Transcript Highlights:

• So I imagine that wouldn't require added burden in terms of the extra reporting.
• </c><00:54:29.839><c> So,</c><00:54:30.640><c> I</c><00:54:30.880><c> imagine</c><00:54:31.359><c> that
• So, I imagine that over a square mile.
• So, I imagine that wouldn't,<00:54:32.400><c> um,</c><00:54:32.720><c> require</c><00:54:33.599><c> add

Bills: SB2350 , SB2349 , SB2407 , SB3320

Committee: Senate Agriculture and Environment

Keywords: agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, agribusiness, Department of Agriculture, regulatory functions, employee benefits, restorative practices, sustainability, environmental stewardship, local food systems, Native Hawaiian, workforce development, agricultural development, Hawaii Island, property manager, state employment, SB3320, Hawaii, Agribusiness Development Corporation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SP 2350, which would transfer oversight of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Development Division and the aquaculture and livestock support services branch to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. The Department of Agriculture and ADC both testified, with ADC opposing the bill as written while supporting the goal of strengthening agriculture. ADC said the transfer could create federal operational and coordination risks, jeopardize federal funding and program continuity, and was unnecessary because ADC is a business development entity, not a regulatory agency. The Hawaii Farmers Union also expressed concern that moving the programs could weaken the department’s ability to access federal resources, while the Hawaii Farm Bureau submitted written testimony and the Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association and H-Plan were noted as supporting the measure; the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council was noted as opposing it. Much of the discussion focused on aquaculture’s economic potential and the role of regulation, permitting, and funding. Committee members questioned why aquaculture had not grown faster, citing current gross revenues of about $66 million last year, a prior high of $82 million, and a possible long-term target of $500 million. Testimony identified permitting and feed costs as major barriers, along with market conditions and water quality issues affecting producers. ADC described ongoing efforts on feed development, permitting streamlining, coastal-state collaboration on seaweed and restorative aquaculture, and national advocacy for more parity in seafood import standards. Members also pressed the Department of Agriculture on its leadership and priorities, criticizing the lack of bills and resources dedicated to aquaculture and asking whether the department should have more authority to pursue land purchases and development opportunities. The department said it relies on divisions and industry feedback for bill ideas, noted it funds an annual aquaculture survey, and said it was pursuing congressional earmarks and other funding for aquaculture parks, research, and export/import issues. ADC said it would work with the department if the bill passed, but that its current statute does not give it regulatory authority and any such change would require a statutory amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• any stretch not a right-wing source by any stretch of<01:01:34.559><c> the</c><01:01:34.640><c> imagination
• ,</c><01:01:35.119><c> very</c><01:01:35.359><c> reputable,</c> of the imagination, very reputable, of
• the imagination, very reputable, nonpartisan<01:01:36.880><c> source,</c><01:01:38.240><c> by</c><01
• Imagine for a second that you turned on TikTok or Facebook or something like that and you saw a picture

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation by Reverend Dr. Patrick Claybourne of Bethl AM Church in Baltimore, introduced by the senator from the 40th district, who highlighted the church’s long history, community work, scholarships, food pantry, school partnerships, and a planned rise center. The Senate journalized the invocation and then recognized several guests, including the Bethesda Roosters U16 rugby team, which was congratulated for winning the Maryland state title and the 2025 National U16 Championship, and members of the Joint Veterans Committee of Maryland. The chamber also welcomed a Johns Hopkins Police Accountability Board appointment letter, which was referred to the Executive Nominations Committee, and later a delegation from the Ghana Parliament legislative staff visiting with the Department of Legislative Services and NCSL representatives. The main floor business centered on Senate Bill 1, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings. The minority whip argued against the bill, saying it was unenforceable, an improper use of legislative time amid other state crises, and could create a system where local officers detain federal officers for a civil violation; he also said officers mask themselves because of threats and doxxing. Senators in support argued the bill was needed to address masked ICE agents, protect public safety, and respond to concerns about civil rights abuses and intimidation. After debate and vote explanations from senators, including one emphasizing immigrant heritage and another supporting the bill as a protection measure, SB 1 passed with 31 affirmative votes. The Senate then passed Senate Bill 17, an emergency bill on alcoholic beverages related event promoters permits, by unanimous affirmative vote. It next took up Senate Bill 245, an emergency bill prohibiting immigration enforcement agreements. The minority leader questioned whether the bill would eliminate formalized 287(g) agreements and replace them with county-by-county policies, arguing that this could reduce uniformity, weaken safety, and create a patchwork of local practices. The bill’s sponsor responded that counties would still be bound by constitutional and legal limits, that the agreements provide minimal training and resources, and that the state should stop formally cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The sponsor also said the bill would not increase profiling and that public safety would remain intact. The debate continued with concerns about Montgomery County’s evolving policy and the impact on smaller counties, but the transcript ends before final action on SB 245.

