Transcript Highlights:

• We have the technology here to do that. We want to make sure as many voices are heard.
• have</c><00:03:55.599><c> the</c> state of Minnesota we have the state of Minnesota we have the technology
• 03:57.280><c> that</c><00:03:58.280><c> we</c><00:03:58.400><c> want</c><00:03:58.480><c> to</c> technology
• here to do that we want to technology here to do that we want to make<00:03:58.720><c> sure</c><00:03

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

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to the department of administered to the department of environmental environmental environmental services
• . services. services.
• </c> uh Department of Environmental Services uh Department of Environmental Services led<00:17:02.240
• The Department of Environmental Services has an established cyanobacteria program already, and we have
• I said that's one that goes over the public service. Yes.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We let them know that Teddy would not need any aide or any special services.
• I'm just talking down at the end there to our legislative information service.
• I'm the Food Service Director for the Public Schools of Brookline.
• So thank you for your time and thank you for your service, too.
• Commission, where we provided services to the most vulnerable students in our state.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Education

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education held a public hearing on a large slate of bills, with the chairs emphasizing time limits, written testimony, and grouping similar measures together. Early testimony focused on opioid use disorder education in schools (S.382), with Senator Keenan arguing that students should be taught about the risks of substance use disorder and naloxone use as part of health curricula. Representative DeCost also briefly introduced H.551, a narrow bill concerning parent rights for children in third grade and younger. Several bills were then closed without testimony, including measures on type 1 diabetes informational materials and other diabetes-related proposals. A major portion of the hearing centered on school health and emergency response bills. Supporters of H.652/S.342 on diabetes management in schools described inconsistent district practices and urged clearer standards so students can receive care in classrooms rather than being sent out of instruction. Bills on epinephrine access and seizure disorders drew extensive testimony: advocates for stock epinephrine in schools argued that unassigned epinephrine can save lives and should be funded in a cost-neutral way, while a pediatrician opposed one version as an unfunded mandate. For seizure-safe schools (S.422/H.635), students, parents, educators, and advocates described missed or delayed responses to seizures, stigma, and the need for staff training, seizure action plans, and emergency medication protocols. A separate bill, H.645, allowing anti-seizure medication on school buses, was supported by a parent and student who said current law forces costly and restrictive transportation arrangements. The committee also heard testimony on youth skin health bills (S.334/H.600/H.619), which would let students carry and apply sunscreen at school and camp without a physician’s note. Supporters from melanoma prevention, dermatology, and industry groups said the bills would remove unnecessary barriers and promote sun-safe habits, while one witness cautioned about drafting details and unintended consequences. The hearing then moved to CPR/AED education for graduation (S.456), where Senator Tarr, a student advocate, and the Red Cross all supported requiring hands-on CPR certification for high school students. Finally, the committee took testimony on healthy school lunches (H.539/S.401): supporters from the Healthy School Lunch Coalition and school food directors backed stronger nutrition standards and a standing advisory council, while Consumer Brands Association witnesses opposed the bill as too vague and potentially disruptive. A nutrition scientist also warned about unintended restrictions on medically necessary or innovative foods. The chairs closed the hearing on the healthy lunch bills and then opened testimony on universal school meals for virtual schools (H.700), with Superintendent Patrick Latuka supporting access for students in Commonwealth virtual schools who currently receive no meal support.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> property Division and taxpayer services property Division and taxpayer services and<00:33:13.279
• to the customer of that service.
• </c> only for the apportionment of services only for the apportionment of services so<01:13:52.360><c
• </c> sense but I'm thinking about a service sense but I'm thinking about a service only<01:19:00.120>
• </c> in Massachusetts we also offer services in Massachusetts we also offer services in<03:52:09.880>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee received an overview from Chris of the Legislative Budget Assistance Office on how it will estimate unrestricted revenues for the General Fund, Education Trust Fund, Highway Fund, and Fish and Game Fund. He explained that the committee’s work is based on current law, not pending bills, and that the estimates will feed into a House resolution and an amendment to House Bill 1, the operating budget. He also described the broader budget process, including how House and Senate estimates are reconciled, how surplus statements account for revenue changes from enacted bills, and how a committee of conference could resolve differences later in the session. No votes were taken. Members then asked about why the Education Trust Fund was running below plan. Chris said the shortfall appeared to be driven largely by business taxes, including differences in the BET/BPT split and improved tax-processing systems that better track where business tax payments belong. Representative Orr also asked about tobacco tax collections and out-of-state sales; Chris said tobacco revenue was likely overestimated in 2023 based on COVID-era patterns, with more people smoking at home, and noted that e-cigarette tax revenue goes to the General Fund while cigarette taxes are split between the General Fund and Education Trust Fund. He said he did not have a specific estimate for cross-border sales. Commissioner Lindsay St. Pierre of the Department of Revenue then began a deeper dive into the department’s role and the taxes it administers. She reviewed the department’s mission, organizational structure, taxpayer services, and the tax policy and legislative analysis staff who prepare fiscal notes and testify on bills. She noted that the department administers about $2.9 billion in revenue across major taxes such as business taxes, meals and rooms, and utility property tax, and that the figures being discussed were preliminary because the annual report had not yet been issued. The discussion was informational only, with no formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• introduce and send back to the committee for a full hearing with people that actually know things about technology
• I think I'm probably the least qualified to talk about technology to this group and probably in the whole
• I have two sons that both work in the technology world, and they tell me that technology changes so fast
• I have two sons that both work in the technology world, and they tell me that technology changes so fast

