Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Minnesota House of Representatives.
• Signs and play cards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• Troopers and House security personnel are present to ensure everyone's safety.
• With that said, uh Chair Tolson, to your House File 4808, you'd like to move to be recommended to place
• House File 4808 and the DE3 that will amend it are the tech modernization efforts that have been ongoing

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill before you is Senate Bill 5968, sponsored by Senator Krishnadasan, relating to permitting
• Representative Dolio was responsible for the bill in the House.
• This is the one committee that requires there to be a process of confirmation on the floor of the House
• This is the one committee that requires there to be a process of confirmation on the floor of the House
• The process of confirmation on the floor of the House and Senate by the body.

Summary: The Senate State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections Committee met on January 23, 2026, first taking executive action on several bills. The committee held SB 6035 and SB 5842 for another week, then worked through SB 5973 on initiative and referendum signature gathering rules. Members debated 12 amendments to a proposed substitute and the underlying bill, but none were adopted. The substitute would prohibit pay-per-signature and require 1,000 pre-filing signatures for initiatives; opponents argued it would burden the initiative process, while supporters said it would curb fraud and improve accountability. The committee then advanced SB 5892, SB 6081, SB 5877, SB 5968, and SB 6034, each on a due pass recommendation, with SB 6081 referred to the Transportation Committee and the others sent to Rules or Ways and Means as noted in the motions. During public hearing, the committee heard SB 5888, which would remove Senate confirmation for members of the Washington State Women's Commission. Senator Wellman said the change would align the commission with similar bodies and correct an inconsistency, and commission staff testified in support, saying the appointment process is already thorough and that the governor would retain appointment authority. The committee also heard SB 6123, expanding a public-records exemption for voluntarily supplied demographic information to local government employees; a Pierce County HR director supported the bill, saying it would help build trust while preserving aggregate reporting. The hearing on SB 5853, sponsored by Senator Wilson, drew strong support and no opposition; it would create a statewide emergency notification system for public officials to alert them to targeted threats, with the Secretary of State and Military Department involved in administration. Secretary of State staff said they supported the concept but wanted to work with the sponsor on implementation details, and the sponsor said he was willing to amend the bill to address those concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bring it into the conversation you're having and have you fill out the fields that are only permitted
• And that's not somebody and individual this in charge of that house. That is a judgment by peers.
• point that Peter Major, a lot of that is the same no matter kind of we're talking about vertical or housing
• Within the thank you for the question within the sort of a 4 point on the state side, if that it's housing
• But if anything, it actually helps us build our products on sort of the core model that isn't house within

Transcript Highlights:

• AS AN ORGANIZATION BY AND FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WE ARE DEEPLY OPPOSED TO HOUSE BILL 1505.
• HOUSE BILL 1505 TAKES AWAY LONG-STANDING PRODUCTIONS THAT ALLOW MINORS TO GET CARE LIKE STI TREATMENT
• I REMEMBER MY FIRST YEAR HERE IN THE HOUSE WE AND TAKE THE TIME OUT OF DATE TO ADVOCATE.
• I REMEMBER MY FIRST YEAR HERE IN THE HOUSE WE HEARD PARENTAL RIGHTS BILL WE SPOKE ABOUT AND THERE WAS
• >> Chair Canady: YOU ARE RECOGNIZED AND DEBATE. >> I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS LAW HERE IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE

Committee: House Education & Employment Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• If you go back, I mean, obviously are in this bill in the House back in 27 2022. Or 23.
• They permitted that it breaks along every part except has literary value. Never part.
• When I worked on some of the stuff when I was in the Florida House, I was in the education can be sweet
• And it is appropriate that way this bill except as housing from schedule.
• So this is and there wasn't a bill filed last year in the House on this issue.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits and ambiguous reasonable opportunity before requiring parental consent for medical treatments
• And the plan House to incur include include the things we've talked about.
• Representative Bartleman, I just want to thank her for for also carrying is over on the House side.
• House is trying to get a little more training, get a little more gardens with. Thank you.
• I believe that's what the House bills as well.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Joint Resolution 201 has a faster timeline.
• Ranking Member Eskamani: In 2008 we had the housing crisis crash.
• Last year, the House Representatives proposed a $6 billion tax cut.
• From 2005 to 2008, there was an extreme downturn due to the housing crisis, to conflate housing costs
• So that house didn't change but the price of it did.