Transcript Highlights:

• create some of their own state charters for this, especially for a state like Hawaii, where if you imagine
• especially for a state like Hawaii where<01:02:29.839><c> if</c><01:02:30.160><c> you</c><01:02:30.319><c> imagine
• ><c> a</c><01:02:31.839><c> lot</c><01:02:32.000><c> of</c><01:02:32.240><c> the</c> where if you imagine
• that a lot of the where if you imagine that a lot of the business<01:02:33.680><c> that</c><01:02:34.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection held an informational briefing on digital assets, blockchain, and related regulatory developments. Chair Jarrett Keohoko said the committee was focusing on national and state policy issues around digital assets, while leaving the separate issue of Bitcoin kiosks and fraud to the House Consumer Protection Committee, which had already noticed a similar briefing. No public testimony was taken; the session was for informational updates and member questions. Representatives from the Aptos Foundation, including JC Yun and Michael Cheng, gave a detailed presentation on blockchain basics and Aptos’s technology. They described blockchain as a tamper-resistant digital ledger, explained proof-of-work and proof-of-stake systems, and argued that proof-of-stake networks are faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. They also emphasized smart contracts and potential uses beyond speculation, such as car titles, college transcripts, collectibles, digital IDs, real estate, and other tokenized assets. The presenters highlighted Aptos’s Hawaii connections and said the technology could help local residents and businesses participate in the digital economy. They cited adoption statistics, including billions of transactions on Aptos, tokenized money market funds from major financial firms, micro-lending applications, decentralized cloud infrastructure, and the rapid growth of stablecoins. They acknowledged concerns about scams and consumer protection, but argued that the answer is stronger regulation and education rather than avoiding the technology altogether.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when that happens, you can imagine what’s going to happen with the number of these cases.
• And when that happens, you can imagine what’s going to happen with the number of these cases.
• And when that happens, you can imagine what’s going to happen with the number of these cases.
• There were doors that were closed, but he answered our prayers in more ways than I could ever even imagine