Committee: House State Affairs

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 2 and 3, then heard RS 33159 on OITS powers and duties, which would shift most state IT procurement to IT professionals rather than other departments, with exceptions for entities like the military, judiciary, legislature, constitutional officers, and schools. The motion to introduce the RS passed. The committee also heard RS 33195, a campaign finance cleanup bill requiring candidates to maintain a separate bank account for election funds and to certify loans to campaign accounts within seven days; that motion to introduce also passed. The main item was H.J.R. 7, which would place before Idaho voters the question of repealing Article 9, Section 5 of the Idaho Constitution, the Blaine Amendment prohibiting aid to sectarian institutions. The sponsor and supporters argued the provision is rooted in anti-Catholic and anti-Mormon discrimination, conflicts with U.S. Supreme Court precedent on religious neutrality, and has already caused litigation and confusion in Idaho. Opponents argued the amendment helps preserve separation of church and state, protects public school funding, and prevents state money from flowing to religious schools or creating entanglement with religion. Testimony was split along those lines, with supporters emphasizing equal access and constitutional conflict, and opponents warning about discrimination, public funding, and the consequences of repeal. After extensive questioning and testimony from advocates, clergy, policy groups, students, and attorneys, the sponsor closed by saying repeal would not automatically send money to religious schools and that any future funding issues would require further legislation. The committee then voted on the motion to send H.J.R. 7 to the floor with a due pass recommendation, and it passed 8-6.

Transcript Highlights:

• But with the evolution of technology, we now have the ability, sometimes employees or contractors may
• But with the evolution of technology, we now have the ability, sometimes employees or contractors may
• Um, and so again, with the advancing technology, it's just made it easier for companies to try to ratchet
• 04:31.680><c> with</c><00:04:31.840><c> the</c><00:04:31.960><c> advancing</c><00:04:32.560><c> technology
• </c> there's with the advancing technology there's with the advancing technology it's<00:04:33.440><c

Committee: Senate Elections

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Public service demands much from a family, and you gave that.
• Because public service is not about power, it’s about people.
• Service was a must.
• or has a service-related disability at the time of death.
• of the bill, or the wastewater service portion of the bill?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, continuing continuity of services.
• </c> those who are more technologically those who are more technologically savvy,<01:49:01.920><c> they
• So, first off, I based on his service.
• It allows for expedited water service.
• It keeps development of the technology.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the Committee on Human Services. And Mr. the Committee on Human Services. And Mr.
• I move that Senate File 4580 be withdrawn from the Committee on Human Services and re-referred to the
• House File 3378 be withdrawn from the Committee on Health and Human Services, given a second reading,
• ,</c> Committee on Health and Human Services, Committee on Health and Human Services, given<00:14:36.040
• </c> protect Minnesota's human services protect Minnesota's human services programs.<00:16:59.000><c>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For tribes like San Manuel, gaming revenues fund critical services and community investment.
• For tribes like San Manuel, gaming revenues fund critical services and community investment.
• Digital commerce offers legitimate business opportunities to fund essential services such as health care
• Digital commerce offers legitimate, legitimate business opportunities to fund essential services, such
• and I know, and I can see already, that we are moving toward more regulation, given that we have technological

