Transcript Highlights:

• 49:01.119><c> to</c><00:49:01.280><c> lock</c><00:49:01.599><c> the</c><00:49:01.760><c> back</c><00:
• You'd<00:49:03.440><c> think</c><00:49:03.680><c> that</c><00:49:03.920><c> was</c><00:49:04.079><c>
• But<00:49:11.520><c> yet,</c><00:49:11.760><c> they</c><00:49:12.079><c> want</c><00:49:12.240><c> to
• 49:14.559><c> our</c><00:49:14.880><c> country</c><00:49:15.440><c> vulnerable,</c><00:49:16.400><c>
• </c><00:49:18.400><c> I'm</c><00:49:18.640><c> not</c><00:49:18.800><c> going</c><00:49:18.960><c> to

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 27, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:30.040><c> So,</c><00:49:30.240><c> I</c><00:49:30.320><c> hope</c><00:49:30.600><c> our</
• Um,<00:49:37.240><c> and</c><00:49:37.760><c> to</c><00:49:37.960><c> to</c><00:49:38.520><c> cap</c>
• <00:49:38.840><c> off</c><00:49:39.080><c> the</c><00:49:39.160><c> sort</c><00:49:39.360><c> of</c>
• ><00:49:40.360><c> this</c><00:49:40.600><c> day,</c><00:49:41.160><c> this</c><00:49:41.400><c> is</
• I<00:49:58.000><c> want</c><00:49:58.240><c> to</c><00:49:58.320><c> know</c><00:49:58.400><c> who</c

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:01.920><c> show</c><00:49:02.200><c> that</c><00:49:02.319><c> in</c><00:49:02.480><c> one
• <00:49:08.040><c> most</c><00:49:08.240><c> of</c><00:49:08.400><c> the</c><00:49:08.520><c> world</c
• </c><00:49:10.119><c> US</c><00:49:10.440><c> we</c><00:49:10.640><c> expect</c><00:49:10.920><c> a</
• ><00:49:45.359><c> the</c><00:49:45.880><c> economic</c><00:49:46.319><c> benefits</c><00:49:46.760><
• 49:54.240><c> to</c><00:49:54.400><c> consider</c><00:49:54.680><c> your</c><00:49:54.880><c> legacy<

Committee: House Labor

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Mr.<00:49:03.560><c> Chair,</c><00:49:03.920><c> Senator,</c><00:49:04.359><c> thank</c><00:49:04.600
• Of<00:49:10.280><c> course,</c><00:49:10.560><c> it</c><00:49:10.680><c> is</c><00:49:10.800><c> the<
• <00:49:20.080><c> and</c><00:49:20.359><c> I'm</c><00:49:20.760><c> I</c><00:49:21.200><c> I</c><00:49
• So,<00:49:28.480><c> I'm</c><00:49:28.760><c> wondering</c><00:49:29.359><c> if</c><00:49:29.880><c>
• I'm<00:49:49.560><c> I'm</c><00:49:49.880><c> wondering</c><00:49:50.440><c> if</c><00:49:50.760><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> clubs</c><00:49:31.760><c> span</c><00:49:32.160><c> the</c><00:49:32.319><c> line</c><00:49:32.559
• 49:38.160><c> down</c><00:49:38.319><c> to</c><00:49:38.480><c> Forom</c><00:49:38.880><c> Road</c><00
• </c><00:49:45.280><c> and</c><00:49:45.520><c> serves</c><00:49:45.920><c> clients</c><00:49:46.400><
• State<00:49:48.319><c> Senators</c><00:49:48.720><c> Jamal</c><00:49:49.119><c> Bailey</c><00:49:49.440
• </c><00:49:58.559><c> And</c><00:49:58.720><c> the</c><00:49:58.880><c> brave</c><00:49:59.119><c> men

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.640><c> on</c><00:49:00.880><c> fewer</c><00:49:01.200><c> than</c><00:49:01.359><c> 3</c><00:49:
• :49:02.720><c> than</c><00:49:02.880><c> 18</c><00:49:03.200><c> hours</c><00:49:03.359><c> in</c><00
• </c><00:49:15.359><c> Um</c><00:49:15.680><c> but</c><00:49:15.920><c> you</c><00:49:16.079><c> can</
• Um but you can see<00:49:16.319><c> that</c><00:49:16.480><c> the</c><00:49:16.640><c> bill</c><00:49
• c><00:49:18.319><c> is</c><00:49:19.119><c> to</c><00:49:19.760><c> uh</c><00:49:20.000><c> allow</c>

