Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the food companies that we work with, some of the regional food hubs that we're engaging with
• , both as a purchaser and also as a... ...of the regional food hubs that we're engaging with, both as
• Our region has experienced reductions in service lines and specialist availability, chronic provider
• And every layer is being taxed, and no other state in our region does this to the same degree.
• Families who stay with us can have a whole adventure just right here in our region.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy presentation from the New Mexico Rural Library Initiative in support of fully funding the rural library endowment with an additional $29.5 million. The presenters described rural libraries as essential community infrastructure that provide not only books and internet access, but also early childhood programs, adult education, workforce support, telehealth, disaster response, and civic meeting space. They argued that the endowment would provide stable annual support for staffing and operations, help sustain libraries in very small towns and tribal communities, and support new or developing libraries. Members asked about eligibility, county coverage, how funds are distributed, and whether the state tracks broader outcomes such as job placements or certifications; the presenters said the State Library administers the funds and that the initiative itself is a nonprofit capacity-building organization, not the fund manager. Some members raised concerns about whether an endowment is the best long-term model versus recurring annual appropriations, and about the need for better reporting and state-library involvement. The committee then heard from food bank leaders Jill Dixon and Katie Anderson about food security and its economic impact. They said New Mexico’s five food banks and more than 500 partner agencies serve all 33 counties, distribute over 45 million meals, and rely mostly on philanthropy, with some state and local support. They emphasized that SNAP is a major economic driver, supporting grocery access, jobs, and local spending, and that recent legislative growth funding helped food banks respond to a surge in demand during a SNAP disruption. They also highlighted food banks as community hubs that can connect people to health care, job training, and other services, including through clinic referrals and closed-loop systems. In response to questions, they said food access gaps remain in some rural areas, that clients can generally seek food at other distribution sites without barriers, and that longer-term solutions should include more grocery access, healthy corner stores, and stronger broadband and health care infrastructure. The final presentations came from the Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce and the Artesia Chamber of Commerce. Gallup-McKinley described a shrinking workforce, youth outmigration, crime, health care shortages, malpractice costs, and gross receipts tax burdens as major barriers to rural economic growth, and urged action on workforce pipelines, housing, public safety, malpractice reform, and tax/regulatory changes. Artesia highlighted its murals, library, sports tradition, oil and gas, agriculture, federal training center, and refinery, while also noting workforce shortages, health care recruitment challenges, housing constraints, and the need for quality-of-life investments and more flexible regulation. The committee also briefly heard a bill presentation proposing a New Mexico-Ireland Trade Commission to promote bilateral trade and investment, especially in technology, agriculture, and energy sectors. No votes were taken because quorum was not reached, and the endorsement item was not acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance is not well designed when an entire region can have a damaging event that affects everybody
• For personal earthquake, you'll notice that the majority of policies are around the Puget Sound region
• For the endorsement side, again, we're seeing a lot of the Puget and Vancouver region for the personal
• They go by CREW, Cascade Rising, or region earthquake work group.
• So something like regionality is being accounted for, populations being accounted for.

Summary: The committee heard a work session on earthquake insurance, beginning with background from the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. OIC staff explained that earthquake and earth movement are generally excluded from standard property policies, that earthquake coverage is usually purchased through endorsements or standalone policies with high deductibles and relatively high premiums, and that surplus lines are a limited backstop market not covered by the state guarantee fund. They also described parametric insurance and captive insurance as more specialized products generally suited to commercial or governmental buyers rather than ordinary consumers. A second panel of insurance and banking experts focused on commercial earthquake exposure, especially for older buildings, collateralized loans, and potential knock-on effects to banks and consumers if a major quake caused widespread damage. Members asked about consumer impacts, mitigation incentives, inventories of vulnerable buildings, and whether legislation such as prior work on unreinforced masonry could help reduce risk. The Washington Bankers Association said earthquake insurance is expensive and that affordability is a major concern, while also noting banks participate in disaster-recovery planning and would be affected by major regional losses. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then received a presentation from the Washington State Institute for Public Policy on its cannabis and Initiative 502 research. WSIPP staff described the agency as a nonpartisan research institute that conducts legislative-directed studies and explained that its long-term I-502 assignment includes periodic reports leading to a final benefit-cost evaluation in 2032. Staff summarized findings from a 2023 report showing that cannabis possession convictions fell sharply after legalization, though some racial disproportionalities persisted, and that closer retail access was associated with higher reported adult cannabis use, more fatal traffic crashes involving drivers from nearby areas, and higher rates of cannabis use disorder diagnoses among Medicaid enrollees. A 2023 youth-focused report found that students attending schools near retailers were more likely to report cannabis use, had more unexcused absences, and were less likely to graduate on time. In the newest 2025 Medicaid study, staff said retail access was associated with higher probabilities of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, related hospitalizations, inpatient treatment, and co-occurring mental health diagnoses, with event-study analysis suggesting the increases appeared after retailers opened rather than before. Members asked about racial disproportionality, the meaning of cannabis use disorder diagnoses, THC and impairment, whether the findings reflected medical versus recreational use, and how the results should be interpreted in light of broader trends and data limitations. No formal committee action was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• [clears throat] In my 18<00:30:26.720> county<00:30:27.039> region, 18 county region, 18
• regional level. regional level.
• director of the East Central Regional director of the East Central Regional Library<01:17:47.360
• 18:56.480> Minnesota, regions like east central Minnesota, regions like east central Minnesota
• :20:26.480> have<01:20:26.719> seen Central Regional Library, we have seen Central Regional

