Transcript Highlights:

• This policy does allow our older students that flexibility, as well as recognizing the need for their
• <00:59:40.520> while guidelines provide flexibility while guidelines provide flexibility while
• are um these are actually uh purchased are um these are actually uh purchased from<01:14:56.199>
• To support these events, we purchase multiple copies of the selected books.
• We purchase multiple copies of the selected books, usually in paperback, to keep the cost down.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee heard testimony on Senate File 508, a bill to restrict cell phone use in schools. Senator Mann said the proposal was based on roundtables with school districts across the state and on reports from other states, and argued that cell phones are harming student attention, mental health, classroom culture, and student-teacher relationships. She said K-8 restrictions are broadly supported, while high school policies should be more flexible, and emphasized that districts should control implementation. The bill also includes funding for education efforts around why the restrictions are being adopted and how students can use technology responsibly. Testifiers largely supported the bill or the general goal of limiting cell phone use. Dr. Anna Tyranny, a parent and licensed psychologist, said cell phones and social media can contribute to anxiety, poor concentration, cyberbullying, and inappropriate sharing, and urged a balanced approach that includes digital literacy education. St. Cloud Area Public Schools Superintendent Laori Pam and Tech High School staff member Molly Kenzie described their district’s policies, which keep phones away for the day in elementary and middle school and restrict them during class in high school. They cited U.S. Department of Education guidance, research on mental health and sleep disruption, and the need for age-appropriate, equitable, and consistently communicated policies. St. Cloud reported that its middle school policy, piloted and then expanded districtwide, led to a 50% reduction in cell phone discipline referrals and fewer classroom power struggles. The district said high school violations remain concentrated in certain grades, especially ninth and eleventh, and that it continues to address the issue through PBIS teams. No vote or final committee action on the bill was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:09.079> that<00:47:09.240> we've<00:47:09.440> long for some flexibility
• that we've long for some flexibility that we've long been<00:47:09.839> waiting<00:47:10.160>
• and legislation this year flexibility and legislation this year Madam<00:48:37.480> chair<00:
• We have certain flexibilities in terms of moving some of our money around, and we've also built reserves
• We have certain flexibilities in terms of moving some of our money around, and we've also built reserves

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention heard presentations focused on public housing and related funding needs, with testimony from Minnesota NAHRO and several local housing authorities. Melissa Taphorn described the role of housing authorities statewide, including public housing, vouchers, CDBG/HOME funds, Bridges, and HEAT, and emphasized that public housing serves over 36,000 low-income Minnesotans, many of whom are seniors, people with disabilities, or children. She said federal operating and capital funds are insufficient, creating deferred maintenance backlogs, and noted that Minnesota’s public housing capital needs over a five-year period were about $500 million, with nearly $200 million unmet. She also discussed federal uncertainty, including a recent HUD funding freeze notice, possible changes to fair housing requirements, RAD repositioning options, and Build America, Buy America costs. Committee members asked about tenant rent calculations and the populations served. Testimony clarified that public housing residents generally pay 30% of monthly income, with utility allowances factored in, and that the average tenant rent in Minnesota is about $399. Members also heard that about 65% of public housing households are seniors or people with disabilities, while about 35% are families. The committee then heard examples of how state POP grants have been used to preserve public housing stock. Kurt Kina of the Red Wing HRA described multiple POP-funded projects that replaced windows, upgraded heating and cooling, and modernized electrical systems in a 100-resident high-rise, saying the work was essential to keep the building viable. Louise Siba of the St. Paul PHA testified that St. Paul’s authority serves nearly 22,000 people through more than 4,200 public housing units and over 5,200 vouchers, with most townhomes and high-rises serving elderly or disabled residents. She said St. Paul PHA has received nearly $16 million in POP funding since 2012, including about $8.5 million last year, and that those funds enabled major life-safety and modernization projects such as the Denan Terrace renovation and boiler, plumbing, and interior upgrades in high-rises. Jill Keers of the Duluth HRA described a broader set of housing programs, including vouchers, rehab loans, emergency repair funds, construction training, and development. She said Duluth HRA is adding 128 housing units between 2023 and 2025, including mixed-income rentals, senior housing, and family townhomes, and stressed that state investment through POP and other programs is necessary to keep housing affordable and safe.

