Transcript Highlights:

• Reduction in duplicate enrollment. This is really sort of what I consider a cleanup effort.
• And so these reductions in federal payments will phase in over a long period of time.
• . to backfill reductions or to pay for existing services.
• The reduction in retroactive eligibility is sort of a hard reduction from three months to two months.
• And we're going to do our best on the budget side to make up that deficit there.

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It responsibly addresses the current-year deficit at the Department of Corrections, while also... ...
• It responsibly addresses the current-year deficit at the Department of Corrections, while also positioning
• And so I think this reins all of that in, as opposed to, I think we will see a reduction in fees overall

Bills: S0436, S0532, S0600, S0644, S0682, S0928, S1072, S1332, S1632, S1634

Keywords: foreclosure, court clerks, budget management, judicial sales, Florida statutes, bail bonds, pretrial release, forfeiture, criminal justice, bond conditions, surety, attorney fees, litigation costs, court jurisdiction, equitable awards, financial resources, domestic violence, protective injunctions, electronic monitoring, enhanced penalties

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice met to consider several criminal justice and court-related bills, along with the committee’s proposed $7.9 billion budget. The committee first heard and approved CS/SB 600 on bail bonds, as amended to adjust solicitation, cash bond return, forfeiture remission timing, and clerk procedures; CS/SB 436 on felony battery, which expands qualifying prior offenses and was amended to correct a drafting issue; CS/SB 928, “Missy’s Law,” requiring immediate remand to custody after conviction for dangerous crimes; SB 1332 on career offender registration, adding in-person reporting, more detailed registration requirements, and stronger penalties for noncompliance; and CS/SB 682 on violent criminal offenses, a domestic violence measure adopted via a substitute amendment that adds stricter penalties, electronic monitoring, injunction protections, and related procedures. All of those bills were reported favorably. The committee also approved SB 1072 creating an anti-Semitism task force in the Attorney General’s Office. The bill drew extensive public testimony both for and against, with supporters emphasizing rising anti-Semitic incidents and the need for statewide review, and opponents raising concerns about free speech, the definition of anti-Semitism, and possible conflation of criticism of Israel with hate speech. Senators also discussed the bill’s scope and the IHRA definition before it was reported favorably. In addition, CS/SB 532 on clerks of court was amended to clarify foreclosure sale procedures and funding predictability for clerks, then reported favorably. CS/SB 644 on attorney’s fees, suit money, and costs was also approved after amendments that aligned family-law fee provisions and codified standards for fee awards in dissolution and paternity cases; the sponsor said the bill was intended to curb vexatious litigation and improve consistency across districts. After the bill actions, the chair summarized the criminal and civil justice budget, describing it as a disciplined proposal that addresses corrections deficits and future inmate growth while funding core public safety needs. The committee then heard substantial public testimony on prison conditions, staffing, pay, heat, infrastructure, and the possibility of reducing prison populations or adding air conditioning in facilities. The chair announced that SB 1632 and its conforming bill SB 1634 would be temporarily postponed to the following week, and the record was supplemented with the names of many people who had registered to speak for or against those bills. The meeting concluded after members were invited to record votes and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Five leading hedge funds in the world, they're all worried about the deficit in the U.S. and the deficit
• I'll go at it really simply, but it just looks like a reduction here.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• They're all worried about the deficit in the U.S. and the deficit spending across states and how much
• But it just looks like a reduction here. Maybe you could give me another.

