Bills: HB3126 , HB3177 , HB3311 , HB3465 , HB3786 , HB3915 , HB4333 , HB4476 , HB3403

Committee: House A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee

Keywords: education funding, concurrent enrollment, school aid, Oklahoma State Regents, permanent school funds, higher education, revolving fund, court reporters, salaries, legislation, employment compensation, state administration, Oklahoma, community development, infrastructure, economic development, local government, financing, pooled finance, Oklahoma Emission Reduction

Bills: HB247 , HB317 , HB318 , HB253 , HB271 , HB135 , HB247 , HB317 , HB318 , HB253 , HB271 , HB135

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: Gulf of America, name change, state compliance, educational materials, local resources, historical reference, age verification, parental consent, consumer protection, app store regulations, data privacy, Internet filters, digital safety, minors protection, civil liability, device manufacturers, obscenity, aircraft tax, aviation tax, sales tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, spent grains are an incredible supplement to cattle.
• Income supplements their fixed incomes.
• The committee substitute makes a minor clarifying adjustment. ...change to aid in the bill's implementation
• appraisals are on the low side according to the comptroller's estimates, that can mean a reduction in state aid
• Over the past three sessions, bills have been filed to attempt to band-aid this issue, including expanding

Bills: HB249 , HB 1186 , HB2313 , HB2408 , HB2508 , HB2730 , HB2974 , HB3045 , HB3232 , HB3336 , HB3710 , HB4044 , HB4236 , HJR133 , HB249

Committee: House Ways & Means

Keywords: ad valorem taxes, property taxes, homestead exemption, disabled veterans, senior citizens, tax payments, installment payments, municipal tax revenue, hotel, convention center, tax code, economic development, local government, municipality, tax revenue, qualified projects, municipal taxation, hotel project, municipality funding, veteran

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Children's Defense Fund Minnesota. Children's Defense Fund Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota children are US citizens. Minnesota children are US citizens.
• </c> this is not the Minnesota I want. this is not the Minnesota I want.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota Medical Association. Minnesota Medical Association.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Paul, Minnesota, Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
• ,</c> greater Minnesota, greater Minnesota, and<00:46:38.760><c> as</c><00:46:38.920><c> we</c><00:46
• ,</c> government aid, government aid, which<00:54:27.080><c> hadn't</c><00:54:27.600><c> been</c><00:
• </c> Minnesota is $197. Minnesota is $197.
• A chance to<01:32:45.320><c> make</c><01:32:45.560><c> Minnesota</c> to make Minnesota to make Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The commissioner of the Minnesota The commissioner of the Minnesota Management<00:04:32.560><c>
• working in Minnesota, paying Minnesota taxes, to save for their retirement.
• Minnesota taxes, Minnesota, paying Minnesota taxes, to<00:36:42.440><c> save</c><00:36:42.720><c> for
• state fire aids.
• </c> Sharing of Minnesota state fire aids.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Law enforcement councils, formally known as LECs, are formally defined mutual aid collaboratives under
• As a result, we have a statewide mutual aid opt-in under 44J here in Massachusetts.
• As a result, we have a statewide mutual aid opt-in under 44J here in Massachusetts.
• And I brought with me a map of all the communities in Massachusetts that have opted into this mutual aid
• And we believe that statewide mutual aid opt-in is one of those great avenues to do it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on the Judiciary