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 22, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel on accidental ingestion of illegal drug products by children. Panel members said pediatric ingestions have become the most common case type they review, with the highest-risk children ages one to four, and that fatal cases have increased in recent years. They reported that the substances most often involved are fentanyl, cannabinoids including THC products, methamphetamine, and increasingly xylazine; they also noted a decline in buprenorphine-related ingestions, which they viewed as a positive trend. The panel used several case examples to highlight recurring problems in investigations and medical response, including delayed DCBS involvement, failure to administer Narcan, inadequate drug testing, lack of child abuse team involvement, and limited or absent law enforcement investigation. They said law enforcement issues are especially common in pediatric ingestion cases and are concentrated in Jefferson County and the Bluegrass/KIPA regions. One example involved a one-year-old who died from fentanyl and Benadryl intoxication; another involved a two-year-old who died after ingesting multiple substances; and a third involved a four-year-old with near-fatal THC gummy ingestion where delayed treatment worsened the child’s condition. They also described a 10-month-old THC ingestion case that resulted in a criminal abuse conviction, which they presented as an example without missed investigative opportunities. Committee members discussed possible policy responses, including creating a more specific criminal child abuse offense or clarifying existing abuse and neglect definitions to cover unsafe access to illegal drugs, while preserving room for true accidents and prescribed medications. Members also raised the need for statewide standardization in reporting, investigation, and medical response, and suggested the panel should be able to call in agencies such as law enforcement, DCBS, judges, and hospitals for closed-session review of selected cases. The panel chair said they were already pursuing meetings with LMPD and would provide Jefferson County-specific breakdowns, and members expressed interest in additional data and agency follow-up before considering legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I can imagine that we have some shared goals.
• So, So, So, I<00:43:12.440><c> can</c><00:43:12.640><c> imagine</c><00:43:13.160><c> that</c><00:43:13.320
• ><c> we</c><00:43:13.520><c> have</c><00:43:13.800><c> some</c><00:43:14.040><c> shared</c> I can imagine
• that we have some shared I can imagine that we have some shared goals.<00:43:15.840><c> Now,</c><00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth and final interim meeting with roll call, quorum confirmation, approval of the prior minutes, and a brief change in agenda order to preserve quorum and accommodate presenters’ schedules. Members then moved through several proposed health-related items with limited discussion, and the chair noted the committee would reconvene in January for further conversation. The first substantive item was a proposal relating to utilization controls for non-opioid analgesics in Medicaid. Senator Gerald Neal and Tara Hyde of People Advocating Recovery argued that pain parity is needed so patients can access non-opioid options without prior authorization or step therapy barriers, especially in acute pain situations and for people in recovery. Senator Berg supported the concept and suggested expanding the approach to other prescriptions by allowing physicians to explain why step therapy is inappropriate at the time of prescribing; another member cautioned against unintended cost increases if non-opioid drugs are used as add-ons to opioids. The committee then heard a proposal on physician assistants from Senator Scott and Andrew Rutherford of the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants. They described a shift from a supervisory to a collaborative practice model, with practice scope set at the practice level, limited Schedule II prescribing authority under guardrails, and permission for PAs to perform driver’s license vision testing. Supporters said the changes would improve rural access, reduce administrative burden, and align Kentucky with neighboring states; a question from Representative Bratcher focused on experience requirements and how the proposal compares with nurse practitioner rules. No vote was taken. Finally, Representative Nancy Tate, Adia Wuchner, and Representative Jason Nemes introduced a 2026 proposal aimed at “protecting vulnerable people.” They described a broad package focused on abortion pill trafficking, marketing to minors, commercial surrogacy, assisted suicide, and organ procurement safeguards, arguing that current law leaves gaps and that additional criminal and civil penalties are needed. The presentation was informational only, with no action taken before the meeting ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I imagine the intent was not to charge 5% of the revenue they collect.
• department.<02:08:14.400><c> So</c><02:08:14.639><c> I</c><02:08:14.880><c> I</c><02:08:15.280><c> imagine
• So I I imagine the intent department.
• So I I imagine the intent was<02:08:16.960><c> not</c><02:08:17.199><c> to</c><02:08:17.360><c> charge

