , HF502 , HF680 , HF971

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: community center, Breckenridge, capital investment, state bonds, economic development, HF229, North Branch Area Hockey Association, Stacy Ice Arena, Chisago County, general fund appropriation, grant, ice arena, hockey rink, youth sports, recreational facility, community arena, nonprofit, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, local infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• being discussed today impact those salaries or other expenses at Minnesota Public Radio, at a net zero
• being discussed today impact those salaries or other expenses at Minnesota Public Radio, at a net zero
• in at Minnesota Public Radio um at<00:42:19.400><c> a</c><00:42:19.839><c> net</c><00:42:20.160><c> zero
• </c><00:42:20.720><c> you</c><00:42:20.839><c> know</c> at a net zero you know at a net zero you know

Bills: HF1679 , HF1019 , HF2321 , HF1740 , HF2278

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: public television, funding, grants, arts and culture, Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio, arts education, cultural heritage, community engagement, public radio, community radio, educational grants, community cable, public access, programming funding, civic engagement, ethnic media, public access television, Minnesota Humanities Center, funding appropriation

Transcript Highlights:

• other issue back when we did this originally, my original bill was we had counties that were going to zero
• I recognize what a couple members have said is that previously there are counties where there are zero
• there there are counties where<01:09:51.359><c> there</c><01:09:51.440><c> are</c><01:09:51.679><c> zero
• carriers</c><01:09:53.400><c> uh</c><01:09:53.600><c> if</c><01:09:53.839><c> if</c> where there are zero
• carriers uh if if where there are zero carriers uh if if we<01:09:54.080><c> don't</c><01:09:54.320>

Bills: HF837

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• prohibited from spending money in elections, so I think the set of people it would cover would be zero
• prohibited from spending money in elections, so I think the set of people it would cover would be zero
• the set of people it would cover would the set of people it would cover would be<00:10:49.760><c> zero
• </c><00:10:50.760><c> representative</c><00:10:51.680><c> agreement</c><00:10:52.680><c> um</c> be zero
• representative agreement um be zero representative agreement um since<00:10:53.120><c> there's</c><00

Bills: HF72 , HF66 , HF69 , HF73

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Keywords: campaign finance, state funding, political activity, nonprofits, government transparency, HF66, Minnesota second-degree murder, unintentional murder, protective order, order for protection, harassment restraining order, domestic violence, victim protection, cross-jurisdictional orders, out-of-state restraining order, tribal court order, Canadian protective order, public safety, criminal law, homicide

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, seeing none, let me just give you the count: 53 in support, zero in opposition, and one comment
• /c><01:02:51.319><c> in</c><01:02:51.480><c> support</c><01:02:51.960><c> and</c><01:02:52.160><c> zero
• </c><01:02:52.440><c> in</c><01:02:52.599><c> opposition</c> the 53 in support and zero in opposition
• the 53 in support and zero in opposition and<01:02:53.160><c> one</c><01:02:53.760><c> comment</c><01
• The total count was 42 in support, zero in opposition, and one comment.

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 114, which would create a presidential preference primary for the 2028 election. The Office of Elections said the bill would cost about $4.1 million. Supporters, including the Hawaii Democratic Party and the League of Women Voters, favored moving the process to a state-run primary, while several opponents, including the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and multiple individual testifiers, argued it would be too expensive, would shift control away from the parties, and would replace volunteer-run caucuses with a mail-in system. Committee members questioned the chief election officer about election timing, certification, and how a primary might be scheduled with other elections. Testimony was recorded as 11 in support, 41 opposed, and 3 comments, and no vote was taken in the excerpt. The committee then took up SB 725, which would require judges to make findings about a defendant’s ability to afford bail. Judiciary and Attorney General witnesses asked that the bill be deferred or amended, saying the Judicial Council is already reviewing pretrial bail reform and that the bill’s language could create practical problems for police, sheriffs, and courts. Supporters, including the Correctional System Oversight Commission, the public defender, the Community Alliance on Prisons, the ACLU of Hawaii, and disability rights advocates, said cash bail disproportionately harms low-income defendants, increases pretrial detention costs, and should require clearer findings and records. Opponents included the Hawaii County prosecuting attorney. Members questioned how bail is initially set, what records exist, and whether the bill would change current practice; Judiciary witnesses said initial bail decisions are often made by police or judges and later reviewed on the record, while supporters argued the bill would strengthen front-end due process. The ACLU said it supported the bill with amendments, including clearer standards for ability to pay and written findings. The committee also began hearing SB 733, a proposed constitutional amendment to establish a continuous legislative session. Early testimony was strongly supportive, with advocates arguing that the current 60-day session limits public participation, makes it hard for working people to testify, and prevents lawmakers from collaborating effectively. Supporters said a year-round model could improve transparency, reduce duplicate bills, and better accommodate neighbor island legislators. The excerpt ends during the opening testimony on SB 733, before any committee action or vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So there is a property tax tracking sheet prepared and provided, but the changes are zero relative to
• the the sheet prepared and provided but the the changes<00:19:57.280><c> are</c><00:19:57.440><c> zero
• </c><00:19:57.840><c> relative</c><00:19:58.160><c> to</c><00:19:58.320><c> the</c> changes are zero
• relative to the changes are zero relative to the forecast.<00:19:59.280><c> And</c><00:19:59.440><c>
• Charter schools receive only about 70% of taxpayer funding of a district school and zero dollars in safety

