Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, 11 through 14, it updates the inflator reference from NEET to NIPA because NEET no longer exists
• This is an inflator for uh We use one national standard, and that was gone away, and a new one has taken
• reference from NEET to NIPA the inflator reference from NEET to NIPA because<00:38:00.520> NEET
• This is an<00:38:03.520> inflator<00:38:04.480> for uh uh uh We<00:38:09.160> use
• With the inflation in house prices and the inflation for rent and everything else, coming up with a 20%

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're seeing economic challenges, we're seeing cost issues, we've seen record inflation.
• We're seeing economic challenges, we're seeing cost issues, we've seen record inflation.
• We're seeing economic challenges, we're seeing cost issues, we've seen record inflation.
• We're seeing economic challenges, we're seeing cost issues, we've seen record inflation.
• . inflation. inflation.

Bills: HF3279, HF1879, HF1417, HF2462

Keywords: housing, sales tax, homeownership, rent assistance, community stability, education, counseling, financial assistance, housing development, culturally appropriate services, HF1417, manufactured home parks, manufactured housing, mobile home parks, housing development fund, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, MHFA, infrastructure grants, infrastructure loans, affordable housing

Transcript Highlights:

• once since then, but this would make that provision permanent and then also index that limit for inflation
• limit<00:09:43.839> for then also index that limit for then also index that limit for inflation
• Um so conforming to it would inflation.
• <00:12:08.160> and<00:12:08.399> it it also indexes it for inflation and it it also
• indexes it for inflation and it allows<00:12:09.279> uh<00:12:09.600> credits<00:12:09.920

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• It's now 31.8 cents and is now tied to MDOT's internal construction cost index with inflation.
• uh to uh with inflation. uh to uh with inflation. um<00:53:46.319> on<00:53:46.480> the
• overall revenue is not keeping<00:57:14.880> up<00:57:15.040> with<00:57:15.280> inflation
• um<00:57:17.040> and<00:57:17.599> is<00:57:18.319> um keeping up with inflation
• um and is um keeping up with inflation um and is um not<00:57:19.040> meeting<00:57:19.280>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was the first session of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Electricity as a Vehicle Fuel Working Group. Commissioner Nancy Doenberger opened with introductions from members representing state agencies, legislators, utilities, local governments, industry groups, advocacy organizations, and others. The group then elected its leadership: Senator Anne Johnson Stewart was nominated and unanimously elected chair, and Representative Steve Elkins was nominated and unanimously elected vice chair. Senator Johnson Stewart said she would ensure all viewpoints are heard and asked MnDOT to continue running the meeting for practical reasons. Austin Turman of the Legislative Coordinating Commission reviewed the authorizing legislation. He explained that the working group must analyze electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, develop a roadmap with policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding consistent with the Minnesota Constitution, and study other states’ approaches to equitable fuel assessment methods for electric vehicles. The group’s report is due February 13 and will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. Turman also briefly reviewed open meeting law requirements, noting the group must operate publicly when a quorum discusses official business, though public comment is not required. Members then discussed the purpose of the group and the need to find a fair replacement or supplement for declining gas tax revenue as EVs increase. Senator Johnson Stewart emphasized balancing system funding needs with user-based fairness, including differences in vehicle weight and road use. Representative Murphy stressed the need to consider rural Minnesota, taxpayer impacts, and current science, including climate and CO2 issues. Drive Electric Minnesota said EV drivers should pay their fair share and not be overburdened, while the Department of Revenue said it wants to administer the new EV charging-station tax fairly. A trucking representative highlighted that passenger vehicles and freight vehicles have very different operating and charging needs, suggesting the group consider those differences in any fee structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• talked about this before where inflation talked about this before where inflation will<00:16:01.440
• <01:27:36.000> and jumped up as a result of inflation and jumped up as a result of inflation
• , um that has a as a result of inflation, um that has really<01:27:41.360> kind<01:27:41.520><
• Again, they got to borrow money to build, and as interest rates and inflation rates are higher, that's
• and as interest rates and inflation and as interest rates and inflation rates<01:45:21.920> are

