Transcript Highlights:

• And in the state of Florida, the CPG industry accounts for 985,000 jobs and a total labor income of about

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and took up four bills. First, CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon or restrain an animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado. The bill was presented as a response to a widely publicized case of a dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton. Several speakers supported the measure, and the committee voted unanimously to report it favorably. Next, SB 374 by Senator Trunow would refine the definition of “farm product” to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from restricting the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment related to food waste was withdrawn for further discussion, and public testimony came from composting, recycling, and poultry interests in support. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 560 by Senator Martin on chemical additives in food products, which would restrict a list of 10 chemicals in food. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at serious health concerns and noted some chemicals had already been banned federally; industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules and potential market disruptions, while some senators supported the health goal but raised concerns about consistency. The committee voted to report SB 560 favorably, with one recorded no vote. Finally, SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry and impose additional criminal penalties, permitting requirements, microchipping, sterilization, and insurance requirements for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and family members of attack victims described severe injuries and deaths to support the need for public notice and accountability. Some members questioned the usefulness of a registry and the burden of the information requirements, but the sponsor said the bill was intended to prevent repeat attacks and help victims. The committee voted to report SB 572 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't have one bill hearing in any of the committees I was in, and I was a GOP lead in labor and industry

Transcript Highlights:

• included, again, the state agency, the Legislative Finance Committee, superintendents, school boards, labor

Committee: House House Education

Committee: House Election Law

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within this bill tremendous opportunities for both physicians and pharmacists to better engage their skill
• 57:14.800><c> to</c> engage and to engage and to engage<02:57:16.200><c> their</c><02:57:16.360><c> skill
• </c><02:57:16.760><c> and</c><02:57:16.880><c> training</c> engage their skill and training engage their
• skill and training and<02:57:18.560><c> and</c><02:57:18.760><c> enhance</c><02:57:19.640><c> patient
• This is not, I think, for mergers to be successful, you really need similar mission, similar skill sets

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But there's an additional estimated $95 of indirect labor.
• there's an additional estimated $95 of there's an additional estimated $95 of indirect<01:21:47.040><c> labor
• <c> So</c><01:21:48.000><c> you</c><01:21:48.320><c> think</c><01:21:48.400><c> about</c> Indirect labor
• So you think about indirect labor.

Bills: HF4693

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: transportation, license plates, validation stickers, replacement fees, government fees, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've maybe testified on this bill almost as many times as the bill to have schools start after Labor
• 00:09:21.360><c> schools</c><00:09:21.680><c> start</c><00:09:22.000><c> after</c><00:09:22.240><c> Labor
• </c><00:09:22.560><c> Day,</c> have schools start after Labor Day, have schools start after Labor Day

Bills: HF3793 , HF3699 , HF793 , HF3322 , HF3426

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• And then beyond that, also kind of a labor of love for other veterans working across the state of Minnesota
• > uh</c><00:09:28.399><c> kind</c><00:09:28.560><c> of</c><00:09:28.640><c> a</c><00:09:28.800><c> labor
• </c><00:09:29.120><c> of</c><00:09:29.279><c> love</c> then uh also uh kind of a labor of love then uh
• also uh kind of a labor of love for<00:09:29.760><c> other</c><00:09:30.080><c> veterans</c><00:09:30.560

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting of the session with member introductions and a statement from the chair that veterans issues would remain distinct and receive separate attention. The first item was an update on the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum at Camp Ripley from Executive Director Randall Dietrich. He said the museum has operated for nearly 50 years, has outgrown its current space, and is building a new 40,000-square-foot facility with $32 million in state support plus several million more in private funding. He described construction progress, planned exhibits including restored military artifacts and the USS Ward gun, and said the museum is scheduled to open on September 12. In response to Senator Kunish, Dietrich said the museum is actively incorporating stories and flags representing women, tribal nations, and other underrepresented groups, including 11 tribal flags at the entrance, and is working to integrate those stories throughout the galleries rather than isolating them. The committee then received an update from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs on the veterans suicide prevention plan from Rachel Johnson, Veterans Committee Health Director, with John Kelly later answering questions on department impacts. Johnson said the plan is a coordinated statewide framework built with legislative support, expanding regional coordinators, veteran health navigators, data analytics, and community partnerships, including a suicide mortality review pilot in Hennepin County. She said Minnesota loses about 100 veterans a year to suicide, that firearms remain the primary mechanism, and that prevention must address community connection, economic stability, and access to care, not just clinical treatment. She also said the plan aligns with state and federal strategies and is intended as a living roadmap. In response to questions, Johnson said the department is exploring data-sharing policy issues, has not seen a direct financial impact from federal VA staffing changes, and is tracking federal proposals affecting VA advisory groups. She also said 988 data is available in general but more Minnesota-specific data on the veteran option is still being gathered. Members asked follow-up questions about trends in veteran suicide, the role of families in identifying warning signs, and the Hennepin County mortality review pilot. Johnson said the annual number has remained around 100 for about 15 years, with a dip in 2024 and a return to that level in 2025, and that the Hennepin County pilot was chosen because it offers a manageable geography and existing coalition work, with an initial review expected by May or June. The final item began a presentation from the Minnesota Association of County Veteran Service Officers. Legislative chair Larry Fonder said the group’s priorities are protecting veterans from fraud and modernizing the property tax benefit for disabled veterans, but the presentation would focus on educating the committee about the role, training, certification, and accountability of county veteran service officers. President Tom Anderson, the Winona County VSO and a Navy veteran, began describing his background and office staffing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the assistant director of fiscal management for Education and Labor Cabinet. >> We'll get everything
• management for director of fiscal management for education<00:46:31.520><c> and</c><00:46:31.680><c> labor
• </c> education and labor cabinet. education and labor cabinet.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:07 Chair Comments 00:00:36 Approval of Minutes 00:04:01 Volunteers of America 00:04:21 Soil and Water Conservation/Energy and Environment Cabinet 00:14:52 Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy/Justice & Public Safety Cabinet 00:21:05 Kentucky Department of Agriculture 00:26:01 Early Childhood Advisory Council 00:45:18, 958, all

