Transcript Highlights:

• Chapter 289 of the Acts of 2022 is hereby repealed. Section 4.
• So certain communities are already getting within their Chapter 70 some funding.
• Division 2, 21.
• While these needs are important, they're no less important than our overall Chapter 70 funding.
• Section 77, subsection B of section 2 of chapter 18 of the General Laws as appearing in the 2020...

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions congratulating three Eagle Scouts, then concurred in Senate amendments to House bills affecting the town of Milford’s alcohol licensing law and the town of Middleton’s charter. It also passed to enact a Senate bill on maintenance of private roads in Gloucester and engrossed a House bill allowing Plymouth to create a special revenue account for land acquisition. The chamber later observed moments of silence for former Lynn City Councilor Richard “Rick” Ford, Portuguese American community leader Louis Pedroso, and Quincy veteran Mildred “Millie” Cox, and welcomed several guest groups and dignitaries, including students from Fall River, D.A.R. Good Citizen award recipients, and a British minister visiting the State House. Most of the floor session centered on FY27 budget amendments, especially housing and shelter policy. Members debated and rejected multiple Republican amendments that would have tightened eligibility for the HomeBASE and emergency shelter programs by requiring citizenship or limiting access to U.S. citizens with Massachusetts residency, with supporters arguing the changes would reduce costs and opponents saying the programs already have strict eligibility rules and that the proposals would exclude lawful residents and vulnerable families. The House also rejected an amendment to block Housing and Livable Communities grants from being conditioned on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with supporters calling it a reprieve for noncompliant towns and opponents saying the law is helping address the housing shortage. A consolidated housing/environment amendment was then adopted 154-0, funding major housing, shelter, clean water, climate, and food assistance accounts. The chamber also defeated amendments to create a data center commission and to eliminate the vocational-technical school admissions lottery, though the latter was withdrawn after debate. Another rejected amendment would have suspended public policy and public benefit charges on electric and gas bills; opponents said that would eliminate low-income and senior bill relief. The House then turned to education-related amendments, rejecting proposals to change special education reimbursement formulas and to raise the reimbursement rate from 75% to 80%, with opponents arguing the ideas needed committee review and cost analysis. Finally, the House began debating an amendment to fully fund regional school transportation by removing “subject to appropriation,” but the transcript ends before any final vote on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• :51.280><c> which</c><00:21:51.440><c> are</c><00:21:51.600><c> in</c><00:21:51.760><c> chapter</c><00
• :21:52.520><c> 152</c><00:21:53.520><c> and</c><00:21:53.760><c> make</c> rather which are in chapter
• 152 and make rather which are in chapter 152 and make some<00:21:54.240><c> changes</c><00:21:54.799
• ><c> in</c><00:21:55.120><c> chapter</c><00:21:55.640><c> 342</c><00:21:56.640><c> which</c><00:21:56.880
• ><c> will</c> some changes in chapter 342 which will some changes in chapter 342 which will be<00:21:

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• of of those<00:21:01.120><c> items</c><00:21:01.760><c> and</c><00:21:02.240><c> Minnesota</c><00:21
• :06.240><c> We</c><00:21:06.480><c> should</c><00:21:06.640><c> be</c><00:21:06.720><c> at</c><00:21:
• </c><00:21:19.520><c> so</c><00:21:19.760><c> important</c><00:21:20.080><c> to</c><00:21:20.320><c>
• ><c> uh</c><00:21:22.640><c> I</c><00:21:22.880><c> think</c><00:21:23.039><c> this</c><00:21:23.280>
• this is uh uh<00:21:25.039><c> equally</c><00:21:25.440><c> a</c><00:21:25.679><c> mistake</c><00:21

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:21:25.039><c> So,</c><00:21:25.840><c> um,</c><00:21:26.720><c> anyway,</c><00:21:27.200><c> so,
• ><c> A2</c><00:21:30.000><c> to</c><00:21:30.240><c> get</c><00:21:30.320><c> it</c><00:21:30.480><c>
• </c><00:21:50.640><c> And</c><00:21:50.880><c> so,</c><00:21:51.600><c> um,</c><00:21:51.840><c> if</
• 21:53.280><c> we</c><00:21:53.440><c> have</c><00:21:53.600><c> to</c><00:21:53.679><c> vote</c> you
• <00:21:55.760><c> I'd</c><00:21:55.919><c> like</c><00:21:56.000><c> to</c><00:21:56.159><c> describe