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that standard budget includes inflation and everything else that might need to happen to operate
• > everything<00:04:33.440> else includes inflation and everything else includes inflation
• Um, but amortized over time, my guess is probably under inflation since the last dues increase.
• higher than inflation than the previous<00:18:37.520> year.
• under uh inflation since the last<00:18:48.880> use<00:18:49.280> increase.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And how does that compare to inflation over that same time period? Thank you for the question.
• So, inflation could go up or could go down. Typically, it's about in that same range.
• You know, 1 to 5% is kind of what your typical inflation is.
• Inflation is normally around 2%, but this last week we learned That the US prices were up 4% from last

Bills: SJR50, SJR51, SJR52, SJR53, SJR54, SJR39, SB1290, HB4028, HB4029, HB4073, HB4074, HB4075, HB4076, HB4077, HB4078, HB1250, HB2951, HB2961, HB3151, HB3581, HB3705, HB3970, HB3972, HB3980, HB3981

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, healthcare regulations, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, permanent rules, joint resolution, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs

Transcript Highlights:

• better serve our constituents and keep costs down, as well as, let's say, indexing LGA or CPA to inflation
• well as let's say indexing LGA or<00:14:16.680> CPA<00:14:17.200> to<00:14:17.360> inflation
• c> There's<00:14:18.600> a<00:14:18.640> lot<00:14:18.880> of or CPA to inflation
• There's a lot of or CPA to inflation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 4906, adopted the H4906A1 amendment, and heard a staff explanation that the bill would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for residential homesteads and the house/garage/1-acre portion of agricultural homesteads. As amended, the bill would appropriate $4 billion in fiscal year 2027, distribute payments based on 2026 property tax due, include a clawback for delinquent taxpayers, and coordinate with existing property tax refund programs so recipients would not receive more than they paid in taxes. House Research also discussed a disagreement with the Department of Revenue over whether the refund would be taxable federally, with House Research suggesting it would likely be treated as a non-taxable recovery of prior taxes. Public testimony was largely opposed. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the proposal was too large, would create a deficit and force future service cuts, and would disproportionately benefit higher-income homeowners. Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project said the bill would create a major budget hole, threaten funding for health care, food support, schools, and other services, and exclude renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Members echoed those concerns, citing impacts on public safety, rural EMS, hospitals, education funding, and equity, while noting that renters and many seniors would receive nothing. Representative Howard questioned whether the bill was a cautious use of state resources, and Representative Norris said it missed the mark for struggling renters. Chair Davids defended the concept as a way to put money back in people’s pockets and said the proposal was scalable and intended to start a discussion. Representative Wiener strongly supported the bill, saying many homeowners and farmers in his district are not wealthy and need relief from property taxes; he said the bill should be even bigger. No vote on final passage was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, and the committee moved on after testimony and member discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation has been subsiding. We don't know going forward... The recent conflict.
• Inflation has been subsiding.
• We don't know going forward what will happen with inflation, you know, given what's happened this last
• and that return... ...distributions, and that return has to meet those and also meet and exceed inflation

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Inflation has been subsiding.
• We don't know going forward what will happen with inflation, you know, given what's happened this last
• spending obligations and distributions, and that return has to meet those and also meet and exceed inflation
• return uh distributions, and that return, have a return that meets those, and also meets and exceeds inflation

Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• is $4.1 million to increase the cost associated with these services based on their estimates of inflation
• these services based on their estimates these services based on their estimates of<00:14:54.000> inflation
• and<00:14:55.360> it's<00:14:55.600> for<00:14:55.839> community of inflation
• and it's for community of inflation and it's for community support<00:14:56.800> services,<00