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:02.640><c> Um</c><00:49:03.040><c> I</c><00:49:03.359><c> will</c><00:49:03.839><c> um</c>
• ><c> This</c><00:49:23.280><c> is</c><00:49:23.359><c> our</c><00:49:23.520><c> first</c><00:49:23.760
• > the</c><00:49:25.359><c> way</c><00:49:25.440><c> of</c><00:49:25.520><c> an</c><00:49:25.760><c> omnibus
• bill from<00:49:26.559><c> this</c><00:49:26.720><c> committee</c><00:49:26.960><c> and</c><00:49:27.119
• </c><00:49:31.920><c> Seeing</c><00:49:32.640><c> no</c><00:49:33.359><c> does</c><00:49:33.760><c> coach

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If<00:49:00.880><c> you</c><00:49:01.040><c> look</c><00:49:01.119><c> at</c><00:49:01.280><c> the</c
• it<00:49:07.680><c> still</c><00:49:07.920><c> does</c><00:49:08.160><c> not</c><00:49:08.319><c> get
• we will eventually<00:49:16.079><c> have</c><00:49:16.240><c> to</c><00:49:16.720><c> this</c><00:49
• not got<00:49:20.079><c> to</c><00:49:20.240><c> zero</c><00:49:20.880><c> out</c><00:49:21.200><c>
• :49:57.120><c> oh</c><04:49:57.280><c> it's</c><04:49:57.440><c> a</c><04:49:57.600><c> new</c><04:49

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> I</c><00:49:21.640><c> talked</c><00:49:21.880><c> to</c><00:49:21.960><c> the</c><00:49:22.079>
• going<00:49:25.839><c> with</c><00:49:25.960><c> the</c><00:49:26.160><c> bill</c><00:49:26.400><c>
• ><c> agenda</c><00:49:27.960><c> since</c><00:49:28.160><c> they</c><00:49:28.319><c> both</c><00:49:
• 49:37.880><c> renewable</c><00:49:38.720><c> energy</c><00:49:39.599><c> uh</c><00:49:39.720><c> this
• :49:44.559><c> put</c><00:49:45.079><c> PV</c><00:49:46.079><c> uh</c><00:49:46.200><c> onto</c><00:49

Committee: Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint hearing began with SB 133 on energy, which drew opposition testimony from James Abraham, who said the bill was unnecessary because the Public Utilities Commission had already opened a proceeding to investigate wheeling, including intergovernmental wheeling, and should be allowed to finish its collaborative process. The committees then moved to SB 161 on county permitting and inspection, where several agencies submitted written comments or opposition, while the Grassroots Institute and HCDA-related testimony supported the measure. Members raised concerns about accountability and whether state agencies would report back on projects approved under any permitting exemption, and witnesses suggested annual reporting or amendment language to address that issue. The hearing then turned to SB 232 and SB 588, both related to renewable energy permitting. Testimony on SB 232 was largely supportive, but Rocky Mold of the Hawaii Solar Energy Association said SB 232 was an older version of a bill and that SB 588 was the preferred, updated measure. Members discussed whether the bill should be limited to residential or behind-the-meter customer-sited systems rather than utility-scale projects, and Mold clarified that the proposal was intended for customer-sited systems, not utility-scale facilities. For SB 588, the Department of Land and Natural Resources warned that state or county laws inconsistent with the National Flood Insurance Program could jeopardize flood insurance eligibility and related federal assistance, while Mold argued the bill’s FEMA floodway exemption was needed to avoid blocking solar installations on existing structures. The chair expressed concern about risking federal funding and questioned whether the exemption could be narrowed without defeating the bill’s purpose. SB 412, also on renewable energy, received supportive testimony from the State Energy Office and others. Members questioned whether a single coordinating entity should compile agency assessments, and Mark Glick said the Energy Office could take on that role if given the duty and sufficient staff. The committee then discussed SB 635 on energy efficiency, which would require state agencies to use energy-efficient lighting. Mark Glick testified that much of the work was already underway through benchmarking and related contracts, and a DAGS representative said the state was already assessing 590 buildings over 10,000 square feet, with results expected around 2027. Members suggested amending the bill to require annual status reports so the committees could track progress and avoid duplication. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:49:08.960><c> know</c><00:49:09.280><c> if</c><00:49:09.440><c> we</c><00:49:09.680><c> have</
• <00:49:13.640><c> I</c><00:49:13.720><c> would</c><00:49:13.960><c> have</c><00:49:14.079><c> to</c><
• </c><00:49:15.960><c> thank</c><00:49:16.160><c> you</c><00:49:16.559><c> thank</c><00:49:16.720><c>
• okay</c><00:49:22.079><c> I'll</c><00:49:22.240><c> start</c><00:49:22.480><c> with</c><00:49:22.640>
• 49:51.279><c> have</c><02:49:51.720><c> I</c><02:49:51.840><c> had</c><02:49:51.960><c> to</c><02:49:

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing, land use, and preservation bills. HB 1008 HD2 would require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to complete historic preservation determinations for state affordable housing projects within 90 days and create sensitivity-based review pathways. HHFDC, DLNR’s State Historic Preservation Division, and written testimony from DBEDT supported the bill as an expedited process for projects unlikely to affect significant historic resources. Members asked how the bill would define significant versus non-significant historic properties, how it would interact with Kapakai analysis, and whether burial councils had been consulted; SHPD said the bill would not replace Kapakai review and that burial councils had not been included. Written support also came from OHA, Hawaii Realtors, and the Maui Chamber of Commerce. HB 1093 would clarify the Hawaii Public Housing Authority’s powers relating to housing projects. HPHA supported the measure, saying it would align definitions with prior law and help deconcentrate poverty by allowing mixed-income rebuilding. The director also said the bill was increasingly urgent because of reported federal HUD priorities that could affect public housing and Section 8 funding. HB 1096 HD1 would repeal state low-income housing preferences for disabled veterans and spouses of deceased veterans, with HPHA saying federal veteran programs such as VASH are a better mechanism and that the state preference has not been used in years. HB 1411 would allow HHFDC projects to give sale or lease preferences to applicants who live or work within five miles of a project; HHFDC and the Hawaii Chapter of NAIOP supported it as a way to keep residents connected to their communities, while members raised constitutional concerns about broader local-preference policies. The committee also heard HB 367 HD1, which would create county permit exemptions for certain agricultural and maintenance activities. Written testimony included opposition from the Department of Planning and Permitting and support from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Grassroot Institute, and others. A public testifier opposed the bill, arguing that permit exemptions could worsen safety and compliance problems. Finally, HB 826 HD1 would allow county planning commissions, by special permit, to authorize residential housing in agricultural districts for agricultural workforce housing, long-term rental, or fee simple ownership under certain conditions. HHFDC supported it as a faster alternative to lengthy state land-use redistricting, but the Department of Agriculture, Land Use Commission, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development raised concerns about food production impacts, due process, service provision, jurisdictional conflicts, and the use of special permits for what could amount to district boundary changes. Public testimony was mixed, with some support and some opposition. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um but<00:49:03.280><c> with</c><00:49:03.440><c> the</c><00:49:03.680><c> right</c><00:49:03.839><c>
• ><c> can</c><00:49:05.760><c> get</c><00:49:05.839><c> it</c><00:49:06.000><c> done</c><00:49:06.319>
• Again,<00:49:18.800><c> we</c><00:49:18.960><c> just</c><00:49:19.280><c> turned</c><00:49:19.520><c>
• What<00:49:36.559><c> I</c><00:49:36.640><c> do</c><00:49:36.800><c> want</c><00:49:36.960><c> to</c>
• <00:49:37.040><c> focus</c><00:49:37.280><c> on</c><00:49:37.520><c> today</c><00:49:37.839><c> is</c

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard from the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet’s Grants Management Division on federal victim-services funding. Staff described the main grant programs they administer, including STOP VAWA, VOCA victim assistance, sexual assault services, Byrne state crisis intervention, and Project Safe Neighborhoods. They emphasized that VOCA is especially volatile because it is funded by the federal Crime Victims Fund, which has declined sharply in recent years, reducing Kentucky’s available awards and forcing cuts to state, local, and nonprofit subgrants. They also outlined steps the cabinet has taken to stabilize funding, including changing the subaward formula, aligning the grant period with the state fiscal year, subawarding one year behind the federal cycle, and retaining a reserve. Members asked about how funds reach victims, how subgrantee amounts are determined, and requested a breakdown of grant recipients and amounts; staff said they would provide that information later. The committee then received a detailed presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice on alternatives to detention. Commissioner Randy White and staff explained that ATDs are short-term, less restrictive placements for low-risk youth, including electronic monitoring, home supervision, group homes, foster care, private child care, community programs, mentoring, evening reporting centers, and in-home wraparound services. They described the referral and approval process involving court-designated workers, detention alternative coordinators, courts, and county attorneys, and said DJJ currently has 16 ATD-related contracts, with placements, programs, and electronic monitoring among them. They also reported that between July 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025, 1,652 juveniles were involved in the process, including 168 diversion cases. Members questioned the cost of juvenile detention versus adult incarceration, whether families pay for electronic monitoring, whether there is a national model for juvenile detention, and what alternatives exist for truancy and contempt cases. DJJ said families do not generally reimburse for electronic monitoring, there is no single national model, and day treatment centers are an important alternative for some youth. The department also said it builds daily routines and wellness education into its facilities, and that more than two-thirds of its programs are evidence-based. Officials said they currently monitor vendor performance through quarterly reviews and can end contracts for poor performance, but that data tracking is still largely manual. They said the new JCOM system, now in pilot in the eastern region, should improve reporting and help identify outcomes and recidivism more effectively.