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, by a vote of 21-6, with 3 not voting, you've passed Senate Bill 1153.
• Secretary, by a vote of 21 ayes, 6 nays, and 3 not voting, you've passed Senate Bill 1242, signed in
• Senate Bill 1210, an act amending Section 32-30-30-201 and related provisions of Title 32, Chapter 30
• Amending Title 20, Chapter 7, Article 12, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding Section 20-28-20-70.40,
• 135, Section 2, and Chapter 247, Section 247, and amending Section 42-159, Arizona Revised Statutes,

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Well,<00:21:04.720><c> Senator,</c><00:21:05.120><c> I</c><00:21:05.200><c> I</c><00:21:05.360><
• chief law<00:21:11.760><c> enforcement</c><00:21:12.080><c> office</c><00:21:12.159><c> of</c><00:21
• </c><00:21:18.400><c> Um,</c><00:21:19.120><c> and</c><00:21:19.679><c> as</c><00:21:19.919><c> part<
• </c><00:21:25.440><c> and</c><00:21:25.600><c> consult</c><00:21:25.840><c> with</c><00:21:26.080><c>
• :21:32.159><c> if</c><01:21:32.400><c> we</c><01:21:32.560><c> put</c><01:21:32.719><c> our</c><01:21

Summary: The committee first approved the April 13 minutes and then turned to a large agenda of contracts. Chairman Douglas said there were 52 contracts totaling about $369.3 million, and noted that most vendors were registered with the Secretary of State except for item 118 on the routine personal services green list and item 19 involving Morehead State University and Kentucky State University. The committee voted to defer item 118 to the June 26 meeting and later also deferred the Kentucky State University contract on the deferred list to the June 26 meeting. The main discussion centered on a deferred personal services contract for the Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners, involving outside legal counsel. Senator Meredith raised concerns about KRS 320 and whether the board had authority to hire outside counsel when the statute says the Attorney General shall provide legal services to the board. Dr. Mary Beth Morris, the board president, and Christopher Thacker of the Attorney General’s office testified after being sworn in. Thacker explained that the statute and related law allow both Attorney General assistance and independent counsel, and argued that outside counsel is appropriate for day-to-day legal work because it avoids conflicts, especially on open records issues, regulatory advice, and disciplinary hearings. Senator Meredith said he agreed with approving the contract but questioned how the board had reached this point and whether the current statutes reflect modern practice. He raised concerns about transparency and accountability, referencing a prior advisory opinion involving the board’s handling of exam requirements during COVID and saying the board should have consulted the Attorney General before acting. Thacker responded that the Attorney General’s office serves the Commonwealth as a whole, not as counsel to one board, and that the board’s use of outside counsel is a reasonable and economical arrangement. The exchange ended with Meredith suggesting that broader legislative action may be needed to clarify reporting relationships and oversight for the board.

Transcript Highlights:

• The engineering<00:21:01.840><c> fee</c><00:21:02.159><c> on</c><00:21:02.320><c> it</c><00:21:02.559
• So,<00:21:04.960><c> it</c><00:21:05.120><c> works</c><00:21:05.280><c> out</c><00:21:05.440><c> to</
• Is that<00:21:13.200><c> part</c><00:21:13.360><c> of</c><00:21:13.440><c> what</c><00:21:13.600><c>
• So they have<00:21:50.799><c> to</c><00:21:51.600><c> they</c><00:21:51.919><c> have</c><00:21:52.000
• :53.360><c> or</c><00:21:53.600><c> they</c><00:21:53.840><c> have</c><00:21:53.919><c> to</c><00:21:

Summary: The meeting opened with prayer and a quorum call, then the committee approved the prior meeting minutes. Staff reported several informational items, including University of Kentucky medical and research equipment purchases, school district debt issues, leasehold improvements, and Kentucky Community and Technical College System bond allocations. The committee then approved a line-item appropriation increase of $350,000 in federal funds for the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources’ Cumberland Forest Conservation Program, along with two Department of Military Affairs projects: the Ashland Readiness Center window replacement and the MATES HVAC replacement at Fort Knox. It also approved four larger maintenance-pool projects without further action: HVAC and smoke evacuation work at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, HVAC and hot water tank replacements at Oakwood, a Green Bank energy-savings performance project across state facilities, and roof replacement at Lake Barkley Lodge. Members asked about the prison project, the roof procurement process, and whether minority-owned firms receive special bidding preference; staff said capital projects are awarded through open low-bid procurement with qualification and warranty requirements, and that minority participation is preferred but not a bidding criterion. Two lease modifications were approved for Franklin County agencies: an expansion and renovation for the Auditor of Public Accounts and a downsizing and renovation for the Kentucky Workers Compensation Funding Commission. The committee also approved Kentucky Infrastructure Authority items, including a Monticello sewer loan, several Cleaner Water Program grants and reallocations, and a House Bill 1 water grant that required no action. Members questioned engineering costs and were told the KIA board reviews technical details and anomalies before approval. Finally, the committee approved six economic development grants: one EDF grant for V Simple in Jefferson County and five KPDI EDF grants for projects in Breckinridge, Erlanger, Todd, and Washington counties. The last action item was approval of Western Kentucky University’s up-to-$10 million general receipts revenue bond issue for athletic facilities. An informational Kentucky Housing Corporation multifamily bond item prompted concern from members about rising per-unit costs for affordable housing, and they requested further explanation from the housing corporation at a future meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't create<00:21:03.679><c> a</c><00:21:04.000><c> new</c><00:21:04.799><c> right</c><00:21:
• </c><00:21:25.600><c> So,</c><00:21:25.840><c> we</c><00:21:26.000><c> have</c><00:21:26.080><c> the<
• to the<00:21:39.919><c> release</c><00:21:40.240><c> of</c><00:21:40.400><c> the</c><00:21:40.840><c
• </c><00:21:47.200><c> call</c><00:21:47.440><c> out</c><00:21:47.600><c> and</c><00:21:47.840><c> you
• We're<00:21:50.159><c> not</c><00:21:50.320><c> changing</c><00:21:50.720><c> any</c><00:21:50.960><c

Summary: The conference committee took testimony on Senate File 3051, which would allow law enforcement to release unredacted collision crash investigation video and related data to certain requesters, rather than requiring redaction first. Joel Carlson, speaking for the Minnesota Association for Justice, said the bill is intended to save local governments time and money because redacted video is often later released unredacted through court motions anyway. He emphasized that the proposal is limited to people already entitled to crash reports, requires a written request and accident report, does not create an affirmative duty to release data, and preserves law enforcement’s ability to withhold data for active investigations or other protected information. He also cited the Burks decision as support for the view that a subject of data is entitled to the full data even if it includes other subjects. Colonel Christina Bogavich of the Minnesota State Patrol raised concerns that the bill would still require staff to review videos for exceptions, including private data involving bystanders, juveniles, undercover officers, CAD information, and other protected material, so it would not create the claimed time savings. She also said the bill expands the number of potential requesters and lacks a liability provision if released data is improperly disseminated. Committee members and staff discussed the current Data Practices Act, including that private data can still be discoverable in litigation through a court balancing test and that protective orders may apply. A preliminary fiscal note estimated a Department of Public Safety cost of $4,026,334 annually, and members requested copies of the note. Members questioned whether the bill would actually reduce work or simply shift when the work occurs, and whether a litigation-specific exception to redaction should be added. Carlson said he was open to changes, including making release permissive rather than mandatory and strengthening the use restrictions, while members noted the proposal had not yet been heard in the House and would need more vetting. No vote or final action was taken on the provision during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> goal</c><01:21:02.960><c> um</c><01:21:03.280><c> so</c><01:21:04.080><c> I</c><01:21:04.280><c>
• to</c><01:21:11.719><c> get</c><01:21:12.080><c> everybody</c><01:21:13.080><c> um</c><01:21:13.440><
• um as close to<01:21:14.960><c> U</c><01:21:15.120><c> being</c><01:21:15.480><c> uniform</c><01:21:
• ><01:21:25.880><c> and</c><01:21:26.600><c> the</c><01:21:27.320><c> who</c><01:21:27.480><c> you</c>
• c><01:21:40.679><c> here</c><01:21:40.880><c> at</c><01:21:41.040><c> one</c><01:21:41.679><c> and</c

