Transcript Highlights:

• There are over 35 local housing trust funds currently operating across the state.
• HRAs can only be created by cities and counties or a group of counties in which they operate.
• This is a bill that will center folks who are struggling with finding accessible housing.
• Housing providers are seeing their costs escalate for things like insurance and security costs.
• Economic growth and security for Black residents. Means greater economic gains for all Minnesotans.

Bills: HF1143 , HF1548 , HF1340 , HF2549 , HF2559 , HF1673 , HF2740 , HF2507 , HF2461 , HF2381 , HF2695

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: education funding, unemployment aid, special education, Minnesota statutes, appropriations, housing, redevelopment, local government, trust funds, community development, HF1340, housing infrastructure bonds, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, affordable housing, supportive housing, permanent housing, adaptive reuse, area median income, AMI

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I will call up our Employment Security Department.
• Essentially, Martin as the chief operating officer has really our core back office operations.
• This is total benefits, total premiums, and total administrative or operating costs.
• I'm a director and policy analyst with the Washington Policy Center.
• Again, Josh Die for the Employment Security Department.

Summary: The Senate Labor and Commerce Committee opened its 2026 session with member introductions and a work session on the Employment Security Department’s structure and programs. ESD officials described their roles and reviewed paid family and medical leave, WA Cares, unemployment insurance, workforce services, and agricultural worker outreach. Senators raised concerns about call volume, program solvency, fraud detection, employer access to information, and whether workers can receive leave benefits while working other jobs. ESD said WA Cares is in a limited pilot, PFML has seen rapid growth, UI trust fund solvency is projected to be near the statutory trigger level, and they would follow up with more detailed information on eligibility, fraud referrals, and employer scenarios. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5292, which would replace the current PFML rate-setting formula with a forward-looking actuarial model and require a four-month reserve beginning in 2030. Supporters, including the sponsor, JLARC staff, labor advocates, and employer groups, said the change would improve stability and follow JLARC recommendations; opponents warned it could lead to higher payroll taxes and argued the program is already too costly. The chair said she intended to keep the bill narrow as it moved forward. The committee also heard Senate Bill 6014, a technical bill on pregnancy-related accommodations that would preserve the ability of pregnant workers to request certain accommodations without a doctor’s note and create a public records exemption for sensitive complaint and investigation records; the sponsor and supporters said it corrects a drafting error and protects privacy. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 5972, which would remove the population threshold limiting interest arbitration for correctional officers in jails, and Senate Bill 5869, which would make permanent and expand from residential to all building construction sites a requirement that L&I notify employers or owners within 10 working days when a hazard is identified. Correctional officers’ representatives and labor groups supported SB 5972 as a fairness and safety measure, while the sponsor said it would create consistency across jurisdictions. Construction industry groups supported SB 5869, and L&I said it had no concerns but wanted the bill kept narrow; the chair noted the bill’s purpose was to speed hazard communication. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 5874, which would allow ESD to waive penalties for minor errors in quarterly unemployment reports, especially missing SOC/job-title information. The sponsor said small businesses were being hit with unnecessary fines, and ESD said it had identified a sharp rise in penalties and was working with the sponsor on possible fixes. The committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have a quorum yet, but we're going to operate as a subcommittee.
• This bill demonstrates how the state can partner with local and regional entities to deliver housing
• By strengthening our regional supply chain, providing farmers with stable markets, and improving student
• We all know that California is one of the most agriculturally productive regions on the planet.
• We all know that California is one of the most agriculturally productive regions on the planet.

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met and heard a full agenda of bills, beginning with AB 1674, which would create a Food Desert Elimination Grant Program and require grocery-store capacity to be preserved or mitigated in certain housing developments. The author and local residents from Sunnyvale testified in support, describing the loss of neighborhood grocery stores and the impact on seniors and low-income families. Business and building groups opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill could add costs and create housing barriers, especially in Section 3. The committee discussed rural and urban food-access differences, and the bill passed the committee 5-0 and was re-referred to Housing and Community Development, with members noting continued work on amendments. The committee then approved several consent items and heard AB 2264, which would allow district agricultural associations to use fairgrounds property for affordable housing by extending lease terms from 55 to 99 years. Supporters said it would unlock underused public land without displacing neighborhoods, and the bill passed to Housing and Community Development. AB 269, the “Fair Act,” would provide a targeted sales and use tax exemption to spur development projects on fairgrounds; it drew broad support from members and fair association testimony and passed to Revenue and Taxation. AB 2143, which would prohibit online marketplaces from accepting payment for noxious weeds shipped into California, received strong support from academic and agricultural witnesses and passed to Privacy and Consumer Protection. The committee also heard AB 1731, creating the California Healthy Food Procurement Fund and an approved-vendor program to connect schools with California farmers. School nutrition, farm, and food-policy advocates supported the bill as a way to reduce procurement barriers and expand local food in school meals; it passed to Appropriations. Finally, AB 1848 would raise seed-law fees to fund inspection and enforcement of California’s seed regulations; the California Seed Association supported the increase, and the bill passed to Appropriations. The meeting concluded with roll calls on absent members and adjournment at 2:53 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• right to working animals is something that we value as Idahoans and we want to make sure that it's secure
• But there are no administrative rules as far as operation goes for working animals.
• The current Farm Bill that we're operating under is from 2018. We need congressional help.
• We also have regional and national memberships.
• And Ann Jacobs, our assistant director, or actually her title now is Director of Operations and Finance