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ammonia production and renewable energy facilities that are located throughout the state and the region
• like Minnesota in the United or regions like Minnesota in the United States<00:38:09.319> where
• I believe you're a more regional model. So how big is that region going to be?
• model so um how big is a more Regional model so um how big is that<00:52:53.880> region<00:52
• going to be how many states that region going to be how many states you<00:52:55.319> going<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just curious about how the Fusion Center is coordinating with neighboring states and also regional
• Yeah, so just how the Fusion Centers are coordinating with neighboring states and regional partners,
• I'm just curious about how the fusion center is coordinating with neighboring states and also regional
• partners giving our proximity to D.C. regional partners giving our proximity to D.C.
• I guess when somebody gets booked into a prison, a jail, a regional jail, or a local county facility,

Keywords: House Committee Room A, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• percentage of those costs for regional percentage of those costs for regional transmission<01:02
• In place, certified, response regions.
• .<01:11:43.360> However, regions.
• However, regions.
• He said that he's got 10 regions that he identifies with, but there's other groups that have regions

Bills: SB8

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, The first couple minutes of the livestream was cut off. This recording restored the beginning of the meeting Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Glenn Cordelli, I'm representing Tuftonboro, Wolfeboro, and Ossipee in the beautiful Lakes Region
• I am the senator for the Lakes Region as well, covering everywhere, or using my New Jersey phrase, from
• So I don't conclude from that that UNH is cannibalizing our smaller regional institutions.
• I I believe it's regional institutions.
• I'm just concerned about these regional I'm just concerned about these regional universities<00:

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard updates from the chancellors of the state university system and the community college system on ongoing restructuring, collaboration, and enrollment trends. The university system said its office move to the NHTI campus is ahead of schedule and should save students about $250,000 a year while creating revenue for the community college system. Both systems described continued work on transfer pathways, direct-admit outreach, shared advising, and broader efforts to shrink footprints, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency in response to declining enrollment and demographic pressure. A major topic was a possible federal change to Pell Grant eligibility that would require students to enroll in at least 7.5 credits. The chancellors said most community college students are part-time because of work and family responsibilities, and that the change could affect roughly 2,000 current Pell recipients and make it harder for students to afford or sustain enrollment. Members also discussed how the state’s governor’s scholarship statute largely benefits full-time students, suggesting possible future statutory changes. The chancellors explained how credits typically work, noting most courses are three or four credits and that students would likely need to add an entire course to meet the proposed threshold. The committee also discussed the broader higher education landscape, including declining high school cohorts, competition among New England institutions, and the need to right-size capacity. One member raised concerns about the health of regional campuses such as Plymouth and Keene; the chancellors said incoming enrollment is down at UNH and Plymouth and holding at Keene, attributing the trend to demographics rather than one campus drawing students away from another. They emphasized the importance of community colleges, adult learners, and short-term workforce programs as part of the state’s future education mix. Finally, the committee touched on the value of the university system’s research enterprise. The chancellor said about $250 million a year flows into the university system in federal research grants, with about $9.5 million currently under stop-work orders from federal agencies. She said the immediate concern is not DEI-related but federal cuts and possible caps on indirect cost recovery. Members noted that the R1 research designation supports business partnerships, student opportunities, and economic development projects such as West Edge in Durham.

Transcript Highlights:

• balance um I mean we're hearing regional balance um I mean we're hearing about<00:35:42.920> this
• I'm the superintendent of the West Central Regional Juvenile Center.
• Right now, the West Central Regional Juvenile Center is taking youth from all over the state.
• juvenile center um Central Regional juvenile center um currently<01:02:31.960> operate<01:02:
• juvenile center serves Central Regional juvenile center serves wide<01:02:42.240> variety<01:

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Following that, Senate Bill 325, an act relating to the regional planning in Act 250 tier jurisdiction
• <00:11:29.600> relating<00:11:30.000> to<00:11:30.200> the<00:11:30.440> regional
• <00:11:30.880> planning an act relating to the regional planning an act relating to the regional
• Senate Bill 325 is an act relating to regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction.
• planning and Act 250 tier regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction. jurisdiction. jurisdiction

