Transcript Highlights:

• For each docket item, we'll hear from both in-person and remote participants before moving on to the
• As of this morning, we have 13 individuals registered to testify, both remotely and in person.
• Lobstering is not just something you can learn from a book. It's passed down like it was to me.
• You know, there's always things to learn with the bill.
• One of the most eye-opening things I've learned is about Eastie Farm's community-supported agriculture

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held its second hearing and heard testimony on a wide range of bills, including food security, cottage food entrepreneurship, hemp regulation, lobster industry support, pesticide restrictions, pollinator protections, pet cemeteries, and municipal land rights. Committee chairs outlined hearing procedures, noted that 19 bills were on the docket, and took testimony both in person and remotely, with several legislators testifying out of turn because of scheduling conflicts. Several speakers supported food access and local economic opportunity bills. Representative Howard and Senator Oliveira backed the Food Justice Frontline Program and a cottage food/food entrepreneur bill, arguing they would fund nonprofit food security organizations, create jobs, improve SNAP/HIP outreach, and reduce barriers for home-based food businesses. Eastie Farm representatives and a student testified in favor of the food justice bill, describing food insecurity in East Boston and the need for grants, youth involvement, and multilingual outreach. Sidney Travis of the Institute for Justice also supported cottage food reforms, saying current municipal permitting rules create unequal access and that cottage foods are generally safe. The committee also heard sharply divided testimony on hemp legislation. Senator Comerford supported S. 54 as a public health measure to ban synthetic THC products, restrict intoxicating hemp sales to licensed dispensaries, and fund local enforcement, while Laura Beiner, John Nathan, and Elizabeth Wendorf opposed the bill or parts of it, warning it would harm compliant hemp businesses and small farmers. Representative Arena-DeRosa testified in support of a related pollinator bill, and Adam Karachi opposed pesticide restrictions for schools while Deborah Smith supported them, arguing existing protections should be expanded to other child-centered locations. The committee also heard support for a bill to aid lobstermen affected by right whale protections, a bill to preserve private pet cemeteries, and a municipal right-of-first-refusal bill for agricultural and recreational land. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If we're going to talk about con artists, let's talk about the fossil fuel industry, which learned in
• They learned from those geologists back then the business model was putting Earth on a collision course
• They learned from those geologists back then the business model was putting Earth on a collision course
• community solar, much of which only works if you can put the transmission lines on some of the kinds of remote
• Solar, much of which only works if you can put the transmission lines on some of the kinds of remote

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior day’s journal, and then recognized several guest groups, including the Shenendehowa High School girls varsity cross country team and tennis champion Jolie Chichak, as well as the Downsville Central School Student Council. Senator Tedisco introduced the Shenendehowa athletes, highlighting their state and federation championships and strong academic records, and Senator Oberacker introduced the Downsville students. The chamber extended courtesies to the guests. The Senate then moved through the calendar, passing a series of bills and resolutions. Among the measures approved were a bill designating Overdose Awareness Day, a real property tax bill, a public authorities bill, several education-related bills, a private housing finance bill, a workers’ compensation bill, and a labor law bill. Some items were laid aside before later being taken up, including the cannabis bill and the environmental conservation bill. Votes were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, with a few recorded negatives on certain bills. The most extensive debate centered on Calendar 261, Senator May’s environmental conservation bill concerning renewable energy installations and transmission on state reforestation lands. Senator Walczyk and others questioned whether the bill would allow solar, wind, battery storage, tree cutting, herbicide use, and reduced environmental review, while supporters argued the bill was mainly about transmission corridors, climate goals, and preserving flexibility for DEC oversight and mitigation. After debate, the bill was restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed 42-13. The Senate also passed Calendar 353, Senator Ramos’s labor law bill addressing class action wage recovery and statutory damages. Supporters said it would clarify the law so workers can recover full wages in class actions, while opponents warned it could encourage litigation against small businesses over technical payroll errors. The bill passed 47-8. The Senate then completed the calendar and adjourned until March 4, 2026, with intervening days as legislative days.