Transcript Highlights:

• real concerns about Senate Bill 9 and making certain that we strike a balance between allowing the flexibility
• They wanted the ability to buy a fire truck or they wanted the ability to have a quick, you know, purchase
• If we are limited in our revenue growth, we cannot adequately staff our departments, purchase necessary
• We are advocating for a reconsideration of the revenue cap to allow for greater flexibility as we meet
• economy in Corpus Christi is quite relative to the entire state of Texas, and having that level of flexibility

Bills: SB9, SB 9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• , they're outlined here in this text, and they're broadly written in order, again, to give them flexibility
• to force our locals to reduce police staffing, delay fire station expansions, postpone equipment purchases
• And we get, Postpone equipment purchases and weaken emergency response capabilities.
• Sixty-nine electric buses, my understanding, were purchased, only three remain. A lot in a bus lot.
• about grandmothers struggling to stay in the homes that they've worked for their entire lives to purchase

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• state of emergency has been declared, to remove language allowing ALE benefits to be applied to a purchase
• People do not are many people are very surprised and unaware that they can purchase things that aren't
• And again, obviously, I think with the proposed changes in the penalty section, having more flexibility
• <00:57:56.040> things unaware that they can purchase things unaware that they can purchase
• to do that if necessary is flexibility to do that if necessary is is<01:00:13.680> beneficial.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard several measures and took testimony without questions on SB 2431 relating to health savings accounts and SB 2797 relating to consumer protection. For SB 2797, the DCCA Office of Consumer Protection offered comments, Retail Merchants of Hawaii opposed the bill over gift card fraud compliance costs and legal risk, and AARP Hawaii supported it. The committee also heard SB 2946 on foreclosures, where the Hawaii State Bar Association’s Collection Law Section and several lenders, associations, and individuals opposed the measure, while the Hawaii Bankers Association and others offered comments. SB 2961 on insurance drew comments from the Insurance Division and Hawaii Insurance Council, with NAMIC opposing and some individuals supporting. SB 2948 on insurance fraud received comments from the Insurance Division and support from the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, with NAMIC and the Alliance for Responsible Consumer Legal Funding also commenting. No votes were taken during the hearing portion, and the committee recessed after testimony. The committee then reconvened for decision-making on the 9:30 agenda. SB 2431 was passed with amendments, including DOTAX-requested changes, a five-year limit on credit carryforwards, removal of an aggregate cap, a rural definition, transparent reporting, technical amendments, and a deferred effective date of July 1, 2050. SB 2797 was also passed with DCCA-requested amendments, technical changes, and the same deferred effective date. SB 2946 was deferred because there was no testimony in support. SB 2961 was passed with amendments, but after Senator McKelvey raised concern that policy-limit language could undermine the bill, the committee removed two policy-limit amendments before adopting the recommendation. SB 2948 was passed with amendments deleting certain definitions, aligning penalties and public-records provisions, adding coordination and disclosure clarifications, and making technical changes; one no vote by Senator Awana was recorded, with the rest in favor. The committee also considered SB 3000 from a prior hearing and recommended passage with amendments clarifying the Attorney General’s authority, creating a special fund, and addressing concurrent actions, again with a deferred effective date and one no vote by Senator Awana. In a joint CPN/GVO agenda, SB 2258 relating to school agriculture procurement targets was passed with amendments after the Department of Education said it would need to follow up on whether changing the target period from calendar year to school year would create procurement or scheduling issues; the committee added technical changes, a deferred effective date, and routed the bill to Ways and Means, with a note that Education should also have received it. In a later joint CPN/AEN hearing, SB 2452 relating to climate-friendly insurers drew strong opposition from the Insurance Division and several insurance groups, who warned it could push insurers out of the authorized market and into the surplus lines market, raising costs; Senator Dela questioned whether the bill would worsen an already strained market, while the division said the legislature could make the policy choice but warned of market disruption. The hearing then moved to SB 2760 on invasive species, where DLNR, DAB, CGAPS, and the Oahu Invasive Species Committee generally supported broader inspection and quarantine authority, civil penalties, and longer interim-rule authority, while committee members asked about staffing, treatment capacity, and implementation for non-agricultural commodities such as building materials and vehicles.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can purchase as many as you want.
• , 3,800 or two or three have purchased, 3,800 or two or three have purchased, you<00:31:50.159>
• This is voluntary flexibility for their address, not a forced move.
• This is voluntary flexibility for move.
• <01:33:06.400> needed the operator of the flexibility needed the operator of the flexibility

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I would like to see it a little flexible so we can take advantages of our good years and our poor
• So, because we've pulled all this into ANI and ETSs, we're no longer purchasing it by agency where they
• These are the higher level positions that he requested, and so they are going to be more flexible to
• <03:24:11.040> to<03:24:11.279> move<03:24:11.520> anywhere more flexible to
• that we're getting ready to do. purchase that we're getting ready to do.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Efficiency, convenience, and flexibility of the current paper and pencil system that's over a hundred
• We would be putting it into the Basic Alignment, giving the school districts the flexibility... flexibility
• There was no airplane actually purchased. Were you aware of that?
• No plane was ever purchased.
• Focus your efforts on giving us as much flexibility and local control as possible.

