Video & Transcript Research : 'pollinators'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 51 May 4th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Lucille Morehouse Pollinator Act designates key.
- It recognizes pollinators, beneficial predators, and soil-supporting insects that contribute directly
- Members, if you noticed the name of that bill, the Lucille Morehouse Pollinator Act.
Bills:
SB1543, HB1933, HJR1088, HJR1090, HJR1091, HJR1092, HJR1093, HJR1095, SB1859, HB2988, HB3016, SB237, SB2065, HB3418, HCR1027, SB1641, SB1589, SB44, SB563, SB1403, HB1979, HB3075, SB2045, SB1653, SB1655, SB2030, HB2951, SB2028, SB2071, SB206, SB1849, HB3755, SB1509, SB1314, SB1561, SB1217, SB1618, HJR1096, HJR1099, HJR1100
Keywords:
driving under the influence, felony offense, ignition interlock device, community service, criminal assessment, nitrous oxide, Maddix Bias Act, intoxication, underage sale, misdemeanor, drug paraphernalia, enforcement, education rules, administrative rules, joint resolution, Oklahoma State Department of Education, higher education, State Regents for Higher Education, Teachers' Retirement System, charter schools
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- But that's—we're sort of cross, you know, cross-pollinating here. But I think of committees.
- But that's—we're sort of cross, you know, cross-pollinating here. Crossing committees, yeah. Yeah.
Summary:
The Workforce Support Subcommittee of the Status of Persons with Disabilities met, approved the prior November minutes, and heard a presentation from the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) on its 2025 workforce metrics survey. ADDP described its membership and the survey’s scope, noting 102 of 132 members responded. The report showed continued improvement in staffing: overall vacancy rates fell from 19% in 2024 to 15% in 2025, with declines across programs such as adult long-term residential, community-based day supports, supported employment, and day rehabilitation. However, vacancies remain high, especially for licensed practical nurses and clinicians, and nearly 4,000 positions were still unfilled. Providers also reported that almost 1,800 people remain waiting for day services.
A major new focus in the survey was health insurance costs. Nearly 90% of respondents reported premium increases averaging 11%, and providers said those increases make it harder to offer competitive wages and benefits and hurt recruitment and retention. ADDP said the survey will be repeated in the fall and emphasized that while Chapter 257 investments appear to have helped reduce vacancies, rising insurance costs, immigration-related workforce pressures, and other affordability issues could threaten progress. Commissioners and presenters discussed the need to maintain gains, the importance of keeping the survey manageable while preserving historical comparisons, and the role of immigration and workforce policy in staffing stability.
The subcommittee then elected new co-chairs, unanimously approving Rachel Caprillion and Leo Sarkisian. Members discussed possible topics and speakers for the next meeting, including training and turnover, direct support professional pipelines, apprenticeships, PCA training, and workforce models from other states. Several names and organizations were suggested for outreach, including Josh Cutler, Juan Vega, JVS, HSRI, and NASDDDS. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- A really easy example to understand is that they don't have a Pollinator species, which is really important
- have an entomologist on staff, even, and they're not specifically authorized to do projects for pollinators
- So if they're moving into, let's just use pollinators to look at for protection or whatever, where's
CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 099 Apr 23rd, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- House Bill 1132 by Representative Frolick, also Senator Kipp, concerning increasing pollinator habitats
- This comes from many, many years of work trying to support pollinators, who are just awesome tiny animals
- in our state, and the recommendations from our pollinator study. discussion on the committee report?
- who are just awesome support pollinators who are just awesome tiny<00:35:34.320>
animals <00:35 - and um the recommendations<00:35:38.359>
from <00:35:38.880>our <00:35:39.680>pollinator
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved through a series of announcements and committee notices. Members highlighted upcoming events including Sportsman’s Day at the Capitol, Auctioneer Day, and an Earth Day press conference, and several committees announced meetings and bills to be heard later in the day. The Majority Leader also moved to make House Bill 1132, House Bill 1130, Senate Bill 136, and House Bill 1287 special orders for the next day, and the House agreed without objection.
The chamber then took up House Bill 1132, concerning increasing pollinator habitats on state lands. Supporters said the bill builds on years of work to support pollinators and encourages planting native species on public lands; they also explained that the fiscal note reflects use of existing continuously appropriated funds, including GOCO lottery money and oil and gas fee revenue. After committee reports were adopted and questions about funding were answered, the bill passed as amended.