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a moment of silence, then reported favorable on House Bill 954, relating to approval of an amendment to the charter of the town of Stowe, and referred it to Ways and Means. Members then adopted JRS 54, a joint resolution setting weekend adjournment so the two houses would reconvene no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Several announcements followed, including a Memorial Day remembrance, which was journalized, an art project in the card room, and a recognition of Harwood Union High School athletes and one individual champion. The House also heard a farewell and birthday acknowledgment for a departing member from Bennington. The calendar was then announced, with House Bill 932, Senate Bill 325, and Senate Bill 323 slated for consideration. The House suspended rules to take up House Bill 932 immediately and concurred in the Senate proposal of amendment. The bill concerns regulation of forestry under Act 250, and the Stowe member explained the amendment was a narrow technical revision developed with the Land Use Review Board and the Agency of Natural Resources. The House then suspended rules to take up Senate Bill 325, heard a 6-0 committee of conference report on regional planning and Act 250 tier jurisdiction, and adopted the report after brief questioning about noise limits. The House also suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. Senate Bill 323 was postponed to the afternoon session, and the House recessed until 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• In both the 2021-2022 and 2024-2025 school years, John was elected by his fellow regional high school
• athletic directors as the Virginia High School League Region 3A Athletic Director of the Year.
• resilient, and survivors eventually assimilated, joining into a new way of life that emerged in the region
• They led with conviction that has left its mark on generations of sons and daughters in our region.
• on page 12, with the printing calendar, House Bill 860 would direct the State Board of Local and Regional

Keywords: March 05, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2020, the federal government removed the regional distinction from a accreditation agencies opening
• I would probably venture to say that if it is regionally based with all these different accredited...
• this list. remains verbatim in the education code because it is one of the federally recognized regional
• Six or seven regional accrediting agencies are nationally and internationally accredited.
• SACs that are helping guide this accreditation body to make the best. decisions, not just for the region

Bills: HB173, HB184, HB484, HB678, HB 1211, HB1507, HB1705, HB1868, HB2290, HB2851, HB2856, HB3041, HB3204, HB173, HB184

Keywords: foreign donations, higher education, public institutions, national security, funding, prohibition, Texas law, healthcare, insurance, affordability, access, public health, foreign influence, education policy, student loan repayment, prosecuting attorneys, border prosecution unit, financial assistance, tobacco, cigarettes

Transcript Highlights:

• we vote on regions. we vote on regions.
• , you know that if we don't elect regions, you know that if we don't elect regions,<00:02:44.640>
• , then the governor gets to regions, then the governor gets to appoint<00:02:46.040> regions.
• appoint regions. appoint regions.
• that<00:59:45.560> includes Prairie region one that includes Prairie region one that includes

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 4252, the higher education finance and policy bill, which the author described as a bipartisan agreement. Representative Wolgamott highlighted a $1.5 million appropriation to Minnesota State to create an identification verification system to combat “ghost students,” a one-time $5,000 appropriation for trees at Bemidji State University, and other noncontroversial recommendations from the Office of Higher Education. He urged support for the bill and noted that amendments would be considered. The main debate centered on an amendment by Representative Rarick to change how University of Minnesota regents are selected if the legislature fails to elect them. Rarick argued the amendment would keep the governor from appointing regents outside the legislative vetting process and prevent “pay-to-play” or donor influence, citing recent gubernatorial appointments and campaign contributions. Representative Kotter offered a secondary amendment to require that any fallback appointees meet RCAC eligibility criteria and to bar candidates who had recently contributed to legislative caucuses or leadership; supporters said it would reduce the appearance of pay-to-play while preserving the RCAC process. Opponents of the secondary amendment, including Representatives Robbins and others, argued it did not address the real concern because it did not restrict contributions to the governor and would weaken the legislature’s role in regent selection. Supporters of the secondary amendment said it was a more objective, statute-based approach and raised separation-of-powers concerns with the underlying amendment. After debate, the secondary amendment failed on a 67-67 tie and was not adopted. The House then continued discussion on the underlying Rarick amendment, with members divided over legislative authority, gubernatorial appointment power, and the influence of campaign donations.

Transcript Highlights:

• grant proceeds will enable us to provide youth leadership training programs for underrepresented regions
• As of now, we haven't considered regionalizing the stipend in any way. What is the stipend amount?
• Will there be a decent regional spread of the existing 11 regional offices right now for that provision
• centers. ...units and reliance of local LEAs on those regional centers.
• I'm a second-year PhD student at UC Merced and the current UC student of region.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are your development in our region.
• It is a regional project.
• Even though the is a regional project.
• We think it's an important regional connection.
• of the area and the region around us. of the area and the region around us.

