Transcript Highlights:

• Contracted through the state to privatize licensed laboratory.
• He left the state.
• of the State.
• We have some external collaboration going on as well, with Washington State.
• You know, establishments here or if it's going out of state.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our date, I'm going to request unanimous consent to send to a privileged committee, which should be State
• It's not required, and it sets a standard policy for us across the state.
• The state is not actually obligated to provide social events for homeschoolers.
• It's not going to be many, but a handful of kids across the state.
• So you recall from Representative Furness stating that in the case of the state getting involved, there

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Start by stating your name and your legislative district.
• And people are being victimized and transported in and out of state at times.
• They involve digital footprints, multiple state stay within our city limits.
• I hope you find it need to investigations and the state-level prosecution.
• And almost always it's happening in multiple jurisdictions across our state.

Summary: The House Judiciary, Rules Committee approved the minutes from January 27, 2026 and then considered two RS introductions and two bill hearings. RS 3-3101, a minor change to a reckless driving proposal by Rep. Pohanka, added the word “active” to the school zone/construction zone language and was introduced. RS 33096, sponsored by Chairman Skog, would clarify disturbing-the-peace law to specifically cover willful and malicious disruption of worship services; it was also introduced after brief discussion about whether broader wording could have been used. The committee then heard House Bill 522, which would create penalties and authorize reasonable countermeasures against drones operating in restricted airspace around correctional facilities. Rep. Hill and witnesses from the Idaho Department of Correction and a counter-UAS company described drones as a growing security threat used to deliver contraband and aid escapes, citing thousands of detections and examples from other states. A member of the public raised First Amendment and press-access concerns, but the bill was still moved to the floor with a due pass recommendation in a unanimous roll-call vote. The committee also heard House Bill 518, which would allow the Attorney General’s office, at the request of local law enforcement, to take the lead on human trafficking prosecutions. Supporters from Nampa police, victim services, local government, and prosecutors described trafficking as a multi-jurisdictional crime that strains local resources and re-traumatizes victims through repeated interviews. The Attorney General’s office testified neutrally, saying it could take on the work but would need additional resources and that the bill’s current scope may be too narrow to be used often. Despite that caution, the committee unanimously sent HB 518 to the floor with a due pass recommendation before adjourning; a scheduled budget presentation was postponed.

Transcript Highlights:

• bright light with warning alarms signaling trouble coming from Republicans and Donald Trump in Washington
• Huge cuts to health care and food programs, and shifting costs down to state and local governments and
• Minnesotans are facing hard decisions because their costs are rising but their wages are flat, and state
• They're only interested in retribution against a state that doesn't support Donald Trump.
• </c><00:08:04.800><c> in</c><00:08:04.960><c> worse</c> reserve and leave our state in worse reserve

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Washington Springfield sunap my hometown Washington Springfield sunap my hometown of<00:47:31.520><c>
• </c><01:21:09.719><c> of</c> opportunities throughout the state of opportunities throughout the state
• </c> the biggest crisis in the in the state the biggest crisis in the in the state and<03:30:53.359><
• They left the state.
• of New Hampshire versus residents of the state or possibly residents from another state moving in?

Committee: House Housing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• All other support and opposition can be stated at the standing mic when called upon to simply state name
• All other support and opposition can be stated at the standing mic when called upon to simply state name
• This has been a problem for a long time because the state of California doesn't do enough for transit
• A bad deal for San Mateo is a bad deal for the entire state.
• You can also provide comments on anything that's stated today. Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

