Transcript Highlights:

• Well, let's start with an education success.
• The Minnesota Department of Education just announced there was an all-time high student graduation rate
• for public education.
• </c> millions of acres of land in Minnesota millions of acres of land in Minnesota and<00:02:20.880><
• </c> generate dollars for public education. generate dollars for public education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quorum is present, and the Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee will now come to order.
• </c><00:04:44.080><c> for</c><00:04:44.280><c> all</c><00:04:44.479><c> Minnesota</c> Quality education
• for all Minnesota Quality education for all Minnesota students<00:04:45.720><c> regardless</c><00:04
• Minnesota charter schools are public schools, and the Department of Education wants all of our public
• I'm the legislative policy manager for the Minnesota Department of Education.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee will come to order.
• Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee will come to order.
• Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee will come to order.
• said um quorum is present um Minnesota said um Senate<00:00:51.199><c> education</c><00:00:51.760><c
• The exemption is only granted if no tribe in Minnesota objects in the Tribal Nations Education Committee

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota State Education Finance Committee will now come to order.
• I’m the dean of the College of Education, Minnesota State University. I’m the new Minnesotan.
• </c> Education Minnesota State uh University Education Minnesota State uh University Mano<00:45:53.440
• </c> Education at Minnesota State University Education at Minnesota State University manetto<00:48:36.640
• The 2003 Minnesota teacher supply and demand report notes that special education is the area where we

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, in order to cost out this bill, the Minnesota Department of Education made a number of assumptions
• <c> um</c><00:30:41.440><c> if</c> Minnesota Department of Education um if Minnesota Department of Education
• Minnesota Department of Education<00:31:32.120><c> made</c><00:31:32.440><c> a</c><00:31:32.600><c>
• </c> Would the, uh, if the Minnesota Department of Education, if you get introduced yourselves, I make
• </c> director of the southern Minnesota director of the southern Minnesota education<01:13:25.159><c>

Bills: HF827 , HF1258 , HF2387 , HF2388 , HF2534 , HF2016

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> analyst for the association of Minnesota analyst for the association of Minnesota counties<00:03
• </c><00:03:50.040><c> Association</c> director for the Minnesota Association director for the Minnesota
• in the Minnesota resourced as outlined in the Minnesota state<00:05:26.160><c> statute</c><00:05:26.759
• </c> Community Supervision across Minnesota Community Supervision across Minnesota thank<00:16:27.279
• </c><00:58:12.960><c> house</c> Minnesota Senate or the Minnesota house Minnesota Senate or the Minnesota

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Joseph, Minnesota.
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota Statute 192.52. Minnesota Statute 192.52.
• Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Department of Education, and local veterans who have provided feedback
• Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Department of Education, and local veterans who have provided feedback

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:

• , or Minnesota Cable.
• Association or Minnesota communications Association or Minnesota cable<00:04:13.400><c> thank</c><00
• Broadband in the next four Minnesota Broadband in the next four years<00:08:47.680><c> Minnesota</c>
• </c> the construction industry in Minnesota the construction industry in Minnesota that<00:29:25.440>
• </c><01:15:17.760><c> and</c> farmer in sou Eastern Minnesota and farmer in sou Eastern Minnesota and

Bills: HF47 , HF434 , HF1503 , HF1702

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> thousands of households across Minnesota thousands of households across Minnesota turn<00:07:57.639
• </c> faced with on a daily basis Minnesota faced with on a daily basis Minnesota Coalition<00:09:09.200
• </c><00:19:56.799><c> Housing</c> CEO of the southwest Minnesota Housing CEO of the southwest Minnesota
• </c> is also mixed income so in Minnesota is also mixed income so in Minnesota Olstead<00:46:51.720><
• is</c><01:08:25.120><c> requ</c> education home buyer education is requ education home buyer education

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> killed on Minnesota roads this year. killed on Minnesota roads this year.
• We piggyback off of what the state of Minnesota does with its rider education programs.
• It's a new law in Minnesota.
• </c> helmet use in the state of Minnesota. helmet use in the state of Minnesota.
• Happy to educate you.

Summary: Senator Judy Seeberger and traffic safety officials held a press conference focused on a deadly Minnesota motorcycle season and urged both drivers and riders to take greater care. Seeberger described several near-misses and a preventable crash at an intersection near her home, and asked motorists to put phones down, avoid impaired driving, and look twice or three times at stop signs, lane changes, and intersections. Mike Hanson, director of the Department of Public Safety’s Office of Traffic Safety, said 37 motorcyclists had been killed so far this year, compared with 24 at the same time last year, and warned the state could approach 90 motorcycle fatalities if current trends continue. He said about half of motorcycle deaths are single-vehicle run-off-the-road crashes, often tied to speed, inattention, or skill level, while the other half involve a motorcycle and another vehicle; he also noted passenger fatalities are higher than usual and that riders over 60 are now being killed more often than younger riders. Hanson and others emphasized education, training, visibility, helmets, high-visibility gear, and sober driving. He said the state’s motorcycle safety training program is expanding with 11 additional basic rider courses, which should train about 121 more riders, and that safety materials are available to clubs and community groups. He also highlighted the new lane filtering and splitting law, saying it is limited to 25 mph or less and must be done within a rider’s skill level; he said he has seen it done both safely and unsafely and urged riders to follow the law and not be “knuckleheads.” Representatives from the Saint Croix Valley Riders and the Litas St. Croix Valley also spoke. Don Morley said his group promotes safety and awareness, reimburses members for rider training, and supports the new lane filtering/splitting law while stressing that riders and motorists must share the road. Heather Sevlin and other speakers tied the safety message to the death of Dana Milan, saying her crash was preventable and calling for justice and accountability in the impaired-driving case involving Robert Rodriguez, who they said was on a second DUI offense. In response to questions, Seeberger said she would support stricter penalties for repeat impaired or reckless drivers but would not support mandatory helmet legislation. Hanson said the legislature should continue to rely on rider experts and training advocates when considering motorcycle safety policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So remember, it's not just Minnesota accountants that have to be educated, but it's also the unknown
• non-Minnesota businesses that have to be educated, too.
• We're targeting northern Minnesota counties and northern Minnesota residents and northern Minnesota industries
• ><c> northern</c> Minnesota counties and northern Minnesota counties and northern Minnesota<01:18:59.679
• </c><01:19:42.719><c> And</c> Minnesota and central Minnesota. And Minnesota and central Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Senate Education Finance Committee will now come to order.
• So we're going to begin with a presentation from the Minnesota Department of Education.
• I'm an assistant commissioner at the Minnesota Department of Education for the Office of Student Support
• I'm just very proud of Minnesota for having put this forward, both as a farmer, a parent, an educator
• I'm just very proud of Minnesota for having put this forward, both as a farmer, a parent, an educator

