Transcript Highlights:

• um, com Congress, uh, the Converse um, com Congress, uh, the Converse County<00:09:37.920> assessor
• So we've adjusted that amendment conversation. Any other conversation on this amendment?
• Any other amendment uh conversation.
• conversation on this amendment? conversation on this amendment? Seeing<00:38:51.440> none.
• conversation, would would we conversation, would would we intentionally<01:27:28.960> write

Bills: HB0101, HB0062, HB0109

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• during the course of our conversations during the course of our conversations around<00:56:05.920
• they're not a part of the conversation. they're not a part of the conversation.
• conversations that we're having. Yeah. conversations that we're having. Yeah.
• It's like that conversation.
• Um we have different conversations.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:12 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:33 Kentucky’s New Assessment and Accountability Model Update: 00:03:50 Federal Education Policy and Its Impact on States: 01:00:55 Educational Leadership Training Opportunities in Kentucky: 01:26:44 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations: 02:10:38 Adjournment: 02:13:57, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Education met for its first interim meeting and established a quorum before taking up its first topic, Kentucky’s new assessment and accountability model. Commissioner Robbie Fletcher, joined by KDE staff and superintendents, described a multi-year effort involving the Kentucky “Now We Learn” Council, more than 50 educators and stakeholders, at least 18 pilot districts, surveys, focus groups, town halls, and four prototype frameworks. He emphasized three priorities for the new model: vibrant learning experiences, innovation in assessment, and collaboration with communities. Fletcher said the state accountability portion would continue to meet federal requirements and identify CSI/TSI/ATSI schools, while shifting toward more emphasis on individual student growth, grade-level equivalency in reading and math, career and technical education, graduation rate, and English language proficiency. He also said science would remain a required assessment but be reported separately rather than counted in the CSI/TSI calculation. He stressed that the model should focus on growth, local flexibility, and meaningful measures that reflect community expectations, while still preserving a statewide framework. The committee also heard from Bullitt County superintendent Jesse Bacon, who described his district’s local accountability work. He said Bullitt County formed a community coalition with broad representation from across the district, business leaders, and community members, met six times during the school year, and worked toward a public-facing dashboard that would show community expectations, evidence of accountability, and areas for improvement. Bacon said the district identified six community-defined pillars, beginning with student learning and foundational academic knowledge, as part of a system intended to communicate strengths and improvement areas to the public.

Transcript Highlights:

• conversation we had. conversation we had.
• aspire to is in this conversation aspire to is in this conversation particularly<00:36:13.680>
• And look, the the conversations.
• . conversation. conversation.
• We had that conversation just a few minutes ago.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate opened with the pledge, approved the January 30, 2026 journal, and then proceeded out of order for several personal privileges and resolutions. Members welcomed delegates from Poland and noted the Jewish holiday of Tu Bishvat. The chamber then took up Senate Joint Resolution 001, which approves the water project revolving fund eligibility list administered by the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. Sponsors explained that the resolution only establishes project eligibility and does not itself set funding amounts. The resolution passed 32-0, and the current roll call was added as co-sponsors. The Senate next considered Senate Joint Resolution 006, a lengthy measure affirming civil rights and dignity for immigrant Coloradans and calling for transparent, accountable federal immigration enforcement. The resolution urged an end to anonymous enforcement tactics, protection of access to schools, health care, courthouses, and other public spaces, and broader federal immigration reform. Senator Weissman moved a technical amendment correcting a reference from ICE to CBP in one example; the amendment was adopted 32-0. Debate featured personal stories from supporters about immigrant family histories and service, while the Minority Leader said he appreciated the sponsors’ engagement but could not support the resolution as drafted, though he agreed with much of its intent and called for more constructive dialogue. The resolution passed 20-12, and several senators were added as co-sponsors. After the resolutions, the Senate moved into the Committee of the Whole for second reading of bills on the consent calendar. Senate Bill 10, concerning clarification of definitions used in the taxation of agricultural property, was adopted on second reading and reported out favorably. The chamber then began consideration of Senate Bill 4, concerning who may petition a court for an extreme risk protection order, with the sponsor noting two technical amendments had been added to improve the language. The committee report on that bill was adopted, and the bill was moved forward on second reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• We of complexity in this conversation.
• :50.480> the<00:10:50.720> terms having some conversation about the terms having some conversation
• Who conversations that might be elements conversations that might be elements that<00:13:51.760> we
• <01:27:29.520> right space to have that conversation right space to have that conversation
• will be captured in our conversations will be captured in our conversations about<01:52:14.159><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with DEED, through conversations with MMB, conversations with House and Senate fiscal staff, and certainly
• Would you mind just jump-starting the conversation with the other pillars?”
• We had many conversations about it.
• <01:09:18.040> with very good productive conversations with very good productive conversations
• enjoyed the part of the conversation enjoyed the part of the conversation today<01:40:00.400>

