Transcript Highlights:

• So without objection, we will file this report. All right. Thank you. We will file that report.
• File that report. Okay. Yeah, okay. Without objection, we're going to file that report. Thank you.
• Staff recommends we file this report. Any questions? We're going to file that report.
• You said file? I said file? Okay, I made a mistake. Committee, I'm sorry.
• Staff recommends that we file these reports.

Summary: The committee first approved a motion by voice vote, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. For the 2012 reports, staff said five additional 2024 reports had been received since the December meeting, bringing the total to 17 with escrow funds released and 26 still escrowed. For the 2023 delinquent reports, two more had come in, leaving five outstanding; both reports were filed without objection. The committee then focused on Act 709 repayment issues for the town of Daisy. Audit staff said Daisy had made unauthorized payments to a nonprofit and had used restricted street funds for fire-related expenses, and that the town had not yet adopted the required repayment ordinance. Mayor Lisa Cogburn said the council had not approved repayment because members disputed the amount, though she said the town had funds to pay. After discussion about the audit calculations and statutory repayment requirements, the committee adopted a motion requiring 10% repayment of the street fund under the statute and providing that failure to comply would result in withholding turnback funds. The Daisy report was then filed. The committee reviewed numerous additional audit findings from cities, counties, and water departments. Several local officials appeared and described corrective steps, including reconciliation work in Harrison and Carroll County, revenue-code corrections in Izard County, monthly bond-pending reviews in Alexander, fixed-asset documentation and receipt procedures in the town of 56, and bookkeeping/receipt improvements in Ozan and Lee County. Some matters were deferred, including several private water and sewer reports and Green Forest, while others were filed. Reports involving more serious issues were referred to the prosecuting attorney and Attorney General, including Bull Shoals, Lone Oak County, Beaver, Central City, Gravette, Ralston Water Department, Thornton Waterworks, and others. The committee also filed 19 reports with resolved findings and 53 reports with no findings, and adjourned with the next meeting set for February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• . 688,000 of those were circuit court filings, and 2.9 million were county court filings.
• fewer of the cases that... ...use filings.
• The pent-up demand was waning, and so all the cases that didn't get filed in 2020, they got filed in
• Those are, again, cases that are filed that we do not receive any sort of filing fee for.
• We don't receive the $400 filing fee for that divorce because they've filed as indigent, and that is

Summary: The committee first heard an update from the Florida Department of Corrections on the proposed Lake Correctional Institution mental health project in Clermont. Tim Fitzgerald explained the project’s history, including the 2016 Disability Rights Florida litigation, the 2018 consent decree, and the original plan for a 550-bed inpatient mental health facility. He said inflation and design changes pushed the project above the bond amount, leading the department to shift to a “continuum of care” alternative with 572 beds total: 92 inpatient beds and 480 residential treatment beds in three special housing units. Fitzgerald said the project is currently paused pending House concurrence, while the Senate has already agreed to the alternate plan, and noted the bond balance, prior expenditures, and the need to spend down the tax-exempt bond by August 2026. Members questioned how the new plan differs from the original facility, whether it satisfies the consent decree, and what caused the cost increases. Fitzgerald said the department believes it has already met the consent decree through systemwide improvements to housing, staffing, programming, and out-of-cell time, though he said he would confirm the court documentation. He also said the original scope grew from 275,000 to 350,000 square feet as treatment, nursing, security, and programming needs were refined, and that inflation, fees, permitting, and contingencies contributed to the higher cost. Several members asked for follow-up information on Senate approval, consent decree documentation, and the project’s impact on crisis-stabilization capacity. The committee then received a joint court-system presentation from State Courts Administrator Eric McClure and Clerks Corporation Executive Director Jason Welty on caseload trends, case tracking, and staffing. McClure described statewide filing trends, the use of weighted caseload studies to certify judicial need, and recent Supreme Court rule changes aimed at active civil case management, including differentiated case tracks, stricter deadlines, and proportional discovery. He said the latest workload study led the Supreme Court to certify a need for 23 circuit judges and 25 county judges. Welty reviewed clerk workload trends, the statewide case maintenance and CCIS systems, and declining clerk FTE despite rising case volumes, and said clerks are seeking additional funding for injunctions, Baker Act/Marchman Act/sexually violent predator work, and juror management. In questions, members pressed both presenters on data quality, case-weight calculations, filing fees, and whether current resources are enough to reduce delays. McClure clarified that the workload weights are based on judge time studies and that a capital murder case averaged 3,177 minutes, while other examples such as auto negligence and dissolution cases were much lower. Welty said the Legislature could help by increasing funding or potentially revisiting filing fees, and noted that many clerk services are unfunded or underfunded, especially indigent and protective filings. The chair and members also raised concerns about backlog, inconsistent case reporting across circuits, and enforcement of judicial time standards; McClure said there is no direct sanction in the rules, and compliance is largely managed through chief judges and the Supreme Court. The meeting ended with no votes taken and adjournment by motion.