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee met as a subcommittee before quorum was established, then heard three measures. AB 770 by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez would authorize the City of Los Angeles to create a flexible signage framework at the Los Angeles Convention Center to generate revenue for renovation and modernization tied to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Support came from labor, business, and SEIU representatives, who cited jobs, tourism, and financing benefits; there was no opposition testimony. Members asked about the job estimates and the connection between signage revenue and convention center expansion. SB 451, presented by Senator Archuleta, would clarify that a 50-50 charitable raffle may be conducted at a championship game held at a designated venue where an affiliated sports team plays home games, addressing a Super Bowl-related ambiguity. Supporters from the NFL and the 49ers said the change would preserve charitable fundraising for Super Bowls 60 and 61 and would not alter other raffle rules. CalNonprofits raised concerns about fairness, gambling expansion, and the special treatment of pro sports raffles, while members discussed how charities receive funds and the program’s audit process. AB 831 by Assemblymember Valencia would prohibit online sweepstakes using dual-currency models that allow cash payouts, while leaving non-cash social sweepstakes untouched. Supporters, including several tribes, the Sports Betting Alliance, the California Chamber of Commerce, and other stakeholders, argued the bill closes a loophole, protects consumers, and preserves tribal gaming sovereignty; opponents, including the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance and numerous tribal members and representatives, argued it would eliminate a legal industry, harm smaller and less advantaged tribes, and was advanced without sufficient consultation. After extensive debate about consumer protection, tribal equity, and online gaming regulation, all three bills were approved, and the committee adjourned at 9:55 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Vietnam service ribbon, World War II service ribbon, saying that you were in theater to help them
• Uh, Vietnam service ribbon, World War II service ribbon, saying that you were in theater to help them
• Uh Vietnam service what it's called.
• ><00:30:35.039><c> service</c><00:30:35.360><c> ribbon</c> ribbon, World War II service ribbon ribbon
• :31:18.720><c> we</c><00:31:18.880><c> have</c> these service medals, but we have these service medals

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh the committee held its uh technology.
• &gt;&gt; Technology.<00:31:25.440><c> Thank</c><00:31:25.600><c> you.
• From behind me, I &gt;&gt; Technology. Thank you.
• From behind me, I hear<00:31:26.640><c> technology.
• That's the right one hear technology.

Bills: HB0159

Committee: House Education

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There are, you know, most hydrogen technologies use water and there are some applications where that
• use water and there are technologies use water and there are some<00:27:28.559><c> applications</c><
• </c><01:05:34.960><c> agnostic</c> see this bill more technology agnostic see this bill more technology
• I believe it was that talked about the other technologies. I'm totally on board with that.
• I'm totally on board other technologies. I'm totally on board with<01:16:19.440><c> that.

Bills: HB0120 , HB0043 , HB0128

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Keywords: energy production, natural gas, industrial sovereignty, manufacturing, tax exemptions, money laundering, illegal investment, financial institutions, criminal activity, Wyoming legislation, severance tax, oil production, tax exemption, energy sector, economic impact, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , because tribal departments also receive federal dollars to provide services.
• So we're making sure that when you're referring kids to these intervention services, they're eligible
• it's charging another agency for a service, usually.
• So you can't encumber and spend money before you get the services. So I would have to agree.
• If there's any questions on the technology piece, if none, we'll move on to it. Okay, so then, Mr.

Bills: SB241 , SB145 , HB2

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Keywords: child care, child care assistance, child care subsidy, early childhood education, early childhood care, daycare, preschool, pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start, Children's Code, early childhood education and care department, ECECD, child care facilities, licensed child care, registered child care, copayments, waitlist, subsidy, federal poverty level