Bills: SB2

Keywords: SB 2, State Highway Project Bonds, highway funding, transportation bonds, state road fund, motor vehicle fees, vehicle registration fees, electric vehicle fee, EV surcharge, plug-in hybrid fee, weight distance tax, road construction, infrastructure financing, Department of Transportation, State Transportation Commission, bonding authority, county road funds, municipal road funds, transportation improvement program, state highways

Transcript Highlights:

• And as a result, in FY26, we're facing a significant deficit in our Category 200s primarily related to
• because of that, we did a supplemental request for $166,000, which was what we were projecting our deficit
• We also made other operational cost reductions in how we send out our due process notices, hearings,

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• still about $1.85 billion in that that fund, we draw from that to pay for the buy-down or the the reduction
• As of March 3, 2025, Mexico's water debt stands at $1,076,000. 6,842 acre feet, the largest deficit in
• water deliveries and policies. and we regularly engage with stakeholders as we navigate the treaty deficit

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Restructurings and reductions in force aimed at saving taxpayer money and increasing efficiency.
• Sustained excessive deficit spending violates these objectives. Second, incentives drive behavior.
• Do you commit to protecting the CHIPS program office from future workforce reductions, which would be
• There has been a lot of discussion about reductions in force to the day, and Mr.
• I'll just ask you, if you happen to know this, what percent of federal employees have received a reduction

Keywords: nominations, Scott Cooper, Eric Ulan, federal workforce, Office of Personnel Management, Office of Management and Budget, accountability, collective bargaining

Summary: The committee convened to discuss the nominations of Scott Cooper for Director of the Office of Personnel Management and Eric Ulan for Deputy Director at the Office of Management and Budget. This meeting highlighted the critical roles both positions play in managing the federal workforce, which comprises over two million civilian employees. Concerns were raised regarding the current administration's approach to federal employment, citing issues like mass firings and the undermining of collective bargaining rights. Members expressed the need for better accountability and transparency within the federal system, emphasizing the importance of attracting talented public servants.

Transcript Highlights:

• now that we Face a $6 billion deficit now that we Face a $6 billion deficit we're<00:58:34.640><
• talk about uh carbon emission reduction talk about uh carbon emission reduction by<01:36:49.400>
• So I think the folks that if we put more people in trains and we see a reduction in people dying on our
• So I think the folks that if we put more people in trains and we see a reduction in people dying on our
• So I think the folks that if we put more people in trains and we see a reduction in people dying on our

Bills: HF1167, HF1242

Keywords: Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance

Transcript Highlights:

• You see a reduction in fiscal years 24 and 25.
• Those all had, you know, somewhat minor reductions.
• You see a reduction in fiscal years 24 and 25.
• Those all had, you know, somewhat minor reductions.
• there's a big deficit looming and we there's a big deficit looming and we look<00:52:44.559> at

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, this government is still planning to do, uh, reduction in force, um, which is what I was trying
• However, this government is still planning to do, uh, reduction in force, um, which is what I was trying
• do get fired through a proper reduction do get fired through a proper reduction in<00:20:36.159>
• We don't know the magnitude of those reductions.
• and at some point you billion deficit and at some point you have<00:45:10.880> to<00:45:11.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• with their tax cuts for the rich deficit with their tax cuts for the rich and<02:31:00.000> then<
• , the bill makes necessary reductions, the bill makes sure<04:23:37.520> that<04:23:37.760>
• We have, in my opinion, and many on my side of the aisle, a disappointing reduction in topline funding
• <04:52:32.958> burden, not add, to our tax and deficit burden, not add, to our tax and deficit
• Economic growth is an important economic indicator with a substantial impact on our annual deficits,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next up we have Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center, Nico. contracts.
• Nico Leverenz with Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center. We are in strong support of this bill.
• We have to cut services, leave positions vacant, or operate at a deficit just to keep our programs running
• We have to cut services, leave positions vacant, or operate at a deficit just to keep our programs running
• Thank you. operate at a deficit operate at a deficit just<01:27:40.520> to<01:27:40.680> keep

Bills: HB1518, HB1699, HB1747, HB1705, HB1565, HB1801, HB1645, HB2115, HB2114

Keywords: HB1518, Hawaii SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, food stamps, Department of Human Services, DHS, pre-release SNAP, pre-release application process, incarcerated individuals, prisoner reentry, reentry services, formerly incarcerated, jail release, prison release, recidivism, food security, benefits eligibility, controlled substance felony, drug felony, drug conviction