Summary: The meeting was an introductory organizational session for the House Legislative Administration Committee. Chair Greg Hill and Vice Chair Vanessa Sheen welcomed members, introduced the new clerk and committee staff, and described the committee as generally nonpartisan and focused on bills on their merits. They also noted that many bills are handled on a consent calendar after discussion, and that the committee often works closely with staff, House counsel, and the House clerk on procedural matters. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on committee operations and expectations: how committee reports should be prepared and submitted, the use of electronic submissions, scheduling hearings, and the need for clear bill placards at the witness table for livestream viewers. Members discussed the committee’s calendar, including a proposed conflict with the governor’s budget address, and ultimately settled on moving the remaining hearings to February 19. The chair also emphasized advance notice for absences or amendments, and said executive sessions can be scheduled as time allows under current rules. House Clerk Paul Smith testified about his role as a nonpartisan officer and said he would be providing informational testimony on a bill affecting a law he sponsored years ago, as well as on a forthcoming PSLF-related bill for legislators. He also spoke about legislative customs, precedents, and the value of parliamentary procedure. The chair concluded with guidance on decorum: arrive on time, avoid interruptions during testimony, keep food out of the room, use electronic devices discreetly, and route questions through the chair for clarification rather than debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• 295, Chapter 2, relating to motor fuel.
• 4-26.1-21, relating to construction.
• It also raised the age of purchasing from 18 to 21.
• House Bill 4117, amending Title 13, Chapter...
• By your vote of 31 ayes, 21 nays, and 21 not voting, you have passed House Bill 2830, signed in open

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, journal approval, guest introductions, and a proclamation recognizing March as International Women’s Celebration Month. Members also welcomed guests from several school districts and the Arizona FFA. The chamber then moved through first readings of numerous Senate bills and took up several motions, including reconsideration of HB 2169 and referral of HB 210 and HB 2103 to an additional Committee of the Whole for further amendment. In Committee of the Whole, the House advanced HB 2100 and HB 2103 with technical amendments and due-pass recommendations. It then considered a series of bills on Calendar 2, including HB 2048, HB 2364, HB 2415, HB 2775, HB 2833, HB 2862, HB 2870, HB 2995, and HB 4067. Debate centered on election administration, sovereignty and international organizations, private school regulation, law enforcement face coverings, domestic violence and coercive control, and voter roll categories. HB 2862 drew the most procedural attention, with a division vote on a substitute amendment; the House rejected a motion to replace the adopted amendment, and the report was later adopted. On Calendar 3, the House considered education bills. HB 2093, which repeals the requirement for K-12 health education to include mental health instruction, prompted extensive debate over student suicide prevention, school counseling, parental responsibility, and whether schools should provide mental health support; it received a due-pass recommendation by a 27-22 division vote. The House also advanced HB 2313, which was described as responding to a Tucson Unified School District work stoppage tied to a political protest, and HB 2423, HB 2478, and other education measures after amendments and, in one case, withdrawal of an appropriations amendment. The session continued into HB 2830 as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> side</c><00:21:18.400><c> of</c><00:21:18.559><c> it</c><00:21:18.880><c> and</c><00:21:19.120><
• <00:21:33.760><c> that</c><00:21:34.000><c> are</c><00:21:34.240><c> out</c><00:21:34.400><c> of</c><
• 00:21:34.480><c> the</c><00:21:34.720><c> normal</c><00:21:35.200><c> and</c><00:21:35.440><c> if</c>
• > then</c><00:21:36.320><c> it</c><00:21:36.559><c> can</c><00:21:36.720><c> be</c><00:21:36.960><c>
• :21:27.280><c> are</c><01:21:27.360><c> for</c><01:21:27.679><c> our</c><01:21:28.480><c> um</c><01:21

Committee: House Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• We would just<00:21:13.240><c> that</c><00:21:13.400><c> would</c><00:21:13.520><c> be</c><00:21:13.640
• </c><00:21:15.080><c> Everybody</c><00:21:15.400><c> understand?</c> committee report.
• Okay.<00:21:17.200><c> Okay.
• </c><00:21:17.600><c> Call</c><00:21:17.760><c> the</c><00:21:17.840><c> roll.
• Uh<00:21:27.480><c> Senator</c><00:21:27.760><c> Keiser.</c> Uh, Senator Keiser.