Summary: The Assembly Transportation Committee heard SB 63 by Senator Wiener, as amended and coauthored by Senator Arreguín, a Bay Area transit funding measure intended to avert major service cuts at BART, Muni, Caltrain, and AC Transit. The authors said the region faces a fiscal cliff and that without new revenue, BART could collapse and other systems could face severe reductions. They described the bill as the product of extensive negotiations among the five Bay Area counties and transit operators, with San Mateo and Santa Clara counties opting in during the process. Much of the discussion focused on accountability and governance. Supporters said the bill includes some of the strongest oversight provisions in recent memory, including a third-party efficiency review and ad hoc adjudication committees that can withhold a portion of funding if operators fail to correct problems. Assembly Member Papin and Assembly Member Lackey argued the measure amounts to a taxpayer bailout with insufficient representation and too much control left to MTC, while the authors responded that the bill gives affected counties direct complaint and enforcement authority and that MTC must follow the ad hoc committees’ recommendations. Several members asked about complaint procedures, withholding thresholds, opt-in/opt-out issues, and whether the funding would return to the source counties if withheld. Testimony in support came from SPUR, Caltrain, MTC, the Bay Area Council, BART, SamTrans, VTA, San Francisco MTA, transit coalitions, environmental groups, local governments, and labor. Supporters emphasized the risk of severe service cuts, the importance of preserving recent investments such as Caltrain electrification, and the need for regional self-help. There was no registered opposition witness, though some members spoke against the bill. The committee ultimately voted 11-5 to pass SB 63 as amended to the floor, with the committee amendments also removing urgency language.

Transcript Highlights:

• My mom has been in the United States since 1997.
• My mom has been in the United States since 1997.
• As Senator Perez was stating, that should never happen in this state, in this country.
• awaiting placement in Department of State Hospitals.
• I have succeeded in four states and I will not stop.

Summary: The committee heard SB 1377, which would change California’s medical exemption process for school immunizations. The author and supporters argued the bill would restore physician discretion, reduce fear of audits and discipline, and help families with medically vulnerable children obtain exemptions. Opponents, including pediatric, medical, and public health groups, said the current system created by SB 276 and SB 277 is working, that valid exemptions are still being issued, and that loosening oversight could undermine immunization rates and public health. Members debated the data behind claims of a chilling effect, the number of exemptions reviewed or revoked, and the bill’s amendments, which narrowed the measure to current exemptions and added a small additional threshold. Because there was no quorum at the time, action on SB 1377 was delayed until a quorum could be present. The committee then heard SB 995, the Masuma Khan Justice Act, which would create a statewide inspection and enforcement framework for large voluntary residential facilities, including private immigration detention centers. The author and supporters described alleged neglect and abuse in detention facilities, including denial of medication, unsafe food and water, and inadequate oversight, and argued the state should ensure humane conditions and accountability. The California Hospital Association expressed concern about duplicative oversight and possible overlap with existing regulation, while the author said the bill was being refined to avoid constitutional problems and duplication. The committee voted to do pass and re-refer SB 995 to Judiciary, with the roll call showing five votes and the bill placed on call. SB 1089 was also heard, proposing expanded access to GLP-1 medications for state and local government employees through CalPERS and encouraging broader affordability efforts through CalRx. The author framed the bill as a response to chronic weight disease, diabetes risk, and high costs, and described his own experience obtaining and paying for GLP-1 treatment. Supporters from the American Diabetes Association and medical groups said GLP-1s are effective tools for preventing and managing type 2 diabetes and could reduce long-term health costs. No opposition was heard, and the committee voted do pass and re-refer the bill to Labor, Public Employment, and Retirement, with the vote placed on call. The committee also began SB 1221 on Murphy conservatorships, with supporters and opponents debating whether district attorneys should have a larger role in these proceedings and whether the bill would improve public safety or disrupt the civil mental health process; the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... ...to challenge you to remember not just what you have here in our state, in your state, but that
• We're a border state, aren't we?
• In some states, it's 20 languages.
• There's a couple other states that did the same. There's a couple other states that did the same.
• And the truck driver from California or from Washington State says, no, then we are supposed to let him