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So phase approach with regional in this.
• </c><00:31:32.640><c> for</c> needed to stabilize operations for needed to stabilize operations for providers
• A large number of providers are struggling to operate in this environment given continued rising operating
• </c> managed care organizations to operate managed care organizations to operate efficiently.<00:50:50.400
• I think it From my perspective, regions.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee to study long-term managed care met to approve the prior meeting minutes, with a clarification that “OB3” referred to the “one big beautiful bill.” The minutes were then approved. Chair Jim Kofalt outlined the day’s agenda, which included testimony from the Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, the New Hampshire Association of Counties, and later DHHS. He also noted that future meetings were expected soon and that the meetings were being livestreamed on YouTube. Granite State Home Health and Hospice Association, represented by Kellyanne Totten and Amy Moore, urged inclusive planning and a cautious, phased approach if managed care is considered. They emphasized that home care providers are not uniform, with different licensing and service models, and said any pilot should include varied provider types, rural and southern regions, and agencies of different sizes. They warned that workforce shortages, inflation, and a possible 9% CMS cut to Medicare home health payments could force agencies to reduce service areas or service types. They also said the 2023 Medicaid CFI rate increase has begun to lose its effect. In response to questions, they said the rural health transformation fund may help with planning and telehealth but likely cannot be used directly for rates or recruitment/retention. They also described the New England Home Care Nurse Residency Program, a Department of Labor grant, as a way to bring new registered nurses into home care with added training and school partnerships. The New Hampshire Association of Counties, through county nursing home administrators Craig Labore and David Ross, revisited the earlier Step Two managed care discussions from 2016-2018. They said prior consultants found the long-term services and supports system was underfunded and needed investment to stabilize providers and expand community-based care. They argued the same concerns remain today and said a managed model would jeopardize the Medicaid quality incentive payment program and, for county nursing homes, the proportionate share payment program. Their testimony was generally opposed to moving forward with managed long-term services and supports without significant additional funding and safeguards.

Transcript Highlights:

• Here are a few different regions across our beautiful state.
• Here are a few different regions across our beautiful state.
• Here are a few different regions across our beautiful state.
• 29.760><c> it's</c><01:22:29.920><c> not</c> Speaking of regional variation, it's not Speaking of regional
• Uh but centers or anything like that.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, when we talk about barriers to home ownership, the two things that come up the most are securing
• you know, when we talk about barriers to home ownership, the two things that come up the most are securing
• you know, when we talk about barriers to home ownership, the two things that come up the most are securing
• 00:45:07.040><c> boosts</c><00:45:07.480><c> local</c><00:45:07.880><c> and</c><00:45:08.000><c> regional
• </c> This funding boosts local and regional This funding boosts local and regional economy<00:45:08.680

Bills: HF2715 , HF2499 , HF3420 , HF3657 , HF2303

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF2715, homestead credit refund, property tax refund, property tax relief, homeowner tax relief, homestead credit, co-pay reduction, Minnesota property taxes, tax rebate, state refund, income thresholds, inflation adjustment, property tax circuit breaker, housing affordability, elderly homeowners, fixed income, taxation, Minnesota Statutes 290A.04, renters credit, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• The Government Operations Subcommittee will now come to order. Tamara, please call the roll.
• They are in charge of list maintenance operations.
• Good afternoon, Jonathan Weber, Southern Poverty Law Center.
• Florida has become a national leader because our elections are secure.
• I am tired of us dressing disenfranchisement up in the language of security.