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 210; 29 January, 2026: 8:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Department of Mental Health presented its FY27 budget request and described its statewide responsibilities, including more than 600 grants totaling about $140 million, 11 community mental health centers, and state-operated programs for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. The request included $291.2 million in general funds, about $33.4 million above the current year, plus spending authority tied to ID regional programs and the IDD waiver. Major components included funding to enroll 250 additional people in the IDD home- and community-based waiver, a projected waiver rate increase, and added support for state-operated 24/7 programs facing staffing and operational shortfalls. The agency also asked to continue selected ARPA-funded services before those dollars expire, including 988 call center support, peer respite sites, court liaison positions, intensive community services for children and youth, and adolescent offender programs. Other requests covered salary adjustments and longevity increases for hard-to-fill positions, electronic health record support, IT security upgrades, a Jackson County crisis stabilization unit expansion from 8 to 16 beds, capital needs such as generator and boiler/chiller replacements, inflation-related increases for community mental health center grants, and restoration of general funds under a Joint Legislative Budget Committee recommendation. Officials emphasized that community-based care now accounts for 58% of funding and that the goal is to keep people out of institutions unless they need the highest level of care. Committee members asked about ARPA balances, forensic referrals, Jackson County’s request, and county support for community mental health centers. The department said about $25 million in ARPA funds remained and should be spent by September 30, with some delays due to reimbursement revisions. On forensic services, officials reported the new 81-bed maximum-security unit at State Hospital has cut the wait list roughly in half, but admission orders are up 51%, and some referrals may be unnecessary or used to delay proceedings. Members also discussed county contributions to community mental health centers, which the department said total about $9–10 million statewide, with most counties now meeting their obligations and only a few using small in-kind contributions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And House Bill 91 increased the liquor and made the rebate amount subject to inflation.
• And House Bill 91 increased the liquor and made the rebate amount subject to inflation, and the working
• Is the $2 million transaction cap, did you think about tying it to inflation so we're not getting out
• So if you put a cap on it, that allows you to tie it to inflation and still makes it something the state

Summary: The committee’s final day focused first on a historical overview of New Mexico tax packages by Pam Stokes of Legislative Council Services. She described how tax packages have alternated over the decades between tax relief, revenue raising, and tax reform, with examples ranging from the creation of the gross receipts tax in 1966 to major packages in 1981, 1986, 1991, 1994, 2005, 2019, 2022, 2024, and the vetoed 2025 package. Members discussed how tax policy often tracks revenue conditions, how packages can combine increases and decreases, and how local government gross receipts taxes and hold-harmless distributions have affected communities differently. Several members reflected on past packages, especially the 2004 food tax repeal and the 2013 film tax and manufacturing changes, and noted that tax policy can have major economic and political effects even when it is not “sexy” legislation. The committee then heard a proposal to expand the health care practitioner gross receipts tax deduction to include co-insurance, and to extend the sunset date. Sponsor Senator Figueroa said the bill was intended to help recruit and retain medical providers and build on prior deductions for co-pays and deductibles. Testimony explained that co-insurance is the patient’s share after the deductible, that providers currently absorb the gross receipts tax on those payments, and that the proposal would cost about $30 million to the state plus about $20 million to municipalities and counties, with the exact fiscal impact likely to be updated. Members raised concerns about the effect on local governments, whether insurers could be required to reimburse providers, whether the bill would actually attract doctors, and whether better evaluation measures and sunsets should be added. The sponsor said the bill was part of a broader set of efforts to address provider shortages and that the discussion would continue. Representative McQueen then presented a bill to update the Land Conservation Incentives Act. He and conservation partners said the program has protected more than 500,000 acres but has not kept pace with rising land values, especially for irrigated agricultural land in the Middle Rio Grande. The proposal would increase the percentage of conservation value eligible for the credit, raise the per-transaction cap from $250,000 to $2 million, and make the credit refundable rather than only transferable. Testimony emphasized that the program is voluntary, keeps land in private ownership and production, and helps land-rich, cash-poor landowners preserve farmland and water rights. Members asked about average credit amounts, how easements work, whether landowners could effectively buy land and then use the credit, and whether there should be inflation indexing or a statewide cap. The discussion also touched on water rights, fencing, and the role of conservation easements in protecting agricultural land and compact water deliveries. Finally, Senator Sharer previewed his 2% tax proposal with a historical presentation on New Mexico tax law, using props to illustrate the evolution from early territorial tax codes to the modern tax system. He argued that the state’s current tax structure is overly complex and that recent federal changes have disrupted the personal income tax base. The committee did not take any votes on the day’s presentations; the meeting was primarily informational, with members offering feedback and raising policy concerns for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• from 927 million to over 17 billion in 2020, an annual growth rate of 7.6%, which is faster than inflation
• On slide 6, you can see the CPI, which is the inflation measure that grew 3.1 times over that time period
• So you can see that outpacing inflation.
• implement global budgets as a way to cap healthcare costs and try to tie it to income growth or inflation

