Transcript Highlights:

• Are we missing someone? Mr.
• Are we missing someone? Mr.
• Did you miss work?
• than not the person who caused the collision.
• I just miss him so much. Thank you.

Bills: SB39, SB2129, SB2141, SB2246, SB2323, SB2439, SB2722, SB 39

Keywords: commercial motor vehicle, truck liability, motor carrier, trucking, civil liability, respondeat superior, negligent entrustment, negligent maintenance, negligent loading, negligent repair, bifurcated trial, exemplary damages, punitive damages, personal injury, collision, employer liability, vicarious liability, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Texas tort reform, commercial truck accident

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Hooper, I'm going to miss you a lot. This chamber is going to miss you terribly, terribly.
• I will miss you a lot. We will miss Senator Polsky as well.
• The person that I'm looking around the room and missing right now is Andrew McIntosh.
• I'm going to miss you as well.
• You, sir, are going to be missed. I'll miss you.

Summary: The Senate took up the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27, with Chair Hooper and the appropriations chairs walking through the $114.5 billion budget. Major highlights included pay increases for state law enforcement, firefighters, park rangers, and correctional officers; funding for teacher salary increases and K-12 enrollment stabilization; workforce and university funding in higher education; major Medicaid, nursing home, waiver, and opioid-related investments in health and human services; corrections and prison-capacity funding; transportation, housing, and emergency management spending; and large environmental appropriations for Florida Forever, Everglades restoration, and water quality projects. Members then asked detailed questions about specific items. Senators pressed on the Hamilton Center at UF, the difference between assistant state attorney and public defender pay, declining student enrollment funding, private school scholarship vouchers, mental health funding in schools, the lack of preeminence funding, APD’s iBudget waiver wait list and provider rates, ADAP premium assistance and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, prison staffing and air conditioning, Florida Forever land-buying versus easements, SNAP and Sun Bucks funding, Hope Florida, election audit funding, and the IDD managed care program. Chairs generally explained the negotiated compromises, noted where funding was flat or omitted, and in several cases said items would be revisited next year or depended on agency implementation. Several senators used debate to praise the budget while also criticizing major policy choices. Leader Berman argued the state should have expanded Medicaid, invested more in public schools instead of vouchers, and accepted federal summer EBT funds. Other senators highlighted local wins such as Biscayne Bay restoration, Tri-Rail, housing assistance, ADAP funding, and declining enrollment support. The transcript ends with debate remarks thanking Chair Hooper for his work on the budget; no final vote is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• So um Miss Bur, if you want to things. So um Miss Bur, if you want to go<00:03:24.239> ahead.
• Well, then thank you, Miss Governor.
• c><00:54:05.599> Looks<00:54:05.839> like<00:54:05.920> Miss I'm sorry, Miss Grubner
• And want to Thank you, Miss Grubner.
• So I apologize I missed um Thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• subsection D, which states any person subsection D, which states any person who<00:03:34.680>
• only that person only that person would<00:08:49.640> be<00:08:49.760> responsible
• The person on the other end tells them that they've missed jury duty and they need to put $9,000 into
• Miss She will you'll have opportunity. Miss She will have<01:57:33.960> opportunity.
• Miss Smith, thank you so much.

Bills: HB0098, HB0075, HB0041, HB0101

Keywords: gun control, Second Amendment, constitutional rights, misdemeanor, law enforcement, virtual currency, kiosk, financial institutions, regulation, Wyoming Money Transmitters Act, penalties, death benefits, retirement, survivor support, public safety, guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management

Transcript Highlights:

• does to a person. does to a person.
• Miss Carol?
• Miss Hancock? Representative Clston. Miss Hancock? Representative Clston.
• just tell you a personal story of mine. just tell you a personal story of mine.
• Any questions of Miss<01:31:06.320> Loftess? Miss Loftess? Miss Loftess?

Bills: SF0122, SJ0006, SF0121, SF0106

Keywords: medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification

Transcript Highlights:

• the other person said in front of them. the other person said in front of them.
• ,<00:13:28.639> I So again, I I think me personally, I So again, I I think me personally,
• on the list is Kim >> Um, the first person on the list is Kim Bailey.<00:27:44.640> Miss
• Thank you, Miss John. >> Miss Daly, thank you so much. >> And Miss Bailey's opposed.
• >> Thank you, Miss Thomas. >> Thank you, Miss Thomas.