Transcript Highlights:

• But just<00:49:04.480><c> as</c><00:49:04.559><c> a</c><00:49:04.720><c> heads</c><00:49:04.880><c> up
• ,</c><00:49:05.119><c> I</c><00:49:05.359><c> do</c><00:49:05.520><c> have</c><00:49:05.599><c> an</c
• &gt;&gt; Uh<00:49:10.800><c> the</c><00:49:10.960><c> amendment</c><00:49:11.359><c> will</c><00:49:11.520
• The<00:49:15.680><c> secretary</c><00:49:16.079><c> will</c><00:49:16.319><c> report</c><00:49:16.559
• &gt;&gt; Senator<00:49:18.960><c> Wesland</c><00:49:19.359><c> moves</c><00:49:19.599><c> to</c><00:49

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :40.880><c> made</c><00:49:41.040><c> it</c><00:49:41.440><c> it's</c><00:49:41.760><c> been</c><00:49
• <00:49:50.720><c> and</c><00:49:51.440><c> uh</c><00:49:51.520><c> hope</c><00:49:51.760><c> that</c>
• <c> passes</c><00:49:52.480><c> is</c><00:49:52.880><c> uh</c><00:49:53.359><c> thank</c><00:49:53.599
• </c><00:49:55.760><c> Next</c><00:49:55.920><c> up,</c><00:49:56.160><c> we</c><00:49:56.400><c> have
• :49:01.679><c> I</c><01:49:01.920><c> look</c><01:49:02.080><c> up</c><01:49:02.239><c> to</c><01:49:

Committee: House Water & Land

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills on water, land, housing, permitting, and historic preservation. For SB 746/SD2/HD1 on invasive species, DLNR and the Department of Agriculture supported the intent but warned that a bounty approach for coconut rhinoceros beetle could have unintended consequences, divert resources from biocontrol research, and be vulnerable to abuse; Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measure. The committee also heard SB 1541 on the WoE water system, with testimony from ADC, Kunia Village Title Holding Company, and Farm Bureau in support, emphasizing the importance of the system for agriculture and the high cost of water on lands already dedicated to farming. The most extensive discussion was on SB 66, relating to building permit review and county permitting authority. DPP opposed the bill, saying the problem is not just agency review time but the broader permitting process, including applicant corrections, outside-agency review, staffing shortages, and low pay that make it hard to fill vacancies. DPP said it already meets or beats existing review deadlines for residential permits and is using tools like electronic plans and AI to help applicants submit better plans. Several supporters, including Iron Workers Local 625, an individual witness, and Hawaii Food Industry Association, backed the bill but urged a pilot program or other safeguards; some also asked for broader permit coverage beyond single-family homes. Committee members questioned DPP about whether applicant correction time should count against the clock, whether self-certification could be used, and whether the state should fund any new mandate. The committee then took up SB 26 on affordable housing, with HHFDC, OPSD, and HCDA in support and no opposition noted. Finally, on SB 1263 relating to historic preservation, HHFDC and DLNR supported the bill, while OHA offered comments and requested amendments, especially on the new risk-based review process for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas. OHA said the new procedure should be implemented carefully and allowed more time, describing it as a pilot that should be done well to be useful while still protecting cultural and historic resources. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:03.520><c> even</c><00:49:03.839><c> paying</c><00:49:04.160><c> the</c><00:49:04.400><c> 4,000</
• </c><00:49:06.079><c> including</c><00:49:06.480><c> in</c><00:49:06.640><c> my</c><00:49:06.799><c>
• :08.960><c> of</c><00:49:09.119><c> nine</c><00:49:09.400><c> games</c><00:49:09.640><c> a</c><00:49:
• ><00:49:26.480><c> car</c><00:49:27.000><c> R</c><00:49:27.319><c> oh</c><00:49:27.440><c> I</c><00:49
• :49:58.359><c> I</c><00:49:58.720><c> know</c><00:49:58.960><c> of</c><00:49:59.400><c> is</c><00:49:

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :09.359><c> moment</c><00:49:09.760><c> as</c><00:49:10.079><c> we</c><00:49:10.319><c> move</c><00:49
• just</c><00:49:14.160><c> for</c><00:49:14.319><c> the</c><00:49:14.480><c> sake</c><00:49:14.640><c
• </c><00:49:18.720><c> As</c><00:49:18.960><c> you</c><00:49:19.119><c> very</c><00:49:19.359><c> well
• </c><00:49:27.760><c> to</c><00:49:28.000><c> refer</c><00:49:28.240><c> to</c><00:49:28.640><c> as</
• </c><00:49:37.920><c> Um</c><00:49:38.400><c> I</c><00:49:38.880><c> was</c><00:49:39.440><c> if</c><

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :49:07.240><c> was</c><00:49:07.359><c> my</c><00:49:07.480><c> only</c><00:49:07.760><c> question</c
• <00:49:15.760><c> to</c><00:49:16.079><c> speak</c><00:49:16.400><c> anym</c><00:49:16.799><c> in</c>
• <00:49:17.559><c> but</c><00:49:18.160><c> uh</c><00:49:18.440><c> no</c><00:49:18.599><c> I'm</c><00
• 00:49:22.920><c> me</c><00:49:23.280><c> any</c><00:49:23.559><c> money</c><00:49:23.960><c> here</c>
• /c><00:49:29.920><c> boys</c><00:49:30.119><c> used</c><00:49:30.280><c> to</c><00:49:30.440><c> play

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank<00:49:02.040><c> you</c><00:49:02.120><c> for</c><00:49:02.200><c> taking</c><00:49:02.400><c>
• require.<00:49:13.800><c> Do</c><00:49:13.840><c> you</c><00:49:13.920><c> have</c><00:49:14.000><c>
• </c> I<00:49:22.200><c> I</c><00:49:22.280><c> think</c><00:49:22.560><c> I</c><00:49:22.640><c> have
• </c><00:49:22.840><c> to</c><00:49:23.160><c> hear</c><00:49:23.520><c> exactly</c><00:49:24.000><c>
• 49:41.840><c> a</c><00:49:41.880><c> lot</c><00:49:42.120><c> of</c><00:49:42.560><c> really</c><00:49

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.000><c> kind</c><00:49:00.240><c> of</c><00:49:00.240><c> the</c><00:49:00.480><c> core</c><00:49
• </c><00:49:04.720><c> And</c><00:49:04.960><c> so</c><00:49:05.200><c> what</c><00:49:06.319><c> what
• ><c> and</c><00:49:10.559><c> say</c><00:49:10.720><c> a</c><00:49:10.960><c> rural</c><00:49:11.359>
• :49:15.760><c> we</c><00:49:15.839><c> going</c><00:49:15.920><c> to</c><00:49:16.000><c> do</c><00:49
• 00:49:19.359><c> an</c><00:49:19.520><c> attempt</c><00:49:19.760><c> to</c><00:49:19.920><c> provide

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:01.760><c> codifies</c><00:49:02.319><c> the</c><00:49:02.440><c> electric</c><00:49:02.920><c
• </c><00:49:15.319><c> to</c><00:49:15.440><c> be</c><00:49:15.640><c> made</c><00:49:16.559><c> uh</c
• it would<00:49:16.880><c> leave</c><00:49:17.119><c> more</c><00:49:17.440><c> flexibility</c><00:49:
• 49:23.480><c> which</c><00:49:23.680><c> might</c><00:49:23.880><c> not</c><00:49:24.079><c> line</c>
• > um</c><00:49:25.359><c> with</c><00:49:25.680><c> with</c><00:49:26.160><c> uh</c><00:49:26.280><c>

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:49:02.400><c> Uh</c><00:49:02.960><c> I</c><00:49:03.280><c> work</c><00:49:03.440><c> with</
• ><c> do</c><00:49:08.160><c> quite</c><00:49:08.400><c> a</c><00:49:08.559><c> bit</c><00:49:08.720><
• </c><00:49:24.800><c> Sorry</c><00:49:25.119><c> I</c><00:49:25.440><c> was</c><00:49:25.680><c> I</c
• </c><00:49:27.040><c> I</c><00:49:27.200><c> apologize</c><00:49:27.680><c> for</c><00:49:27.920><c>
• Um<00:49:28.559><c> my</c><00:49:28.720><c> name</c><00:49:28.880><c> is</c><00:49:28.960><c> Rebecca

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.