Summary: The conference committee met on Senate File 2028, an elections-related bill concerning public logic and accuracy testing of voting equipment. The House explained its changes: extending notice from two to four days, removing language that limited the number of people in the room so the testing could be more open to the public, and adding language about resealing equipment after testing. The Senate side said the bill was largely technical but focused on balancing transparency with security and suggested a middle-ground notice period and a minimum number of people in the room rather than an open-ended crowd size. County clerks Mary Langford and Julie Freeze testified in support of maintaining strong security and discretion during testing. They said clerks already notify party chairs and candidates through email, social media, and other means, and argued that two days’ notice is workable because election logistics can change at the last minute due to weather, missing materials, or equipment issues. They emphasized that testing should remain public, but that clerks need flexibility to manage room size and protect equipment and chain of custody, especially in smaller or more secure spaces. Other members discussed whether the bill should be delayed, but witnesses said clerks would continue to make testing publicly available even without the bill and that the Senate version better preserved the balance between visibility and security. The committee ultimately moved to the Senate position, and the conference committee report passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye, including Representatives Lock, Lucas, and Yen, and Senators Dockter and Erlandson; Senator Keiser was recorded as no.

Transcript Highlights:

• .<00:21:33.760><c> And</c><00:21:33.919><c> so</c><00:21:34.080><c> that's</c><00:21:34.240><c> why</
• Sure.<00:21:46.919><c> Um</c><00:21:47.919><c> I</c><00:21:48.080><c> I</c><00:21:48.400><c> can</c><
• 00:21:48.559><c> see</c><00:21:48.720><c> that</c><00:21:48.960><c> part</c><00:21:49.200><c> and</c>
• ><c> from</c><00:21:50.880><c> um</c><00:21:51.039><c> HH</c><00:21:52.000><c> FDC</c><00:21:52.640><
• 21:57.280><c> affect</c><00:21:57.679><c> the</c><00:21:58.080><c> financing</c><00:21:58.799><c> for

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard several housing, landlord-tenant, and condominium-related measures. Senate Bill 62, relating to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, would allow HPHA-owned parcels and related areas such as parking lots to be closed to the public with posted signage; HPHA strongly supported the bill, saying it would help reduce loitering, drinking, and other problems, and no further testimony was offered. Senate Bill 822, relating to the landlord tenant code, would create a three-year working group in the Department of the Attorney General to study and improve the residential landlord-tenant code. The Judiciary supported the measure but said the scope should be narrowed; the Attorney General opposed leading the group and suggested another agency should do so; Hawaii Realtors and the Hawaii Worker Center supported the concept and suggested moving the chairmanship to the Judiciary and including Legal Aid participation. The Judiciary said it could chair the group if the bill were narrowed to matters within the court’s purview. Senate Bill 38, relating to housing, would limit counties from imposing stricter conditions, AMI requirements, or fee-waiver reductions on certain affordable housing proposals if those changes would increase project costs. HHFDC supported the bill, saying county changes after state approval create uncertainty for developers, while the Hawaii State Association of Counties opposed it as an intrusion on local authority and a restriction on county safety and infrastructure conditions. Members asked about whether existing county review periods were sufficient, and the county association said the main concern was the bill’s language limiting counties from making cost-increasing conditions. Senate Bill 146, relating to condominiums, would revise alternative dispute resolution procedures for condo disputes, including evaluative mediation and binding arbitration. The Hawaii Real Estate Commission said it took no position overall but supported a $150 mediation fee and asked for a similar arbitration fee; Community Associations Institute supported the bill with suggested amendments; however, most testimony was strongly opposed by condominium owners and advocates, who said the bill had been changed to the detriment of owners and would increase costs and reduce protections. The committee noted 44 testimonies on the bill, with 2 in support, 37 in opposition, and 2 with comments. Senate Bill 253, relating to condominium reserves, would require a detailed budget summary to stand on its own, remove a good-faith defense for certain noncompliant budgets, and clarify standing and the association’s burden regarding substantial compliance. Hawaii Realtors and Community Associations Institute supported the measure as improving transparency and giving owners and buyers a clearer picture of association finances. Greg Msakian also supported it, arguing it would help owners and describing problems he experienced with budget committee exclusion and budget noncompliance in his own association. The discussion ended while testimony on the bill was still underway, with additional witnesses expected.