Transcript Highlights:

• allow the market more time to deliver this testing capacity for these businesses while they wait to learn
• while they capacity for these businesses while they wait<00:02:58.400> to<00:02:58.640> learn
• > see<00:02:59.120> if<00:02:59.360> the<00:02:59.519> federal wait to learn
• to see if the federal wait to learn to see if the federal government<00:03:00.239> will<00:03
• The clerk will call the names of the members participating remotely. >> Baker votes I. >> Carol I. >>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next we have Amanda Macky, who's testifying remotely, so we're going to ask her to unmute herself and
• testifying next go to Amanda Macky who's testifying next go to Amanda Macky who's testifying remotely
• 00:09:03.320> to<00:09:03.519> ask<00:09:03.720> her<00:09:03.920> to remotely
• so we're going to ask her to remotely so we're going to ask her to unmute<00:09:05.079> herself
• The chair said programs like this are typically something the committee learns about early in session

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 771, as amended, was laid over for possible inclusion. The bill would create a state supplemental grant program to build on LIHEAP, with the goal of expanding energy assistance beyond the winter season to cover summer cooling needs and reduce utility shutoffs. Representative Craft said the proposal would use existing LIHEAP systems, help more eligible households, and support related services like weatherization. The committee adopted the author’s amendment, DE2, without objection. Supporters testified that energy costs remain unaffordable for many Minnesotans, especially in rural areas and among low-income households, seniors, and people using delivered fuels. Annie Levenson-Faulk of the Citizens Utility Board said only about a quarter of eligible households receive assistance, summer shutoffs are common, and cooling needs have grown significantly. Trisha Leite of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Amanda Macky of Minnesota Valley Action Council, and Ken Schum of the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association all supported the bill, saying year-round assistance would help households, reduce disconnects, stabilize demand for aid, and ease pressure on utility rates. Michael Schmitz of the Department of Commerce said Minnesota has received about $112 million in LIHEAP funds so far this year and is awaiting additional federal money; he also noted recent funding has been lower than in prior years and inflation has reduced its value. Members discussed the scale of utility shutoffs, the increase in cooling demand, and whether the bill addresses root causes or serves as a temporary fix. Representative Weiner argued that the state should focus on keeping more money in taxpayers’ pockets and reducing the need for subsidies, while Representative Craft responded that the underlying issue is low incomes and widening wealth inequality, and that policies like the child tax credit are better ways to address poverty. The chair also asked how LIHEAP dollars flow, and Commerce said most benefits are paid directly to utilities on behalf of households rather than as direct cash payments to recipients.

Transcript Highlights:

• residents, we didn't initially understand the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, but we've learned
• What we learned very quickly, however, was that the experience level varies dramatically depending upon
• What we learned very quickly, however, was that the experience level varies dramatically depending upon
• So, we learned about it in October of 2024 when we submitted our first substantial data request on the
• The county stated more data was available, but we quickly learned that the software needed to review

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee continued its hearing on enforcement and compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, first taking additional public testimony from Melissa Zimmerman and Matt Senot of the East Side Corridor residents in Owatonna. They described submitting roughly two dozen data requests across several government entities related to a proposed highway project, saying some agencies responded but others did not, and that even after they substantially prevailed in a data practices complaint and the court imposed a maximum civil penalty, they still did not receive meaningful access to the records. Zimmerman said the lack of access harmed their ability to comment on the project’s environmental review, and both witnesses argued that the law needs stronger enforcement, realistic timelines, better communication, and more accessible remedies for requesters who cannot afford repeated litigation. They also raised practical barriers such as inaccessible file formats, missing software on a county-provided laptop, and the need for electronic delivery options. The committee then heard from Eric Johnson of Anoka County, who testified about Chapter 13 issues involving third-party polygraph data used in probation monitoring. He argued that when the state relies on third-party-generated summaries, the responsible authority’s obligations for access, retention, and correction are unclear, and there is no effective remedy when the third party does not respond. Johnson said the county directed him to seek raw data from the third party, which had not responded, and he warned that short retention periods can make data subject rights unenforceable if the records are destroyed before a request is resolved. Members asked about statutory citations and retention schedules, and several commented that the issue may warrant review of data-retention rules. During member discussion, legislators broadly agreed that the Data Practices Act’s enforcement mechanisms are not working well enough and that many requesters cannot afford to pursue administrative or court remedies. Co-Chair Scott suggested staff compile the testimony into a report to identify possible legislative fixes, while Senator Lucero said there may be some “low-hanging fruit” that could be addressed quickly in the short session. The chair also floated the idea of involving the Office of Collaboration and Dispute Resolution in a mediation role to improve communication and reduce gridlock, though members noted that any process would still need to produce results consistent with the law. The committee then moved on to its next agenda item, a discussion of the BCA Fusion Center and its annual reporting requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• that actually entails and learning about co-ops.
• what I really want to do and learning what I really want to do and learning about<00:45:30.560><
• <00:45:33.840> about then with the workers, learning about then with the workers, learning
• <00:45:38.359> And entails and learning about co-ops.
• And entails and learning about co-ops.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:07.120> it, the way that most of us learned it, the way that most of us learned it,
• for consideration under the learn for consideration under the learn everywhere<04:04:10.000>
• At best, it's disruptive to learning in some cases.
• It disruptive to learning in some cases.
• sources of learning for EFA um students. sources of learning for EFA um students.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with dyslexia um which is a learning with dyslexia um which is a learning disability<00:49:00.000
• I can't learn such a simple concept.
• <01:14:18.719> because should face barriers to learn because should face barriers to learn
• Two of them are remote, but one is in person.
• spectrum disorder or specific learning spectrum disorder or specific learning disability<01:34:23.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is for the antenatal and neonatal guidelines education and learning system and stroke assistance
• This is for the antenatal and neonatal guidelines education and learning system and the stroke assistance
• RightTrack, where Division of Youth Services and its service providers around the state connect remotely
• RightTrack, where Division of Youth Services and its service providers around the state connect remotely