Bills: HB541, SB194

Keywords: PFAS, drinking water, public health, environmental management, liability, agriculture authority, eminent domain, property rights, tax exemption, agriculture center, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do show uh Miss Botan listed as done.
• Miss Botan, if you could a testifier.
• Miss Vatran, welcome back to the deck.
• Thank you, Miss Her. share our support. Thank you, Miss Her.
• question is to comparative cost, Miss question is to comparative cost, Miss Her.<00:31:35.520>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I missed your comments. You missed my comments?
• So, maybe you missed those comments, but I...
• Maybe you missed those comments, but I did make those comments.
• well until the person told us that she was born a... born a female.
• This person looked more masculine than any man in this room. Okay?

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . persons. persons.
• missed me. missed me.
• You miss me, don't you? Say that, don't you? >> I miss you, committee, yeah.
• miss<01:18:40.520> you >> I miss the I miss you >> I miss the I miss you committee
• sorry I missed physical therapy day. sorry I missed physical therapy day.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:23.680> anyone<00:15:23.920> online Miss Chasson, do we have anyone online Miss
• >> Miss<00:19:42.400> Chass.
• Okay, having completed that, um, Miss Chasson, would you please, I'm sorry, Miss Childris, would you
• Okay, having completed that, um, Miss Chasson, would you please, I'm sorry, Miss Childris, would you
• > sorry,<02:00:46.960> Miss<02:00:47.199> Childris, you please, I'm sorry, Miss

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Steid, please continue.
• <00:28:16.960> 10 that we're trying to address Miss 10 that we're trying to address Miss 10
• Miss Miss stond<00:30:30.279> Madam<00:30:30.559> chair<00:30:31.039> representative
• being billed for 203 hours in just one day for treatment. person build 23 hours in one day and person
• <00:45:46.440> being overbilling which is one person being overbilling which is one person

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam chair thank you thank you Miss Madam chair thank you thank you Miss hear<00:18:31.280>
• <00:43:22.800> G<00:43:23.200> said college we are Miss G said college we are Miss
• "Miss Good... Thank you, Madam Chair.
• <01:03:59.279> goodmy Miss goodmy Miss goodmy said<01:04:01.720> Thank<01:04:01.880>
• <01:48:23.199> uh what did you teach and I personally uh what did you teach and I personally

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Miss Johnson? >> Mr.
• >> Miss<00:29:21.200> Johnson. >> Miss Johnson. >> Miss Johnson.
• Thank you, Miss Johnson. >> Senator Hick. Thank you, Miss Johnson.
• <00:36:44.880> or help them get through a personal or help them get through a personal or
• >> Thank you, Miss Sullik. So, um uh I >> Thank you, Miss Sullik.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Very good, Miss Auger. Thank you.
• Miss Zipco. Just say no. Miss Zipco. Just say no.
• appreciate greatly the work of Miss appreciate greatly the work of Miss Auger<00:47:25.599> and
• Uh this isn't about personalities. bill. Uh this isn't about personalities.
• <00:57:41.359> is doubt that ultimately the new person is doubt that ultimately the new person

Bills: HF4148

Keywords: Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, executive director, natural resources, conservation, wetlands, prairies, forests, wildlife habitat, fish and game, bipartisan hiring, interview panel, legislative branch, Minnesota Statutes 97A.056, administrative expenses, nonpartisan staff, council governance, environment and natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The person who gets that cash or receipt is the person who owns the money.
• >> Miss<00:09:58.480> Whis, >> Miss Whis, >> Miss Whis, >> that's<00:10
• >> Uh,<00:20:32.640> Miss<00:20:32.880> Templ, >> Uh, Miss Templ, >>
• say the the food truck delivery person say the the food truck delivery person who<00:40:36.880><
• <00:40:58.560> who's Uh fast food workers, the person who's Uh fast food workers, the person

