Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for the opportunity to serve in this capacity and thank you for.
• But that opportunity, Texas faces critical challenges and I concur with.
• Thank you again for the opportunity. Thank you, Ed, for your testimony. Carr, you're up.
• But it seems to me like we have a lot of opportunity, especially when it comes to music.
• We have a lot of growth opportunities in residential solar. We have a lot of growth opportunities.

Committee: House Energy Resources

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That could open all kinds of opportunities in the state.
• That could open all kinds of opportunities in the state.
• I think that there would be incredible opportunity for Hawaiʻi Island.
• I think that there would be incredible opportunity for Hawaiʻi Island.
• I think that there would be incredible opportunity for Hawaiʻi Island.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is going to give us an opportunity to address that.
• I think this is going to give us an opportunity to address that.
• I think this is going to give us an opportunity to address that.
• I think this is going to give us an opportunity to address that.
• Representative Alon: Thank you. going to give us an opportunity to going to give us an opportunity to

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• should they come up in the opportunities should they come up in the future<00:04:32.919><c> civility
• at a state level that we opportunities at a state level that we can<00:10:31.200><c> help</c><00:10:
• Thank you so much for the opportunity.”
• But we also have areas of the state that really have huge opportunity for economic investment.
• But we also have areas of the state that really have huge opportunity for economic investment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:30.400><c> for</c> pupil of providing the opportunity for pupil of providing the opportunity
• </c> big things about Foundation opportunity big things about Foundation opportunity plan<04:45:45.680
• </c> calculate the foundation opportunity calculate the foundation opportunity budget<04:57:27.718><c
• </c> this is why it's too good an opportunity this is why it's too good an opportunity for<05:04:16.360
• </c><05:15:02.638><c> budget</c> Town wouldn't that opportunity budget Town wouldn't that opportunity

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which limits the maximum credits per course eligible for the Dual and Concurrent Enrollment Program. Representative Ladd said the bill clarifies that eligible courses may not exceed four credits and was requested by the community college system. Representative Earth offered an amendment to make the bill effective on passage, which the committee adopted 18-0. The committee then approved HB 193 as amended by an 18-0 OTPA vote and placed it on the consent calendar. The committee next retained HB 295, concerning School Building Aid program funds, after Representative Spillsbury said the building aid bills were complex and needed more work. The motion to retain passed 18-0, with the chair explaining that retained bills can be revisited later and that related language could be moved among building aid bills. HB 354 was not acted on because the chair said the Department of Education and others had suggested possible changes that should be worked out first. HB 366, another school building aid bill, was also retained 18-0 for the same reasons as HB 295. The committee then considered HB 494, which funds the math learning communities program. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program, reducing the proposed increase by a net $50,000 and keeping funding at current levels for the biennium. After discussion about budget pressures and the program’s role in supporting math instruction and professional development, the amendment passed 18-0, and the bill as amended was approved 18-0 and placed on consent. Finally, the committee took up HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid. Representative Popovici-Muller moved inexpedient to legislate, arguing charter schools should not be treated differently from other public schools, while Representatives Luno and Damon opposed the motion, saying charter schools differ in governance and financial risk and should not receive limited state building aid. The motion failed 10-8, so HB 515 was sent to the regular calendar. The committee assigned Representative Damon to the minority report and Representative Popovici-Muller to the majority report, with a noon deadline the next day. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program. Representative Ladd described the program as a successful affordability measure that saves families money and supports college access. Representative Earth offered an amendment to flat-fund the program at current levels, reducing the proposed increase by $500,000 in each year of the biennium. Shannon Reed of the Community College System said the change could limit enrollment or the number of funded courses, though students could still take additional courses at their own expense. Representative Ladd explained the program’s tuition structure and said the funding would help meet demand; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 716.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:17.920><c> to</c> Minnesota unique opportunities to Minnesota unique opportunities to support
• My name is opportunity to testify today.
• </c> this opportunity for Minnesota farmers. this opportunity for Minnesota farmers.
• </c> And so, that's a lost opportunity.
• And so, that's an opportunity for utilities to capture that value. Thank you, Mr. Reese.

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > for</c><00:04:46.639><c> people,</c> FFA provides opportunities for people, FFA provides opportunities
• Yeah, thank you very much for the opportunity to speak today.
• </c> much for the opportunity to speak today. much for the opportunity to speak today.
• Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today.
• </c> the opportunity to speak with you today. the opportunity to speak with you today.