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:

• When people are doing their due diligence in purchasing property, um, these things don't come up in like
• Additionally, House Bill 3928 offers flexibility in situations where the identity of the registered owner
• One of these hours must be in sanitation, while the other 3, have greater flexibility.
• And this would, uh, TDLR would have the flexibility to incorporate this into that continuing education
• As a consumer, it doesn't matter where I purchase alcohol from.

Transcript Highlights:

• Then there are some things that we don't have the flexibility to do as a state agency, so there is not
• Then there are some things that we don't have the flexibility to do as a state agency, so there is not
• uh we have some ability to flexibility uh we have some ability to transfer<00:25:17.880> funds
• to transfer money into the flexibility to transfer money into the state<00:26:45.440> grant<00
• technology that we needed to purchase technology that we needed to purchase and<01:32:32.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They have the flexibility to not prioritize that immediate financial return.
• Um I personally love going flexibility.
• Also, there's a lot of flexibility that comes with co-ops, whether it's the day-to-day.
• Um also there's a lot of flexibility Um also there's a lot of flexibility that<00:37:39.720>
• There are times where agencies have flexibility in their funding sources and There is flexibility in

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and that the administrative flexibility and that the administrative expenses<01:13:52.600> should
• appears to contain adequate flexibility appears to contain adequate flexibility to<01:14:31.600>
• that allowing each company flexibility that allowing each company flexibility without<01:58:57.079
• We have to have at least a certain minimal amount of flexibility for those things.
• We have to have at least a certain minimal amount of flexibility for those things.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• RATHER IT IS ALLOWING PROPERTY APPRAISERS THE FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THEIR BUDGETS TO BUDGET FOR RETENTION
• A TWO-MONTH SALES TAX HOLIDAY FOR RECREATIONAL ITEMS AND CERTAIN IN ADMISSIONS PURCHASED IN JUNE AND
• NOW, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME CAPS AND WHITE WINE DID YOU CONSIDER CAPPING SOME OF THE PURCHASES FOR
• ENCOURAGING PEOPLE UNDER ECONOMIC AND OFTEN EMOTIONAL DISTRESS TO PURCHASE FIREARMS EVEN INDIRECTLY IS
• THIS LEGISLATION MAKING IT EASIER FOR POTENTIAL CRIMINALS AND THUGS TO PURCHASE RIFLES, ACCESSORIES FOR

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process, to secure more treatment options that are flexible, safe, and effective.
• This is where we're trying to demonstrate flexibility and creativity.
• We respectfully request immediate regulatory flexibility and coordination.
• We respectfully request immediate regulatory flexibility and coordination.
• Number five: flexibility for identification requirements.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what this bill really is designed to do is to allow the initial step, but to create and allow the flexibility
• For example, I have that conversation with PEP and to make sure... ...flexibility.
• But this is a space of flexibility for providers. ...types of things.
• But this is a space of flexibility for providers to look at how that benefit is structured responsibly
• introduced to authorize estate distilleries to also sell other alcoholic beverages at retail when purchased

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it is suspected that that purchase is not a legal purchase, then there would be a process by which
• If you are subject to this bill as outlined, and you make an illegal purchase under this bill, the purchase
• If you are subject to this bill as outlined, and you make an illegal purchase under this bill, the purchase
• And this law says you cannot purchase; you could not have purchased land because you are domiciled in
• T had the ability to purchase the home, but because they were being denied the ability to purchase that

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, offered an invocation and pledges, and received several announcements and recognitions before moving to legislation. Members honored the UTRGV chess team for winning a share of the 2025 President’s Cup, educator Jessica Lopez, the late Jennifer Maddenly, Jeanette Valdez Duran and Mobile Blessings from the Heart, TAMAC’s 50th anniversary, and journalist Bernardine Steptoe’s retirement. The chamber also adopted motions allowing committees to meet, setting a local and consent calendar, and suspending posting rules for a Public Health hearing on SB 2721. The House then considered a long series of Senate and House bills on third reading, with many passing by wide margins. Measures included SB 906 on Ysleta del Sur Pueblo peace officers; SB 1229 designating Veterans Memorial Highway; SB 855 on foster care medical costs; SB 703 on massage therapy licensing and trafficking protections; SB 1025 on tax-increase ballot language; SB 1119 on water park liability; SB 1080 on provisional occupational licenses for people with criminal convictions; SB 929 on lien deadlines; SB 1355 on liquor sales credit disputes; SB 2231 on fee waivers for college applications; SB 1877 on Public Utility Commission data access; SB 1998 on pediatric preceptorships; and several House bills on topics such as bond forfeiture notice, health workforce planning, civil commitment counsel, expunction of contempt records, consumer transactions, nuisance birds, theft venue, military grant applications, AI cancer-detection grants, cybersecurity contract language, military-related tuition, utility recovery mechanisms, psychedelic therapy studies, teacher retirement funding transparency, election procedures, juvenile parole eligibility, and more. Some bills drew notable debate or amendments. HB 200, creating a “second look” parole process for certain juvenile offenders after 20 years, prompted extended discussion about serious offenses and juvenile rehabilitation before passing 102-4. HB 2298 on AI-assisted cancer detection passed 85-62 after the sponsor emphasized “augmented intelligence” and physician oversight. HB 5247 on utility capital recovery saw a failed amendment to require ratepayer credits, then passed. HB 3045, a franchise tax exemption for spaceport operators, initially failed 73-74 but later passed after verification showed a 70-69 result. SB 2420, regulating app stores and mobile software distribution, was postponed for later consideration after substantial debate over age verification responsibilities. Several other measures were postponed, including SB 888, SB 552, SB 17, and SB 2420, while HB 1128 on election judges carrying concealed handguns passed 85-57 after a withdrawn point of order.