Summary: The committee opened its first meeting of the 2020 session and heard testimony on several measures, beginning with HB 1518, which would allow people incarcerated and nearing release to apply for SNAP benefits before release. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Department of Human Services said they support the bill and are already piloting a pre-release application process at two facilities, with plans to expand it. The Attorney General’s Office supported the intent but noted a technical issue: one section of the bill appears to affect TANF as well as SNAP, while the title refers only to SNAP. A wide range of advocates, including Catholic Charities, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Hunger Action Network, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, ACLU of Hawaii, and others, testified in strong support, emphasizing food insecurity after release, reentry stability, and reduced recidivism. The committee did not take a vote during the hearing. The committee then heard HB 1747, which would direct the Department of Human Services to seek federal waivers or extensions related to restricting certain SNAP purchases, including sugary drinks. DHS said it had already been approved for a narrow demonstration waiver and was working with retailers on implementation, with a target date of August 1. Supporters of the measure argued it would promote healthier choices, while opponents, including Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, said such restrictions are ineffective, stigmatize low-income residents, create burdens for retailers and DHS, and may be difficult to implement. Members asked DHS to clarify the scope of the waiver and confirmed it applies to sugary drinks and beverages containing more than 10 grams of sugar. Finally, the committee took up HB 1705, which would allow licensed mental health counselors to serve as child custody evaluators, but there was no testimony from the relevant agencies and the item was quickly set aside. The committee also heard HB 1565, which would establish a judiciary working group to improve family court processes and legal representation for youth in the child welfare system. The Attorney General’s Office offered minor technical amendments, and supporters from the Office of Wellness and Resilience, High Hopes Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, and a social work student described the need for legal representation, citing better reunification and stability outcomes and the importance of youth voice in court proceedings. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a $16.5 million reduction in university system funding from 24-25 to 26-27.
• That's about an 8.3% reduction, and we will feel that reduction.
• I'll talk a minute about other reduction I'll talk a minute about other costs<00:07:22.199> we
• Over the last fiscal year, we did have a reduction of about, well, let's see, total reduction of about
• that's that's 20 about 10% reduction that's that's 20 about 10% reduction that's just<05:24:09.080

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from the University System of New Hampshire chancellor on the system’s budget, enrollment, finances, workforce role, and response to federal policy changes. The chancellor said the governor’s recommended budget would reduce university system funding by about $16.5 million over the biennium, or roughly 8.3%, and asked that state funding be held at the governor’s level. She described planned cost reductions already underway, including lower headcount, reduced benefits and retirement contributions, property sales, and lease reductions, and said the system expects to remove about $20 million from its cost structure in fiscal year 2026. A large portion of the discussion focused on enrollment and finances. The chancellor said fall 2024 enrollment was about 23,000, with New Hampshire enrollment increasing for the first time since 2013, and noted that the system remains a major workforce pipeline, with about 3,000 graduates entering the state workforce each year. She explained that net tuition has fallen over time because of declining enrollment and increased financial aid, while research grants and contracts have grown significantly. She also walked through endowment funding, explaining that payouts are based on a 12-quarter rolling average and are intentionally smoothed to reduce volatility; members asked for follow-up information on payout comparisons, administrative salaries, headcounts, and compensation per student. Members questioned the university about the relationship between state support, tuition, endowments, and research spending. The chancellor said the system has used state capital support to leverage major investments, including the UNH Life Sciences building, Plymouth’s Hyde Hall, and the Olson Advanced Manufacturing Center, and described partnerships with businesses such as Lonza and regional manufacturers. She also explained a long-running New Hampshire 529-related revenue stream that has built endowment support for scholarships, and said the system’s endowment now totals about $988 million. In response to questions about possible cuts, she said the system is considering academic program sharing, consolidation of specialties, online delivery, AI-assisted administrative efficiencies, and footprint reductions, but declined to name specific programs. The committee also discussed DEI-related issues and federal grants. The chancellor said the system is reviewing executive orders and a U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague letter, and that general counsel is working through websites, programs, and more than 1,200 federal grants to ensure compliance. She said the system spends about $3 million on what it calls DEI-related offices and services, but emphasized that these services include disability support, veteran support, Title IX, ADA, and employment-law compliance, and that the system does not have race-based programs, separate housing, or separate graduation ceremonies. She reported that the system had received stop-work orders on four federal grants totaling about $700,000 and warned that reductions in federal direct or indirect costs could affect research, jobs, and innovation.

