Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota in the spring, summer, or fall, you will notice the thousands of lakes, rivers, parks, trails
• </c><00:02:54.319><c> Recreation</c><00:02:54.879><c> areas</c> rivers Parks Trails Recreation areas
• rivers Parks Trails Recreation areas forests<00:02:56.319><c> campgrounds</c><00:02:56.920><c> Resorts
• </c><00:04:47.800><c> you</c> to pollute campsites Parks or Trails you to pollute campsites Parks or
• Trails you would<00:04:48.160><c> never</c><00:04:48.720><c> accept</c><00:04:49.400><c> human</c><00

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Keep in mind, Cook County has taken care of the lower 47 miles of that trail.
• </c><00:16:25.440><c> Thank</c> preserving the Gunflint Trail. Thank preserving the Gunflint Trail.
• The proposed multi-use trail will provide a safe, dedicated route.
• The proposed multi-use trail will provide a safe, dedicated route.
• The proposed multi-use trail will provide a safe, dedicated route.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• This deals with the Silver City of the Rock Island Trail.
• This deals with the Silver City of the Rock Island Trail. We heard that last week.
• This piece of legislation here, if your community is along the Rock Island Trail, this will be a time
• This is the way maybe they could add the town or the city to the Rock Island Trail community.
• This is the way maybe they could add the town or the city to the Rock Island Trail community.

Committee: House Special Committee on Tourism

Summary: The Special Committee on Tourism met with a quorum and first went into executive session to consider three House bills related to tourism and local trail/cultural recognition efforts. House Bill 3420, concerning the Silver City designation on the Rock Island Trail, received supportive comments about expanding recognition to more communities and was voted do pass by 11-0. House Bill 3408, also tied to the Rock Island Trail, drew a suggestion to involve local public schools and students in helping communities connect to the trail, and it likewise passed 11-0. House Bill 3407, dealing with the Cowbell Capital of Missouri, prompted remarks about recognizing the honoree and the committee’s engagement with students; it also passed 11-0. The committee then moved to a public hearing on House Concurrent Resolution 52, sponsored by Representative VanSkoik, which encourages Missouri citizens to participate in patriotic programs and events for the nation’s 250th anniversary, “Show Me America 250,” on July 4, 2026, and throughout the year. The sponsor described the resolution as part of the Missouri 250/American 250 Commission’s work, including educational materials and a website for listing celebrations. Members asked about the meaning of “patriotic programs,” the absence of a fiscal note, and whether celebrations would be statewide; the sponsor said the effort is intended for all of Missouri and is not tied to any particular group. Several members voiced support and noted memories of the bicentennial celebration. No witnesses testified for or against HCR 52, and no vote was taken on the resolution during the hearing. The committee adjourned after concluding there was no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• These trails remain visible from one end of the sky to the other, have a crisscrossing pattern, turn
• that these trails are being sprayed<00:46:11.359><c> by</c><00:46:11.599><c> the</c><00:46:11.760><c
• end of trails remain visible from one end of the<00:46:15.280><c> sky</c><00:46:15.520><c> to</c><00
• </c> above, within, and below the trails above, within, and below the trails found<00:46:28.720><c> their
• You would see it full of<00:50:38.000><c> camt</c><00:50:38.480><c> trails</c> of camt trails of camt

Bills: SB174 , SB39 , SB40 , SB206 , SB200 , HB169 , HB345 , HB381 , HB25 , SB174 , SB39 , SB40 , SB206 , SB200 , HB169 , HB345 , HB381 , HB25

Committee: House State Government

Keywords: business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, board governance, occupational licensing, Sunset Law, public accountability, training requirements, SB40, Houston/Hunter Act, firearm hold agreement, gun storage, temporary firearm storage, firearms dealer, federal firearms licensee, FFL, civil immunity, gun owner