Summary: The Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Committee met to review how tobacco settlement dollars are being used and to press recipients for detailed information on total funding, administrative versus program spending, and measurable outcomes. The chair emphasized that the committee was not there for general program overviews, but to assess return on investment and whether each program should continue to receive tobacco settlement support. The committee approved the minutes from its December 22, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from several agencies and organizations. Volunteers of America Mid-States described its southeastern Kentucky restorative justice program, which uses an evidence-based New Zealand model for juvenile cases in nine counties. The group reported tobacco settlement funding of $516,000 in FY24 and $233,500 in FY25, representing about 17% and then about 5% of the program budget, respectively. It said the funding helped expand the program from 13 cases in 2021 to 180 youth served, and cited an independent evaluation showing recidivism of 24.5% compared with 40.4% in AOC data, along with a cost of a little under $20 per day versus detention and other placements. Some members questioned whether the program fit the tobacco settlement funding categories and suggested it might be better supported through other justice-related funding sources. The Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Division of Conservation explained that tobacco funds support $1 million in direct aid to conservation districts and $2 million in cost-share projects for farmers, with 5% of the cost-share appropriation allowed for administration, or about $100,000 in FY26. Officials said the direct-aid line was moved into tobacco funding in 2019, reducing money available for farmer cost-share, and described a multi-year project approval and reallocation process. Senator Webb asked for a more specific breakdown of the $850,000 direct-aid amount, and the cabinet said it would provide that information. The Kentucky Office of Drug Control Policy reported that in FY24 it expended just under $30 million across tobacco funds, general funds, restricted funds, and a one-time federal grant, with less than 2% used for administration. Officials said most tobacco settlement money goes to Kentucky ASAP local boards in all 120 counties, supporting prevention, treatment, and some law enforcement work. The Department of Agriculture then began its presentation, describing strategic investments, loan programs, county funding, administrative costs, and a reported return of about $2.30 for every dollar spent, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• transmission costs and when it comes to distribution, primarily we're seeing that as a large driver: labor
• 03:05.440><c> that's</c> seeing that as a large driver that's seeing that as a large driver that's labor
• that's</c><01:03:06.640><c> copper</c><01:03:07.119><c> that's</c><01:03:07.359><c> transformers</c> labor
• that's copper that's transformers labor that's copper that's transformers that's<01:03:08.799><c> uh

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Seroda, also Senator Bridges, concerning a supplemental appropriation to the Department of Labor
• appropriation to the a supplemental appropriation to the Department<02:36:12.479><c> of</c><02:36:12.560><c> Labor
• </c> Department of Labor and Employment. Department of Labor and Employment.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CPMs provide prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care in community settings other than hospitals
• CPMs provide prenatal, labor<01:26:58.080><c> and</c><01:26:58.160><c> delivery,</c><01:26:58.640><c>
• and</c><01:26:58.760><c> postpartum</c><01:26:59.280><c> care</c> labor and delivery, and postpartum
• care labor and delivery, and postpartum care in<01:27:00.080><c> community</c><01:27:00.480><c> settings