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have the crud that's going around and I'm trying really hard not to be patient zero.
• not<00:26:33.120><c> to</c><00:26:33.200><c> be</c><00:26:33.320><c> patient</c><00:26:33.640><c> zero
• </c> not to be patient zero. not to be patient zero.
• </c> And with that, there being 24 ayes and zero nays, the ayes have it, and House File 4114 is referred
• It works really well if you have a well-designed program for maybe, say, zero to 100 kids within a school

Bills: HF3493 , HF4114

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, special education, funding, education finance, appropriations, budget, cross subsidy, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
• It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
• It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
• It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.
• It has zero judgment on anything we're talking about.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision
• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision
• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision
• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision
• I'm glad you came with that, but it makes zero sense to me that we would in a sense be making a decision

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn’t mean it’s costing our local governments zero dollars.
• </c><01:54:00.639><c> Just</c><01:54:00.880><c> because</c> governments zero dollars.
• Just because governments zero dollars.
• I've seen so many fiscal notes just miraculously become zero for some reason.
• I've seen so many fiscal notes just miraculously become zero for some reason.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and heard several announcements about upcoming committee meetings, events at the Capitol, and recognitions, including Music Therapy Day, Black History Month activities, adoptable puppies, and a Colorado Agricultural Forum. Members also celebrated Representative Story’s birthday and recognized the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) for its long-running support of arts, culture, science access, and economic impact in Colorado. The House adopted Senate Joint Resolution 12, designating February 20, 2026, as Colorado FFA Day, by a vote of 64-1 with one excused. The chamber then moved to special orders for several bills. The first major bill considered was House Bill 1017, which would prohibit insurers from receiving criminal restitution unless they are direct victims. Sponsors argued the bill prioritizes human victims, prevents restitution from becoming an unpayable burden on low-income defendants, and clarifies the law in response to court concerns and stakeholder feedback. Opponents argued it would shift costs to taxpayers and policyholders and could increase civil litigation and insurance premiums. An amendment, L005, was adopted to clarify the bill’s scope, and the bill then passed as amended. The House also took up House Bill 114, concerning minimum lot size and local land-use rules. An amendment, L002, was offered to prohibit certain local lot frontage, setback, open-space, or coverage requirements that would effectively prevent construction of a single-family home on a 2,000-square-foot residential lot. Supporters framed the measure as protecting housing access, while opponents argued it would override local land-use decision-making and public hearing processes. The transcript ends during debate on a substitute motion related to the amendment, before final action on House Bill 114 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the last Super NOFA competition, exactly zero MHP, Multifamily Housing Program, dollars went to rural
• In the last Super NOFA competition, exactly zero MHP, Multifamily Housing Program, dollars went to rural

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sixty votes in favor, zero noes on the urgency. Sixty votes in favor, zero noes on the measure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is the cleanup document that they are basing the cleanup for my community on, and they say there is zero
• And they say there is zero potential for off-site migration. That defies basic science.