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review the House budget provision that would impose a 5% administrative charge on a broad list of dedicated funds, with some exemptions. Members discussed the House approach versus the Senate’s more general approach of leaving the governor discretion over which funds could be charged. The chair explained the committee was hearing from agencies about any legal, contractual, or practical reasons their funds should be exempt, and the agenda was expanded to include several departments and written submissions from others. The Department of Education testified first, identifying several funds it said should be exempt: a printing revolving fund that is funded by transfers rather than fees; teacher certification, which is self-funded by educator licensing fees and would require an immediate fee increase if charged; a vending stand set-aside tied to the federal Randolph-Sheppard program and subject to federal approval and vendor committee procedures; and a public school infrastructure/safety account, where most revenue is transferred from the education trust fund or general fund rather than generated by fees. Members questioned the department about the effect on school safety projects and whether the fee would simply reduce the number of projects completed each year. The Veterans Home asked for exemptions for three funds: a donation benefit account used for recreational activities and quality-of-life expenses for residents, a small memorial trust fund whose interest supports veteran activities, and a resident member account that holds veterans’ personal income such as Social Security and pensions. The department argued the charge would reduce donations, cut services, and effectively function like an income tax on vulnerable veterans. The Banking Department also requested exemption for its consumer credit administration license fund, saying it is used to keep exam fees low and is expressly intended by statute to reduce costs on regulated businesses; it said the 5% charge would undermine that framework and could eventually force higher fees. The Department of Justice began testimony on its dedicated funds, starting with the medical legal investigative fund, which pays for death investigations and related services under statute and without general fund support. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the committee mainly heard testimony and asked questions about the practical and legal effects of applying the administrative charge.

Transcript Highlights:

• Advertise publicly for clients, and I imagine they'll be subject to the same advertising rules under
• With 386 active investigations, so it's a significant problem, as you can imagine.
• I imagine there's at least 13, because I know the one. I think one's for SBOE or something. Yes.
• But I would imagine that responsible elected officials and timely, helpful advice would take action and