Transcript Highlights:

• That showed they had not been paying enough, and that made the deficit, which already existed because
• then to the amended Medical Malpractice Act, which was trying to create a strategy to shore up that deficit
• The independent provider PCF deficit was eliminated, as mentioned earlier, by legislative infusions of
• The hospital medical malpractice rate increases are driven lately by the PCF deficit surcharges.
• The other piece that's been driving the PCF deficit surcharges is the fact that they're exiting the PCF

Bills: SB41, SB153, SB165, SB261, SB264

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• for<00:15:52.240> the<00:15:52.360> following<00:15:53.319> and and the deficit
• for the following and and the deficit for the following and then<00:15:53.560> we'll<00:15:53.880
• Line 18 shows the English Learner Cross-Subsidy Aid reduction.
• learner cross subsidy reduction learner cross subsidy reduction Aid<00:48:10.280> my<00:48
• Aid Border City Aid or credits reduction Aid Border City Aid or credits manomen<01:35:57.880> uh<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on January 21, 2025, for its first hearing of the session and began with organizational business. Members and staff introduced themselves, described their districts and backgrounds, and the chair reviewed committee procedures, including how to request bill hearings, amendment deadlines, and handout deadlines. The committee also heard introductions from nonpartisan and partisan staff, including House Research and House Fiscal Analysis personnel who will support the committee’s work this session. The main substantive item was an overview presentation on the state budget and education finance process. Staff explained how Minnesota’s general fund is forecast twice a year, how the committee should read the budget documents and aid/levy tracking sheets, and how the current biennium compares with the upcoming budget window. They described the November forecast, noted that the committee will later receive the February forecast, and outlined the committee’s role in reviewing K-12 state aid spending, school district revenue, and property tax impacts. Staff walked through the aid appropriation summary spreadsheet and explained its columns, including end-of-session spending, fiscal year 2024-25 actuals and estimates, and the 2026-27 and 2028-29 planning horizons. They emphasized that many education programs are forecast-driven and can change with enrollment and other data. The presentation also summarized the state’s overall revenue mix and spending priorities, noting that K-12 education is the largest general fund category and that state aid makes up the majority of school revenue. No bills were heard and no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we’ll move on to issue number seven: the Chancellor’s Office Reductions Update. ...and Department
• approximately 10,000 vacant positions in 2025-26, and reductions in state operations by up to 7.95%
• For the Chancellor’s Office reductions pursuant to both... ...of these control sections.
• For Control Section 4.12 specifically, which is associated with reductions resulting from positions,
• How are all of the other departments and divisions doing with their force reduction?

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in. district and you may see a quarter reduction in another district.
• Leander is currently facing a $34 million deficit for 2025. 2026.
• deficit.
• That leaves $9 million. to reduce the deficit in year one, which gets us to a $10 million deficit. which
• Part of our expenditure reductions is to eliminate this phenomenal program from Leander ISD.

Bills: SB2, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117, SB503, SB2, HB 120, HB20, HB150, HB6, HB 100, HB210, HB215, HB1393, HB 1151, HB 1268, HB142, HB451, HB 124, HB2, HB2000, HB2196, HB213, HB222, HB645, HB1458, HB 1022, HB141, HB502, HB643, HB3093, HB1700, HB 117

Keywords: public education, teacher compensation, certification, funding, school finance, educator rights, education funding, charter schools, staff compensation, state aid, retention allotment, child grooming, sex offender registration, criminal justice, reportable conviction, law enforcement, virtual education, hybrid learning, school funding, average daily attendance