The House next considered House Bill 1130, concerning baby diaper changing stations in public restrooms. An amendment was adopted that exempted local governments and expanded the small-business carveout to employers with 25 or fewer employees and no more than $3.5 million in annual revenue, while also clarifying restroom designation. Supporters argued the bill was the product of extensive stakeholder work and would improve access for families. Opponents said it imposed an unfunded mandate on businesses and raised concerns about contamination in public restrooms, including claims that some changing tables have been found contaminated with methamphetamine and fentanyl; after debate, the amendment was adopted, and discussion on the bill continued.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The pollinator promenade, stream restoration, and sensory garden project is currently under construction
- a pollinator promenade and sensory<00:20:27.160>
garden, <00:20:27.920>restoration <00: - <00:20:49.680>
The <00:20:49.760>pollinator already bearing fruit. - The pollinator already bearing fruit.
- The pollinator promenade,<00:20:50.720>
stream <00:20:51.000>restoration, <00:20:51.560>
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- It significantly impacts crop production and biodiversity through disruption of pollination, preventing
- It significantly impacts crop production and biodiversity through disruption of pollination, preventing
- It significantly impacts crop production and biodiversity through disruption of pollination, preventing
- It significantly impacts crop production and biodiversity through disruption of pollination, preventing
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00
Attendance Roll Call: 00:15
HB 658 Discussion: 03:40
HB 658 Roll Call Vote: 04:50
HB 142 Discussion: 06:30
HB 142 Roll Call Vote: 22:45
HB 571 Discussion: 24:25
HB 571 Roll Call Vote: 29:10, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first took up House Bill 658, which would require the Transportation Cabinet to adopt regulations extending the allowable period for a restricted CDL license from 180 to 210 days within a 12-month period for agriculture businesses. Rep. Felicia Rabourn presented the bill with support from Todd Griffin of the Kentucky Retail Federation and Agra Business Association. The committee quickly moved to a vote, and the bill passed with favorable expression. Members indicated it would move forward similarly on the House floor.
The committee then considered House Bill 142, a deer-management bill sponsored by Rep. Pollock and amended by committee substitute. Pollock said the bill is intended to help farmers and landowners more quickly obtain destruction tags and address overpopulated deer, especially does, after describing crop losses, vehicle collisions, and deer carcasses seen along roadways. Members from farming districts strongly supported the measure, saying deer damage is costly and widespread and that the bill would reduce paperwork by allowing landowners to obtain tags without having to route everything through each landlord. Questions focused on how Fish and Wildlife would determine overpopulated zones and how the damage-verification process would work; Pollock said the department retains discretion and must inspect damage within 15 days. The committee adopted the sub and passed the bill with favorable expression.
Finally, Rep. Kim Holloway presented House Bill 571, which would require Transportation Cabinet light fixtures to be fully shielded to reduce light pollution affecting agriculture. She said light trespass can disrupt crop photoperiodism, pollination, and yields, and noted the economic importance of Kentucky agriculture. Members asked whether the bill applies only to Transportation Cabinet lights and how complaints would be handled; Holloway said it applies to state transportation lights and includes a process for landowners to request shielding, with a 30-day compliance period and a construction/maintenance exemption of up to 180 days. The committee approved the committee substitute and continued discussion of the bill.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel hears bill to expand tax incentives for producing sustainable aviation fuel 4/8/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, these crops provide an early, high-quality food source for pollinators during the critical
- Second, they flower early in the season, providing sorely needed resources for pollinators and other
- :47.200>
needed <00:22:47.520>resources <00:22:47.919>for <00:22:48.080>pollinators - sorely needed resources for pollinators sorely needed resources for pollinators and<00:22:48.799
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1669, adopting the DE2 amendment, which was described as the bill itself. The amended bill would expand Minnesota’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit by increasing annual allocations, extending the sunset date from 2030 to 2035, adding an extra credit for lower-carbon fuels, and adding environmental and other qualifying requirements. The chair noted the amendment aligned the bill with the governor’s proposal, and the amendment was approved on a voice vote.
Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Commissioner Tom Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture backed the bill as a way to preserve Minnesota’s leadership in SAF, attract private investment, and keep crop and timber feedstocks processed in-state. Farmers and agricultural groups, including Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau, said SAF could create new domestic markets for crops such as corn, soybeans, winter camelina, and pennycress while improving farm income and supporting climate-smart practices. Forestry representatives argued that wood waste and forest residue could be turned into SAF, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk.