Bills: HJR73 , HB31 , HB279 , HB370 , HB4768 , HB513 , HB875 , HB982 , HB 1085 , HB2677 , HB2874 , HB5478 , HB4880 , HB4798 , HB4514 , HB4958 , HB4508 , HB3758 , HB3830 , HB3744 , HB3622 , HB741 , HB2204 , HB2860 , HB4659 , HB4578 , HB813 , HB712 , HB1551 , HB2790 , HB2698 , HB3365 , HB3504 , HB3118 , HB2959 , HB1862 , HB 1026 , HB4401 , HB4164 , HB3920 , HB4737 , HB4966 , HB4967 , HB1958 , HB4979 , HB5459 , HB3862 , HB1823 , HB4415 , HB4893 , HB2343 , HB 1228 , HB4337 , HCR141 , SB250 , SB1883 , SB617 , SB2411 , SB2306 , SB2929 , SB552 , SCR27 , HJR218 , HB168 , HB2545 , HB5436 , HB4926 , HB5165 , HB4811 , HB4755 , HB3179 , HB4310 , HB4611 , HB3637 , HB3153 , HB2786 , HB2966 , HB2159 , HB5081 , HB638 , HB640 , HB876 , HB4809 , HB5308 , HB4687 , HB5623 , HB4412 , HB3284 , HB3420 , HB3449 , HB4098 , HB4281 , HB4120 , HB4504 , HB4370 , HB4421 , HB 1106 , HB4070 , HB2370 , HB2407 , HB2253 , HB2273 , HB2040 , HB1586 , HB3788 , HB3993 , HB4690 , HB4696 , HB2308 , HB 1142 , HB1533 , HB1621 , HB2242 , HB2012 , HB2193 , HB2464 , HB2348 , HB2313 , HB2289 , HB1942 , HB2011 , HB1629 , HB2993 , HB3592 , HB4076 , HB4623 , HB4535 , HB4327 , HB4520 , HB3824 , HB4921 , HB2494 , HB3066 , HJR112 , HB2695 , HB3138 , HB2442 , HB3863 , HJR73 , HB4773 , HB 1091 , HB5115 , HB5515 , HB3372 , HB5659 , HB 127 , HB386 , HB 115 , HB2868 , HB 1249 , HB4766 , HB3720 , HB4656 , HB4879 , HB 105 , HB5383 , HB4621 , HB5431 , HB5678 , HB5534 , HB4174 , HB4212 , HB3954 , HB3966 , HB3636 , HB3918 , HB1422 , HB4765 , HB4732 , HB4742 , HB5122 , HB4518 , HB5084 , HB3986 , HB4045 , HB4144 , HB3911 , HB3976 , HB4473 , HB3425 , HB3641 , HB3642 , HB3475 , HB3509 , HB3424 , HB3383 , HB4744 , HB4531 , HB4539 , HB3159 , HB5228 , HB5370 , HB4359 , HB4398 , HB4443 , HB4466 , HB3861 , HB3849 , HB4240 , HB4706 , HB4685 , HB5354 , HB5141 , HB5686 , HB3629 , HB3554 , HB3567 , HB2015 , HB3575 , HB5381 , HB1431 , HB3514 , HB4614 , HB4546 , HB4683 , HB5681 , HB5673 , HB5663 , HB4271 , HB4350 , HB4035 , HB3807 , HB3812 , HB3552 , HB3540 , HB3715 , HB3710 , HB3664 , HB4196 , HB4233 , HB4173 , HB1998 , HB3333 , HB3510 , HB4222 , HB2070 , HB2854 , HB2347 , HB 113 , HB983 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB5151 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB782 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB158 , HB1954 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB605 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB627 , HB2667 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB3679 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB2438 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB2153 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3178 , HB3182 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2132 , HB2658 , HB2413 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3154 , HB3063 , HB3009 , HB3448 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3946 , HB3460 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB2060 , HB4731 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2142 , HB2673 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB5573 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB2203 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB139 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB2333 , HB4630 , HB4701 , HB2583 , HB2983 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5430 , HB5561 , HB5611 , HB5043 , HB5064 , HB3733 , HB3781 , HB3219 , HB32 , HB4515 , HB5348 , HB3902 , HB4420 , HB3269 , HB469 , HB336 , HB316 , HB5396 , HB993 , HB1342 , HB5216 , HB2046 , HB2188 , HB2450 , HB2813 , HB2857 , HB4075 , HB2911 , HB4682 , HB3117 , HB3253 , HB3442 , HB4820 , HB4336 , HB5356 , HB3669 , HB3428 , HB5465 , HB3662 , HB2590 , HB2288 , HB1886 , HB3458 , HB5603 , HB5620 , HB1489 , HB4101 , HB4990 , HB5685 , HB4950 , HB4980 , HB5684 , HB3507 , HB3566 , HB4487 , HB4462 , HB4876 , HB4915 , HB4663 , HB5570 , HB2929 , HB5261 , HB2920 , HB4642 , HB4746 , HB1609 , HB5403 , HB5453 , HB3844 , HB2336 , HB1572 , HB 1226 , HB2806 , HB2617 , HB2827 , HB3948 , HB3945 , HB4266 , HB4542 , HB3319 , HB1772 , HB2496 , HB1970 , HB3434 , HB5545 , HB5577 , HB31 , HB279 , HB370 , HB4768 , HB513 , HB875 , HB982 , HB 1085 , HB2677 , HB2874 , HB5478 , HB4880 , HB4798 , HB4514 , HB4958 , HB4508 , HB3758 , HB3830 , HB3744 , HB3622 , HB741 , HB2204 , HB2860 , HB4659 , HB4578 , HB813 , HB712 , HB1551 , HB2790 , HB2698 , HB3365 , HB3504 , HB3118 , HB2959 , HB1862 , HB 1026 , HB4401 , HB4164 , HB3920 , HB4737 , HB4966 , HB4967 , HB1958 , HB4979 , HB5459 , HB3862 , HB1823 , HB4415 , HB4893 , HB2343 , HB 1228 , HB4337 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141

Keywords: ad valorem tax, property tax, tax limitation, elderly, disabled, low-income, homestead exemption, constitutional amendment, juvenile justice, community supervision, felony offenses, treatment of children, juvenile facilities, chemical dispensing device, solitary confinement, rehabilitation, criminal proceedings, HB 279, uranium mining, uranium permit

Transcript Highlights:

• FIG allowed me to breathe, focus on my academics, and imagine a future that once felt impossible.
• <00:52:04.720><c> and</c> breathe, focus on my academics, and breathe, focus on my academics, and imagine
• 05.440><c> future</c><00:52:05.680><c> that</c><00:52:05.839><c> once</c><00:52:06.079><c> felt</c> imagine
• a future that once felt imagine a future that once felt impossible.<00:52:07.280><c> Without</c><00:

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• FIG allowed me to breathe, focus on my academics, and imagine a future that once felt impossible.
• those, 20 do not receive FIG. breathe, focus on my academics, and breathe, focus on my academics, and imagine
• 08.000><c> future</c><00:53:08.240><c> that</c><00:53:08.400><c> once</c><00:53:08.640><c> felt</c> imagine
• a future that once felt imagine a future that once felt impossible.<00:53:09.839><c> Without</c><00:

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, college finance, student aid, financial aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, tuition relief, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, work-study, child care grants, Indian scholarships, tribal colleges, Hunger-Free Campus, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can imagine, I cried when I watched providers testify about the Great Start compensation supports
• As<01:08:19.839><c> you</c><01:08:20.000><c> can</c><01:08:20.080><c> imagine,</c><01:08:20.480><c> I
• </c><01:08:20.719><c> cried</c><01:08:21.199><c> when</c><01:08:21.440><c> I</c> As you can imagine,
• I cried when I As you can imagine, I cried when I watched<01:08:21.920><c> providers</c><01:08:22.480

Bills: HF2436

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: child welfare, economic assistance, child care, grant program, video security cameras, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And as you can imagine, we are anxious to continue to expand our thriving community over the years.
• 00:02:49.400><c> can</c> jobs to the community and as you can jobs to the community and as you can imagine
• 50.560><c> anxious</c><00:02:50.920><c> to</c><00:02:51.159><c> continue</c><00:02:51.560><c> to</c> imagine
• we are anxious to continue to imagine we are anxious to continue to expand<00:02:52.200><c> our</c><

Bills: HF1746 , HF2585 , HF1159 , HF2574 , HF2839 , HF157 , HF158 , HF160 , HF338 , HF512

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: Oakdale, tax increment financing, local government, funding, urban development, tax increment, St. Paul, redevelopment, housing authority, housing trust fund, low-income housing, property taxation, Minnesota statutes, vacant property, housing, commercial to residential conversion, Minneapolis, urban redevelopment, public parks, tax capacity

Transcript Highlights:

• Hyperscale data centers are very heavy industrial projects by any stretch of the imagination and in no
• industrial projects by any stretch of industrial projects by any stretch of the<00:28:17.840><c> imagination
• 18.960><c> no</c><00:28:19.120><c> way</c><00:28:19.279><c> belong</c><00:28:19.600><c> in</c> the imagination
• and in no way belong in the imagination and in no way belong in UC<00:28:20.320><c> zoning</c><00:28

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We can debate later whether we should cut the program, and I imagine we’re going to have all kinds of
• the<00:54:24.880><c> program</c><00:54:25.160><c> and</c><00:54:25.280><c> I</c><00:54:25.440><c> imagine
• ><00:54:25.760><c> we're</c><00:54:25.920><c> going</c><00:54:26.040><c> to</c> the program and I imagine
• we're going to the program and I imagine we're going to have<00:54:26.559><c> all</c><00:54:26.720><

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you imagine how many school counselors we can hire with that kind of money?
• a million dollar collectively.<01:21:10.960><c> Can</c><01:21:11.120><c> you</c><01:21:11.280><c> imagine
• Can you imagine how many collectively.
• Can you imagine how many school<01:21:12.159><c> counselors</c><01:21:12.719><c> we</c><01:21:12.880>