Bills: HF3580 , HF3566

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: agriculture, livestock, depredation, crop damage, wolf compensation, elk damage, state funding, agricultural protection, trespass, criminal penalties, farm equipment, agricultural land, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not the absence of anything, but the opportunity for our local growers and opportunity for access
• </c> who are excited about this opportunity who are excited about this opportunity of<00:14:43.120><c
• Chair, appreciate the opportunity to &gt;&gt; Mr.
• </c> But another opportunity to reduce cost. But another opportunity to reduce cost.
• :37:12.960><c> to</c> really appreciate the opportunity to really appreciate the opportunity to speak

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled several referred administrative regulations, including a package from the Board of Respiratory Care described as a substantive housekeeping update to its regulations and incorporated materials. There were no questions from members, and the committee also heard from the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, which was present in case questions arose but did not require action. Members then took up an amendment to the state health plan for facilities and services, specifically 900 KAR 5:02. Wesley Duke explained that a previously proposed criteria related to mega-voltage requirements, originally suggested by the Kentucky Hospital Association, was now being removed because the association no longer considered it necessary. The committee moved to accept the agency amendment, with a motion and second, and approved it without opposition. The committee next considered Senate Joint Resolution 23, a “food is medicine” resolution sponsored by Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer. Supporters from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Hospital Association described the initiative as a voluntary, statewide effort already adopted by 52 hospitals, aimed at improving patient health while supporting Kentucky farmers and local food systems. Members discussed access to healthy food, grocery-store availability, school nutrition, and the need to reduce barriers to local procurement; the resolution was adopted unanimously after a roll call vote, with one senator briefly explaining a late vote due to weather. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 12, which would allow mid-level practitioners to serve as the leader of a Level IV trauma center under physician direction. The sponsor and witnesses from Appalachian Regional Healthcare argued the change would help address rural trauma-care shortages, align with national standards, and improve access without changing scope of practice or other trauma-center requirements. Several members raised questions and comments about rural access, liability, costs, and the broader health impacts, but no vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you chair for allowing me the opportunity to ask a couple questions.
• We have opportunities to correct in terms of making improvements.
• Chair members thanks for the opportunity to come.
• Thank you very much for this opportunity, Assemblymember Jackson.
• Thank you for this opportunity to give public comment. I'm here as a provider.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. opportunity to be here today. Thank you.
• </c><00:25:38.640><c> to</c> thank you for this opportunity to thank you for this opportunity to testify
• </c><00:27:14.240><c> testimony</c> opportunity to provide this testimony opportunity to provide this
• </c><00:33:15.760><c> Also,</c> for the opportunity. Thank you. Also, for the opportunity.
• Thank the opportunity to testify. Hello.

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for your opportunity to testify today.
• Thank you for your opportunity to testify today.
• Thank you for your opportunity to testify today.
• Thank you for your opportunity to testify today.
• </c><00:58:40.799><c> to</c> does it gives them that opportunity to does it gives them that opportunity

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:42:16.680><c> to</c> Thank you for this opportunity to Thank you for this opportunity to testify
• I appreciate the opportunity to provide this overview.
• , and you said you couldn't miss this opportunity.
• </c> said you couldn't miss this opportunity. said you couldn't miss this opportunity.
• Thank you for the opportunity Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• opportunities or components of the bill that we think are really high leverage.
• </c><00:28:07.240><c> or</c> kind of different opportunities or kind of different opportunities or components
• Minnesotans with insight into the various opportunities that are available.
• opportunities um so last year we shared opportunities um so last year we shared that<00:44:45.359><c>
• </c> that um we were launching an opportunity that um we were launching an opportunity tracker<00:44:

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the opportunity for public comment has not materialized.
• But I appreciate the debate, and thank you for this opportunity.
• But I appreciate the debate, and thank you for this opportunity.
• But I appreciate the debate, and thank you for this opportunity.
• The future generation will lose the opportunity I was able to receive.