Environmental and clean-energy groups also supported the bill, emphasizing the added guardrails. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Fresh Energy said the amendments would better protect water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate outcomes by favoring lower-carbon SAF and limiting harmful land-use change. University of Minnesota Forever Green representatives said winter-hardy crops could scale over time, and they pointed to ongoing commercialization work and a 1 Million Acre Scaling Study. Labor and construction groups said the bill would support major infrastructure investment and create long-term jobs, with testimony citing the first Minnesota SAF facility already announced and the potential for multiple hubs statewide.
No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided, but the committee heard extensive supportive testimony and questions focused on scalability, infrastructure, and how the credit would accelerate SAF development in Minnesota.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Agriculture, Veterans Broadband and Rural Development - 03/12/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development
Transcript Highlights:
- Weed infestations overrun forests, prairies, wetlands, leading to habitat and pollinator loss, decreased
- Weed infestations overrun forests, prairies, wetlands, leading to habitat and pollinator loss, decreased
- Weed infestations overrun forests, prairies, wetlands, leading to habitat and pollinator loss, decreased
- Weed infestations overrun forests, prairies, wetlands, leading to habitat and pollinator loss, decreased
- <00:16:47.639>
loss <00:16:48.519>decreased pollinator loss decreased pollinator loss decreased
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- This was started in the previous biennium and then ongoing money for the pollinator research protection
- ><00:11:56.720>
money <00:11:56.959>for <00:11:57.120>the <00:11:57.279>pollinator - then ongoing money for the pollinator then ongoing money for the pollinator research<00:11:58.320
- On line 332, there is an increase of $53,000 for the pollinator research account.
- <00:21:06.240>
research of $53,000 for the pollinator research of $53,000 for the pollinator
Keywords:
agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Natural Resources & Energy Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- They provide critical habitat for birds, amphibians, pollinators, and countless other species.
- They provide critical habitat for birds, amphibians, pollinators, and countless other species.
Bills:
SB9
Keywords:
wetlands protection, nontidal wetlands, Delaware, environmental sustainability, climate change, carbon sink, permitting process
Summary:
The House Natural Resources and Energy Committee met to consider two Senate bills. SB 321, with Senate Amendment 1, would change community solar billing so subscribers receive one consolidated utility bill instead of separate bills from the utility and the solar provider. Supporters said the bill would simplify enrollment and payment, improve customer retention—especially for low-income customers—and include safeguards such as guaranteed savings and an escrow mechanism to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers. After public testimony from solar developers, the Public Advocate, the Sierra Club, and others, the committee initially lacked enough members present to release the bill, so the vote was circulated to absent members and the bill was later reported out for floor action.
The committee then heard SB 9, with Senate Amendment 1, a long-negotiated wetlands protection bill. The sponsor and DNREC explained that it would create a state non-tidal wetlands program with exemptions for certain agricultural, conservation, and routine activities, general permits for some lower-impact projects, and individual permits for higher-value wetlands. Witnesses described the bill as a compromise among environmental, agricultural, development, and local government stakeholders, while some members raised questions about flooding, landowner impacts, wetland delineation, and the role of the regulatory advisory committee. Public testimony was broadly supportive from environmental groups, the Farm Bureau, builders, engineers, and affordable housing advocates. The committee then voted to release SB 9 from committee.
At the end of the meeting, members offered thanks and remarks recognizing the chair’s service and leadership on environmental and energy issues. Both bills were ultimately released from committee and reported out.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/9/26
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It protects our soil over the winter, improves soil health, reduces nitrate leaching, and feeds pollinators
- Health reduces nitrate, leaching and feeds pollinators because it flowers on mass early in the spring
- it's a highly scalable way to keep the soil covered all year round, protect our water, and feed pollinators
Bills:
HF3692
Keywords:
Farmer-Lender Mediation Act, mediation, agriculture finance, debt relief, civil law, 1183, house
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Sep 30th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- That was important in terms of protecting our pollinators, bees in particular.
- I do want to mention that we do have a managed pollinator protection process.
- I do want to mention that we do have a managed pollinator protection program in effect in Washington
Summary:
The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held an interim work session focused on Washington agriculture’s viability, workforce, and competitiveness. Director Derek Sanderson of the Washington State Department of Agriculture and WSU Dean Raj Kosla described the size and diversity of the state’s farm sector, declining farm numbers, major export markets, and pressures from labor costs, low commodity prices, trade barriers, drought, regulatory burdens, and pests and disease. Kosla emphasized WSU’s land-grant role in education, research, and extension, including precision agriculture, broadband needs in rural areas, and the need for state support to help producers adopt new technologies and train the next generation of agricultural workers.