Transcript Highlights:

• Signs and place cards are not permitted in the hearing room.
• cards are not permitted in the hearing<00:01:58.159><c> room.
• Um, but I just could not quite get out of the house on time. Uh, my name is Senator Bonnie Westlin.
• </c><00:48:47.920><c> without</c> have eaten or remained housed without have eaten or remained housed
• like a leaving the house feel like a lifealtering<01:09:52.159><c> risk.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:13:39.120><c> Bill</c> work on House Bill work on House Bill 318<00:13:41.600><c> uh</c><00:13
• </c><00:22:00.120><c> par</c> approved a bill to permit par approved a bill to permit par professionals
• </c><00:50:28.040><c> units</c> marked difference in those housing units marked difference in those housing
• She said it is a very important committee in the House.
• , and help finding placement in transitional housing.

Committee: House Criminal Justice and Public Safety

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the House is a bit of a question mark for us this year.
• I wish I could have control over the House. I don't.
• </c><00:08:41.880><c> I</c> could have control over the House. I could have control over the House.
• You've been waiting on the House for a while here.
• You've been waiting on the House for a while here.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate leadership said members were working through a fast-paced, intense session before a break, with many committee hearings still scheduled and about 27 bills expected to be heard that day. The leader highlighted several priorities for when lawmakers return, including an independent Inspector General proposal, additional anti-fraud measures, and packages on gun violence prevention and the Metro Surge response. The Metro Surge package was described as roughly 11 bills dealing with masks in essential spaces, aid obligations for federal agents, civil-rights/Bivens issues, and BCA participation in investigations; the broader gun violence package includes school safety, mental health, an assault-weapons ban, and a ban on high-capacity magazines, though it still awaited Finance Committee action. The leader also said bonding remains a high priority and that the Senate plans to continue moving policy quickly after the break. On budget matters, the leader said supplemental funding is needed for Capitol and Senate building security, largely because of increased personnel and overtime costs. He also said HCMC needs a short-term financing step because it is under financial pressure, but that the issue points to broader instability in Minnesota’s hospital system, especially as other hospitals may face difficulties related to HR1. Other budget-related items mentioned included housing support, rental and heating assistance, energy assistance, small business aid, health care, and food support, with some governor-proposed tax and spending ideas possibly left out because they are not affordable. The leader said the Senate is still working on fraud legislation, including the Inspector General proposal and related enforcement and oversight measures, and expects House differences to be worked out in conference committee. He described the House as a question mark and said the two chambers are moving at different paces, but he hopes to resolve differences and send bills to the governor. He also noted a rough end to the Senate Jobs Committee, said Senator Champion is considering next steps, and said Senator Mohamed and other DFL members had sent the Attorney General’s anti-fraud bill through a different committee path. He added that legislator safety is a growing concern because members from both parties are receiving threats, and he is working with counsel on possible responses. On guns in the Capitol, he said the issue reflects broader divisions and that current law allows permitted carry after screening, though he is frustrated by those using the issue to provoke emotion.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Appropriations Committee will come to order for the purpose of a public hearing.
• House Bill 2689 concerns the Working Connections Child Care Program. Mr.
• Chris Blake, staff of the House Health Care and Wellness Committee.
• . ...and one in her 90s who substitute taught just to stay housed.
• House hearing room. House hearing room.