Bills: HF2418, HF1666, HF232, HF344, HF402, HF431, HF468, HF547, HF583, HF1476, HF1711, HF2787, HF2788, HF3207

Keywords: capital investment, political subdivisions, state assistance, funding, project grants, child care, Slayton, state bonds, economic development, extended time revenue, school funding, state aid, career and technical education, CTE, STEM, secondary credit, after-school programs, summer school, learning year program, extended day

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:55.640> significance uh talk about the regional significance uh talk about the regional
• By hosting tournaments and regional events, Champlin can attract visitors who will support our local
• <00:20:50.200> area benefit to the to the regional area benefit to the to the regional area
• So, even when they have a regional significance beyond the boundaries of a city.
• if for a regional project. if for a regional project. >> Madam<01:13:17.720> Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• grant proceeds will enable us to provide youth leadership training programs for underrepresented regions
• With regional centers and adult day programs to serve more students and individuals with IDD.
• Because the state's typical approach is then to just update the regional market rate.
• Is there a decent regional spread of the existing 11 regional offices right now for that provision of
• My name is Sonya Brooks and I am the UC region, student region.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With that possible desalinization plant on the border, we could be the first in our region.
• Answering that, do you believe regional water compacts are working as intended?
• Our regional community colleges are also growing, so we're seeing growth across the board.
• As you can see on the slide, there are five regional hubs that will serve as the main service centers
• We will be having five WIC mobile vans, one for each region, so we can go to where the families need

Transcript Highlights:

• My career was as a regional director for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• I am also speaking on behalf of the Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers Board, which includes Lake
• ATV recreation is a major economic driver in our region, bringing in thousands of riders from across
• ,<00:20:22.799> bringing economic driver in our region, bringing economic driver in our region
• :20:51.120> Powers Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers Northeastern Regional ATV Joint Powers

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 1012, as amended by the A1 amendment, and the author moved the bill to be laid over for possible inclusion in a future bill. The amendment, adopted on a voice vote, changed the timing for public input in trail planning, removed language on decommissioning trails, and combined the measure with another ATV-fee bill. The author said the bill would unify ATV trail signage policy statewide, align statute with DNR best practices, and not affect the forest trail inventory, existing ATV-accessible miles, or hunting exemptions. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters, including representatives of the Minnesota Public Lands Coalition, tribal officials from the Max Band and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, a retired DNR conservation officer, a retired wildlife manager, and the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board, argued the bill would better protect wetlands, wildlife habitat, and culturally significant areas, improve transparency and tribal consultation, and make trail planning and enforcement more workable. The EQB said the amended bill’s rulemaking timeline was more workable, and the DNR described its existing multi-step trail review and consultation process. Opponents, including ATV Minnesota, county commissioners from northern counties, and a representative of the Minnesota Trappers Association, argued the bill would burden or restrict existing trail systems, increase costs, and threaten tourism and local economies. They said current trail development already involves DNR and local review, and that the bill could reduce access for riders, trappers, and other users. In member questions, the author and a Minnesota Association of Townships representative said the bill was intended to codify DNR best practices and bring local governments into the process earlier, while confirming that hunting exemptions were not removed.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:51:39.520> centers disability services, regional centers disability services, regional
• <01:52:53.040> center regional center 13 PBLO regional center regional center 13 PBLO regional
• the Wheat Ridge Regional Center and the Grand Junction Regional Center. 16.
• Services, PBLO Regional Center, PBLO Regional Center Waiver Services.
• Regional Center Waiver Services.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and heard several brief recognitions before moving to business. Members welcomed foster care advocates for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Girl Scouts visiting the Capitol, and participants in Black Maternal Health Week, with remarks emphasizing foster youth voice, leadership development, and the need for culturally competent maternal health care and doula/midwife support. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1026, honoring former Governor Roy Romer and designating a portion of I-25 as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway. Supporters highlighted Romer’s long public service, his work on education and infrastructure, and his role in major state projects. A proposed amendment to strike the word “memorial” was withdrawn, the House suspended the rules to allow Romer to speak from the well, and Romer offered remarks about legislative collegiality and the importance of democracy and listening to opposing views. House Joint Resolution 1026 was adopted on a 60-0 vote, with four excused and one absent. After a brief recess, the House returned to special orders and resumed reading House Bill 1410 at length, continuing through extensive appropriations language for the Department of Human Services, including child welfare, youth services, Medicaid-related transfers, SNAP and benefits administration, and other funding line items. No final action on House Bill 1410 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, co-ops, and Monadnock, for example,
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, co-ops, and Monadnock, for example,
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, co-ops, and Monadnock, for example,
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, co-ops, and Monadnock, for example,
• Um, or, uh, like the regional economic development corporations, co-ops, and Monadnock, for example,

Keywords: 1189, house, all