Members asked about retaining farmland, increasing workforce capacity, and the role of precision agriculture. Kosla said precision agriculture can help address labor shortages and water scarcity, but adoption is limited by cost and rural broadband gaps. He explained precision agriculture as tailoring inputs to the right place, time, amount, and manner, and said WSU is working on low-cost sensor technologies and other innovations. Members also asked about how widely precision agriculture is used and whether it improves farm bottom lines; Kosla said adoption varies by tool and that he would follow up with more data.
The committee then heard from Dr. Randy Fortenberry of WSU’s Impact Center on an agricultural competitiveness study and the effects of tariffs and trade. He reported that Washington’s competitiveness has generally declined relative to peer states in dairy, grapes, hops, apples, and wheat, with potatoes as the main bright spot. Surveyed producers said a substantial share of revenue is tied to regulatory compliance, with labor-related costs a major driver, and small diversified farms reported land access, capital, and profitability as bigger barriers than regulation. On trade, Fortenberry said Washington agriculture is highly export-dependent and vulnerable to retaliation, citing past losses in wheat, apples, pulses, and cherries when tariffs disrupted markets, while noting current uncertainty around China and India. The committee asked follow-up questions about compliance time, peer-state comparisons, and regulatory burdens; no votes were taken, and the department said it plans an interim report by the end of the year and a final report by June 2026.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 30, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- great secondary benefit to making sure that the honey industry is successful because we need those pollinators
- We need those pollinators for everything, for our food, for beautiful flowers, for anything that grows
- Basically, pollination is such an important part of that.
- We need those pollinators for everything, for our food, for beautiful flowers, for anything that grows
- Basically, pollination is such an important part of that.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, these crops provide an early high-quality food source for pollinators during the critical
- <00:21:52.760>
for early high-quality food source for early high-quality food source for pollinators - during the critical early pollinators during the critical early part<00:21:54.720>
of <00:21:54.760 - Second, they flower in the spring, providing great benefits for pollinators and other wildlife.
- I'd be glad to speak to any questions. great benefits for pollinators and other great benefits for pollinators
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- In addition, these crops provide an early, high-quality food source for pollinators during the critical
- <00:19:10.480>
during <00:19:10.720>the source for pollinators during the source for - pollinators during the critical<00:19:11.280>
early <00:19:11.600>growing <00:19:12.000 - <00:25:37.600>
Third, pollinators and other wildlife. - Third, pollinators and other wildlife.
Keywords:
tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- There's the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while improving water
- There's the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while improving water
- There's the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while improving water
- There's the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while improving water
- There's the native prairie that supports pheasants, songbirds, and pollinators while improving water
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets
Transcript Highlights:
- She also requested that the projects prioritize native trees that will support local pollinators and
- these funds we also request that the projects prioritize native trees that will support our local pollinators
- and birds and prioritized native trees that will support our local pollinators and birds and that about
Summary:
The committee held a hearing on S.2542, the Mass Ready Act, a $3 billion environmental bond bill aimed at climate resilience, water infrastructure, conservation, and related permitting reforms. Secretary Rebecca Tepper and administration officials described the bill’s major investments in flood control, coastal resilience, DCR roads/bridges/dams and parks, drinking water and wastewater upgrades, PFAS remediation, land conservation, food security infrastructure, and expanded Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness funding. They also explained proposed streamlining measures for environmental permitting, flood risk disclosures, a Connecticut River Resilient Commission, and a new Resilience Revolving Fund to provide low-cost financing for municipal resilience projects. Committee members asked about affordability, useful life of projects, how the revolving fund would be capitalized, and how the bill would help communities such as Lawrence, Methuen, and coastal towns; officials said the fund would initially use existing trust resources, not new fees, and could later support special obligation bonds once it has a track record.
Several witnesses supported the bill but urged larger authorizations or additional provisions. Boston Harbor Now asked for more funding for MVP and the state’s resilient coast plan, and supported permitting reforms for nature-based and hybrid solutions. The Massachusetts Rivers Alliance urged inclusion of drought-management language from separate bills, plus a statewide flood buyout program and a water reuse commission. Green Roots called for dedicated funding for outdoor and indoor air quality monitoring and indoor air quality improvements, especially in environmental justice communities affected by traffic and airport pollution. Conservation and forestry advocates requested more funding for urban tree canopy, local nurseries, and workforce training, while also raising concerns about PFAS impacts and the need for clearer municipal reforestation language.