Bills: HF3

Keywords: legislative auditor, reporting, accountability, state finance, executive agency oversight, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• :42.079> have<00:42:42.319> referred conversations with folks have referred conversations
• Um, but like I say, that wasn't something that was like a regular conversation or direct conversation
• I don't recall having any conversations I don't recall having any conversations um<00:48:02.319>
• <00:48:22.559> or was like a regular conversation or was like a regular conversation or direct
• But at its most basic conversation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:19:27.880> to love to have further conversations to love to have further conversations
• <00:33:29.000> bring might also in this conversation bring might also in this conversation
• issue that came up in our conversations issue that came up in our conversations with<01:01:28.440
• I'm sure we'll have more conversations about it.
• I'm sure we'll have more conversations about it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Further conversations on the DE? Seeing none. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye.
• Chair Baker and I have had very good um and productive conversations about a budget bill to present to
• c> and I have had very good um and and I have had very good um and productive<00:03:11.840> conversations
• <00:03:12.720> about<00:03:12.959> a<00:03:13.200> budget productive conversations
• about a budget productive conversations about a budget bill<00:03:13.680> to<00:03:13.840>

Bills: HF2440

Keywords: labor market, employment, economic development, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's an important conversation to have.
• thank you for the great conversation thank you for the great conversation here.<00:33:54.720>
• <01:15:19.600> on element to have a lot of conversation on element to have a lot of conversation
• Uh, this isn't the end of the conversation.
• Uh, this isn't the end of the conversation.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Finke, yes, thank you for the conversation.
• Representative Finke, yes, thank you for the conversation.
• He says many project proposers are reluctant to have those early conversations knowing that those conversations
• early conversations knowing that those<01:10:08.800> conversations<01:10:09.520> are<01
• > these<01:10:12.880> conversations<01:10:13.560> to growth expects these conversations

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I've had some really good conversations with several members of ... ...conversations with several members
• Questions or conversations? What crypto assets are we talking about?
• And Representative Shaw, thank you for the comments and our conversations yesterday.
• My problem is that I think Treasurer Boozer, in the conversations...
• Treasurer Boozer, in the conversations I've had with him, said that he would not utilize this.

Bills: HB227, HB556, HB543, HB542, HB482, HB483, HB484

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this conversation would have been a better conversation in January to give a little bit more
• This group seems to be in front and center of those conversations.
• The public comment, as I mentioned, was to enrich the conversation.
• I think it's also worth pointing out that there is a conversation.
• Thank you. ongoing conversations. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The hearing opened with Department of Finance and Legislative Analyst’s Office remarks on the May Revision, which both described efforts to reduce large out-year operating deficits through a mix of revenue increases, spending reductions, and reserve use. Finance said the May Revision more than halves projected deficits in later years, while LAO stressed that revenues are at unprecedented levels yet the state still faces a significant structural deficit and is drawing down reserves; LAO urged maintaining at least the administration’s level of budget solutions and adding to reserves rather than new ongoing commitments. The chair echoed concern about cuts to vulnerable populations and noted the tension between service reductions and requests for additional administrative positions. The committee then heard a series of California Health and Human Services and HCAI proposals, including additional legal support for CalHHS to respond to federal HR1 changes; a net-zero transfer of positions for a centralized eligibility/data-sharing platform; 988 crisis line implementation funding and continued work with the Trevor Project to train crisis centers to better serve LGBTQ youth; EMS data system maintenance funding; HCAI implementation of AB 1312 hospital charity care screening; SB 660 data exchange framework funding; CalRx biosimilar insulin reappropriation; and a diaper access initiative that would provide free diapers to newborns in participating hospitals and support a future direct-to-consumer purchasing option. Members questioned the diaper program’s universal design, the use of a Public Contract Code exemption, and the selection of Baby2Baby, with the chair expressing concern about optics and the lack of an income threshold. The committee also discussed distressed hospital funding, with HCAI requesting up to $50 million for another round of grants to hospitals in immediate financial distress. HCAI said it receives annual and quarterly financial reports but the data lag limits real-time monitoring, and the LAO recommended stronger program parameters and turnaround plans. Members argued the repeated need for distressed hospital aid reflects a structural problem, not a short-term gap, and raised broader concerns about hospital reimbursement and patient flow. Other items included reverting $19.6 million in unused opioid settlement funds from HCAI to DHCS for General Fund offset, and a Rural Health Transformation Program request to increase HCAI spending authority to cover the full federal award. Later, DMHC presented funding requests to implement PBM licensing and financial review requirements under AB 116, modernize the managed care complaint system, and build an electronic claims settlement data system under AB 3275. The final major discussion focused on the Behavioral Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission, which opposed the May Revision’s proposed reduction of its Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and a $6.7 million cut to community advocacy grants. The Commission argued these programs are core to Proposition 1’s goals of statewide innovation and community accountability, while Finance said the proposal is consistent with Proposition 1’s maximum funding levels and reflects a broader effort to prioritize direct services and use unspent prior-year funds; members pressed for more information and questioned whether the cuts would undermine the new behavioral health framework.