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Prices at every business in Minnesota Prices at every business in Minnesota are<00:01:40.680><c>
• </c> control in the state of Minnesota. control in the state of Minnesota.
• </c><00:02:13.200><c> can</c> I'm hopeful though that Minnesota can I'm hopeful though that Minnesota
• </c> beyond just using One Minnesota beyond just using One Minnesota platitudes,<00:03:38.160><c> um<
• </c> one Minnesota meant to the governor. one Minnesota meant to the governor.

Summary: Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session. A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees. The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then skipping down to uh Minnesota State, the House has made no changes to its prior offer on Minnesota
• </c> then skipping down to uh Minnesota then skipping down to uh Minnesota State,<00:02:26.560><c> the
• Minnesota Minnesota um<00:08:39.120><c> like</c><00:08:39.440><c> me.
• ,</c> like this, modeled after Minnesota, like this, modeled after Minnesota, which<00:09:51.440><c>
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Summary: The meeting focused on a House counteroffer to a higher education budget and policy agreement, with Ken Savory walking members through spreadsheet changes and Mr. Hopkins reviewing policy items. On the budget side, the House adjusted several appropriations and savings targets, including state grants, child care grants, student teacher and shortage area grants, student parent support, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury research grants, dual training grants for legal cannabis employers, and University of Minnesota cannabis research. The House also noted no change to Minnesota State, alignment with the Senate on the summer academic enrichment program, and that remaining state grant parameters would continue to be negotiated. On policy, the House said some items were agreed to and grayed out, including campus sexual misconduct policy and treatment of appropriations. The House kept its original position on the NN Mayo Clinic Partnership and did not include K-12 direct admissions or the College Financing Literacy Act. It also proposed adjusting OHEI appropriations for competitively and legislatively named grant programs so administrative cost reserves would conform to 10% and 5% parameters when current law is below those levels. The committee then heard testimony in support of continuing the spinal cord injury/traumatic brain injury grant program at its current level. Joey Carlson described his spinal cord injury, his career path, and how the program helped advance research and industry connections, while Matthew Broadick argued the program has produced clinical trials, FDA approval-related progress, jobs, and strong return on investment. He also said the program belongs at the Office of Higher Education rather than the Department of Health because its mission better fits research and innovation. Members asked about the program’s long-term home, and the witnesses defended OHE’s role. No votes were taken; the chair thanked the House for the offer, said it would be reviewed, and recessed the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, we can't live without our highway system in Minnesota.
• Minnesota was to receive about 70 million.
• Because Minnesota doesn't just...
• Up in Crookston, Minnesota, in their downtown, U.S.
• Grant program, Hold Harmless, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the uh Education Minnesota. the uh Education Minnesota.
• Minnesota</c> if Minnesota if if Education Minnesota if Minnesota if if Education Minnesota is<01:50:
• my</c> that Education Minnesota did on my that Education Minnesota did on my behalf<01:52:50.200><c>
• to</c> looking to Education Minnesota to try to looking to Education Minnesota to try to solve<01:56
• <c> we</c><01:56:55.000><c> got</c> Education Minnesota that's saying we got Education Minnesota that's

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, we have uh a Minnesota.
• institution in the state of education institution in the state of Minnesota<00:05:29.600><c> and</c>
• Swanson continued: Higher education within 50 miles of everyone in Minnesota was the goal in the 1960s
• We educate almost or equivalent.
• :20:57.520><c> M</c> grant or University of Minnesota or M grant or University of Minnesota or M Minnesota

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been the policy for participation in Minnesota for 11 years.
• In fact, Minnesota is a leader in participation in girls' sports.
• play sports in Minnesota.
• system because they have educational value.
• That's because in Minnesota, girls' sports are thriving.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the Minnesota State System and the University<00:02:05.360><c> of</c><00:02:05.880><c> Minnesota.
• </c> rather than an educational one. Yeah. rather than an educational one. Yeah.
• . educators. educators.
• </c> across Minnesota to to do this better. across Minnesota to to do this better.
• ,</c><01:42:14.719><c> the</c><01:42:14.960><c> Minnesota</c> Fair of Minnesota, the Minnesota Fair of

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• And Minnesota State Retirement System and the PRA.
• We roll up our sleeves and we do what's best for Minnesota.
• chiefs of police, the Minnesota professional firefighters, Minnesota sheriffs, Minnesota Fire Chiefs
• , the Association of Minnesota Counties, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, Leagues of Minnesota
• Politics and for doing right by the constituents of Minnesota.