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Nucor Corporation on its Arizona operations, including the Kingman steel facility, recycling-based electric arc furnace production, workforce development, safety improvements, veteran hiring, and recent investments. Nucor emphasized that its Arizona materials support local infrastructure and manufacturing jobs, and members asked about scrap sources, annual tonnage recycled, average pay, safety practices, and future expansion. No formal action was taken on the presentation. The committee then considered HB 2574, which would require ADOT to hold off on enforcing a civil traffic judgment while an appeal is pending if a stay is granted. The sponsor and a witness argued the bill would close a due-process gap by preventing penalties from taking effect before appeals are resolved. The committee voted 7-0 to give HB 2574 a due pass recommendation. HB 2057, which lowers the fee for Arizona Centennial special plates on fleet vehicles and directs the fee split to administration and the Centennial Plate Fund, also passed 7-0 after discussion about possibly expanding the discount to other specialty plates. HB 2109, which raises penalties for repeat distracted-driving violations and adds an enhanced penalty when such conduct causes a motorcycle crash, drew extensive testimony and discussion. Supporters argued stronger fines are needed to change behavior and improve road safety, while members raised concerns that the bill lacked an education component and discussed possible committee-of-the-whole amendments. The committee voted 7-0 to pass the bill. HB 2317, which would bar local governments from prohibiting cruising, generated significant testimony both for and against; supporters framed cruising as a cultural practice tied to lowriding, while opponents described neighborhood congestion, blocked access, trash, and public-safety problems. The chair held HB 2317 so the sponsor and stakeholders could work on amendments. The committee also heard HB 2003, which would lower the minimum age for an instruction permit to 15 and extend permit validity and supervised-driving time for teen drivers; the sponsor argued the changes would improve safety by increasing supervised practice, but the transcript cuts off before any vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• El-Hawari, state your point of order?
• State your point of inquiry.
• Who's going to write a piece when the money is coming from the state against the state?
• Who's going to write a piece when the money is coming from the state against the state?
• States have to vet people asking for benefits.