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, hikers bypassed this side of the Wonderland Trail entirely after being unable to restock
• I've hiked these trails, I've climbed these peaks, I've walked through the ghost towns and stood among
• My name is Brianna Folks, and I am the executive director of the Foothills Rails to Trails Coalition.
• My name is Larry Levine, and I'm the executive director of Forever Green Trails, a nonprofit supporting
• trail development in Pierce County for the enjoyment, health, well-being, and economic benefit for all

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee began with a work session on the Fairfax Carbon River SR-165 Bridge closure and replacement. Wilkeson Mayor Jamie Pololi described the bridge as a long-neglected state asset whose closure cut off a gateway community from Mount Rainier access, hurt local businesses and municipal revenue, complicated emergency response, and severed access to public lands. Pierce County’s Melissa Littleton emphasized that the Fairfax closure, along with recent bridge closures from other causes, shows the need for stronger preservation and modernization funding. WSDOT’s Steve Rourke explained that the 105-year-old bridge was permanently closed after structural failure, that a detour route on private property is now the only access for some residents, and that the agency’s planning study considered seven alternatives; the current recommendation is to continue geotechnical work and NEPA review, with construction likely taking 24 months or more once a design is finalized. Committee members asked about detour distance, speeding up the project, emergency authority, historic-preservation issues, community mitigation, and funding needs; WSDOT said about $7 million in existing preservation funds has already been used and more will be needed. The committee then heard public testimony on proposed substitute Senate Bill 5987, which would declare the Fairfax Bridge closure an emergency, direct WSDOT to restore SR-165 access as soon as possible, and give the transportation secretary some emergency authorities. Supporters, including the mayor, residents, recreation advocates, and trail groups, said the bill is needed because the closure was foreseeable, has harmed local economies and recreation access, and lacks a current emergency response pathway. WSDOT testified in opposition, warning that the bill could create false expectations because most of the timeline is driven by federal environmental review and historic-preservation requirements that the secretary cannot waive. The bill drew strong support in testimony, with 606 pro, 1 con, and 2 other recorded on the sign-in tally. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6170, which would raise dollar thresholds for state highway work performed by state forces and for certain contracting rules that help small and disadvantaged businesses compete. Staff said the limits have not been updated since 2005 and the bill would increase the normal state-force threshold from $60,000 to $100,000 and the emergency threshold from $100,000 to $160,000. Senator King, the prime sponsor, said the change would better match inflation and help keep maintenance work in-house when appropriate. Washington Federation of State Employees and WSDOT supported the bill, saying it would help maintenance workers do more timely work without harming existing equity and small-business contracting programs; the committee noted 55 pro and no con on the sign-in tally. The chair then reminded members that amendment requests for the upcoming executive session were due the next day, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Were those all on trails, or are those accidents referring to also on roads?
• They submit them to Bureau Trails.
• Check it out, make sure it's a good area to connect the trail network.
• Fryeburg, Maine, for example, has a great trail-and-train track setup.
• folks do not take responsibility for cleaning up or tending to the trail.

Summary: The Public Works and Highways Committee heard testimony on House Bill 375, which would allow municipalities to designate certain road segments for ATV travel, create maps and signage for those routes, set seasonal limits, and require certain equipment on ATVs such as lights, a horn, flashers, and directional signals. The sponsor, Rep. Dan Maguire, said the bill is intended to support tourism and give towns a structured, optional way to permit ATV use on roads, not to override existing uses. Members asked about possible overlap with agricultural vehicle rules, golf carts, speed limits, and whether the bill could allow ATV use on busier roads or expressways; the sponsor said he did not intend to interfere with existing lawful uses and believed golf carts would only be included if they met the relevant statutory requirements. NHDOT State Maintenance Engineer Alan Hennessy said the department had concerns with language exempting municipalities and the Bureau of Trails from the permitting process, arguing that the existing permit system provides needed review, public notice, and signage requirements. He also raised questions about road funding and maintenance if ATVs were allowed on state highways. Fish and Game Captain Michael Eastman testified that his commission opposed the bill as written, citing concerns about the ATV definition, the distinction between ATVs, UTVs, and other OHRVs, and the potential impact on state highways and road maintenance. He said towns can already open roads to OHRV use under existing law, and he noted that accident data for road use would generally be handled by local police or State Police rather than Fish and Game. Craig Reny, chief of the Bureau of Trails, said the current Bureau of Trails/DOT permit process for highway crossings and connectors works well and is used to ensure safety through engineering review. He said his bureau was not taking a position on the bill but wanted to clarify that existing procedures already address many of the issues the bill appears to cover. No vote or final action was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• thought that issue came up, that this portion of the land that we're talking about would connect a trail
• A portion of the purchase connects the Ouachita National Trail, a 223-mile trail that goes all the way
• But I'm very interested in focus on the Ouachita Trail aspect of this, because as you mentioned, that
• And I think it's pretty common knowledge among people like myself who go out to that trail a fair amount
• And I think it's pretty common knowledge among people like myself who go out to that trail fair amount