Transcript Highlights:

• center.
• [music] transported to the is securely [music] transported to the counting<00:08:17.199><c> center.
• ,</c> counting in the counting center, counting in the counting center, everything<00:18:40.559><c> is
• </c> any significant security issues? any significant security issues?
• </c> centers if they choose to. centers if they choose to.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Idaho Safe Team Assessment Centers are secure short-term assessment facilities for youth in crisis
• The Idaho Safe Team Assessment Centers are secure short-term assessment facilities for youth in crisis
• The Safe Team Assessment Centers are secure short-term assessment facilities for youth in crisis.
• These are different reports, Center for Advancing Health, January 11th, 2024. or different reports, Center
• It does not change how banks or credit unions operate today.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did have a hearing. center around prop 36 and its impact and we did center around collaborative courts
• But I also have a couple questions centered around the jury. pilot program.
• Those will improve. operational efficiencies within CDCR.
• at 24-7 as a housing facility which is probably more security be than a facility that's only being operated
• And that helps in securing attorneys, litigation. that type.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• operation results in damage to human-occupied aircraft in flight, a Class A felony if such operation
• </c> operation of any International Regional operation of any International Regional municipal<00:18:
• </c> and a class B felony if such operation and a class B felony if such operation results<00:18:09.240
• </c> Flight a Class A fony if such operation Flight a Class A fony if such operation causes<00:18:16.799
• </c><00:18:27.720><c> a</c> misdemeanor if the person operates a misdemeanor if the person operates a

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sam Hood on behalf of the security industry.
• Sam Hood on behalf of the security industry. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning.
• Sam Hood, on behalf of the Security Industry Association, respectfully opposed the bill today.
• But we also don't want to create additional problems with security and hacking.
• Wilson: I think some of the concerns around security are valid, whether it's security from cybersecurity

Committee: House Privacy and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Strangers poked and prodded his body like a live game of Operation.
• Dale's body was then sent to UNT Health Science Center.
• If any, are these body harvesters operating under?
• We have secure doorways and secure locks.
• We do the same at the center; it is a single-purpose facility.

Bills: SB1406 , SB1681 , SB2480 , SB2721

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Keywords: body donation, medical science, forensic science, willed body program, informed consent, boarding home, boarding home facility, adult care home, group home, assisted living, county reporting, municipal reporting, annual report, reasonable accommodation, fair housing, disability accommodation, local ordinance, permit requirement, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC

Transcript Highlights:

• So first being for DFPS number 6, under Strengthened agency operations, lease replacement was pended.
• this will provide funding to the single-source continuum contractors, um, in community-based care regions
• Uh, this would require HHSC to purchase a facility in Southeast Texas and operate it as a psychiatric
• Uh, it is unclear to our office how much this may cost ultimately in terms of operations or renovations
• Uh, what it does is to existing home visiting programs, uh, currently operating in the state, it just

Committee: House Appropriations - S/C on Article II

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a rule regarding birth center standards and licensure.
• and payment methodology for services in facilities that are not publicly owned and not publicly operated
• So, as for exceeding a grant of rulemaking authority, a sunset provision just doesn't operate that way
• The department has also put in an ERP on-site that's called our ERP Stormwater Resources Center.
• , Our idea that it has to be monitored and operate appropriately, was there any consideration that if

Summary: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee met on February 3, 2025, with a quorum present and took up three main items. First, the committee considered a large set of recommended objections to Agency for Health Care Administration rules, all centered on sunset provisions stating the rules would expire after five years. AHCA asked for another deferral while it reviewed the rules, arguing the sunset language was a form of self-restraint rather than an invalid exercise of rulemaking authority. Committee leadership disagreed that further delay would resolve the issue and moved to a single vote covering all objections. The motion passed by roll call, and the committee informed AHCA that an objection would be filed unless the agency amended the rules within 30 days. The committee then heard an informational briefing from the Department of Environmental Protection on its Outstanding Florida Springs rule and stormwater rule. DEP explained that it did not prepare a statement of estimated regulatory cost for the springs rule because the proposed standards largely mirror existing water management district rules and the Central Florida Water Initiative framework, so DEP said there was no new regulatory burden. Members asked about permit authority, costs, and whether the rules were functionally different from prior rules. DEP maintained the rules set minimum standards and did not add costs beyond what regulated parties were already doing. DEP also described implementation of the stormwater rule adopted under the 2020 Clean Waterways Act and later ratified by the Legislature in 2024. DEP said the rule was the product of years of workshops and technical advisory committee meetings, and that the final version included lower-cost alternatives, grandfathering, and phased implementation. DEP estimated the rule’s cost at about $2,600 per acre in the revised CERC, while industry witnesses said the real cost could be much higher, especially if land costs are included. A home builders representative argued the estimate understated impacts, while a stormwater engineer said the rule gives more flexible, performance-based tools and could become more cost-effective over time. Finally, Senator Graal presented proposed Chapter 120 changes in SB 108, aimed at tightening and modernizing rulemaking. The proposal would require five-year rule reviews, annual agency reporting, faster notice of proposed rulemaking after authorizing legislation, electronic filing, public access to incorporated materials, clearer tracking of technical changes, and limits on how long rules can remain pending ratification. Members discussed whether the Legislature should be more specific in statutes about rulemaking deadlines and whether agencies should be more accountable when rules stall. No formal action was taken on the Chapter 120 proposals, and the committee adjourned after discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really embedded into the very fabric of our society, operating on large-scale societal systems,
• We were able to confirm that there were eight enforcement operations.
• Combating racism, hate, and xenophobia is at the center of what we do.
• to divert scarce resources to security, often at the expense of core services.
• This past Saturday, we hosted an indigenous mom-centered community listening session in Oakland.