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 241 and reviewed a Senate Finance Committee substitute that incorporated several amendments. Staff explained changes related to the child care fund, residency determinations for federally eligible applicants, expanded child care assistance eligibility for grandparents raising grandchildren and foster parents, updated payment-rate rulemaking, tribal child care sovereignty and culturally appropriate services, limits on land grant permanent fund use for nonsectarian/non-denominational services, provider licensure pathways, and reporting clarifications. Members also discussed whether the bill would maximize federal and state child care tax benefits and how the nonsectarian language would apply to faith-based child care providers. The committee adopted the substitute and then passed it on a 7-3 vote. The committee then moved into House Bill 2 budget language review, focusing on budget adjustment authority and other fiscal provisions. Members discussed proposed BAR language for the State Investment Council, State Treasurer, PERA, and the Economic Development Department, with concerns about caps, whether the language was too broad, and whether some items should revert to existing law or be removed. The committee approved some of the BAR language items, but flagged the Treasurer and Economic Development provisions for later review. Members also discussed extending certain appropriations and project timelines, including a Rio Grande Trail Commission item and several IT and public safety projects, generally favoring extensions where work was still underway. The committee then debated proposed public school support language that would bar PED from approving budgets for schools with fewer than 180 instructional days and from approving new moves to four-day school weeks. Several members argued the 180-day language conflicted with existing statute, which is based on instructional hours, and that the four-day-week restriction could have unintended consequences. The committee ultimately voted down both public school support provisions. The meeting ended with a brief discussion of reviewing the rest of House Bill 2 and related supplemental and language items in the next session, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of our CCR&R, which is child care resource and referral, that provides customer service to
• We currently are fairly effective at providing services to families and answering and addressing their
• , General Services, Budget, Personnel, Contracts, Grants, Procurement, an employee gets trained, and
• I couldn't tell you right looking at what I have here is a career service. Yes.
• And so those are the true benefits versus SES and versus career service.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee met for two workshops. The first focused on vacant positions in the Division of Early Learning and the Department of Education. Committee members reviewed vacancy reports, including long-vacant positions and positions that had received discretionary pay adjustments. Division and department officials said many vacancies were being filled, advertised, or under review, but acknowledged persistent recruitment and retention problems, especially for engineering, legal, finance, IT, and other specialized roles. Members questioned whether some long-vacant positions were still necessary, whether overtime and workload were being affected, and whether outside contracting, cross-training, combining positions, or eliminating some vacancies could help. Officials said they were considering those options and noted that hiring has become slower and more difficult since the pandemic, with lower applicant volume and more competition from other agencies and private employers. The second workshop addressed draft legislation related to school choice scholarships and the FEFP. The chair said the committee’s prior hearings raised concerns about student identification numbers, cross-checking between districts and scholarship organizations, duplicated FTE reporting, delayed district payments, scholarship payment timing, and inconsistent data sources. She said the proposed language is intended to standardize scholarship processing and improve accuracy and efficiency while preserving the long-standing FEFP principle that funds follow the student. She also said funding scholarship students below the line would not solve the identified problems and could create disparities. The draft would align processing for the Family Empowerment Scholarship and Florida Tax Credit Scholarship programs and would reduce add-on weights by 50% while keeping the current policy structure. No votes were taken. The chair invited further comments and said the draft budget and legislation would continue to be refined before rollout. The meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> silence in recognition of his service silence in recognition of his service and<02:21:30.600><c>
• services to those in need.
• </c> green light we need the forest service green light we need the forest service which<03:18:11.439
• Forest Service has a lot to be questioned about on how they manage lands, because these Forest Service
• </c> lands because these their Forest Service lands because these their Forest Service lands<03:30:07.760

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if we take away some of this, and the technology in the '80s—I was promised not to go there, but
• it was terrible, it was terrible for the technology—so there's people like my shop to smog them.
• on behalf of the lowrider community, and our community is rooted in family culture and community service
• on behalf of the lowrider community, and our community is rooted in family culture and community service

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation planning, freight, emissions, and vehicle regulations. SB 1087 by Senator Cabaldon would modernize SB 375 by extending regional plan cycles from four to eight years, improving coordination with CARB and other state agencies, and aligning funding and guidelines more closely with climate and mobility goals. Supporters, including SCAG, MTC/ABAG, other MPOs, cities, and environmental groups, said the current process is costly and inefficient; opponents from clean air and housing groups warned it could weaken accountability for climate targets and shift focus away from vehicle miles traveled reductions. The committee also heard SB 1315, which would require manufacturers to report software updates for semi-autonomous vehicle features to the Insurance Commissioner so the state can better track safety and policy impacts; there was no opposition testimony. The committee also considered SB 1275 by Senator McNerney, a tax proposal to replace the state sales tax on motor vehicles with a deductible vehicle license fee to reduce Californians’ federal tax burden. A Legislative Analyst’s Office witness explained the tax-policy mechanics and estimated savings, and the bill drew support from the author and no formal opposition. SB 1287 by Senator Hurtado would create a targeted tax credit for short-line railroad infrastructure investment; supporters said it would improve freight efficiency, reduce truck traffic and emissions, and help rural and agricultural economies, with no opposition testimony. SB 1064 by Senator Daly would reduce the frequency of clean truck checks for very low-mileage heavy-duty and off-road vehicles; supporters called it a practical affordability measure, while clean air advocates said they wanted to see the amended text and CARB analysis before taking a final position. The committee also heard SB 1375 by Senator Cortese, which would limit duplicative environmental review for certain transit and rail projects that have already undergone extensive prior review; supporters said it would save time and money while preserving other environmental protections, and there was no opposition. SB 1392, also by Senator Cortese, would expand the smog-check exemption for certain older collector vehicles used mainly for shows, parades, and historic display; classic-car and lowrider supporters said the bill protects automotive heritage and reflects limited actual use, while air-quality groups argued it would increase emissions and weaken smog-check accountability. After testimony and committee discussion, the committee took roll-call votes and advanced all measures, including consent item SB 1213, to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with SB 1392 receiving the most divided vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Holt was honored there for his lifetime of service to the city of Chickasha and everything he has helped
• Swinney is an experienced technology and operations leader with over 15 years of professional experience
• Like I said, I work at Life.Church, and I'm in charge of communication strategies for the technology
• They're now 10, 11, 12 years into the service where they're looking at maybe moving their career over