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I started this conversation,...
• And as I started this conversation, ...to report back on.
• I've had many conversations with Bruce about this.
• Those are the conversations that have to be had.
• That all helps in that conversation.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as I started this conversation, ...to report back on.
• I've had many conversations with Bruce about this.
• Those are the conversations that have to be had.
• That all helps in that conversation.
• And part of it was driven by when we had the conversation.

Summary: The Higher Education Institutions Committee met on the Minot State University campus for presentations on campus operations, enrollment, and new academic initiatives. President Shirley reviewed recent audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings, and highlighted MSU’s broad academic offerings, specialized accreditations, athletics, and partnerships with Minot Air Force Base and the MSU Development Foundation. Members asked about declining interest in teacher education, tuition waivers for athletes, dual credit incentives, and how MSU decides when to launch new programs and avoid duplication within the university system. Shirley also discussed several workforce-focused initiatives supported by the Legislature’s Workforce Education Innovation Funds, including the purchase of the Trinity Health Center West building for a downtown health sciences hub, a new daycare/preschool partnership near campus, the Aspire program to recruit rural students into teaching, and a paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Enrollment data showed overall headcount was flat at just under 2,750, but full-time equivalent enrollment rose slightly and new student numbers increased, including the largest freshman class in 15 years. The committee also discussed Minot State’s in-state tuition rate for all students, its dual credit “Emerging Scholars” scholarship, and concerns about the share of high school graduates who do not immediately pursue postsecondary education. Faculty then presented two new programs funded in part by WEAF: an Innovation Engineering degree and a master’s program in counseling with an integrated addiction studies focus. The engineering program was described as industry-driven, designed with broad early coursework, hands-on learning, and local employer input to prepare students for western North Dakota workforce needs; officials said it had already drawn more applicants than expected and would use renovated library space and donated or grant-funded equipment. The counseling program will be mostly face-to-face with hybrid options, aims to address shortages in mental health and substance use providers, and is structured to help students meet licensure requirements. Committee members asked about startup costs, licensure supervision hours, and whether the programs would be on campus rather than online, and presenters said both programs had recently received required approvals and were moving forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• And to your first point, conversations.
• We are talking about other conversations.
• <01:14:26.719> your I'm having conversations with your I'm having conversations with your
• So, this is this is an conversations.
• this, but there's more conversations this, but there's more conversations going<01:15:11.199>

Bills: HF4119, HF3959, HF3792, HF3913, HF3752

Keywords: property tax, renter credits, co-pay, housing affordability, tax relief, homestead, tax refund, Minnesota, tax increase, financial relief, homeowners, AmeriCorps, taxation, individual income tax, living allowances, stipends, national service, tax compliance, revenue, analytics