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a public hearing on a series of bills, beginning with House Bill 2689 on Working Connections Child Care. Staff explained that the proposed substitute would keep eligibility at 60% of state median income, eliminate scheduled expansions to 75% and 85%, reduce future subsidy rates from the 85th to the 75th percentile of market, end enhanced regional rates, and change reimbursement rules from prospective enrollment-based payments back to attendance-based payments with a reduced monthly payment after 11 absent days. Child care advocates thanked the committee for removing the proposed cap on the program but opposed the cuts to provider rates and eligibility expansions, warning of harm to families and providers. The committee then heard Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5124 on Medicaid network adequacy for post-acute care, with staff noting administrative costs and indeterminate fiscal effects; hospitals supported the bill as a way to reduce discharge delays and reliance on single-case agreements. Senate Bill 5832, which would raise the new motor vehicle arbitration fee from $3 to $6 to support the Lemon Law arbitration program, drew support from the Attorney General’s Office and auto dealers, who said the fee had not been updated since 1995 and the program was underfunded. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 5862, providing a one-time 3% COLA for certain PERS 1 and TRS 1 retirees, with retirees testifying in favor and local government representatives warning about added employer costs. The committee next heard Senate Bill 5922, allowing school districts to transfer money from the Transportation Vehicle Fund to other funds if they reduce their fleet and receive OSPI approval; staff said the bill would mainly add administrative work for OSPI, and no one testified. Substitute Senate Bill 5923 would allow a hospital on an island in Skagit County to qualify as a critical access hospital if federally certified; Island Health testified that the designation would help sustain rural services, and a committee member asked about bed count and Medicaid/charity-care pressures. Senate Bill 5944 would require language access providers to bargain over compensation for missed or canceled appointments and clarify that statutes prevail over conflicting contract terms; WFSE supported the bill, saying it would equalize bargaining rights across agencies. Substitute Senate Bill 5972 would extend interest arbitration rights to correctional employees in city and county jails regardless of population size; labor supported the bill as a retention tool, while cities and counties opposed it, arguing it would raise costs and should include ability-to-pay protections. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5988, authorizing the Department of Health to continue accrediting opioid treatment programs and charge accreditation fees, which DOH said was needed to avoid winding down the program. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6151, which would move Ecology fee revenues for landfill methane emissions and laboratory accreditation into dedicated accounts; Ecology supported the bill as improving transparency and reinvesting fees into the programs, and staff said the lab fee shift would be offset by a related budget action. Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6194 would pay a rural hospital on a federally recognized Indian reservation, specifically Astria Toppenish, at 150% of the Medicaid fee-for-service rate beginning in 2027; hospital leaders and community members testified that the hospital serves a high-Medicaid, rural, and tribal population and faces persistent losses. Finally, Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6302 would direct L&I to investigate possible misclassification of independent contractors on public works projects involving multiple workers doing the same finishing work; labor and business representatives both described it as a negotiated compromise to address underground economy abuses. The committee took no final votes during the hearing and ended by reiterating amendment deadlines for bills scheduled for executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Lee Parsley for TLR in support of House Bill 4806.
• That, I believe, is the goal of House Bill 4806.
• And that's what House Bill 4806 does in large part.
• In opposition to House Bill 4806, as Mr.
• We'll withdraw the committee substitute to House Bill 4806 and leave House Bill 4806 pending at this

Bills: HB4806

Committee: House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Keywords: civil action, damages, health care services, noneconomic damages, negligence, legal standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I first order of business is House File 1040, Wind and Solar Infrastructure.
• House File 1040, Wind and Solar Infrastructure, is going to be the topic.
• I move that House File 1040 be recommended to be placed on the General Register.
• Members, next Representative Schultz, House File 253.
• Representative Schultz, do you renew your motion that House File 253, as amended, be laid over?

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits third-party vendors to assist on such things as plate processing, insurance verification,

Committee: House Municipal

Summary: The Municipal Program of Cultural Affairs Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills by Senator Edmonds, all related to the new City of St. George. The first bill, SB 348, would allow a local enforcement agency to contract with third-party vendors for administrative support in motor vehicle liability enforcement, such as plate processing, insurance verification, and notices, while making clear the vendors would not have police powers. Members raised concerns that the bill as drafted appeared statewide rather than local to St. George, and discussed how to limit it properly. After debate, the committee adopted amendments to narrow SB 348 to cities incorporated after October 1, 2019 and to sunset the authority on July 31, 2028, with the understanding that St. George could return later with a properly advertised local bill. The bill then received favorable action. The committee then considered SB 485, which transfers authority to levy and collect the insurance premium tax within St. George to the city beginning January 1, 2027; it was reported favorably without objection. Finally, the committee heard SB 444, which gives St. George expropriation authority for public infrastructure projects such as roads, drainage, flood protection, water, sewer, and utilities, using procedures similar to other Louisiana municipalities and DOTD. Members asked about the process and confirmed it was standard municipal authority and not related to private industry. The bill was reported favorably without objection. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and members and a reminder that this was the committee’s last meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It permits third-party vendors to assist on such things as plate processing, insurance verification,

Bills: SB348 , SB444 , SB485

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the case that water goes back into creeks, a permit is needed and all water must be treated with propylene

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The Agriculture Committee met with 11 members present and heard no bills for public hearing or executive action. Instead, the committee received a presentation from the Montgomery County R-2 FFA ag issues team on proposed data centers in their county, framed as a mock town hall discussion. The students and panel discussed the project’s scale, including roughly 1,760 acres across two sites, and debated concerns about eminent domain, noise, light pollution, water use, electricity demand, soil and wildlife impacts, recycling of equipment, and tax abatements versus projected school district revenue. The presentation featured sharply divided viewpoints: a county/economic development perspective emphasizing jobs, utility planning, and major tax revenue for schools; a community and environmental perspective raising concerns about farmland loss, groundwater and well impacts, property values, and long-term ecological effects; and a farmer’s perspective opposing the project to protect agricultural land and rural life. The panel cited figures such as about 50 million gallons of water annually, potential school district revenue of about $11 million in the first year of the initial phase and roughly $43 million annually when fully built out, and discussed PILOT payments and the Powering Missouri Growth Plan as ways to offset costs. Committee members then praised the students’ preparation and public speaking, and several offered policy and practical suggestions, including considering local construction labor, emergency service capacity, backup generator noise, and clearer context for water-usage numbers. One member asked what legislation could help, and the students suggested setting environmental-use limits such as water or light-pollution restrictions. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• order to facilitate the committee's business and public participation in today's hearing, we will not permit

