Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senator Kunesh. Thank you so much, Senator Kunesh, and thanks for bringing us together today.
• And thank you, Senator Sodderski, for your service here in the Minnesota Senate.
• Thank you, Senator.
• Swedzinski, and Senator to Senator Swedzinski, and Senator Koenen<00:18:24.480> for<00:18:24.640
• Um Senator Gustafson. Um Senator Gustafson.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee held a joint hearing recognizing the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and focusing on civic education, free speech, voting, and Minnesota’s America 250 commemorations. Opening remarks emphasized the importance of education, Indigenous land acknowledgement, and the idea that democracy depends on informed and engaged citizens. The chair then invited student debaters from the Minnesota High School League to testify about how debate, free speech, and evidence-based reasoning have shaped their education and civic participation. The students argued that debate teaches critical thinking, helps young people engage with difficult issues, and should be protected as part of a healthy democracy; one also urged lawmakers to move beyond empty promises and take action on issues such as eviction moratoriums, ICE collaboration, and protest protections. Commissioner Willie Jett of the Minnesota Department of Education testified that public education is where citizenship first becomes real, and that schools, libraries, and educators help students learn to listen, question, debate respectfully, and understand both the ideals and failures of American history. He said democracy is something each generation must learn and strengthen, and thanked the committee for convening the hearing. Former students Sarah Griffin and Charlie Crocker then offered tributes to Senator Swedzinski, describing how his teaching encouraged civic engagement, disagreement, and action, and how his classroom shaped their lives and public service. Their remarks emphasized that democracy is not a spectator sport and that ordinary people build it through small, courageous acts. Secretary of State Steve Simon followed with testimony on Minnesota’s civic culture and voter participation. He said Minnesota has long ranked near the top nationally in voter turnout, including youth turnout, and attributed that to a combination of good election laws and a strong pro-voting culture. He highlighted school-based civic education efforts such as pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds and the Students Vote mock election program, and noted that Minnesota’s congressional delegation was unanimous in supporting the Voting Rights Act in 1965 as an example of the state coming together on major moral questions. The Minnesota Historical Society then began its presentation on America 250, with Kent Whitworth describing the organization’s role, the new edition of the Northern Lights curriculum, and broader commemorative activities; Dr. Bill Convery introduced historical context about how Americans have celebrated independence and how the semiquincentennial can leave a legacy for future generations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Boudreaux. Present. Senator Cloud. Senator Hensgens. Present. Senator Hodges. Here.
• Senator Owen. Senator Pressly. We have five members present.
• Lino, President, Senator Owen, Senator Pressly. We have five members present.
• A motion by Senator Hodges that we report Senate Bill 57 as amended.
• Thank you, Senator Buttress. Senator Luneau. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health and Welfare met on May 6, 2026, with five members present. After adopting the April 28 minutes, the committee heard a brief presentation on the new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, which is intended to bring together health care, business, policy, and education leaders to study Louisiana health challenges and build a network for action. Members expressed support for the program and its potential value to health policy work. The committee then advanced several bills, often with technical or substantive amendments. SB 57, a nutrition-labeling bill, was amended to push its effective date to December 31, 2028 and reported as amended. HB 62 increased the membership of the Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to 27 members and was reported as amended. HB 193 updated membership rules for the sickle cell commission foundations so long-serving executive directors would not have to reapply repeatedly, and it was reported as amended. HB 815 would allow financial institutions to receive death certificates to help families manage accounts after a death; it was reported favorably after a question about state-licensed banks. SB 405 was substantially revised to codify LDH’s new Ascend nursing-facility quality initiative, including statewide quality oversight goals, stakeholder involvement, reporting requirements, and tools such as dashboards and surveys; after reconsidering prior action and adopting the new