Transcript Highlights:

• “Because whenever we file a lawsuit, we report to this committee that we have filed a lawsuit on behalf
• to filing suit.”
• It was a motion to file them all. Batch and file. Thank you, ma'am.” “You're dismissed. All right.
• filed an answer.
• I think we should have...” ...have filed, the university has filed an answer.

Summary: The committee first reviewed several wage-claim and labor-related litigation reports from the Department of Labor and Licensing. Members questioned the department’s authority and jurisdiction, whether it was acting like a court, and why it sought attorney’s fees and costs. Department staff explained that the claims arose under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act and related labor statutes, that the department investigates small wage claims and can file suit when informal resolution fails, and that filing fees are waived by statute though service costs may be incurred. The committee reviewed individual cases, including one where the employer had not proven cash payments, another that had already been paid and dismissed, and a third where service could not yet be completed. The committee then voted to review or batch-file the labor items. The University of Arkansas System then reported on three pending lawsuits under the litigation-notification statute. One case involving a tenured professor alleging age and race discrimination had already been resolved and dismissed after the university re-engaged in discussions about a position. A second case involving a former employee alleging ADA and FMLA retaliation was moving forward after partial dismissal and an answer denying liability. A third case involved a former vendor employee alleging retaliation tied to a parking ticket; members asked about individual-capacity exposure for a university police sergeant, and counsel explained that punitive damages could potentially create personal exposure. The committee reviewed each report. The Department of Finance and Administration presented a proposed tax settlement reducing a sales-and-use tax assessment from about $48,000 to $20,000, with interest and penalties waived, and the committee approved it. The Claims Commission then presented several claims and settlements, including an unpaid salary differential for the Department of Health, reissued warrants, unpaid bills for DHS, and multiple negotiated settlements involving UAMS, Arkansas State Police, and ARDOT; these were generally approved or batched for approval. The most extensive discussion involved a settlement between the Teacher Retirement System and Tetronics International Limited in liquidation, arising from losses tied to the failed Blue Oak project; members questioned the company’s liquidation status, the prior investment loss, and why the matter was settling for $65,000, and the committee ultimately affirmed the settlement. The committee also heard a disputed tax-sale claim involving the Commissioner of State Lands, where a claimant argued that excess proceeds from a 2009 tax sale should have gone to her family rather than escheating to the county. After testimony from the claimant and counsel, members debated sovereign immunity, heirship, and whether the committee could or should award the $4,200 overage. The motion was amended and then replaced with a motion to hold the matter over for further review in a future joint session, which passed. Finally, the committee considered an appeal by Andrew Simpson challenging dismissal of his claim against the Arkansas Court of Appeals; after Simpson and court staff explained the underlying dispute, the committee reviewed the dismissal and the matter was held over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• bill, House File 4066. bill, House File 4066.
• File 3946. File 3946.
• It was House File<00:52:21.720> 3695. File 3695. File 3695.
• File 2742. File 2742.
• This is House File<00:53:19.880> 3504. File 3504. File 3504.

Bills: HF4446, HF4066, HF1082

Keywords: public safety officer, survivor benefits, line of duty death, occupational cancer, firefighter, police officer, paramedic, EMT, correctional officer, first responder, workers' compensation, death benefits, occupational exposure, carcinogen, cancer presumption, mesothelioma, leukemia, lung cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD

Transcript Highlights:

• First bill on our agenda this morning is Senate File 209. Senate File 209.
• Bon um seeing none Senate file Bon um seeing none Senate file 209<00:03:47.080> uh 209 uh
• file file 210<00:14:08.920> will<00:14:09.120> be<00:14:09.519> uh<00:14:09.639
• We'll take up Senate File 1046.
• <00:34:53.480> filing longer in that filing in the 2023 filing longer in that filing in the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first bill on our agenda is Senate File 13.
• You bring Senate File 13.
• The first one is Senate File 69 with regard to Big Lake Public Schools. very very much Senate file 67
• Senator uh Matthews Senate file 70 as Senator uh Matthews Senate file 70 as amended<00:18:27.320>
• Senate File 10.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have Senate File 2292 and Senate File 2301 from Senator Herr.
• And last but certainly not least, we'll have Senate File 993 and Senate File 2167 from me.
• We also have Senate File 2292 and Senate File 2301 from Senator Herr.
• File 2351. File 2351.
• for Senate File number 2292. for Senate File number 2292.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next bill on consideration is Senate File 5. Senate File 5.
• witness um seeing none um Senate file witness um seeing none um Senate file five<00:13:10.160>
• uh filers file on a monthly quarterly or uh filers file on a monthly quarterly or annual<00:19:33.799
• Senate file Senate file 1082<00:20:25.840> the<00:20:26.000> scor<00:20:26.480>
• > file 8 Senate file 837 is a senate file file 8 Senate file 837 is a senate file that<00:59:24.200><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:12:42.480> number File number File number 2435.<00:12:44.320> House<00:12:44.639>
• transmitted: House File 2464.
• File 3238, which is the Workers File 3238, which is the Workers Compensation<00:18:25.039> Advisory
• Members, we will now go to House File Members, we will now go to House File 1290.<00:25:01.440><
• Senate file number 1959 at 11:00 a.m. Senate file number 1959 at 11:00 a.m.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and thus far this year we've only filed 11, so it slowed down a little bit to pace of the filings.
• , and thus far this year we've only filed 11, so it slowed down a little bit to pace of the filings.
• We filed two challenges to changes on student loans, and we filed a couple of housing cases.
• We filed two challenges to changes on student loans, and we filed a couple of housing cases.
• How do we choose the cases to file?

Summary: The House State Government & Tribal Relations Committee held a virtual work session focused first on federal actions affecting elections. A representative from NCSL reviewed recent U.S. Supreme Court and pending cases, including a redistricting/Voting Rights Act case and a case on whether mailed ballots received after Election Day can be counted. She also discussed a Trump executive order directing USPS to draft mail-ballot rules, the federal SAVE system’s expanded use for voter list maintenance, DOJ requests for unredacted voter rolls, and reduced federal election-security support. Committee members asked about proof of citizenship requirements, whether DOJ requests are compulsory, and how federal election funding and grants may be changing. The Attorney General’s Office then described Washington’s litigation challenging two election-related executive orders and DOJ’s lawsuit seeking unredacted voter registration lists. State lawyers said courts have already enjoined parts of the executive orders, including documentary proof-of-citizenship requirements and voting-system changes, and have upheld Washington’s ballot-receipt deadlines so far. They said DOJ’s voter-roll demands have been rejected by multiple courts and that Washington’s position is that state law limits disclosure of sensitive voter data. Members asked about the legal basis for DOJ’s requests, the risk of immigration-enforcement use, and whether attestation on registration forms counts as proof of citizenship; the office said it does under state law and that no evidence of mass voter-fraud problems in Washington has been shown. Deputy Attorney General Todd Bowers then gave a broader overview of the Attorney General’s federal litigation, saying Washington has filed 61 cases since January 2025, often with other states, and has had notable success obtaining preliminary injunctions and favorable summary judgments. He highlighted cases involving election rules, environmental and energy disputes, public health funding, student loans, housing, and data privacy, and said many challenges involve executive-branch conditions added to congressionally appropriated funds. He also described a growing number of federal audits and inquiries directed at state agencies. Finally, Office of Equity Director Megan Matthews discussed how federal actions are affecting state and local equity work, community organizations, and public confidence. She said the office is coordinating more closely with the Attorney General, governor’s office, other agencies, and local governments through the immigration subcabinet, while also working on data privacy, Keep Washington Working compliance, and community outreach. Committee members asked about the office’s human-trafficking work and how it is encouraging agency compliance; Matthews said the focus is on clearer guidance, technical support, and consistent expectations across agencies. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• file 5200 be passed to general orders. file 5200 be passed to general orders.
• I will begin with Senate File 3236.
• <00:10:09.520> 4503 consideration of Senate file 4503 consideration of Senate file 4503 be
• all further proceedings on Senate file all further proceedings on Senate file 4503,<00:11:05.680
• reconsider the motion on Senate file reconsider the motion on Senate file 4276.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > and admitted house file numbers 124 129 and admitted house file numbers 124 129 and 286<00:06
• <00:08:51.040> number you'll see Senate file number you'll see Senate file number 2350<00:
• <00:09:03.200> number nine you will see CER file number nine you will see CER file number
• <00:09:36.320> number 12 you'll see ctif file number 12 you'll see ctif file number 2387<00
• Senator Howley moves to Senate file Senator Howley moves to Senate file number<00:10:40.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are on file item number seven, AB 998. Thank you. We are on file item number seven, AB 998.
• Yeah, we go back to file item six. I'm going to go back to file item six.
• File item 2, AB 362, File item 2, AB 362, due pass to Appropriations.
• File item 6, AB 864. File item 6, AB 864, due pass to Appropriations. Bauer-Kahan, Castillo. Aye.
• File Item No. 8, AB 1031, Bauer-Kahan. File Item No. 9, AB 1088, due pass. Kayhan.