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, we're having conversations about those issues.
• Thank you for the conversation.
• And this is one of the ideas that came out of those conversations.
• And this is one of the ideas that came out of those conversations.
• So I am committed to continuing the conversations.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills, beginning with SB 41 by Senator Wiener, which would regulate pharmacy benefit managers by increasing transparency, banning patient steering and spread pricing, and requiring full pass-through of rebates. Supporters, including independent pharmacists and health advocates, said PBM practices are driving up drug costs and closing neighborhood pharmacies. Opponents from PBM and health plan groups argued the bill overlaps with recently enacted licensing and reporting requirements, would not lower consumer prices, and may be preempted by ERISA. Members discussed confidentiality issues, consumer savings, and the relationship between SB 41 and the new budget trailer bill; the author asked for an aye vote. The committee then took up SB 378, also by Senator Wiener, aimed at online marketplaces that advertise illegal intoxicating hemp and unlicensed cannabis products. Supporters from labor, public health, and the licensed cannabis industry said online sales are undermining regulated businesses and exposing children to unsafe products. Opponents from tech and hemp industry groups warned the bill is overbroad, could sweep in general-purpose platforms and lawful hemp wellness products, and raises Dormant Commerce Clause and First Amendment concerns. The author said he would narrow the bill, remove industrial hemp references, and address strict liability and standing issues; members largely focused on how to target illegal products without capturing lawful marketplaces. SB 243 by Senator Padilla addressed AI companion chatbots, with supporters including Common Sense Media and transparency advocates warning that these systems can be addictive, manipulative, and dangerous for minors and vulnerable users, citing studies and the death of a Florida teenager. The bill would require disclosures, anti-addiction design limits, self-harm protocols, audits, reporting, and a private right of action. Tech and business groups opposed the measure as overly broad and said its definitions could sweep in general-purpose AI tools; several members supported the goal but questioned the breadth of the definitions and the private right of action. Finally, SB 522 by Senator Wahab would extend just-cause eviction protections to rental units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act but were destroyed in disasters and later rebuilt. Supporters, including Los Angeles city officials and tenant advocates, said the bill would help keep displaced renters housed after wildfires and other disasters. Apartment and realtor groups opposed it, arguing it would remove a key exemption needed to finance rebuilding and could discourage post-disaster reconstruction. Members expressed support for tenant protections in disaster areas, and the author asked for an aye vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:47:58.160> up and the excuse me the conversations up and the excuse me the conversations
• So, did you have conversations with the EQB, for example? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, did you have conversations with the EQB, for example? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, did you have conversations with the EQB, for example? Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• So, did you have conversations with the EQB, for example?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• the conversation, understanding the depth and breadth of work we need to do on this and ACT 90.
• We would like to continue the conversation and move this bill forward.
• We want to continue the conversation and move this bill forward.
• We want to continue the conversation and move this bill forward.
• <01:39:15.520> with going to continue the conversation with going to continue the conversation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• think we can be having this conversation think we can be having this conversation about<00:37:01.840
• , happy to have those conversations, happy to have those conversations, right?
• But let's have that conversation.
• Let's have those conversations. conversations. conversations.
• Let's Let's have those conversations.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard House File 3493, the Safe Schools Revenue Increase bill, and first adopted the DE amendment before moving the bill on for re-referral to Ways and Means. Representative Lawrence described the bill as a multi-layered school safety package for all students and schools, including public, nonpublic, charter, and tribal schools, with increased safety funding, mental health support, anonymous threat reporting, school safety plans, and student discipline changes. Several supporters emphasized the need for flexible safety funding and cited real-world safety concerns, including anonymous tip systems that had generated many reports, classroom evacuations, staff injuries, and the need for more resources for mental health and safety infrastructure. Some supporters, including charter school leaders and Catholic Conference testimony, argued the bill’s flexibility and broader safety approach were important, while others supported the K-3 suspension language as a needed tool in severe cases. Opponents focused heavily on the bill’s repeal of Minnesota’s K-3 suspension ban and non-exclusionary discipline requirements. Legal aid, disability advocates, and education groups argued that suspensions harm young children, worsen disparities, and disproportionately affect students of color and students with disabilities, and they urged the committee to keep restorative and non-exclusionary practices in place. Disability advocates also asked that any safety planning explicitly account for students with disabilities and that the bill remain aligned with IDEA protections and individualized education decisions. Several testifiers opposed using public funds for private schools, saying public money should stay in public programs. Other testimony came from school administrators and staff who supported restoring limited suspension discretion, describing serious elementary incidents, classroom evacuations, and injuries that they said required a short-term removal option to stabilize classrooms and plan for students’ return. Mental health and school support personnel witnesses stressed that safety and mental health funding should remain distinct and that more counselors, social workers, and related staff are needed to address student crises. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided beyond adoption of the DE amendment and the motion to re-refer the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, uh, it certainly appreciate some good conversation and your support. Thank you.
• Uh, thank you again for the robust conversation.
• Uh, thank you again for the robust conversation.
• Uh, thank you again for the robust conversation.
• Uh, thank you again for the robust conversation.

Bills: HF647, HF2824, HF1249, HF623, HF820

Keywords: water appropriation, aquifer management, potable water, water conservation, environmental policy, fishing regulation, angling, sustainability, biodiversity, game fish, Carley State Park, Minnesota state parks, state lands, park boundary expansion, Wabasha County, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, public lands, land acquisition, park addition