Committee: House Elections

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• OR NOT THERE IS IN FACT SIGNIFICANT FISCAL IMPACT WHEN YOU EXAMINE POLICIES SUCH AS THIS IF YOU'LL PERMIT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to thank House Representative Shirts for taking this bill to the House, and Senator
• House Bill 1241 represents Idaho values.
• They can't be sold off and turned into housing tracks.
• Because, like I said, I believe that you shouldn't have 15 dogs living in a house in a housing track
• And I'm very pleased to present House Joint Memorial 10.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Summary: The Senate Agricultural Committee approved minutes from January 29 and February 3, 2026, then printed two committee RSs from Chair Tammy Nichols. RS 33191 would declare Norway rats and roof rats public nuisances/invasive pests and place coordination with the Department of Agriculture; RS 33266 would require clearer labeling for alternative animal protein products and restrict use of meat-cut terms on non-meat products. Both were printed without opposition. The committee then advanced two Idaho Potato Commission cleanup bills from Senator Camille Blaylock. Senate Bill 1242, which removes outdated rulemaking language, repeals an obsolete referendum provision, and deletes a redundant records section, was sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1243, which removes references to the no-longer-used Idaho One Plan, was also sent to the floor with a do pass recommendation. Senate Bill 1241, the Working Animal Protection Act from Senator Brandon Shippey, drew extensive testimony. Supporters from veterinary, agriculture, carriage, outfitting, youth, and recreation groups said it would protect the lawful use of working animals and preserve agricultural and recreational heritage. Opponents, including the Idaho Humane Society and Association of Idaho Cities, argued the bill was too broad, could preempt local animal-control, zoning, and nuisance laws, and could create enforcement problems. The committee voted to send the bill to the amending order for possible amendments. House Joint Memorial 10, presented by Senator Kelly Anthon, urged Congress and USDA to prohibit artificial sweeteners in federally funded school meals and favor real sugar. The sugar beet industry and supporters said it would promote real food and support Idaho’s sugar sector, while a nutritionist testified against it, arguing sugar is highly processed and that schools should reduce added sugar. The committee approved the memorial and sent it to the floor with a do pass recommendation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's already permitted currently in law that we all passed last year.
• House Bill 319, and we'd like to thank Representative Fabricio for bringing this bill.
• So I want to work with House Rep.
• Today I bring before you House Bill 839, House Bill 839, insurance overpayment claims submitted to psychologists
• House Bill 839 looks to correct.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard five bills. HB 1097 would rename the Florida Catastrophic Storm Center at FSU as the Florida Center for Excellence in Insurance and Risk Management, transfer the public hurricane loss projection model from FIU to FSU, and provide recurring and nonrecurring appropriations to support independent insurance research and collaboration with OIR and other universities. Members discussed university roles, model oversight, independence from industry funding, and student/workforce benefits. The bill passed favorably on a roll call vote. HB 319 would create a regulatory framework for virtual currency kiosk businesses, requiring registration with the Office of Financial Regulation, consumer disclosures, and penalties for violations. Much of the discussion focused on fraud prevention, especially for seniors, and whether the bill should include transaction caps or stronger recovery tools; AARP supported the bill but urged additional protections. The bill passed favorably. CS/HB 385 made technical changes to the Florida Trust Code and Community Property Trust Act, including decanting, trustee claims, redemption by satisfaction, and homestead transfer treatment; an amendment conforming to the Senate version was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. CS/HB 97 would allow service of process for exploitation injunctions against unascertainable scammers through the same communication method used to contact the victim, such as text or social media, and would let courts freeze funds temporarily while the matter is heard. Testimony from elder law practitioners and AARP supported the bill as a tool against scams, while some members raised due process and overreach concerns; the bill passed favorably. HB 839 would shorten the overpayment recovery window for claims submitted to psychologists and HMOs to match other health providers, with the goal of improving parity and access to mental health care; an amendment was adopted, and the bill passed favorably. The meeting concluded with adjournment after the final roll call votes.