Summary: The committee heard a series of environmental safety and toxic materials measures, with several bills moving forward on unanimous or near-unanimous votes to Appropriations. Early in the meeting, the consent calendar was approved, including AB 372, AB 455, AB 1096, AB 1102, and AB 754. AB 362 by Assembly Member Ramos, which would recognize tribal beneficial uses of water and strengthen consultation and protection for tribal water uses, drew strong support from tribes and environmental groups. Water agencies and local government representatives opposed unless amended, raising concerns about CEQA requirements, co-management language, and conflicts with existing water law. The bill advanced to Appropriations, with some members voting aye and others not voting or absent. AB 728 by Assembly Member Lee would require age verification for the sale of certain anti-aging skin care products to minors. The author and a youth witness described social media-driven use of adult skin products by children and alleged skin damage, while supporters argued age checks are a reasonable consumer protection. Dermatologists and retailers opposed the bill, saying it could restrict legitimate acne and other medical uses of over-the-counter products, create compliance problems, and lacked a clear scientific basis. The committee discussed possible ambiguity in the bill’s definition of anti-aging products, but the measure still passed to Appropriations. AB 532 on low-income water rate assistance, AB 773 on copper-based anti-fouling paint, AB 998 on household hazardous waste disposal of vape pens, AB 1031 on geothermal hazardous waste fees, and AB 864 on solar panel hazardous waste and recycling all received strong support and advanced to Appropriations. Supporters for AB 532 emphasized water affordability and local program authority; AB 773 supporters said conflicting state water and pesticide rules are creating confusion for harbors and cities; AB 998 was presented as a practical way to let schools and local facilities dispose of confiscated vape devices safely; AB 1031 was framed as reducing DTSC fee burdens on geothermal development in Imperial County; and AB 864 would ease recycling and reuse of end-of-life solar panels. The committee also began hearing AB 1264 on ultra-processed foods in school meals, with the author and supporters arguing it would phase out the most harmful ultra-processed foods from school meals by 2032, but the transcript cuts off before the full discussion and any action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• You will see CER file number 1870.
• <00:13:32.160> number page you'll see Senate file number page you'll see Senate file number
• <00:14:06.040> number same page you'll see Cate file number same page you'll see Cate file
• <00:14:28.560> number page 15 you'll see CIF file number page 15 you'll see CIF file number
• I have Senate File 1552.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• is hard we need extra help house file is hard we need extra help house file 1380<00:08:53.200>
• The next bill is House File 1553.
• House File 1553 is laid over. The next bill before us is House File 1472. Representative M.
• House File 1553 is laid over. The next bill before us is House File 1472.
• House File 1911? Yes. Thank you.

Bills: HF1380, HF1166, HF487, HF1553, HF1472, HF258, HF1911

Keywords: psychiatric treatment, human services, mental health funding, per diem rate, Clay County, disability services, assistive technology, remote support, advocacy, training programs, HF487, Wellness in the Woods, Minnesota human services, grant funding, general fund appropriation, peer support, substance use recovery, addiction recovery, reentry services, reentry after incarceration

Transcript Highlights:

• It is for the file that ends in 12.
• He filed it on February 6, 2023.
• 2970 or Senate File 2978?
• The proono either Senate file.
• "Okay, you got to file a claim." And "Okay, you got to file a claim."

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those are File Item 8, SB 1205; File Item 9, SB 1274; File Item 11, SB 1055; File Item 15, SB 1170; and
• , file item 9, SB 1274, file item 11, SB 1055, file item 15, SB 1170.
• I'm sorry, not file item 2. File item 15, SB 1170, file item 17, SB 1438.
• The consent calendar consists of file item 8, SB 1205; file item 9, SB 1274; file item 11, SB 1055; file
• File item 9, SB 1274; file item 11, SB 1055; file item 15, SB 1170; file item 17, SB 1438.

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, House File 1524 is laid over. The next bill on our agenda is House File 1893.
• We have House File... ...1396.
• What this bill will do is allow those who have court filings in the county to file them in any of the
• that they filed their annual report.
• House File 2412 is laid over.

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:02.040> 4172, order of business Senate File 4172, order of business Senate File 4172
• File 4172 as amended. Thank you, Mr. File 4172 as amended. Thank you, Mr.
• Senate File 4026 is before us.
• to testify in support of Senate File to testify in support of Senate File 4026<00:21:28.640>
• passed,<00:26:24.840> would Senate File 4807, if passed, would Senate File 4807, if passed

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:

• The secretary will read the Senate file numbers. Senate file numbers 2298 and 509.
• will read the Senate file numbers. will read the Senate file numbers.
• The secretary will read the House file number. House File 2184.
• House file number 1662. reading. House file number 1662.
• we will begin with House File 1355. we will begin with House File 1355.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all