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Transcript Highlights:

• Are they able to carry on the same business you have now, like I’m a farmer raised cattle?

Summary: The Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee for Transportation heard two bills. House Bill 3758, by Representative Sterling, would require higher compensation standards for property taken through eminent domain for state infrastructure projects, setting compensation at the greater of 150% of fair market value or the cost of comparable replacement property, while limiting deductions for project-related benefits. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would apply to OTA, ODOT, county-managed projects, and existing projects, whether it would affect the right to contest awards, potential lawsuits, and the fiscal impact on road projects. Sterling said the bill was still being refined and was intended as a benchmark to better protect affected property owners. The subcommittee adopted the PCS and passed the bill 5–4. The committee then considered House Bill 4392, also with a PCS, which would create a pilot program called the Sustainable Emerging Aviation Services Investment Program (C-SIP) to support advanced air mobility infrastructure through a public-private partnership model. The bill was described as a community-led program that would invest in enabling infrastructure and near-term services with a path to self-sustainment, eventually supported by user revenues and fees. After brief explanation and no debate, the PCS was adopted and the bill passed 9–0. At the end of the meeting, members were told they would move to another room to discuss transportation funding options for the session, and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• those properties does take some time, even if it's regular crop property: restoration of irrigation, cattle

Committee: Senate Finance and Tax

Summary: The Committee on Finance and Tax met with a quorum present and heard a presentation from Lissette Kelly of the Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Oversight Office on property tax relief for catastrophic events. Kelly reviewed existing statutory relief for homestead, non-homestead, commercial, and agricultural property owners, including extended rebuild timelines, preservation of homestead exemption during rehabilitation, agricultural classification protections, and the catastrophic event refund program for residential property that becomes uninhabitable. She also explained the refund process, the roles of property appraisers and tax collectors, and prior legislative reimbursements to local governments after storms such as Ian, Nicole, and Idalia. Members asked about how portability works if a homeowner chooses not to rebuild, and Kelly said she would follow up with more detail. Senator Bernard also asked how residents learn about the refund application, and Kelly said property appraisers and tax collectors actively notify affected owners, including through mailings, FEMA and Red Cross sites, public service announcements, and outreach at community events. She said the property appraisers take the lead in promoting the program, with tax collectors also helping direct taxpayers to apply. The chair noted that staff will distribute the department’s guide to offices before hurricane season and said the committee’s next meeting, during the first week of session, will focus on property taxes more broadly. Kelly said the department would be willing to review the process further and bring suggestions if needed. No votes were taken on legislation, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• a lot of larger operations, one entity of that operation owns the land, the other entity owns the cattle
• Some ranch businesses, their business plan run outside cattle or cattle that aren't owned by the landowner
• </c><02:48:59.120><c> or</c><02:48:59.360><c> cattle</c><02:48:59.680><c> that</c><02:48:59.840><c> aren't
• </c> run outside cattle or cattle that aren't run outside cattle or cattle that aren't aren't<02:49:01.360
• section in your pasture, state land in your pasture, you're in violation because you don't own the cattle

Transcript Highlights:

• system, the Chamna Trail, and so it creates all those good...
• I mean, the trails in each city could... ...city, I mean, the trails in each city could work independently
• Question regarding this trail.
• trail really occurs at the river.
• trail really occurs at the river.