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda item, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, reports, and a member disclosure. The supplemental agenda was accepted, and the Office of State Procurement’s rule revisions were approved after Jessica Patterson explained they were driven by 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, CASO Consulting recommendations, and updates to sole source, bid, protest, and debarment provisions. The methods of finance and discretionary grants were also approved, covering a range of university capital projects, health and human services grants, historic preservation awards, and tobacco prevention and cessation programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys for services provided during a contract gap, a Department of Health ratification for water-leak repairs, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, a Veterans Affairs HVAC ratification, an ADFA medical services ratification, and a UA Little Rock painting contract ratification. Members questioned the Public Safety ratification at length about why the expired Motorola contract was not caught sooner and why it took months after discovery to come forward; agency officials said the work was tied to bond funding and was not tracked in ASIS, and the chair urged agencies to develop better monitoring procedures. The committee approved a large slate of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including many recurring service agreements for DHS, higher education institutions, corrections, health agencies, and state support functions. Several members asked about specific contracts, including aerial application services for correctional farms and a Southern Arkansas University custodial contract, and staff or agency representatives provided brief explanations. The meeting concluded with review of reports and approval of a member disclosure involving Representative Andrew Collins’ investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• These academic standards describe what we as a state believe our children should learn in each grade
• They have so many people working remotely, but they can gather everybody into a conference for several
• days in person, where I know that other states perform this process remotely.
• There's no reason necessarily to spend this... ...perform this process remotely; many of them do.
• In my experience in state government, anything remotely close to approaching this sort of conference

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Hussain, aye.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely. Hussain. Go ahead.
• Remotely, Hussein... Thank you. The clerk will close the roll. Okay.
• When I learned these statistics, I was shocked.
• The clerk will call the name of the member participating remotely, who is Hussain.

Transcript Highlights:

• if they are remote because of a disability.
• if they are they're they're remote if they are remote<01:11:59.920> because<01:12:00.159>
• And that remote because of a disability.
• <02:22:41.120> from us the unique opportunity to learn from us the unique opportunity to learn
• <02:23:29.600> HB360 keep them focused on learning. HB360 keep them focused on learning.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• developing critical learning and developing critical lifelong<00:33:47.640> skills.
• She said new STEM learning experiences in particular will be at risk.
• program after school learning program. program after school learning program.
• And we do have a remote voter, but under our rules, the remote voter doesn't indicate their vote for
• > the<01:25:57.280> remote<01:25:57.679> voter under our rules, the remote voter

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Ward, let's get that in a more prominent location so more young people can learn a little bit about the
• location so more young people can learn location so more young people can learn a<00:07:36.440><
• are working remotely or hybrid so<00:13:39.880> that<00:13:40.000> is<00:13:40.199>
• <00:21:30.720> what forest Center so they could learn what forest Center so they could learn
• It seems to me that when people give things to the university, it's for a learning purpose, right?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I personally spoke to disappointed individuals when they learned that they didn't meet the criteria.
• So I believe the first on the list will be Rebecca Sash, and they are remote.
• So I believe the first on the list will be Rebecca Sash, and they are remote.
• So I believe the first on the list will be Rebecca Sash, and they are remote.
• We're going to learn a bit about Virginia, Minnesota, located in St.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Brain health includes how well we think, learn, and remember.
• When you drop agents accustomed to remote border operations into the heart of a dense American city,
• When you drop agents accustomed to remote border operations into the heart of a dense American city,