Summary: The Assembly met in session, established a quorum, and opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recognizing 9/11. Members then moved through a long daily file and concurrence calendar, with many items passed without debate or temporarily retained. The chamber also took procedural actions, including re-referring AB 1152 to the Public Safety Committee, suspending rules for guest access and file-item handling, and later taking a roll-call vote to allow a late-filed journal letter request. Among the major Senate bills taken up on third reading, the Assembly approved SB 385 on peace officers’ rights, SB 753 on shopping cart recovery, SB 838 on housing and hotel projects, SB 643 on carbon dioxide removal grants, SB 645 on jury peremptory challenges in civil cases, SB 761 on CalFresh access for students, SB 774 on real estate licensing sunsets, SB 400 on renewable energy labor tax incentives, SB 24 on utility spending transparency, SB 37 on attorney advertising ethics, SB 258 on spousal rape involving disabled spouses, SB 364 on outdoor advertising near new freeways, SB 403 removing the sunset from medical aid in dying, SB 770 on HOA barriers to EV charging, and SB 22 on gift certificate cash redemption values. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 403 and SB 770 drew more divided votes, while SB 24 was briefly delayed by a call before passing. The Assembly also concurred in numerous Senate amendments on Assembly bills covering a wide range of topics, including service of process (AB 747), local clean energy planning (AB 39), firearms (AB 1078), workers’ compensation (AB 1336), public health (AB 1487), survivor leave protections (AB 406), solid waste (AB 70), water reporting for data centers (AB 93), Diwali recognition (AB 268), wildfire workforce recovery (AB 338), educational equity (AB 419), civic education (AB 422), office-to-housing conversions (AB 507), cannabis tax relief (AB 564), privacy/browser opt-out rules (AB 566), housing element transparency (AB 610), tenant appliance requirements (AB 628), code enforcement penalties (AB 632), homelessness and LGBTQ-related policy (AB 678), energy (AB 740), DEIA review in state government (AB 766), inmate firefighter wages (AB 247), children’s health (AB 798), real estate (AB 851), COVID-era rehiring protections (AB 858), hazardous materials (AB 961), real property and housing covenants (AB 1050), aging (AB 1069), health care facilities (AB 1172), endangered species protections (AB 1319), CalWORKs modernization (AB 1324), cannabis access for seriously ill patients (AB 1332), foreign labor contractors (AB 1362), and downtown revitalization financing (AB 1445). Several of these passed overwhelmingly, while a few drew notable opposition, including AB 93, AB 403, AB 770, AB 851, AB 1050, and AB 1319. The transcript also included extended debate on SB 34, which was presented as a compromise measure on air pollution and port operations in the San Pedro Bay area. Supporters said it narrowed the scope to protect union jobs while preserving AQMD authority, while opponents and supporters alike noted the underlying distrust between labor and environmental stakeholders. The Assembly passed SB 34, SB 515 on disaggregated demographic data collection, and then began taking up AB 495 on immigration, with the sponsor describing family separation and immigration enforcement trauma before the transcript cuts off.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, and that's why we're asking the state to go forward.
• <00:34:39.599><c> was</c><00:34:39.760><c> at</c> state was at state was at 59%<00:34:41.480><c> we</
• </c> recognized tribal nations in the state recognized tribal nations in the state through<00:42:11.960
• </c><00:52:01.880><c> of</c> partnership between the state of partnership between the state of Minnesota
• I also want to talk about an experience I had in Washington, D.C.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . state. state.
• </c> of our wonderful state. of our wonderful state.
• </c> throughout this state. throughout this state.
• . state. state.
• </c> along University Avenue. along University Avenue.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Sen for nursing the Hawaii Hawaii state Sen for nursing the Hawaii state<00:13:01.160><c> Center</c>
• </c> significant impact the Hawaii state significant impact the Hawaii state Center<00:13:24.279><c>
• </c> the room I'm colani Warner I'm the state the room I'm colani Warner I'm the state director<00:43
• Conditions in this state.
• Instead, it defers to state law in the relevant state where the couple will reside.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committees on Health and Labor heard testimony on HB 1244, a measure relating to labor standards at health care facilities and nursing staff ratios. Committee members opened by explaining hearing procedures, including a suggested two-minute testimony limit and Zoom rules. The bill drew extensive testimony from hospitals, nursing organizations, unions, and individual nurses, with the central debate focusing on whether staffing ratios should be set by statute or left to collective bargaining and unit-level staffing decisions. Opponents included the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Straub Benioff Medical Center, Hawaii Pacific Health, Kapiolani Medical Center, and Queen’s Health Systems. They argued that fixed ratios are too rigid for the changing conditions of hospital care, could worsen workforce shortages, and should be handled through labor negotiations, staffing committees, and existing agreements. Several also pointed to investments in nursing education, loan repayment, and workforce development as better solutions. Queen’s said it had recently reached an agreement with nurses after more than 40 meetings that included a staffing framework, and Kapiolani and others emphasized the need for flexibility in emergencies and specialty care. Supporters, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Pride at Work Hawaii, the Hawaii Nurses Association/American Nurses Association chapter, Hawaii Nurses Association Local 50, UNAC/UHCP, and individual nurses, said unsafe staffing levels contribute to burnout, turnover, errors, and patient harm. Testifiers described chronic short staffing, emotionally and physically exhausting workloads, and situations in which nurses were responsible for too many patients at once. Supporters argued that safe ratios are necessary to protect both patients and nurses, and that collective bargaining has not been enough to ensure safe conditions statewide, especially in facilities without unions. No vote or final committee action was announced in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And boys basketball state championship.
• His teams are multiple state titles.
• </c> Class 4A boys basketball state Class 4A boys basketball state championship<00:10:36.079><c> title
• I just want to state very well today.
• Association 2A state championship. Association 2A state championship.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specifically from state agencies about um where state from state agencies about um where state law<00
• . state. state.
• bills that the state um the state pays bills that the state um the state pays for<00:58:31.839><c> ourselves
• </c> donor state. donor state.
• </c><01:48:34.400><c> loses</c> donor state that our state economy loses donor state that our state economy