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The meeting began with introductions from members of the Joint Transportation Committee and a presentation from the Association of Washington Cities and the public works directors of Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland. The cities described the Quad Cities region as one of the fastest-growing in the state and outlined shared transportation priorities that align with the committee’s focus on safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They emphasized Vision Zero efforts, complete streets, ADA accessibility, regional trail and bike/pedestrian planning, and coordinated long-range transportation and land-use planning to manage growth. The city officials also discussed major funding and delivery challenges, including rising construction costs, project phasing, pavement preservation, right-of-way acquisition, and delays caused by state and federal permitting and review processes. They highlighted regional cooperation through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments, Good Roads, and local funding tools such as impact fees, transportation benefit districts, REET, tax increment financing, and state and federal grants. Specific projects discussed included Richland’s SR 240/Aaron Drive complete streets project and downtown connectivity work, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard improvements and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street corridor, I-182 bridge/interchange work, and a new north-south bridge study, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain corridor project, which officials said was awarded under budget and is scheduled to begin construction. Committee members asked questions about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens to pavement preservation projects. The city officials said new development is generally meeting sidewalk standards, but older infill areas remain a gap; that state right-of-way transactions can take much longer than expected; that apprenticeship requirements are common but harder for smaller contractors and local labor markets; and that low-bid contracting leaves little room to screen for performance history. They also said complete streets requirements are usually manageable on major projects but can be difficult to absorb in smaller preservation work. The committee then shifted to a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development, presented by Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark. The study examined TOD conditions in 33 cities in Snohomish, King, Pierce, Clark, and Spokane counties near rail and bus rapid transit stations. Freemark said Washington’s housing affordability crisis is severe, especially near transit, and found that high-cost cities have seen more development near stations but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and worsening affordability relative to income. He identified barriers including high debt costs, land costs, infrastructure costs, zoning and parking rules, and limited subsidies for affordable housing. He recommended more neighborhood infrastructure funding near stations, stronger affordable housing investment, and better use of public land, noting that HB 1491 and related legislation are already changing some local requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• This would go out as grants to the clubs for new ATV trails. None are named here.
• This would go out as a unnamed trails.
• Um, so none clubs for new ATV trails.
• Um, the agreement sets aside $952,000 for ATV trail design, development, and construction.
• </c> trails as required by law. trails as required by law.

Transcript Highlights:

• A portion of the purchase connects the Ouachita National Trail, a 223-mile trail that goes all the way
• I'm very interested in focusing on the Washington Trail aspect of this, because, as you mentioned, that
• to Pinnacle, and I think it's pretty common knowledge among people like myself who go out to that trail
• tourism, if you have people coming from all over the country, as they do, to go on the Washington Trail
• We worked with the Friends of the Washington Trail, the organization that maintains it, to ensure that