amendment, the bill was reported as amended. The committee also approved HB 222, which provides Medicaid dental coverage when needed for another covered medical procedure, and HB 420, which requires background checks for all DCFS employees with access to sensitive information. HB 475 requires verbal consent when AI is used to record or transcribe a medical visit and was reported favorably after a technical question. HB 246 updated membership of the Children’s Cabinet Advisory Board and the council on grandparents raising grandchildren, including replacing an inactive coalition seat with the state police superintendent or designee. HB 486 would enter Louisiana into the psychology inter-jurisdictional compact to expand access to mental health care, and HB 574 updated outdated board names on the Mental Health Advisory Services Board; both were reported favorably. Later, the committee reported HB 949, which creates a licensure framework for radiologist assistants to help address imaging workforce shortages, especially in rural areas, and HB 584, which requires foster children to be provided luggage instead of trash bags for their belongings and restores “rights” language in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights. The committee also reported HB 1214, restructuring certain LDH facilities into a single system under the secretary’s office; HB 1092, a technical renaming/terminology cleanup bill; and HB 203, which adds members to the uterine fibroids commission. Throughout the meeting, members and witnesses emphasized access to care, workforce shortages, child welfare, and quality improvement, and the committee repeatedly adopted amendments and reported the bills favorably or as amended before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Taubert moves to suspend the rules for the purpose of allowing a special guest to speak at the
• Senate type of moves suspension of the rules for the purpose of allowing Congressman Steve Scalise to
• Senator Cloud now moves for a suspension of the rules for the purpose of taking up the resolution at
• Senator Edmonds moves for suspension of the rules for the purpose of taking up the resolution at this
• Senator Price moves adoption of the committee amendments, and under the rules, it is recommitted to the

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• introduction is by Senator Webb, please recognize Senator Webb. >> Senator Webb for an introduction.
• Thank you, Senator Fahy.
• >> SENATE PRINT 319 SENATOR SALAZAR, AN ACT TO AMEND THE CORRECTION LAW.
• Senator Borrello on the bill. Thank you, Senator Gianaris.
• Print Calendar 818, Senate Print 1551, Senator Parker, an act to amend the Public Service Law. >> Senator

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, approved the journal, and welcomed several guest groups, including Saugerties student government officers, the Marlboro High School boys bowling state champions, a civics group, a National Guard/9-11 responder advocate, family members honoring Salvador Vizcarrondo Jr., architecture professionals, correctional officers and employees, and small business representatives. Members also offered resolutions recognizing Architecture Week, Correctional Officers and Employees Week, and Small Business Week, along with tributes to community leaders and student achievements. The chamber then took up a series of bills on the non-controversial calendar, passing measures on education leave for incarcerated people, utility interconnection study, property tax exemption, alcohol regulation, executive law, school drill requirements, victim sentencing rights, public health, public officers, public authorities, election law, environmental conservation, veterans/homeland security, labor, and other topics. Several bills were laid aside. Some measures drew brief explanations of vote, including concerns about school safety drills, correctional staffing and safety, and a victims’ rights bill that one senator said mirrored an earlier version he had carried. The most extended debate centered on the 21st Century Antitrust Act (Calendar 879), with supporters arguing it would modernize antitrust enforcement against dominant firms, especially big tech, and opponents warning it would create vague standards, invite private lawsuits, and harm small and rural businesses. Another debated bill (Calendar 818) would restrict sharing of utility consumption data with police; supporters framed it as a privacy measure requiring normal legal process, while opponents said it would hinder law enforcement while still allowing state regulators access. Both bills were ultimately restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed, and the Senate adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• President of the New York State Senate, including my ranking member, Senator Mario Mattera, Senator Walczyk
• , Senator O'Mara, Senator Chris Ryan, Senator Gonzalez, and Senator Brian Kavanagh.
• Senator Mattera. I'm sorry. Chairman, if I may. Oh, Senator Mattera. I'm sorry. Senator Walter.