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Rules and Administration Select Subcommittee on Federal Impacts on Minnesotans and Economic Stability met on February 20, 2026, to hear from Minnesota Management and Budget State Budget Director Anna Mingi about federal funding changes affecting the state budget. Before testimony began, Senator Rasmusson objected to a draft committee report that had been prepared in advance of the hearing, arguing it was inappropriate to summarize testimony before it occurred. The chair responded that nonpartisan staff had prepared the draft from Mingi’s submitted presentation and could revise it after the hearing if needed. Director Mingi explained that federal dollars make up more than one-third of state spending and support about 650 federal awards totaling over $23 billion this year, with more than $15 billion supporting state entitlement programs. She said the federal funding environment had changed significantly since January 2025 through executive orders, pauses, terminations, new grant conditions, delayed awards, and the July 2025 passage of H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill. Her main focus was H.R. 1’s effects on health care and food assistance, including work requirements for some adults, changes to eligibility for legal non-citizens, limits on retroactive Medicaid coverage and directed payments, new limits on provider taxes, and SNAP changes that shift some benefit and administrative costs to the state and counties. She estimated H.R. 1 would reduce federal funds to state-administered programs by about $327 million in the current biennium and $1.6 billion in the next, with additional costs to hospitals, counties, and other partners beyond the budget horizon. Members asked follow-up questions about whether the estimates were relative to the forecast and whether federal Medicaid funding would still rise over time. Mingi said the estimates were based on the November forecast baseline and that Medicaid federal dollars would likely continue growing overall, though the law still creates significant losses relative to prior projections. Senator Rasmusson emphasized that point in remarks to the committee. The discussion then shifted to federal grant pauses and cancellations: MMB’s tracker showed about six awards on hold totaling roughly $491 million, 13 confirmed cancellations across areas including clean energy, education, food assistance, and public health, and additional threatened or litigated cuts not included in those totals. Mingi identified two canceled violence-prevention-related grants, including a FEMA public safety grant and a justice reinvestment grant, and noted that CDC had recently moved to cancel or seek cancellation of several Minnesota public health grants, including a $65 million public health infrastructure award.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and early learning in uh in our state and early learning in uh in our state and<00:04:28.160><c>
• </c> increase Child Care slots in the state increase Child Care slots in the state of<00:34:55.000><c
• </c> service to people all across the state service to people all across the state as<00:51:11.240><c
• She said people come to the state because of those services and because the state resources them.
• He said people come to the state because of those services and because the state resources them.

Bills: HF2582 , HF2266 , HF2518 , HF2039 , HF1941

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

Keywords: child care, grants, appropriation, workforce development, families, YWCA Minneapolis, job training, child development, economic assistance, WomenVenture, economic development, entrepreneurship, women entrepreneurs, business training, financial support, youth programs, funding, employment, Minnesota, American Indian

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Members, on behalf of the Colorado State Members, on behalf of the Colorado State Senate,<00:44:
• </c> Employment Security Act to other state Employment Security Act to other state labor<01:25:20.080
• </c> this bill uh transfers a core state this bill uh transfers a core state regulatory<02:26:23.680>
• </c> of homeowners insurance in the state. of homeowners insurance in the state.
• ,</c> has happened in other states, has happened in other states, Mississippi<02:39:21.359><c> and</c