Transcript Highlights:

• :32.239><c> for</c><01:21:32.480><c> landowning</c><01:21:33.760><c> uh</c><01:21:33.920><c> and</c>
• </c><01:21:35.520><c> Women</c><01:21:35.840><c> could</c><01:21:36.080><c> not</c> landowning white
• Women could not vote,<01:21:36.880><c> nor</c><01:21:37.199><c> can</c><01:21:37.360><c> any</c><01:21
• And<01:21:39.440><c> worse</c><01:21:39.760><c> than</c><01:21:39.840><c> that,</c><01:21:40.159><c>
• ><01:21:42.000><c> as</c><01:21:42.159><c> whole</c><01:21:42.400><c> people</c><01:21:42.560><c> in<

Transcript Highlights:

• 21:01.480><c> of</c><00:21:01.600><c> Grant</c><00:21:02.240><c> variances</c><00:21:03.240><c> HC</c
• <00:21:05.080><c> requires</c><00:21:05.440><c> a</c><00:21:05.640><c> reserved</c><00:21:06.280><c>
• ><00:21:10.400><c> as</c><00:21:10.480><c> a</c><00:21:10.600><c> set</c><00:21:10.840><c> aside</c>
• :21:23.360><c> in</c><00:21:23.480><c> an</c><00:21:23.679><c> entire</c><00:21:24.000><c> building</
• 00:21:28.559><c> communities</c><00:21:29.120><c> and</c><00:21:29.400><c> families</c><00:21:30.080>

Summary: The joint hearing of the Water and Land, Hawaiian Affairs, and Housing committees on January 29, 2025 focused on SB 534, with the chairs outlining hearing procedures, public testimony limits, and plans to allow extended presentations from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and the Hawaii Community Development Authority (HCDA) before moving to other testifiers. The hearing was presented as a public, transparent discussion of OHA’s plans for Kakaʻako Makai, with committee members noting that decision-making would follow if time permitted. OHA testified in strong support of SB 534. The chair of OHA’s Board of Trustees said the bill was a novel proposal for the legislature and emphasized that OHA was bringing together a broad coalition of partners and stakeholders, including representatives from construction, hospitality, education, law enforcement, civil service, and schools, as well as longtime community advocates who have opposed development in Kakaʻako Makai. OHA’s presentation reviewed the history of the area, the creation and role of HCDA, prior master plans, the 2012 land conveyance to OHA, and the argument that OHA has not been able to realize the full economic value of the lands because desired entitlements were not secured. OHA linked the bill to its constitutional mission to improve conditions for Native Hawaiians and argued that the state’s housing crisis makes additional development, including residential use, especially important. A major theme of the testimony was housing. OHA argued that Hawaiʻi faces severe affordability pressures, out-migration, and workforce shortages, and said that residential development in Kakaʻako Makai would help address those needs while also supporting the value of the trust lands. The presentation described HCDA’s authority over zoning and development in Kakaʻako, the existing reserved housing requirements, and the need for a master plan that could move forward if SB 534 becomes law. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided; the discussion remained in the presentation and testimony phase.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> is</c><00:21:19.520><c> is</c><00:21:19.919><c> real</c><00:21:20.720><c> um</c><00:21:21.039><c
• Um<00:21:30.400><c> the</c><00:21:30.559><c> flip</c><00:21:30.799><c> side</c><00:21:30.880><c> of</
• c><00:21:31.039><c> that</c><00:21:31.200><c> is</c><00:21:31.360><c> I</c><00:21:31.440><c> I</c><00
• out<00:21:32.240><c> this</c><00:21:32.480><c> morning</c><00:21:32.640><c> to</c><00:21:32.960><c>
• c> start</c><00:21:37.520><c> the</c><00:21:37.679><c> day</c><00:21:37.919><c> and</c><00:21:38.080>