Agriculture and water infrastructure groups focused on food security and drinking water needs. The Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership and the Mass Food System Collaborative backed the food security infrastructure grant program and farmland protection funding, warning that the program needs continued support in fiscal 2027 and that farmland loss is accelerating. The Massachusetts Waterworks Association said the bill does not go far enough on drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure, citing large statewide capital needs and PFAS compliance costs, and asked for recurring funding and broader eligibility for climate resilience grants. A Product Stewardship Council representative also urged funding for a waste reduction needs assessment, citing growing landfill constraints and rising disposal costs. No votes were taken during the hearing."}{
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 4 May 19th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We can choose to sting each other, we can choose to pollinate with each other, we can cross-pollinate
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- then um some of our older members and then um that<00:32:58.240>
cross <00:32:58.880>pollination - <00:32:59.519>
is <00:32:59.720>really <00:33:00.039>good that cross pollination - is really good that cross pollination is really good and<00:33:00.760>
as <00:33:00.880>you
Summary:
The joint hearing began with SB 59 on prescription drugs, which drew extensive testimony from insurers, pharmacies, patient advocates, and health organizations. Supporters argued the bill would address PBM practices such as spread pricing, unclear reimbursement, and patient steering, and would help independent pharmacies and lower patient costs by passing rebates through to consumers. Opponents from health plans and PBM-related groups raised concerns, while Walgreens supported the measure and suggested amendments to establish a reimbursement floor. After questions, the committee accepted the Hawaii Pharmacist Association’s proposed amendments, added technical changes and a defective date of December 31, 2050, and voted to pass SB 59 with amendments.
The remainder of the hearing focused on a series of nominations and reappointments to health, aging, disability, mental health, juvenile justice, and advisory boards. Nominees and agency representatives generally described their backgrounds and interest in serving, with support testimony emphasizing experience, continuity, and the value of volunteer service. Several nominees highlighted issues such as mental health access, substance abuse treatment, elder services, language access, disability access, and rehabilitation services. The Department of Health, SHPDA, DHS, and other organizations largely testified in support of the nominees.
No votes were taken on the nominations during the transcript excerpt, and the chair repeatedly thanked the nominees for their service and testimony. The hearing also included brief procedural remarks about time limits, Zoom testimony, and a possible reconvening date in case of technical difficulties.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hied Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Clover has flowers; it can provide nectar and resources for pollinators, whereas oats are grass, so they
- So now you're having these resources for pollinators as well and providing that biological nitrogen to
- <01:28:43.200>
whereas and resources for pollinators whereas and resources for pollinators - So now you're having these resources<01:28:47.480>
for <01:28:47.600>pollinators <01:28: - 48.160>
as <01:28:48.320>well <01:28:48.640>and resources for pollinators as well
Keywords:
higher education, identity verification, enrollment fraud, funding, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, postsecondary education, community college, university, developmental education, remedial education, remediation, corequisite, co-requisite, English composition, college readiness, adult basic education, ABE, student placement, credit-bearing courses, noncredit courses
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 26 minutes after Representative Coulter pointed out and moved a technical correction to add a missing “T” in “Regents.” The committee then took up HF 4698, which Representative Duran said would address enrollment fraud at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities by funding an automated identity-proofing system. Testimony from Chief Information Security Officer Craig Munson described a commercial software system that would verify student identities using a selfie and a state ID image, reduce ghost students and fraud, speed enrollment, and lessen staff time spent on manual investigations.
Members focused heavily on privacy, data retention, and biometric concerns. Representative Cleveland asked what biometric data would be collected, and Munson said it would be limited to a selfie and ID images, not fingerprints or retinal scans. Chair Klippert and others urged stronger Chapter 13 protections and clearer data practices, while Chair Scott asked how long images would be stored; Munson said they should be deleted as soon as identity is validated, with possible revalidation later. Members also raised concerns about racial bias in biometric matching and the need for alternate verification methods. The bill was laid over, and Duran said he would work on the data practices with committee members.
The committee then heard HF 4608, presented by Representative Allen for Representative Koznick, on developmental education reform. Allen said too many students are placed into remedial courses that do not count toward a degree, costing time and money and reducing completion rates. Jane Groatman of the International Institute of Minnesota supported the bill, describing students who spent years in noncredit remedial coursework and arguing for a one-semester cap on remedial classes and clearer notice that such credits do not count toward a degree. Mark Grant of Minnesota State College faculty opposed the bill’s approach, saying it imposed a one-size-fits-all model, could undermine open admissions, and should not limit colleges’ flexibility to meet diverse student needs. The bill was laid over for further consideration.