Transcript Highlights:

• And purchase from them when it's done.
• purchase that that same firm capacity. purchase that that same firm capacity.
• about the operational flexibility there. about the operational flexibility there.
• > Me Jackson Purchase, Kennery, and Me Jackson Purchase, Kennery, and Me County.<01:07:01.839>
• getting ready to uh line up and purchase getting ready to uh line up and purchase natural<01:17:

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:10 Approval of Minutes 00:01:19 Helping Power Kentucky's Growth (LG&E/KU) 00:01:39 Update from Kentucky's Electric Cooperatives 00:47:35, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the minutes from the previous meeting, and then heard a presentation from LG&E and KU representatives Caroline Clark and John Bevington on economic development, energy demand, and the utility’s role in supporting Kentucky’s growth. Bevington described the company’s service territory, generation fleet, and recent economic development activity, including 76 projects supported in 2024, more than $2.8 billion in private investment, and over 3,000 new jobs. He emphasized that data centers are now the dominant driver in the pipeline, with 22 data center projects representing about 8.7 of the 9.7 gigawatts of potential demand, alongside other manufacturing and commercial projects. A major focus was how data centers choose sites and how utilities respond. Bevington explained that hyperscale data centers typically approach utilities first because they need transmission-level access, and that utilities then conduct internal analyses, estimate infrastructure needs, and require financial security before proceeding. He said the company is working through formal transmission studies and long-lead infrastructure planning, and noted that Kentucky’s sales tax exemption for data centers helped attract interest. He also outlined the economic benefits of data centers, citing an announced Louisville project of 525 megawatts and about $11 billion in investment, with an estimated $500 million in new tax revenue over 10 years, plus broader job and GDP impacts. Members asked about whether data centers could generate their own power, the reliability of the pipeline numbers given confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements, and cybersecurity concerns. Bevington said the company does not assume all pipeline projects will materialize in Kentucky and instead assigns probabilities to avoid overbuilding. He also said he was not the right person to address cybersecurity in detail but offered to return to a committee focused on IT or security. In response to questions about future supply, he said LG&E and KU are adding generation through a 120-megawatt solar facility in Mercer County, a 120-megawatt solar purchase in Marion County, and a 645-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle plant in Louisville, with PSC approval recently granted for additional generation and related system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• Suites are a high-end discretionary purchase.
• But going to the people purchasing stadium suites.
• But going to the people purchasing stadium suites.
• But going to the people purchasing stadium suites.
• <01:09:15.440> stadium going to the people purchasing stadium going to the people purchasing

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: 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, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Where I do not have that flexibility Where I do not have that flexibility is<03:40:33.439> when
• <03:41:41.840> to But I didn't have the flexibility to But I didn't have the flexibility to
• Every motorist in New Hampshire who decides to purchase insurance can purchase in their insurance contract
• to purchase, uh, for medicine coverage.
• <04:05:58.800> of is going to lead to less purchasing of is going to lead to less purchasing

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> HOW FLEXIBLE ARE WE TO CHANGE IT. >> Sen. Wright: MAKE AN AMENDMENT.
• THEY WON'T BE OUT PURCHASING A GUN. THAT'S WHAT THE MILITARY DOES. ULTIMATELY.
• THE VOTE AND CARRY LEGISLATION AND REPEAL OF UNDER 21 PURCHASE.
• HIGHWAY PATROL PURCHASES OUR WEAPONS.
• TO PURCHASE A FIREARM BECAUSE OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL ULTIMATELY CUTTING TO THE CHASE.

Keywords: 999, senate, all