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy public hearing on a wide range of civil actions, labor, consumer protection, and animal welfare bills. Chair Lydia Edwards and Representative Michael Day opened with strict testimony rules and time limits, then heard from legislators and advocates on measures including animal-abuser pet ownership bans (S. 1207/H. 1914), a name-change privacy bill (S. 1045/H. 1973), tort claims reform (H. 1724), law enforcement council coverage under the Tort Claims Act (S. 1199), civil rights and qualified immunity-related proposals (H. 1641), employee free speech/captive audience restrictions (S. 1078/H. 1653), consumer protection and civil rights jurisdiction expansion (S. 1041), private right of action for wage theft (H. 1916), gun-owner liability insurance (H. 1836), pseudoephedrine sales tracking (S. 1243/H. 1581), prepaid legal services plans (H. 1612), structured settlement protections (H. 1863), third-party litigation financing disclosure (H. 1861), antitrust reform for small businesses and workers (S. 1038/H. 1982), legal notices in online-only newspapers (S. 1279/H. 1632), and several animal cruelty and protection bills including H. 1938, H. 1949, S. 1277/H. 1934, and H. 1764. Testimony was largely supportive from bill sponsors and advocacy groups, with repeated themes of protecting vulnerable people and animals, improving access to justice, and updating outdated laws. Supporters of the animal bills argued for stronger possession bans, broader cruelty citations, and civil removal tools to prevent repeat abuse; opponents or conditional supporters raised due process and enforcement concerns, especially around warrantless seizures and requiring retail or shelter staff to check registries. On the labor and consumer side, supporters said the antitrust bill would curb monopoly power and help small businesses and workers, while opponents warned it could destabilize competition and burden successful firms. The employee free speech bill was backed as a response to captive audience meetings, and the wage-theft bill was presented as a way to let workers or organizations pursue claims when individual employees are afraid to come forward. Several public officials and association representatives testified on the law enforcement and civil rights bills. Chiefs of police supported adding law enforcement councils to the Tort Claims Act, saying it would close a liability gap for regional mutual-aid collaborations. But police representatives opposed changes to the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act and qualified immunity-related provisions, arguing the federal system already provides a workable forum and that expanding liability could increase costs, reduce morale, and worsen recruitment and retention. On the consumer/civil rights bill, Senator Collins and a veteran described an out-of-state assault case that they said showed the need for Massachusetts to let residents seek redress at home when rights are violated elsewhere. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing itself; the committee mainly received testimony and questions. Several witnesses indicated they had submitted written testimony or proposed amendments, and some bills drew requests for favorable reports while others were explicitly opposed unless amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• And first up, we've got the Minnesota Zoo. We've got the Minnesota Zoo, and we've got Dr.
• </c> camp in the nation uh here in Minnesota camp in the nation uh here in Minnesota so<00:02:52.120>
• </c> Minnesota and uh greater Minnesota Minnesota and uh greater Minnesota represents<00:58:36.000><c
• </c><00:58:43.440><c> if</c> a community in Greater Minnesota if a community in Greater Minnesota if
• I put Minnesota to the right.

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.
• Really builds on a history of water management in Minnesota.
• In the state of Minnesota in terms of local governments.
• It supplements limited groundwater supplies.
• Supplements limited groundwater supplies.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met with a quorum and heard updates from Department of Water Resources Director Reese Haas and Lieutenant Governor/State Water Commission Chair Michelle Strinden on statewide water funding, major projects, and two legislative studies requested in House Bill 1020. Haas reviewed the status of the Northwest Area Water Supply and Southwest Pipeline projects, noting NAWS construction is expected to move water by fall and Southwest’s Hebron-Rugby expansion phase one is in final design with bids expected next month. He also summarized the department’s budget outlook, including Resources Trust Fund and Water Project Stabilization Fund balances, the effect of oil price volatility and stripper well exemptions on revenues, and the status of project buckets, carryover, lines of credit, regionalization, bid trends, and administrative/process updates. Committee members asked about project prioritization, municipal funding demand, maintenance expectations, replacement versus deferred maintenance, and whether the 2025 session may have underfunded municipal water supply needs. Haas said the commission uses the same high/medium/low prioritization process across all buckets, reviews maintenance plans as part of policy, and is seeing strong demand in the municipal bucket. He also explained that the department’s 14-year projection is based on the next seven legislative sessions and that the state faces a projected $1.3 billion shortfall over that period if all planned projects are funded under current assumptions. Deloitte then presented draft findings from the cost-share policy study and the governance/finance study. For cost share, Deloitte said the model shows a roughly $1.3 billion shortfall over 14 years and about $1.8 billion through 2031 under current policy, and offered seven options including tighter eligibility for replacement projects, state funding caps for the Mouse River and Red River Valley projects, a priority-based cost-share scale, timing shifts, use of existing lines of credit, and delayed reimbursement timing. For governance, Deloitte outlined draft options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River ranging from maintaining current structures with stronger planning to transferring ownership or adding formal oversight, and recommended broader use of performance metrics, long-term financial planning, and clearer decision trees. No votes or formal actions were taken; the commission discussed the scenarios and the studies will return in revised form later in the spring.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources.
• But that doesn't extend to greater Minnesota.
• And I, um, uh, and that, statutes in Minnesota statutes.
• It supplements limited groundwater supplies.
• It supplements limited groundwater supplies.

Committee: Joint Water Topics Overview Committee

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:34.080><c> Paul</c> from Education Minnesota, St. Paul from Education Minnesota, St.
• And so, in the 2018 bill, that's where the state aid and supplemental contributions from the district
• The 2018 bill is where the state aid and supplemental contributions from the district were enacted, and
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• <00:59:35.760><c> police,</c> Minnesota police, Minnesota police, and<00:59:37.680><c> uh</c><00:59:37.800