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Summary: The committee met to consider a series of temporary appropriation requests, reserve fund transfers, federal grant appropriations, and review items. Early items included a $32 million appropriation and matching reserve transfer for the Department of Education’s educational freedom account program, a $476,000 request for the State Crime Lab, and a $90,000 assessment coordination request from DFA. Members asked questions about the assessment contract costs, and the item was approved. The committee also approved a $1 ARPA return to the CDC and a Department of Human Services reallocation package that moved general revenue and positions among divisions to meet client needs. The most extensive discussion centered on a $32 million restricted reserve transfer for the educational freedom account program. Members questioned the growing number of participating students, the program’s long-term funding needs, and safeguards against improper purchases. Agency representatives said about 44,000 students were being funded, that reimbursements and marketplace purchases are reviewed, and that reporting and audit controls are in place, though not every instance of fraud can be prevented. The committee approved the transfer after discussion. Members also approved smaller cash and federal grant items, including funding for a teacher shortage data dashboard, All Kids Bike grants, crime lab outsourcing, veterans cemetery operations, and a podiatric medicine licensing investigation fund. The most contentious item was a $7 million federal Forest Legacy grant request for Central Arkansas Water and the Department of Agriculture to acquire land in the Maumelle watershed, including acreage in Perry County and Pulaski County. Members debated water quality, development pressure, property tax impacts, local support, and whether Perry County had been adequately consulted. Agency and company representatives argued the acquisition would protect drinking water, preserve forested watershed land, and support recreation, while some legislators emphasized the county’s tax and development concerns. Senator Davis moved to defer the item to the full Legislative Council and to request removal of the Perry County portion; that motion passed. The committee then reviewed the remaining items, including a Veterans Affairs pay plan request, and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's something I heard so much about on the campaign trail. We have a gap with our state police.
• uh we have a gap with our state Trail uh we have a gap with our state police<00:09:01.880><c> we</c>
• We’ve heard about all of these on the campaign trail—housing, education—it goes on and on, and you’ve
• I saw many examples on the campaign trail of this.
• </c> I was meeting people out on the trail I was meeting people out on the trail let's<00:29:41.559><

Summary: The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist. Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target. Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota in the spring, summer, or fall, you will notice the thousands of lakes, rivers, parks, trails
• Minnesota in the spring, summer, or fall, you will notice the thousands of lakes, rivers, parks, trails
• Minnesota in the spring, summer, or fall, you will notice the thousands of lakes, rivers, parks, trails
• </c><00:03:54.760><c> you</c> to pollute campsites Parks or Trails you to pollute campsites Parks or
• Trails you would<00:03:55.120><c> never</c><00:03:55.640><c> accept</c><00:03:56.319><c> human</c><00

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:

• House DFLers will take that message on the campaign trail this summer and fall.
• House DFLers will take that message on the campaign trail this summer and fall.
• House DFLers will take that message on the campaign trail this summer and fall.
• House DFLers will take that message on the campaign trail this summer and fall.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Do you think on the campaign trail &gt;&gt; Do you think on the campaign trail you'll<00

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the difference between condensation income trails?
• to the Plains movement with Ken Trail.
• There are spring chicken trails nonstop in the sky again in Orlando.
• Prior to Milton, the skies were full of can trails.
• I started documenting these trails with videos and photos.

Transcript Highlights:

• Any trail improvement built as part of the interchange design simply replaces what is already there.
• Washington County can not compel any of them to act and the gate waste State trail.
• We wouldn't count that, but a major multimodal trail or major... bikeway.
• Highways, trails, and transit are all various modes of transportation. That will be included.
• So highways trails transit are all various modes of transportation. That will be included.

Bills: HF4807

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• grants to local governments for acquisition and development of local parks and trails across Minnesota
• grants to local governments for acquisition and development of local parks and trails across Minnesota
• across Minnesota these parks and trails across Minnesota these Grant<00:09:52.200><c> programs</c><00
• and trails that help create<00:09:57.440><c> a</c><00:09:57.560><c> network</c><00:09:57.880><c> of<
• There's parks and trails. There's scientific and natural areas.

Committee: House Capital Investment

Transcript Highlights:

• They have 28,000 cattle down there and a big industry.
• They have 28, they have 28,000 cattle down there and big industry.
• And these are all larger industries that will help Arizona thrive, you know, not only in cattle, in minerals

Bills: HB2109 , HB2168 , HB2198 , HB2226 , HB2415 , HB2440 , HB2665 , HB2805 , HB2811 , HB2825 , HB2857 , HB2874 , HB2966 , HB4067 , HB4117 , HCR2001 , HCR2016 , HCR2051

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Elections

Keywords: distracted driving, portable wireless communication devices, motorcycles, traffic safety, civil penalties, public nuisance, nuisance abatement, abatement action, injunction, superior court, attorney general, county attorney, city attorney, board of supervisors, obscenity, obscene materials, adult materials, pornography, schools, parks