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, before the ARPA funds, all of our biologists were doing more work than you can even imagine.
• than<00:38:03.560><c> you</c><00:38:03.720><c> can</c><00:38:03.920><c> even</c><00:38:04.280><c> imagine
• and</c><00:38:04.920><c> on</c><00:38:05.119><c> top</c><00:38:05.280><c> of</c> than you can even imagine
• and on top of than you can even imagine and on top of that<00:38:05.920><c> these</c><00:38:06.920><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division II work session focused on Fish and Game’s budget-revenue proposals and several statutory changes the department said it needs to support its operations. The department recommended raising the fisheries habitat fee and wildlife habitat fee to $5 each, estimating additional annual revenue of about $640,000 and $144,000 respectively. Members clarified that these are habitat fees added on top of licenses, not reduced by senior or youth license categories, and discussed the need for RSA changes to allow the revenue to be transferred into the Fish and Game Fund. The department also said it would work internally on any broader license fee increases through the commission process. The committee then reviewed proposals to cap several dedicated accounts and transfer excess balances to the unrestricted Fish and Game Fund. Those accounts included the fisheries and wildlife habitat funds and the game management account, with the department proposing a $750,000 cap on each and transfer of amounts above that threshold. The department said the cap was based on several years of expenditures and the fact that dedicated funds are often used as match for federal funds. Members asked for reports on fund activity and questioned whether the cap and mandatory transfer language should be “shall” or “may,” with the department indicating it would prefer “may” for flexibility. The committee also discussed a Pheasant Management Program account, where the department said current law limits use of the money to buying and propagating pheasants and it wants authority to use it for broader program management. A substantial portion of the meeting addressed Fish and Game’s environmental review unit and the transfer of ARPA-funded positions to DEES under the governor’s initiative. The department said four positions are currently ARPA-funded, that DEES supports keeping them in place through the end of the year, and that the transition will require time because environmental review work is intertwined across the agency. The department explained that before the ARPA positions, biologists handled the work and that current staffing has helped eliminate a backlog and meet deadlines. Members also discussed a proposal to expand environmental review fees beyond private developers to state, federal, municipal, and local governments, with the department saying it would need rulemaking and stakeholder input. Additional requests included authority to conduct raffles to raise funds, creation of a revolving account for donations and raffle proceeds, and repeal of the obsolete fish food sales statute because the vending machines are no longer functional and the account generates no revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• I imagine there’ll be other bills addressing other steps as well, so I encourage support once this bill
• is</c><00:35:51.800><c> one</c><00:35:52.000><c> step</c><00:35:52.240><c> I</c><00:35:52.359><c> imagine
• </c> safe um so this is one step I imagine safe um so this is one step I imagine there'll<00:35:52.839

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• only create plans for themselves, but strategies to execute their goals into the success that they imagine
• 01:29:32.560><c> success</c><01:29:32.880><c> that</c><01:29:33.040><c> they</c><01:29:33.239><c> imagin
• </c><01:29:33.639><c> for</c> the success that they imagin for the success that they imagin for themselves

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, it's tough enough, I would imagine, even with everybody working for DHS, but now suddenly you
• c><01:23:11.920><c> enough</c><01:23:12.120><c> I</c><01:23:12.199><c> would</c><01:23:12.360><c> imagine
• </c><01:23:12.760><c> even</c> it's tough enough I would imagine even it's tough enough I would imagine

Committee: House Children and Families Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunity for us to be able to reach more of our own students who look different from the stereotypical imagination
• 21:13.640><c> worthy</c><00:21:14.279><c> Endeavor</c><00:21:15.279><c> but</c><00:21:16.279><c> imagining
• </c> is a worthy Endeavor but imagining is a worthy Endeavor but imagining disparities<00:21:17.400><

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The simplest way to understand the rules is to imagine the commission was actually a judge; you would
• understand the rules the simplest way to understand the rules is<01:15:05.480><c> to</c><01:15:05.639><c> imagine
• </c><01:15:05.920><c> the</c><01:15:06.040><c> commission</c><01:15:06.360><c> was</c> is to imagine
• the commission was is to imagine the commission was actually<01:15:06.880><c> a</c><01:15:07.080><c>

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all