Bills: HF29 , HF921 , HF922 , HF1048 , HF1049

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: railroad, infrastructure, transportation funding, environmental remediation, capital investment, HF921, tax increment financing, TIF, excess tax increment, school district aid, levy adjustment, property tax levy, education finance, Minnesota education aid, decertification, local government finance, school funding formula, state aid reduction, referendum equalization aid, debt service equalization

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not have that opportunity.
• So those folks have the opportunity to sit across from administrators.
• Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this morning.
• Chair and members of the committee, for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Jerem Schmid.
• Chair and members of the committee, for the opportunity to speak today. My name is Jerem Schmid.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee opened by approving the January 16 and January 21 minutes. Members then heard testimony focused on the impact of Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) and the proposed paid family and medical leave program on Minnesota school districts, with the chair framing the hearing as an opportunity to hear from major employers and school leaders about costs and operational effects. Kimberly Lewis, speaking for the Minnesota School Boards Association and related school administrator groups, said districts generally already provide generous, locally negotiated sick leave and had initially adapted to ESST by separating vacation, sick time, and ESST into different buckets. She argued that a 2024 law effectively converted previously bargained sick leave into ESST, which she said undermines contracts, creates large unfunded costs, and may raise constitutional contract-clause concerns. Lewis cited large accumulated leave banks in some districts, increased sick leave use, and estimated significant costs from paid leave, including a reported $2.5 million impact for one large district. She urged flexibility such as prorating ESST for midyear hires and part-time staff and exempting coaches, short-term substitutes, and similar employees from ESST. Superintendent Anarie Fuco of St. Michael-Albertville said her district expects about $400,000 in added fiscal 2026 costs from ESST and paid leave, plus indirect costs from substitute coverage and increased absenteeism. She said schools already have generous bargaining agreements, but the new laws reduce verification and require districts to track leave for temporary staff, creating what she described as a need for “substitutes for our substitutes.” Fuco said the district would face more than $211,000 in direct payroll costs from paid leave alone and asked for flexibility or exceptions for districts already offering comparable benefits. Members asked follow-up questions about how substitute teachers accrue leave and how many districts may be cutting budgets; Lewis and Fuco said many districts are making cuts and that substitute and staffing burdens are growing. A third testifier began by Zoom, but the transcript cuts off before her full testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
• It's a pathway to economic opportunity, homeownership, and small business ownership.
• I appreciate the opportunity to present Assembly Bill 1732, the Student and Faculty Housing Opportunity
• You know, it's really provided the opportunity for important housing to get off the ground.
• This is about creating opportunities.

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You will have the opportunity to provide one to two minutes in your introduction and testimony. Dr.
• You will have the opportunity to provide one to two minutes in your introduction and testimony.
• I think trying to find the opportunities to change in every single aspect will be very important.
• Madam Chair, members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today.
• is something I'd be very honored to have an opportunity to do.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened with a quorum and first took up several governor’s appointments not required to appear. It approved Paulette Brown Hines, PhD, to the California Transportation Committee, Christopher Clark and Maggie Hallahan to the Board of State and Community Corrections and Boating and Waterways Commission respectively, Kent Sasaki to the Building Standards Commission, and Danielle N. Munoz to the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, with one appointment receiving a 3-1 vote and the others passing unanimously or 5-0. The committee also approved a reference of bills to committees by a 5-0 vote. The committee then heard Tanya Pacheco Warner, PhD, for reappointment to the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District Board. She described her public health background, her family’s experience with asthma, and her work on agricultural burning phase-outs and AB 617 community efforts. Members questioned her about the cumulative economic impact of air rules on Valley agriculture, mobile-source emission strategies, the FARMER tractor replacement program, collaboration with fellow board members, and how to communicate climate and air-quality risks to the public. After public comment, her appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the full Senate. Next, the committee considered three reappointments to the California Horse Racing Board: Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos, and Thomas Hudnut, J.D. The nominees emphasized horse and rider safety reforms, reduced equine fatalities, the impact of Golden Gate Fields’ closure on Northern California racing, and the need for new revenue sources and possible legislative support to strengthen purses and keep the industry viable. Senators pressed them on safety, HISA relations, gambling-related revenue options, and the decline of racing in the North. Public witnesses from the racing industry supported the nominees, and all three appointments were approved 3-0. Finally, the committee heard Julie Lee and Ann Patterson, J.D., for the Delta Stewardship Council. Both stressed the Delta’s importance to statewide water reliability, ecosystem health, and climate adaptation, and highlighted the council’s science program, performance metrics, and community engagement efforts. Senators asked about the co-equal goals, the role of science and social science in building trust, the council’s future mission, and how to communicate climate impacts such as sea-level rise and salinity intrusion. The hearing continued into discussion of balancing water supply and ecosystem protection, with the members framing the Delta as a statewide system requiring coordinated management.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, do you think there's an opportunity to change this for next session? I do. I do. Okay.
• It's a new opportunity<00:13:14.440><c> and</c><00:13:14.640><c> Minnesotans</c><00:13:15.200><c> get
• </c><00:13:15.360><c> to</c><00:13:15.440><c> tell</c> opportunity and Minnesotans get to tell opportunity
• Thanks for the opportunity. >> Absolutely. around you. And so that's a big lesson around you.
• Thanks for the opportunity. it. Thanks for the opportunity. &gt;&gt; Absolutely.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program reviewed the end of Minnesota’s 94th Legislature and featured interviews with Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy and Minority Leader Mark Johnson about the session’s major outcomes. Murphy said Senate Democrats used their one-seat advantage to advance priorities including emergency rental assistance, immigration enforcement, stabilization of HCMC, gun violence prevention, and a $1.2 billion infrastructure/bonding bill. She also highlighted a one-year reduction in vehicle tab fees, some property tax and business tax relief, and the creation of an independent Office of Inspector General, while saying more should have been done on lead pipe replacement and that some work was delayed by House inaction and federal policy changes. Murphy argued the session was shaped by a divided legislature and by negotiations that often happened late and behind closed doors, which she said made the process frustrating and left some Senate proposals without House counterparts. She said the Senate also worked on protecting Medicaid and SNAP from federal cuts and on stabilizing hospitals, especially HCMC and rural facilities. She described the gun violence and immigration debates as examples where bipartisan demands did not match what she saw as the needs of Minnesotans, and said the state should return to more public conference committee negotiations next session. Johnson said Senate Republicans focused on fraud prevention, affordability, and education. He pointed to the Inspector General bill and the “Take It Back Act” as major bipartisan wins, and said Republicans used their leverage to secure the tab fee reduction and other tax relief. He also said the caucus wanted stronger protections against fraud without harming legitimate service providers, and criticized DFL priorities on government growth and education outcomes. Both leaders said relationships across the aisle improved over the session, though they differed sharply on how much was accomplished and what should be prioritized next year.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a great opportunity.
• I think we should look at that opportunity, absolutely.
• Um I think that's a great opportunity.
• </c> look at that opportunity, absolutely. look at that opportunity, absolutely.
• </c><00:17:14.560><c> for</c> create some type of opportunity for create some type of opportunity for