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> policy changes that uh affect the state. policy changes that uh affect the state.
• We've been to Washington, DC, many times saying Hawaii is a state.
• </c> state and we're really pushing that. state and we're really pushing that.
• Being an<01:45:42.960><c> island</c><01:45:43.520><c> state</c> an island state an island state transportation
• </c> not tracking it at the state level. not tracking it at the state level.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing focused on how federal policy changes, tariffs, funding cuts, the federal shutdown, and delays in the farm bill are affecting Hawaii agriculture and food access. Opening remarks emphasized Hawaii’s heavy dependence on imported food and farm inputs, the state’s vulnerability to disruptions in USDA services, and the need for stronger state, county, and community coordination. Speakers also noted that immigration enforcement and broader global supply-chain pressures can affect local farm labor, production, and food availability. Sharon Herd, chair of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, described both positive and negative federal impacts. She said Hawaii has benefited from some recurring grants and a large new $8.8 million federal grant, but also reported about $22 million in losses from suspended or terminated grants, including farm-to-school and water-related projects. She said some USDA programs, such as microgrants for food security and FISMIP, are currently suspended, while the specialty crop block grant remains active. She also said Hawaii farms declined from 7,328 to 6,569 between the 2017 and 2022 censuses and argued the state cannot rely on imports alone to feed its people. Amanda Shaw of Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii presented findings from federal funding cut reports. She said the first report, in March, identified about $88 million in potential cuts, and the newer report found $64.7 million in confirmed cuts and about $175 million in potential cuts. She said federal shifts are creating uncertainty for farmers, food-system organizations, and school and community food programs, and noted that 4,000 to 5,000 Hawaii farmers could receive less money because of changes to payment-factor provisions for socially disadvantaged farmers. She also said Hawaii has lost 18% of local USDA staff since September 2024, with possible further national reductions expected. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only, and the chair noted that any legal questions, including the reported SNAP changes, would be for the Judiciary Committee to assess later.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> do under state law. do under state law.
• see that Washington state, for example, has 57 staff, Indiana has 59, Virginia has 92.
• </c><01:29:43.840><c> state</c><01:29:44.080><c> for</c> you see that Washington state for you see that
• Washington state for example<01:29:44.520><c> has</c><01:29:44.720><c> 57</c><01:29:45.200><c> staff
• . state. state.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> states have done tax incident studies. states have done tax incident studies.
• The percentages get income in state and local taxes. And income in state and local taxes.
• to state.
• to state.
• </c> which is Florida, Texas, and Washington. which is Florida, Texas, and Washington.

Bills: HF331 , HF916

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: school supplies, sales tax exemption, use tax, sales and use tax, back-to-school, classroom supplies, education tax relief, tax holiday, retail exemption, Minnesota sales tax, school materials, binders, calculators, notebooks, pencils, backpacks, book bags, local tax revenue, taxable sales base, income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• There's two school districts in the state that are not at 275; they're below.
• I thought you were saying there were only two schools in the state that were at that level.
• Is rebuilt consistent throughout the state by assessors? Maybe this is a question for assessor.
• we're ultimately talking about is what is the local effort percentage going to be and what is the state
• feed into the conversation about is the community doing enough local effort and not leaning on the state

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Summary: The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform met for an open discussion, with no public testimony, to reset its work after the prior combined bill was separated back into two standalone measures. The chair outlined the current direction: House Bill 2780 would include Murphy’s Hancock fix, levy-by-subclass, commercial protection language, the 275-to-150 levy adjustment, and abatement provisions; House Bill 2668 would carry clear ballot language, no-tax-increase ballot measures, clarification of SB 190, and the SB 3 fix. Members also discussed whether additional ideas, such as taxpayer appeal protections and electronic filing, might be added later if they can be worked out. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Hancock-related “275 fix,” with members clarifying that the proposal would not move all districts to 275, but would prevent two known districts below that level from being forced down and losing significant revenue. Several members raised concerns about confusion in the field and the need to communicate clearly to school districts and superintendents what the proposal would and would not do. There was also discussion of new construction under Hancock, including whether certain redevelopment or replacement projects should count as new construction and how that affects school and other local taxing entities. The committee spent substantial time debating tax abatements, especially TIFs and similar economic incentives. Supporters of the language said the intent is to prevent taxing jurisdictions from treating abated revenue as if it were still available and then shifting the cost to other taxpayers; opponents questioned whether the language would improperly reduce revenue that communities had already decided to collect. Members also discussed whether the language should apply only to the entity adopting the abatement, and whether some abatements are better handled through separate legislation. Several members urged that any new ideas be referred through committee so they can receive proper vetting and fiscal analysis, and there was broad agreement to keep the main bills relatively streamlined while continuing to work on additional concepts separately.