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3524 and House File 3525 and laid both over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill, with no amendments adopted and no vote taken at this stage. HF 3524 would conform Minnesota law to the federal overtime tax deduction, and HF 3525 would conform to the federal tip-income deduction. The author argued both bills would help workers keep more of their earnings, simplify tax filing, support labor-force participation, and provide relief to workers in hospitality, trades, health care, and other industries. The committee heard testimony in support from a restaurant owner, Sandra Weiss of the Finnish Beastro in St. Paul, who said the bills would help tipped workers keep more of their income and would support hospitality businesses. She described her staff as roughly half men and half women, including students and long-term employees, and said front-of-house tipped workers and back-of-house workers face different pay levels. She also said Minnesota’s tip rules and lack of a tip credit create challenges for the industry. During questioning, members discussed wage disparities, the makeup of her workforce, and the practical effects of the proposals. Opposition testimony came from Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota, both of whom argued the bills are regressive, poorly targeted, and costly. They said the deductions would mainly benefit higher earners, violate horizontal equity by treating similar incomes differently, and could encourage compensation restructuring. They also warned the combined cost would exceed $500 million over the 2028-29 biennium and could pressure funding for health care, education, and other public services. Mark Havenman of the Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence similarly criticized the bills on tax fairness and administrative grounds, noting the federal tip deduction framework is still under development and could create enforcement issues. Nonpartisan staff provided revenue estimates showing HF 3524 would reduce general fund revenue by about $365.9 million in fiscal 2027 and HF 3525 by about $126 million in fiscal 2027, with smaller ongoing impacts in later years. Members also raised questions about how the bills would be paid for and what income would qualify under the overtime deduction.

Transcript Highlights:

• Questions for Miss Ballard?
• what are how much money is a person what are how much money is a person eligible<00:29:45.039>
• >> Questions for Miss Little. >> Questions for Miss Little.
• And just from a personal education.
• just wanted to add that personal just wanted to add that personal testimony<00:37:02.240> that

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Miss Baird. Mr. Davis. Mr. Prior. Miss Smith Willis here. Co-chair Maize Bledsoe.
• So, with us for the first time today, welcome Miss Ivonne Smith, and, Miss Smith, we would love to give
• today, welcome Miss Ivonne Smith and,<00:01:49.439> uh,<00:01:49.600> Miss<00:01:49.840
• We would love to, and, uh, Miss Smith.
• Oh yeah, Miss uh Smith Willis. Oh yeah, Miss uh Smith Willis.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The August 2025 interim meeting of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity began with roll call, confirmation of a quorum, approval of the June meeting minutes, and welcoming a new member, Ivonne Smith, who noted her background in MWBE and DBE work. The chair also offered condolences to a member whose father recently passed away and explained that the committee had invited agency officials to answer questions raised at the prior meeting. The first presentation was from Singer Buchanan of the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet, who described the state’s equal opportunity and contract compliance office and its certification programs for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and minority/women business enterprises. He outlined outreach efforts, including partnerships with veterans’ organizations, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, UK, and transportation-related groups; explained that the programs are intended to expand market access rather than provide grants; and said the office has moved to an online application portal that has processed 227 new applications since December 2023. He reported 536 total vendors across the programs, including 29 service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and said the office is considering website testimonials to improve outreach. Members asked about staffing, application assistance, and whether the state program conflicts with federal policy; Buchanan said the office has three staff members and that the program is state-funded and, based on legal advice, should continue under Kentucky law. Tony Yusefi of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet then presented on the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program. He explained the program’s legal basis under federal DOT regulations, its eligibility standards, and its purpose of creating a level playing field while helping firms grow and eventually compete without assistance. He described certification requirements, annual documentation, prompt-payment protections, commercially useful function reviews, good-faith effort requirements, and sanctions for violations. He also discussed barriers facing DBEs, including access to capital, bonding, insurance, training, and prequalification requirements, and noted that 50 firms were removed last month for noncompliance with annual documentation rules. Yusefi said the cabinet has expanded supportive services, including an online application platform, bid notifications, and a nine-class business development program; 95 DBEs are enrolled this year, and the bid-matching system reaches an average of 377 DBEs monthly.

Transcript Highlights:

• And this person said, "There is a you.
• And I would gladly defer to any member, and in particular Miss Johnson or Miss Schminsky, if that seems
• <01:32:07.360> if<01:32:07.679> that Miss Johnson or Miss Schminsky if that Miss Johnson
• Um just a personal antidote, I HOAs.
• Certainly for me personally be helpful.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a shame to say it, say goodbye to all of this, but I will certainly miss and I really miss seeing
• miss and I really miss seeing you. miss and I really miss seeing you. Okay. Okay. Okay. Okay.
• he's going to be sorely missed. he's going to be sorely missed.
• You're going to be missed.
• You're missing the missing the point.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're picture before a person presents.
• Chair and committee Miss Noner. Mr.
• Her is coming to the table, if uh Miss Her is coming to the table, if uh Miss Noner<00:55:54.559
• <00:59:24.599> Talid Chair, are two testifier um Miss Talid Chair, are two testifier um Miss
• Uh, Miss Chang, are Dreheim was asking.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all