Transcript Highlights:

• requirement that the PCA must increase their permitting air permitting expenses and their fees for inflation
• requirement that the PCA must increase their permitting air permitting expenses and their fees for inflation
• Addressing inflation and operating costs is our primary objective in this budget bill.
• Keeping pace with inflation is essential to maintain DNR services such as park operations, forest management

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance, major repairs, and rehabilitation of older campuses when we face dramatic increases in inflation
• our institution's trajectory, adjusted formula funding that keeps up with enrollment growth and inflation
• As the purchasing power of these funds has been markedly reduced due to increased inflation over the
• Uh, additional investing in the HAF is, is critical to help us address dramatic increases in inflation

Transcript Highlights:

• maintenance, major repairs. and rehabilitation of older campuses when we face dramatic increases in inflation
• our institution's trajectory adjusted formative funding that keeps up with enrollment growth and inflation
• As the purchasing power of these funds has been markedly reduced due to increased inflation over the
• Additional investing in the HEIF is critical. help us address dramatic increases in inflation, construction

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:01.440> And inflation rate from 10% down to 3%.
• And inflation rate from 10% down to 3%.
• Footnote number three for inflation. Footnote number three for inflation.
• <01:45:00.480> Returning governor's inflation letter.
• Returning governor's inflation letter.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would increase to $250,000 on January 1, 2028, and the new exemption amount will be indexed to inflation
• This would increase to $250,000 on January 1, 2028, and the new exemption amount will be indexed to inflation
• And we've seen, unfortunately, with inflation, how the everyday essential services of public safety have
• And we've seen, unfortunately, with inflation, how the everyday essential services of public safety have
• And so we talk a lot about how budgets have grown, but so has inflation, so have populations, and so

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This would increase to $250,000 on January 1, 2028, and the new exemption amount will be indexed to inflation
• This would increase to $250,000 on January 1, 2028, and the new exemption amount will be indexed to inflation
• And we've seen, unfortunately, with inflation, how the everyday essential services of public safety have
• And we've seen, unfortunately, with inflation, how the everyday essential services of public safety have
• And so we talk a lot about how budgets have grown, but so has inflation, so have populations, and so

Summary: The House took up the special order calendar for a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes, CS/HJR 1F, which would create a new homestead exemption for non-school taxes, lower the annual assessment cap on non-homestead property, and restrict how counties and municipalities may use ad valorem tax revenue. The sponsor, Rep. Overdorf, said the measure would give homeowners tax relief and argued local governments could adjust spending or use other revenue sources. Opponents repeatedly questioned the ballot language, the lack of a fiscal estimate or backfill, and the potential impact on local services, public safety, and debt obligations. The House adopted the special order report and then debated the resolution and a series of amendments. Several amendments were offered to carve out or protect specific services from the tax changes. Rep. Bartleman’s amendment to protect Children’s Services Councils and Children’s Trusts was supported by members who said those entities fund early learning, mental health, aftercare, and other services for children and working families, but it failed 25-74. Rep. Cross offered an amendment to include water management districts in allowable ad valorem uses, warning of impacts on flood control, water quality, Everglades restoration, and water supply; that amendment also failed. Rep. Eskamani offered an amendment requiring the Legislature to backfill public safety funding if local revenues fall, arguing police and fire services, staffing, and response times would be at risk; it failed 25-71. The chamber then rejected Rep. Woodson’s amendment to require state backfill for senior services, with supporters citing Meals on Wheels, transportation, adult day care, and other local senior programs, and opponents saying the proposal was outside the bill’s scope. Finally, Rep. Gant offered an amendment to protect veteran services, saying local governments fund housing, mental health, transition, and family support programs for veterans; debate emphasized the importance of honoring veterans and avoiding cuts to those services. The transcript cuts off during debate on that amendment, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll just mention this is unrelated to the other issue about the, uh, inflation adjustment related to
• I'll just mention this is unrelated to the other issue about the inflation adjustment related to ICF/
• I'll just mention this is unrelated to the other issue about the inflation adjustment related to ICF/
• I'll just mention this is unrelated to the other issue about the inflation adjustment related to ICF/
• I'll just mention this is unrelated to the other issue about the inflation adjustment related to ICF/

Keywords: 1187, senate, all