Summary: The joint oversight hearing focused on the Board of Environmental Safety (BES), created by SB 158 in 2021, and on broader DTSC reform efforts, including permitting, community engagement, fee setting, and the hazardous waste management plan. Chair Connolly opened by noting the board’s original goals of improving transparency, accountability, and fiscal stability, and raised concerns about a recent board appointee later becoming a lobbyist with DTSC-regulated clients. Witnesses and members also discussed the long-delayed SB 673 regulations on facility permitting and community vulnerability protections, as well as the board’s role in approving the hazardous waste management plan and reviewing permit appeals. Community and environmental justice witnesses argued that the board has improved access by creating a public forum, ombudsperson, and appeal process, but said it remains too passive and lacks authority over budgets, staffing, and implementation. They urged more statutory direction, stronger community participation, better transparency on how comments are used, and more meaningful authority in permit and plan decisions. One witness suggested the Legislature consider a separate oversight body or stronger legislative engagement, while another called for youth representation and paid fellowships on advisory bodies. Business and regulated-community testimony was more supportive of the board’s structure, emphasizing that SB 158 was a negotiated compromise that improved transparency and accountability while avoiding politicization, and calling for faster fee analysis and clearer budget information. Board Chair Andrew Rakestra and DTSC Director Barbara Butler reported that reform has produced measurable gains: more public engagement, stronger enforcement, fewer continued permits, improved compliance, increased revenues from the generation-and-handling fee, and progress on Exide cleanup, safer consumer products, and community revitalization grants. They acknowledged, however, that the board’s authority is limited, permit appeals can be slow, SB 673 regulations remain unfinished, and public trust still needs work. Both said the board is most effective when involved early and when DTSC shares information proactively. Members asked about fee stability, the hazardous waste management plan, and whether the Legislature should give the board a more formal role in budget change proposals, regulatory processes, and implementation oversight. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's never going to—we would love it to be zero.
• It's probably just reality, never going to be zero.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, that is four to zero. We'll leave that roll open for absent members to add on.
• Five to zero. Thank you. That motion is 5-0.

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The fund established would hold zero dollars unless and until federal awards or eligible non-General
• The fund established would hold zero dollars unless and until federal awards or eligible non-General

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard a series of bills focused on behavioral health, cancer screening, provider reimbursement, research funding, workforce licensing, and tobacco regulation. SB 16 would require counties to maintain procedures for designating and training professionals authorized to perform 5150 evaluations and initiate involuntary holds; supporters said it would expand the pool of qualified clinicians and reduce reliance on law enforcement, while opponents raised concerns about local control and implementation. SB 1124 would require CDPH to create and post lung cancer screening eligibility signage at tobacco point-of-sale locations; supporters emphasized low screening awareness and early detection, and the bill was advanced with amendments. SB 28, a CARE Court cleanup bill, proposed an ombudsperson, reporting, electronic petitions, remote participation, and other changes to improve accountability and access; it drew both strong support and significant opposition over concerns about coercion, scope, and whether the program is working as intended, but it passed the committee as amended to Judiciary. The committee also heard SB 874, which would strengthen oversight of Medi-Cal behavioral health treatment services, including background checks for providers and a stakeholder workgroup to develop standards; it passed to Public Safety. SB 1049 would let providers resubmit corrected claims within 90 days after a plan’s denial or recoupment action when the original claim had a correctable technical defect; supporters described delayed and withheld payments harming practices, while insurers argued the bill could duplicate existing dispute processes. The bill passed to Appropriations on call. SB 1224 would create a state framework to compete for federal ARPA-H funding for emerging therapies research, with testimony from a UC Davis psychiatrist and veterans’ advocates supporting expanded research into treatments for PTSD, depression, and other conditions; it passed to Military and Veterans Affairs. Later, SB 1057 would change how the Department of Public Health evaluates conviction history for certified nurse assistants and home health aides, shifting from automatic denial toward individualized assessment based on the offense, time elapsed, and rehabilitation; it passed to Appropriations with some no votes. Finally, SB 1314, a tobacco-related bill, sought to create a 600-foot buffer around schools and day care centers for certain tobacco retailers and address related issues such as cigar lounge definitions and nitrous oxide sales; several local government and public safety groups supported it, while health organizations and business groups opposed it unless amended. The chair announced that committee amendments were being set aside for now and the bill would move forward to Business and Professions with a commitment to continue working on the language; it passed out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when I look at the Chibirp report, it saves people every month somewhere between zero and $25.
• To be clear, under what this bill proposes, no licensing board in the state of California—zero licensing

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• from an interest-free period for those who pay off their card in full, as well as reduced risk due to zero
• ... ...free period for those who pay off their card in full, as well as reduced risk due to zero liability