Summary: The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to examine the scope of hate activity in California and hear from state agencies, commissions, and community organizations. The chair opened by framing hate as a persistent crisis affecting many protected groups, and Assembly Member Gonzalez briefly joined the committee. The first panel included the California Department of Justice and the California Commission on the State of Hate, both of which presented recent data and policy recommendations. The Department of Justice reported that in 2024 California saw 2,023 reported hate crime events, 2,568 hate crime offenses, and 2,491 victims, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias. DOJ also said referrals for prosecution increased, and it described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid response protocol, and multilingual resources. The Commission on the State of Hate said hate is undercounted in law enforcement data and cited a survey suggesting about 2.6 million Californians experienced at least one hate act in a year, including more than half a million potentially criminal incidents. It recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law enforcement training, and continued funding for community-based prevention and victim support. The committee then heard testimony from representatives of the NAACP, LULAC, Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California, CHIRLA, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, CARE, Equality California, and the Racial Equity Commission. Witnesses described systemic racism, anti-immigrant enforcement, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian bias, and anti-LGBTQ+ hate, often linking these harms to political rhetoric, social media, and federal actions. They urged the Legislature to fund programs such as California vs. Hate, Stop the Hate, nonprofit security grants, language access, school and mental health supports, and legal assistance, while also protecting civil rights, due process, and free speech. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members indicated they would request additional recommendations and continue the discussion in future hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a national security threat. Great. Thank you.
• is larger than the AT&T suite at the AT&T Center.
• system is being operated.
• Education resource centers.
• Like I'm just looking at your over operating, you know, overall operating budget versus the number of

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> So, judicial branch safety and security So, judicial branch safety and security is<00:02:57.920>
• . security. security.
• Security and she was actually hired mostly to do policy work and evacuation plans and continuity of operation
• </c> and trying to deal with security issues. and trying to deal with security issues.
• Operation of the no-fault system.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:00:22.000><c> ERS</c> Charities and gaming operations ERS Charities and gaming operations ERS
• And when it comes to the approach to operating the rest of the operating budget, I think we're going
• And when it comes to the approach to operating the rest of the operating budget, I think we're going
• </c> we'll have to make in our operating we'll have to make in our operating budget<03:51:46.359><c>
• </c><04:10:17.040><c> operating</c><04:10:17.520><c> budget</c> that local operations operating budget

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The public hearing focused on HB 290, which would raise cigarette and e-cigarette/vaping taxes and create a committee to study tobacco and nicotine tax policy. Representative Jerry Stringham introduced the bill as both a public health and revenue measure, arguing that nicotine use causes health harms and public costs, and that New Hampshire’s cigarette tax has been unchanged at $1.78 per pack since 2013. He said the bill would raise the cigarette tax by $1 per pack to $2.78, still below most New England states, and would also adjust vaping taxes, which he described as having been set as placeholder rates in 2019. He said the bill would also establish a study committee to review broader tobacco and nicotine taxation, including products such as premium cigars. In response to questions, Stringham said the proposed cigarette tax would be roughly equal in real dollars to the 2008 rate after inflation, and he suggested that a smaller annual increase could be considered, though he believed a larger increase would have a stronger public health effect. He explained that the vaping tax structure differs between closed and open systems because one taxes a fixed hardware product while the other taxes reusable liquid, and he said the proposal would move the rates toward a more uniform approach. He also said New Hampshire would remain below neighboring states even after the increase, though members raised concerns about cross-border shopping, business impacts, and preserving the state’s competitive advantage. Several members questioned whether the bill’s main purpose was revenue or reducing smoking and vaping. Stringham said he viewed it primarily as a public health bill, but also as a revenue measure, and said he would consider it successful even if consumption fell enough to reduce revenue. Other members emphasized personal freedom and argued the committee should focus on taxation rather than cessation, while some supported the bill as a way to capture revenue from out-of-state buyers and keep New Hampshire’s rates below surrounding states. The hearing consisted of testimony and questions only; no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt provided.