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Housing heard and acted on three measures related to the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) and affordable housing policy. First, it considered GM 681, the nomination of Garth Yamanaka to the HHFDC Board of Directors. Yamanaka testified that he supports using all available tools to increase housing production, including open space and park dedication where feasible, more revenue-neutral and workforce housing, and a broad mix of housing types. Senators questioned him on priorities such as perpetual affordability, state- and county-owned projects, and whether HHFDC should focus more on revenue-neutral housing; he generally supported greater flexibility and more options, while emphasizing the need to consider feasibility and local market needs. The committee recommended GM 681 for advise and consent and adopted that recommendation unanimously, with Senator Fevella excused. The committee then heard GM 764, the nomination of Susan Coons to the HHFDC Board. Coons said she supports prioritizing state and government lands for affordable housing but stressed that the government cannot solve the housing shortage alone and should continue to engage private and nonprofit partners. In response to questions, she said HHFDC should give greater priority to perpetual affordability and could potentially devote more resources to revenue-neutral, income-blind housing, but she cautioned against blanket policies and said decisions should be guided by data, community needs, and project readiness. She also supported the idea of a 100,000-unit housing plan and said HHFDC should focus on more specific policies and projects. The committee recommended GM 764 for advise and consent and adopted the recommendation. Finally, the committee considered HCR 83, which supports using the dwelling unit revolving fund for pre-development costs through interim loans for government affordable housing projects. HHFDC testified in support and explained that it already has authority to make pre-development loans, but the resolution would provide policy support and comfort to the board. Members asked about loan security and default; HHFDC said such loans would typically be secured by land collateral and that it would not expect to forgive the loans. The committee agreed to pass the resolution with amendments, including adding committee report language about default and collateral and noting HHFDC’s existing authority. In a joint portion with the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, the committees also took up HCR 98 HD1 and recommended it pass with amendments to clarify that the countywide housing pattern book applies only to the City and County of Honolulu and involves collaboration between Honolulu housing and planning agencies. All recommendations were adopted, and the hearing adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. ...improving access, opportunity, and inclusion for deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and
• There was no opportunity for this body to discuss. Point of order has been called.
• We were not allowed the opportunity to discuss what it should be renamed to.
• the opportunity to repeal.
• We've had the opportunity as legislators to feast...

Keywords: 1182, all