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, attendance, and approval of the prior journal. Members then recognized several guest groups and proclamations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the Arizona Society of CPAs, the Arizona Airports Association (with a proclamation designating Arizona Aviation Day), and students from Onyose Day Academy in Yuma for School Choice Week. Additional guest introductions included school choice and community advocates. The chamber then handled executive nominations and a long list of bill introductions and committee referrals. Measures covered a wide range of topics, including veterans’ property tax exemptions, ESA reporting and spending limits, public school communications requirements, sentencing and expungement, SNAP work and audit provisions, immigration-related restrictions, water and land issues, election law, domestic relations, health insurance and fertility coverage, and several education, transportation, and public safety proposals. The Senate also moved through second-reading consideration of numerous bills and resolutions, including measures on voting security, prison sentencing, weather modification, water supply, emergency shelters, rural health, reentry programs, and foreign contributions. A large portion of the floor time was taken up by personal privilege statements focused on human rights and immigration enforcement. Senators from both parties spoke about alleged abuses by federal immigration authorities, citing deaths and injuries in several states and calling for investigations, transparency, and an end to excessive force. Separate remarks also addressed a humanitarian crisis in Iran, with a resolution read in support of human rights and the Iranian people. The chamber recessed and later reconvened to continue reading bills and announcements. No substantive floor votes on legislation were taken in the transcript beyond routine procedural actions, and the meeting ended with committee announcements and adjournment until the next scheduled session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The work group spent a lot of time talking, just trying to, I would say, educate each other and learn
• So we really did have to learn a lot about each other's areas of work as we went through this.
• And then finally, we learned a lot about the expertise in the tech sector in developing clean energy
• So I appreciate learning more about the process for this line.
• So I appreciate learning more about the process for this line.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Energy Supply, Energy Conservation, and Energy Resilience opened by electing Senator Shoemake as chair and Representative Alex Ibarra as vice chair. Members then moved into a series of work sessions focused on data centers, transmission, and workforce needs tied to Washington’s clean energy and grid planning challenges. Kate Bruns and Glenn Blackman presented preliminary findings from the governor’s Data Center work group, created under Executive Order 25-05. They said the group met for six months, received more than 1,000 public comments, and included representatives from agencies, industry, tribes, labor, utilities, environmental groups, and research institutions. The presenters emphasized that data centers are expected to be the largest source of load growth over the next five to ten years, creating concerns about grid capacity, ratepayer impacts, forecasting, water use, backup generation, and compatibility with Washington’s energy and climate laws. They described nine recommendations, including protecting existing energy and climate policy, improving forecasting, seeking more clean power and transmission, and encouraging flexible data center operations. A proposed tax incentive change that would have expanded eligibility while tying the exemption to new clean electricity sources narrowly failed in the work group. Members asked about tribal consultation, cooling technologies, and local benefits from data centers; the presenters said tribal consultation was ongoing and a final report would follow. Keegan Moyer of West Tech then outlined a regional transmission study showing major strain on the Western grid from load growth, electrification, resiliency needs, and limited transmission capacity. He said the 10-year study identified about 12,000 line miles of needed projects across the West, with roughly $56 billion in estimated costs, including planned projects, reliability upgrades, and new interregional transfer projects. He stressed that many projects are upgrades within existing rights-of-way, but new corridors are still needed, and he previewed recommendations on permitting, equipment procurement, cost allocation, and project sponsorship. In response to questions, he discussed the difficulty of crossing jurisdictional “seams,” the role of federal coordination, landowner compensation, eminent domain as a last resort, and the limited role of public financing beyond a federal GRIP grant. Stephanie Scott of Commerce presented the transmission workforce study, which focuses on substation technicians, line workers, and line clearance tree trimmers. She said current workforce levels are far below what will be needed under a clean energy expansion scenario, and that active projects are essential because apprenticeship training depends on thousands of hours of hands-on work. She highlighted barriers such as high upfront CDL and pre-apprenticeship costs, the need for wraparound supports, and the importance of expanding access for women, people of color, and tribal communities. Members asked about tribal utility apprenticeship programs, utility-run training pipelines, and whether the study included funding sources; Scott said the report would include an inventory of apprenticeship programs and tribal considerations, but revenue ideas were outside the study scope. Finally, Brant Johnson of Grid United described the North Plains Connector as a case study in large transmission development. He said the project, a 420-mile, 3,000-megawatt HVDC line connecting Montana and North Dakota, has relied on early stakeholder engagement, route changes, tribal consultation, and coordinated federal and state permitting to reduce risk and shorten timelines. He said the project aims for permits by the end of 2026 and construction beginning in 2028, with an earliest commercial operation date of 2032. In response to questions, he discussed the challenges of crossing regional seams, interconnection queues, land acquisition and compensation, eminent domain, and financing, noting that the project is primarily privately financed with a $700 million federal grant covering a portion of costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you all right, and I believe Michael Celli is via remote.
• Centennial, I've learned to say it many times.
• <01:36:58.719> you different cultures they can learn you different cultures they can learn
• It's good that you're doing cross-cultural exchange and learning.
• because I need to learn some of the cultures as well.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd like to learn a little bit more before I try to answer your questions because I don't want to
• And Natalie will be joining us remotely from the Division of Real Properties to present on item number
• <00:27:02.720> joining<00:27:03.120> us<00:27:03.360> remote.
• >> Good afternoon. joining us remote. >> Good afternoon. joining us remote.
• Bronner in person, but I'll I'll take Bronner in person, but I'll I'll take you<00:27:11.440> remote