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2021, we actually started to make a slight dent into the deficit.
• And now our deficit is larger than when we started in 2018.
• slight Dent actually started to make a slight Dent into<00:03:19.239> the<00:03:19.400> deficit
• /c><00:03:20.239> unfortunately<00:03:20.840> we<00:03:21.000> lost into the deficit
• is larger than rates and now our deficit is larger than when<00:03:29.000> we<00:03:29.120>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard informational presentations from Housing First Minnesota and the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities on the state of housing in Minnesota. Mark Foster of Housing First Minnesota said the state has a severe housing shortage, with demand outpacing supply since the 2007-09 housing crash, and argued that Minnesota is nearly 100,000 units short of a healthy market. He said new homes are increasingly unaffordable, citing a median new single-family price above $530,000 and declining affordability in the Twin Cities metro, and he urged lawmakers to remove exclusionary zoning and other regulatory barriers that he said make starter homes and smaller-lot housing difficult or illegal to build in many growing cities. He also highlighted the group’s Housing for Heroes projects, including transitional housing for veterans and other crisis housing projects around the state. Members asked Foster about starter-home examples and his view that the committee’s top priority should be reforming residential development approvals. He said most new housing is negotiated through planned unit developments rather than built under base zoning, which he argued adds cost and reduces supply. The committee then heard from Elizabeth Wael of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, who said housing challenges outside the metro are different but equally serious. She said many Greater Minnesota cities face a lack of developers, inadequate infrastructure such as roads and utilities, and gaps in the housing continuum, especially starter workforce housing and senior housing. She thanked the committee for 2023 housing funding and said cities are contributing their own resources, updating zoning, reducing parking requirements, allowing ADUs, and partnering with developers and nonprofits. Wael also urged faster rollout of the Greater Minnesota infrastructure grant program and said the state should consider changes to the housing tax credit and housing TIF rules to make them easier to use. In response, senators said they shared frustration with the slow implementation of the infrastructure program and emphasized the need for state investment and locally tailored zoning reforms. No bills were heard and no votes were taken; the meeting was informational and focused on stakeholder testimony and committee discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I also have one more friend with cognitive deficits as well.
• Um, he does have a worker, but obviously it's not helping. deficits as well.
• Um, and he can't deficits as well.
• in northeastern Minnesota due to federal and state food funding reductions.
• Increases from and funding reductions.

Bills: HF45, HF1148, HF3624, HF3586, HF777

Keywords: HF45, Lake Benton, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, bond proceeds fund, Public Facilities Authority, public infrastructure, sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, utility replacement, U.S. Highway 75, road reconstruction, municipal infrastructure, local government grant, Minnesota bonding, capital appropriation, food insecurity, prepared meals

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, we’re faced with a $5.1 billion deficit in a couple biennia, and when I read the article, if
• I remember right, Medicaid is a big part of the exponential growth that is leading to that deficit.
• I remember right, Medicaid is a big part of the exponential growth that is leading to that deficit.
• I remember right, Medicaid is a big part of the exponential growth that is leading to that deficit.
• Medicaid is a big part of the exponential growth that is leading to that deficit.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee convened for an opening discussion of the 2025 Human Services session, with members emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, the committee’s mission to strengthen support systems for Minnesotans, and a focus on helping vulnerable people thrive. The chair and members welcomed new and returning senators and staff, including new pages and interim committee administration, and several members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds in public service and human services work. Members identified the main issues they expect to address this session: workforce shortages in human services professions, long-term care, program integrity, and efforts to limit waste, fraud, and abuse so funding reaches people who need it most. The chair also previewed upcoming hearings on eligibility and redeterminations for people with disabilities, MnCHOICES reassessments, assisted living and provider payment delays, and updates on direct care and treatment, noting that more detailed discussion would come in later meetings. The committee then received a budget overview from fiscal analyst Kyle Raymond. He explained the combined Health and Human Services budget area, noted jurisdiction changes tied to the creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the planned separation of Direct Care and Treatment, and said some figures may differ from the November forecast because of those shifts. He outlined the major funding sources for the budget area, including federal funds and the general fund, and said the presentation would focus on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget the legislature will be considering.