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Summary: The Rules Committee met to consider a long slate of executive nominations and several bills. All of the nominations received broad support and were advanced to the floor, including Lori Burns to the Redlands Community College Board of Regents, Lisa Daly to the Oklahoma State Credit Union, Juana Ellison to the Forensic Review Board, Haley Frick to the Regional University System of Oklahoma, Michael Hillary to the Wildlife Conservation Commission, Dustin Hillary to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, John Holt to the Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufactured Housing Commission, Brian Sweeney to the Capital Medical Center Improvement and Zoning Commission, and Cale Walker to the USAO Board of Regents. Most nominations passed unanimously; Brian Sweeney’s nomination passed 15-2. The committee then heard and passed several policy bills. HB 1675 created a severe-weather preparedness framework for youth camps and passed 16-1. HB 3242, the Women’s Safety and Protection Act covering shelters, schools, and higher education, passed 15-2 after questions about enforcement and legal remedies. HB 1739 increased state police pension benefits and employer contributions to help retain officers, passing 16-1. HB 3320 overhauled the sunset review process for boards and commissions and passed 15-2. HB 3047 designated LOFT as the central recipient for legislative reports and passed unanimously, and HB 4434 required the governor or acting governor to notify the next successor before leaving the state, also passing unanimously. The committee also advanced HB 4432, which would restore the ability to deduct gambling losses against gambling winnings for state income tax purposes; supporters said it would help ordinary taxpayers, while opponents raised fiscal concerns, and it passed 16-1. HB 3705 raised the parental choice tax credit cap from $250 million to $275 million and passed 13-3 after extended debate over school choice, public funding, and reporting. HB 3718 set timelines for school districts to process evaluations tied to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship program and passed 12-2, with critics arguing it could create a separate track and strain school psychology resources. HJR 1089, which would have sent voters a constitutional convention referendum, was laid over and not voted on. The meeting ended with adjournment after the final vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• catchball with, well, what if you reduce the size of this or what if you went with an innovative technology
• that might actually reduce your costs long term, but it Or what if you went with an innovative technology
• One thing about the last few years and the service people, they're finally getting the respect they deserve
• Well, I mean, from my perspective, we are a service-to-our-communities type organization.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• catchball with, well, what if you reduce the size of this or what if you went with an innovative technology
• might actually reduce your costs long term, but it... ...or what if you went with an innovative technology
• One thing about the last few years and the service people, they're finally getting the respect they deserve
• Well, I mean, from my perspective is we are a service-to-our-communities type organization.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Rural Economic Development

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development met in executive session and first approved House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2151 by a vote of 11-0. The substitute removed CPI language so the measure would not allow a year-over-year increase, and the committee then voted the bill do pass. The committee then heard House Bill 2474, which would add progressive design-build as another procurement option for municipalities and other local political subdivisions. The sponsor and supporters said it would give local governments more flexibility, speed, and cost control on major projects by allowing a collaborative, multi-stage process before final pricing is set; no one testified in opposition, and the hearing was closed without a vote. The committee next heard House Bill 2693, a port authority bill that the sponsor described as clarifying port authority creation, districts, operations, and partnerships while preserving limits on state liability. Testimony from Port KC and the Missouri Port Authority Association focused on public safety needs, including authority for port rangers with arrest powers in Kansas City’s port district, board appointment and removal provisions, and the need to keep ports competitive for development. Questions also touched on labor standards, housing authority funding, and whether the bill affected data centers; the hearing ended without opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1716, which would create a Department of Economic Development grant program for rural workforce housing through nonprofit regional partners. The sponsor and Northeast Missouri witnesses said the program is already working in northeast Missouri through a revolving fund, with homes built and sold at cost to help attract and retain workers such as teachers, nurses, and tradespeople; supporters from housing, business, utility, and economic development groups backed the bill, while one witness opposed government involvement in housing. Committee members questioned eligibility, nonprofit-only administration, local contractor use, affordability, and whether the program could crowd out private builders. The sponsor said an amendment would be needed before a vote, and the committee adjourned after the hearing without taking final action on HB 1716 or HB 2693.