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board received a presentation from Dr. Stack and Commissioner Langfeld on Kentucky’s application for a federal Medicaid-related funding opportunity tied to House Resolution 1. They described a compressed six-week stakeholder process that produced more than 50 responses and letters of support, and said the application was organized around five broad priorities: maternal health, behavioral health and substance use disorder, oral health, EMS/trauma response, and chronic disease. They emphasized that the proposal was designed to align with CMS goals, use allowable funding categories, and focus on sustainability rather than a short-term grant. Commissioner Langfeld outlined five core initiatives: rural community hubs for chronic care innovation, beginning with obesity and diabetes; a maternal and infant health effort called POWER; a behavioral health and substance use model called IMPATH; an oral health initiative called Rooted in Health; and an integrated crisis-to-care EMS and trauma response effort. He said the chronic disease work would include prevention, food-as-medicine concepts, and technology tools, while the maternal health effort would expand team-based care around mothers and infants using community health workers and doulas. The behavioral health proposal would build on existing crisis intervention models, oral health would address workforce and access gaps through training, mobile vans, and telehealth, and the EMS proposal would better connect emergency response with home-based and community care. Several senators questioned whether the proposal would meaningfully address rural hospital closures or the broader rural health care crisis. Senator Meredith said the plan was not transformational and would not save rural hospitals, while Senator Berg asked how success would be measured. In response, the presenters said they would use both lagging and leading indicators, with an emphasis on rapid-cycle feedback and data use that is more actionable in real time. They also said the work could help existing models that already show promise, such as behavioral health units and dental workforce expansion, even if it would not solve the larger funding gap created by HR1. Senator Douglas asked how the proposals would motivate patients to participate in their own health care. The presenters responded that the chronic disease prevention work would focus on obesity, diabetes prevention, nutrition, and consumer-facing technology tools to help people engage in their own care, and that EMS-community health worker partnerships could identify unmet needs in the home and reduce preventable problems. The board then moved on to its next agenda item, Medicaid managed care delivery models, with Tom Stevens, Katherine North, and Dr. Patel scheduled to present.

Transcript Highlights:

• transportation advisory committee meetings in partnership with DMS and the Kentucky Education and Labor
• meetings in partnership with DMS and the Kentucky<00:09:59.279><c> Education</c><00:09:59.839><c> Labor
• </c><00:10:00.160><c> Cabinet</c><00:10:00.560><c> and</c> Kentucky Education Labor Cabinet and Kentucky
• Education Labor Cabinet and Office<00:10:00.959><c> of</c><00:10:01.120><c> Vocational</c><00:10:01.760

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee on Health and Family Services met in person, approved the October 15 minutes, and began with a moment of silence following a Louisville UPS plane explosion that was described as a local tragedy affecting many families and first responders. The main presentation was an overview of Kentucky’s Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NMT) program from the Department for Medicaid Services and the Transportation Cabinet. Witnesses explained that NMT is a federally required Medicaid benefit, administered by the Transportation Cabinet under a risk-based capitated model, with eligibility limited to Medicaid members traveling to medically necessary, Medicaid-covered services and who lack access to other transportation. They also described exclusions, including certain KCHIP, QMB, and PACE members, and outlined the brokered regional structure, call center operations, scheduling rules, vehicle and driver oversight, complaint handling, and rider surveys. The presenters reported that NMT handled more than 3.1 million trips in state fiscal year 2024, with over 1.38 million trips already recorded in October, and said customer satisfaction surveys were high. They said the FY 2025-26 contract total is about $360.6 million, with monthly per-member capitation rates set by region through an actuarial process and approved by CMS. They emphasized that payments are tied to monthly Medicaid enrollment and that the state draws down federal funds for the exact amount paid, with no leftover balance. They also said most NMT use comes from adult day centers and rehabilitative care such as dialysis. Members questioned the witnesses about how quality metrics and contract standards are set, whether the state had explored alternatives such as Uber Health or other integrated models, and how utilization was calculated. The witnesses said contract requirements are developed collaboratively by Medicaid Services, the Transportation Cabinet, and other agencies, and that studies of other models generally found higher costs and lower approval ratings, with additional research on a hybrid model expected by the end of the year. They clarified that one figure reflected the share of Medicaid members with registered vehicles, while another reflected actual NMT users, and they defended the capitated structure as shifting financial risk to brokers rather than the state. Representative Fleming also raised concerns about oversight, reporting, and the apparent gap between budgeted and contracted amounts, asking whether any unused funds would return to general funds; the discussion ended before a final answer was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• It provides over $4 million in labor income back to our citizens of the Commonwealth, and this industry
• </c><00:07:10.240><c> $4</c><00:07:10.479><c> million</c><00:07:10.880><c> in</c><00:07:11.120><c> labor
• </c><00:07:11.440><c> income</c> provides over $4 million in labor income provides over $4 million in
• labor income back<00:07:12.080><c> to</c><00:07:12.240><c> our</c><00:07:12.720><c> citizens</c><00:

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Kentucky Aviation Association on the importance of general aviation airports in Kentucky and their economic and public-safety role. Witnesses said the state has more than 50 general aviation airports that support jobs, agriculture, tourism, medical transport, disaster response, and law enforcement, and they urged continued support for aviation infrastructure and workforce development. They asked the legislature to again provide $200,000 per general aviation airport for operating and basic infrastructure costs, to route the money through the Kentucky Department of Aviation for accountability, to revisit a special-purpose governmental entity audit requirement they said is too costly for small airports, to create a long-term appropriations process for the roughly $100 million in unmet capital needs, and to fund the Arrow Act for aviation education and scholarships. Members asked about a dedicated aviation fuel tax and about local training partnerships, simulators, and school or community college programs; the witnesses said they preferred an appropriations-based solution and offered to help connect interested communities with aviation education resources. The committee then took up “Troy’s Law,” sponsored by Representatives White and Flannery, which would allow tow trucks to use blue lights while stationary and actively removing vehicles or debris from highways. Sponsors and tow operators said the bill is intended to improve worker safety after the deaths of tow operators Troy Cwell and Hubert Mosley in highway hit-and-run incidents, and they emphasized that tow operators often work in dangerous conditions at night, in bad weather, and near fast-moving traffic. They said the proposal would not apply while driving or towing and noted that other states have adopted similar measures. Witnesses from the towing industry, including Bubba Johnson and Barbara Maguire, supported the bill as an added layer of protection and described tow operators as first responders who help motorists in emergencies. Representative Flannery and other members expressed support for the safety goal and invited further discussion, but no vote or final action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, there's so it's kind of a—it would be a lower labor grade than, um, what it currently was appropriated
• You know, there's so it's kind of a—it would be a lower labor grade than, um, what it currently was appropriated
• You know, there's so it's kind of a—it would be a lower labor grade than, um, what it currently was appropriated
• right-to-know ombudsman, be attached with another agency, the Personnel Appeals Board, to the Public Employee Labor

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a coalition of labor and grassroots organizations in support of public investment for a more just
• Minnesota we're a director of we make Minnesota we're a coalition<00:41:20.160><c> of</c><00:41:20.280><c> Labor
• </c><00:41:20.599><c> and</c><00:41:20.760><c> Grassroots</c> coalition of Labor and Grassroots coalition
• of Labor and Grassroots organizations<00:41:22.520><c> United</c><00:41:23.000><c> Support</c><00:41

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• these charitable organizations are doing things as volunteers, so we're essentially taxing volunteer labor
• volunteers so we're essentially<00:31:37.120><c> taxing</c><00:31:37.480><c> volunteer</c><00:31:38.159><c> Labor
• </c><00:31:39.159><c> uh</c> essentially taxing volunteer Labor uh essentially taxing volunteer Labor

Bills: HF169 , HF195 , HF194 , HF1756 , HF2133

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: HF169, Minnesota insurance, health plan, summary of benefits and coverage, SBC, patient assistance program, deductible, health insurer, consumer disclosure, out-of-pocket costs, medical assistance funds, copay assistance, health coverage transparency, chapter 62Q, enrollee, HF195, Fairmont, street reconstruction, bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• Health was going to save us $10 million a year, so is that because the rest of the savings are in labor
• /c><00:39:53.040><c> savings</c><00:39:53.640><c> are</c><00:39:53.839><c> in</c><00:39:54.040><c> labor
• </c> the rest of the savings are in labor the rest of the savings are in labor costs<00:39:56.640><c>

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is rebar, concrete, equipment, and labor costs to construct it.
• 42:37.440><c> concrete</c><01:42:38.280><c> equipment</c><01:42:39.199><c> and</c><01:42:39.360><c> labor
• </c> is rebar concrete equipment and labor is rebar concrete equipment and labor costs<01:42:40.560><

Bills: HF220 , HF230 , HF240 , HF241 , HF295 , HF429 , HF490 , HF505 , HF574 , HF576 , HF581 , HF865 , HF918 , HF1085 , HF1449 , HF1452 , HF1454 , HF602

Committee: House Capital Investment

Keywords: HF220, Minnesota transportation, highway user tax distribution fund, trunk highway fund, Minnesota Department of Transportation, MnDOT, transportation finance, dedicated funds, funding restrictions, arts in transportation, cultural strategies, transportation project planning, project design, project construction, placemaking, public art, infrastructure spending, state statutes 161.045, HF230, Wyoming

Transcript Highlights:

• But we're still very cognizant, I think, of the labor market and stuff that's going on.
• But we're still very cognizant, I think, of the labor market and stuff that's going on.
• But we're still very cognizant, I think, of the labor market and stuff that's going on.
• it, if that's what you're asking, Senator Jasinski. ...we're still very cognizant, I think, of the labor

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all