Transcript Highlights:

• It restricts sales to adults 21 and older.
• This product is only sold to shops 21 plus.
• We're IDing customers, 21-plus only. Everything we carry is non-synthetic, non-7-OH.
• It keeps natural leaf legal for folks 21 and up.
• Yes, Senate Bill establishes a legal age of 21.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• I<00:21:18.640><c> hope</c><00:21:18.799><c> you</c><00:21:19.039><c> understand</c><00:21:19.520><c>
• &gt;&gt; Okay.<00:21:27.919><c> Um</c><00:21:29.280><c> so</c><00:21:29.919><c> um</c><00:21:30.640><
• &gt;&gt; Thank<00:21:42.159><c> you,</c><00:21:42.400><c> Madam</c><00:21:42.640><c> Chair,</c><00:21
• I'm the<00:21:45.280><c> mayor</c><00:21:45.440><c> of</c><00:21:45.600><c> Taylor's</c><00:21:46.000
• Um<00:21:47.600><c> with</c><00:21:47.760><c> me</c><00:21:47.919><c> today</c><00:21:48.320><c> I</c

Bills: HF4841 , HF4234 , HF3697

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: Hennepin County, sales tax, health care facilities, ballpark improvements, tax revenue, HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m here on behalf of the CR Club Toyabi chapter.
• The chapter that governs entities like Affirm caps any interest rate at 40%.
• What I will say is that 675 is the installment loan chapter.
• Interest has to be under 40%. 604A is our high-interest loan chapter with no cap.
• It started in the 21 session. This is my friend Sarah.

Bills: AB49 , AB169 , AB188 , AB284 , AB296 , AB306 , AB356 , AB366 , AB467 , AB499 , AB515 , AB540 , AB542 , AB595

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:02.520><c> and</c><00:21:02.680><c> like</c><00:21:02.960><c> how</c><00:21:03.040><c> are
• <00:21:06.440><c> this</c><00:21:06.600><c> sort</c><00:21:06.840><c> of,</c><00:21:07.120><c> you</c
• </c><00:21:14.360><c> So,</c><00:21:14.880><c> this</c><00:21:15.120><c> law</c><00:21:15.400><c> is<
• ><c> billion</c><00:21:25.480><c> metric</c><00:21:25.880><c> tons</c><00:21:26.680><c> of</c><00:21:
• 21:32.760><c> world,</c><00:21:33.320><c> um,</c><00:21:33.640><c> not</c><00:21:33.960><c> like</c><

Summary: Rep. Athena Hollins and Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart introduced Minnesota’s proposed climate superfund bill, describing it as a way to make major historical greenhouse gas polluters help pay for climate adaptation and infrastructure repair. They said the bill would target large fossil fuel corporations with significant emissions and use the revenue for projects such as stormwater upgrades, bridge and roof protection, erosion control, drinking water protection, cooling cities, and other resilience work. Both lawmakers framed the proposal as a matter of accountability and fairness, arguing that Minnesotans should not keep paying for damage caused by companies that profited from fossil fuel pollution. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill, including St. Paul City Council Vice President Nyang Kheimey, former legislator and medical student Hunter Cantrell, Unidos Minnesota volunteer Bonnie Becol, and 100% Minnesota’s Aurora Vautrin. They emphasized local climate impacts such as flooding, wildfire smoke, extreme heat, emerald ash borer damage, asthma, and infrastructure failures, and said the costs are increasingly falling on taxpayers, local governments, and vulnerable communities. Kheimey highlighted municipal needs and St. Paul’s own climate investments, while Cantrell focused on environmental racism and health harms, and Becol and Vautrin stressed species loss, community recovery costs, and the burden on residents. In the question-and-answer portion, Hollins and Johnson Stewart explained that the bill would apply to fossil fuel corporations with at least 1 billion metric tons of carbon emissions and a nexus to Minnesota, not local utilities. They said the State Auditor’s office would determine the assessments owed by companies, while the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency would hold the fund and administer grants. They also said they were looking to models in Vermont and New York and hoped the proposal could attract bipartisan support because it is tied to affordability and shifting costs away from taxpayers and onto polluters. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the transcript, and the event ended with the sponsors opening the bill to questions.