Keywords: 00:01 Call to Order and Roll Call 00:49 Approval of Minutes 01:05 Information Items 02:39 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 23:40 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin Cabinet 26:30 OFM Rpt – KY Infrastructure Authority 36:07 OFM Rpt – Econ Dev Cabinet 43:40 Office of Financial Mgmt 50:18 Remaining 2025 Mtg Dates 50:50 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled routine business, including approval of the June meeting minutes and receipt of several correspondence and information reports. Those reports covered quarterly capital project status updates from state agencies and postsecondary institutions, lease modifications, asset preservation projects, school district debt issuances, and Kentucky Communications Network Authority budget history materials. Members also raised questions about a long-open stream mitigation account and were told the funds are fee-in-lieu stream mitigation monies administered through Fish and Wildlife, with staff promising to follow up on the specific project. The committee then reviewed and approved several capital project actions. These included a new Camp Oralis dining hall project for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, explained as a reauthorization because the funding split changed to 64% federal and 36% agency funds; an appropriation increase for the Shelbyville armory addition due to higher construction costs and security requirements; and emergency repair projects for Fort Boonesboro flood remediation and the Kentucky State Police Supply Branch fire damage. Members also approved a tenant improvement fund request for parking garage safety improvements at the Mayo Underwood Building. The Office of Financial Management presented three Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items and one Cleaner Water Program reallocation. The loans included a Shepherdsville sewer/drainage project and two Auburn water and lead service line projects; the grant reallocation involved unused Cleaner Water Program funds, with staff emphasizing that all ARPA-funded cleaner water dollars must be spent by December 31, 2026 or returned. After discussion, the committee approved the package. The committee also approved six Economic Development Fund grants, and the Cabinet for Economic Development began presenting the first six KPDI projects, though the transcript cuts off before those project details were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm talking about this because the PIA is an important tool for the public to learn about government.
• If Texans cannot use the PAA to learn why the government is conducting these investigations, the government
• So we need the flexibility. many aspects of our job and remote work is just one of the tools that we
• I've been a question asker and a question answerer, and I've learned from both. sides of that.
• At Texas Tech, we are actively conducting teaching, learning, earning research in quantum.

Bills: HB3146, HB3719, HB3895, HB3923, HB4748, HB4751, HB4936, HB4952, HB4990, HB4991, HB5061, HB5196, HB5238, HB5246, HB5487

Keywords: State Office of Administrative Hearings, SOAH, administrative hearings, contested case, contested case hearing, administrative law judge, ALJ, final decision, proposed decision, agency hearing, hearing continuance, rescheduling, Texas administrative law, Government Code Chapter 2001, workers' compensation, Department of Human Resources, Texas Labor Code, Transportation Code, Agriculture Code, Insurance Code