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone here is very well familiar with the Chapter 90 bill, but it provides critical aid to our cities
• progress we've made in recent years, working with this administration to take major steps to expand aid
• Similarly, the bill authorizes $800 million for highway projects that are not eligible for federal aid
• Yep, so the federal dollars are essential in terms of being able to supplement the state dollars.
• Essential in terms of being able to supplement the state dollars, we know that.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've seen a 2.2 percent rate of improper payments in Minnesota.
• I don't know where Minnesota falls in that rotation, but whatever their most recent audit of Minnesota
• for the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators.
• So, in Minnesota, how does one qualify for Medicaid? That has been so much.
• And the program issues that we've seen here in Minnesota with huge fraud.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• And last summer, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Last summer, former
• Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated at their home by someone impersonating
• I expect our approach to be very similar in this year's supplemental budget.
• We have among the highest teacher salaries in the country, the most generous college financial aid package
• Fourth Order of Business, with the consent of the House, the bills listed on today's supplemental introduction

Summary: The House convened for the opening day of the 2026 regular session of the 69th Legislature, with 96 members present. The session included the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a prayer, and a tribal welcome and blessing from Squaxin Island Tribe members, followed by the swearing-in of several representatives by retired Justice Mary Yu. The Speaker also recognized the deaths of Senator Bill Ramos, Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp, and Trooper Tara Marissa Gooding with a moment of silence. In opening remarks, the Speaker emphasized the impacts of federal actions on Washington, including tariffs, H.R. 1, health care costs, Medicaid and food assistance losses, climate and clean energy funding threats, immigration and civil rights concerns, and the need to protect food, health, shelter, and affordability. Representative Stokesbary responded for House Republicans, focusing on Washington’s high cost of living, opposing an income tax, and urging action on affordability, housing, and crime. Both sides framed the session as a difficult but important period for budget and policy decisions. The House adopted House Resolution 4665 to notify the governor that it was organized and ready for business, and adopted House Concurrent Resolutions 4406 and 4407 to receive the governor’s address and establish the session’s cutoff dates. The chamber also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 8407, adopted permanent House rules, and approved several committee reassignments and appointments. A House delegation then reported back from a visit with Governor Ferguson, and the House adjourned until the next day, when it was scheduled to meet in pro forma session before the joint session for the governor’s State of the State address.

Transcript Highlights:

• general of the state of Minnesota.
• </c> the work happening at the Minnesota the work happening at the Minnesota Attorney<00:04:00.640><c
• </c> Minnesota in terms of the state budget. Minnesota in terms of the state budget.
• </c> over the past five years, Min Minnesota over the past five years, Min Minnesota has<00:05:22.800
• </c> is completely different than Minnesota is completely different than Minnesota state<00:47:35.920

Bills: HF3043 , HF2891

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: public safety, illegal remunerations, healthcare fraud, grants, criminal penalties, state law, grants management, state employees training, certification, monitoring grants, accountability, grant fraud, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I got one hospital in my district that uses it to supplement nursing salaries.
• </c> district that uses it to supplement district that uses it to supplement nursing<00:59:15.960><c>
• The Minnesota report revealed the largest hospital systems, and not the health centers, clinics, and
• The Minnesota report revealed the largest hospital systems, and not the health centers, clinics, and
• The Minnesota report revealed the largest hospital systems, and not the health centers, clinics, and

Keywords: 00:00:00 Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:19 Discussion of 25RS HB 785 00:30:25 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 785 00:32:15 Discussion of 25RS HB 61 00:36:42 Roll Call Vote on 25RS HB 61 00:38:07 Discussion of 25RS HB 788 00:51:01 Discussion of 25RS SB 14 01:11:09 Discussion of 25RS HB 685 01:44:57 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They supplemented our dues.
• worker and every Minnesota community worker and every Minnesota community deserves<00:18:49.039><c>
• </c><00:19:00.160><c> have</c> that all workers in Minnesota have that all workers in Minnesota have
• So, members, vote green for northern Minnesota and the state of Minnesota.
• You're in in the state of Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> immigration status, reside in Minnesota, immigration status, reside in Minnesota, making<00:29:
• Um, in Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, uh,<01:27:01.040><c> the</c><01:27:01.679><c> majority</c><01
• So in Minnesota, is eligible.
• </c> fraud that we have seen in Minnesota? fraud that we have seen in Minnesota?
• <01:50:35.119><c> 3.2</c> Minnesota 3.2 Minnesota 3.2 billion<01:50:37.679><c> dollars.

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• MIC in Richfield, Minnesota.
• MIC in Richfield, Minnesota.
• </c><00:03:35.200><c> Independence</c> support of Minnesota Independence support of Minnesota Independence
• </c><00:03:56.640><c> We</c> Minnesota but across the country. We Minnesota but across the country.
• </c> benefiting uh non- Minnesota benefiting uh non- Minnesota residents.<00:42:21.040><c> The</c><00

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> services in Minnesota. services in Minnesota.
• </c> of Minnesota. of Minnesota.
• </c> Unidos Minnesota. Unidos Minnesota.
• </c> lives here in Minnesota. lives here in Minnesota.
• </c><01:26:15.640><c> food</c> Minnesota does have the Minnesota food Minnesota does have the Minnesota

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all