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Legislative Commission on the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card and the Impacts for Small Businesses held a public hearing focused on interchange fees, sales tax and tip processing, chargebacks, fraud, surcharging, and the broader future of payment systems. Chair Paul Feeney and co-chair Rep. Jamie Murphy opened by explaining the commission’s charge and inviting testimony from small businesses, industry groups, banks, and policy experts. Representative Sean Garballey testified first, arguing that Massachusetts tourism depends on universal card acceptance and stable interchange, and urging the commission not to disrupt the current system ahead of major events expected to bring millions of visitors to the Commonwealth. A large portion of the hearing featured independent restaurant owners and advocates describing thin margins and the burden of paying percentage-based processing fees on sales tax and tips that are not business revenue. Jen Ziskin, Kristen Canty, Nancy Cushman, Kerry Colzer, and others said restaurants often operate on very small profits and that processing fees on taxes and gratuities can amount to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Ryan Lotz also urged reforms to chargebacks, including refunding chargeback fees when merchants prevail, requiring consumers to contact businesses before disputing charges, and limiting repeat abuse. Commission members pressed witnesses on whether tax and tip amounts could be separated at the point of sale, and several witnesses said current consumer card systems do not transmit that level of detail. Testimony from credit union, banking, and payments representatives largely opposed state-level changes that would carve out taxes or tips from interchange, warning of compliance burdens, higher costs, reduced rewards, and possible effects on fraud protection and access to credit. Alex Verine of America’s Credit Unions and Deb Peters and Keely McEwen of the Electronic Payments Coalition said the payment system is complex, that interchange funds fraud prevention and network infrastructure, and that new state mandates could create operational and legal uncertainty. Dan Swanson argued states have authority to act and pointed to Illinois litigation and federal court rulings, while Julian Morris and Brad Popolado emphasized the benefits of card acceptance, the decline of cash, and the need to consider other payment methods and check fraud as well. Several witnesses discussed international payment systems, instant payments, and QR standards as possible future directions. The chairs and members engaged in extended back-and-forth with witnesses about whether Massachusetts could exempt sales tax from swipe fees, whether surcharging should be revisited, and whether vendor compensation or other targeted relief might be more workable than broad changes to interchange. No votes were taken. At the close of the hearing, the chairs said the commission would hold one additional public hearing date to be determined, after which members would begin developing next steps and a report.

Transcript Highlights:

• what our current production is just to meet our existing goals and our existing roadmap toward a net-zero
• Seventeen to zero. That bill is out, and we'll leave it open for absent members to add on.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility affordability, transparency, clean energy, and consumer access. SB 327 would bar investor-owned utilities from using ratepayer funds to oppose municipal utility formation and would clarify the Public Advocates Office’s authority to inspect utility books; supporters framed it as a ratepayer protection and accountability measure, while utilities and industry groups raised concerns about municipalization language and data-request procedures. After discussion about the scope of the bill and existing guardrails from prior legislation, the committee voted SB 327 out on a due pass as amended basis to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later updated to 12-2. SB 1350, a hydrogen bill, would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen in turbines. The author and supporters said it would help California meet clean energy goals, support the Lancaster hydrogen project, and create jobs, while opponents, especially environmental groups, warned about NOx emissions, the risk of paper transactions, and the need for stronger safeguards on feedstocks and delivery. Members discussed amendments already taken and the need for continued work on environmental protections; the committee passed the bill 14-0 to Natural Resources. SB 868 would create a framework for plug-in or balcony solar devices for renters and others without rooftop solar, with safety standards and a cap on system size. Supporters said it would lower bills and expand access to solar, while utilities and some others raised safety and backfeed concerns and asked for more review through existing interconnection processes. The author and witnesses said the devices are small, non-exporting, and covered by safety certifications; the committee approved the bill 17-0, later updated to 18-0, and sent it to Appropriations. SB 1233 would require additional disclosure about utility cash on hand, capital structure, and related information in existing reports to help inform rates and affordability. Utilities opposed the measure as duplicative of existing proceedings and potentially delay-inducing, while supporters said it would improve transparency for ratepayers. The committee passed SB 1233 10-3 to Appropriations. The committee also dispensed with the consent calendar, passing the remaining consent items, including SB 925, SB 667, SB 952, SB 742, SB 929, SB 943, and SB 1138, and noted that SB 905 had been pulled from the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• what our current production is just to meet our existing goals and our existing roadmap toward a net-zero
• economy. ...production is just to meet our existing goals and our existing roadmap toward a net-zero

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Keywords: 988, house, all