• I know the Senate rules don't speak to this specifically, but the committees in Mason's rules leave it
• Okay, so again, Senator, this bill doesn't overrule other regulations, other rules, or other laws.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications considered a large agenda focused mainly on energy affordability, the CLCPA, utility rates, and renewable energy siting. Senator Mattera and other Republican members argued that the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act has driven up utility bills, harmed reliability, and imposed costs on ratepayers, while Democratic members pushed back that rising costs are also driven by natural gas markets, infrastructure costs, and broader economic factors. Several bills sought to repeal or pause CLCPA-related policies, create a CLCPA task force, impose studies or moratoriums on new energy taxes and fees, and increase transparency around utility surcharges and state energy spending. Supporters framed these measures as ratepayer relief and accountability; opponents said some proposals would undermine clean-energy policy and existing consumer-benefit programs. The committee defeated S.1167, which would have repealed the All Electric Building Act, and S.1173, which would have created a CLCPA task force. It also failed S.5250, a bill to study CLCPA costs and impose a moratorium on new energy taxes, fees, or regulations, and S.7075, which would have prohibited the system benefits charge on utility bills. Several other bills advanced, including S.1236A on virtual access and electronic filing for Public Service Commission proceedings, S.1552 establishing reduced residential rates for low-income electric and natural gas customers, S.2484 directing a study of replacement timeframes for battery storage and renewable facilities, S.2638 on carbon allowance auction proceeds, S.3247 on electric vehicle charging stations, S.3553 requiring utilities to post promotional and educational materials on their websites, S.4571A creating a floating solar incentive education program, S.5518 shifting Public Service Commission funding to legislative appropriation, and S.6412A requiring itemized ratepayer disclosure of surcharges. S.9251, on labor-related legal costs, was referred to the Labor Committee. S.7710, which would have restricted energy storage systems near schools and homes in New York City, failed after concerns and support were debated. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator. Senator. Senator.
• It's Senate File 4232 from Senator Kupec.
• Senate file 4539. Senate file 4539.
• This is Senate file 3788, Senator Koran.
• Senator Rest bill, Senate File 3592.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's Senate File 4232 from Senator Kupec.
• This is Senate File 3788, Senator Koran.
• :14.520> Senate<00:16:14.760> file a Senator Dziedzic bill, Senate file a Senator Dziedzic
• > Senate<00:21:15.160> File Senator Pappas bill that Senate File Senator Pappas bill that
• <00:21:49.760> Senator All right, Senator Nelson. Senator All right, Senator Nelson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Draheim: Yes. Senator Howe: I. Senator Dziedzic: I. Senator Johnson: I.
• discussion, Senator Senator Further discussion, Senator Senator Pratt.
• Senator Senator Senator Johnson. Johnson. Johnson.
• Senator Senator Senator Pratt. Pratt. Pratt.
• Senator Mohamed: No. Senator Murphy: No. Senator Pappas? Senator Wicklund: No. Senator Frentz?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Prentiss or Senator Birdsall moves ITL. Do I have a second? Senator Innis seconds that.
• Senator >> Senator Innis moves consent.
• Senator Prentiss. Uh, thank you, Chair Senator Prentiss.
• Senator Birdsall moves on to pass. And Senator Innis. He's saying Senator Avard.
• And<00:11:56.920> Senator And Senator And Senator Innis. Innis. Innis.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Lang, you can discuss your amendment. Thank you.
• Senator Altschuler? on the amendment? Senator Altschuler?
• So, um Senator Wein, can you Yes.
• Senator<00:05:27.360> Reagan?
• So, I I'll note that Senator Reagan?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Her, for those voting pursuant to rule 40.7. Senator Carlson votes no.
• Senator Hoffman raises a point of order under Senate Rule 35.2. Advice, Mr. President.
• point of order under Senate uh rule 35.2 point of order under Senate uh rule 35.2 advice.<03:43:
• And Senator Carlson votes aye. Senator Jasinski, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7.
• And Senator Carlson votes aye. Senator Jasinski, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to go to Senator Choi and then Senator Archuleta, and I'd like to note Senator Archibaldon
• And our commissioners that go through Rules Committee and then onto the Senate floor for confirmation
• , would we, Rules Committee and the Senate, be able to confirm this commissioner?
• Senator, those are our rules.
• Senator, those are our rules.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Senate Environmental Quality Committee and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee
• Senator McNerney.
• Yeah, thank you, Senator.
• Good morning, Madam Chair, Senators.
• Good morning, Senator.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Rules will come to order.
• Thank you, Senator.
• We'll go with Senator Laird, then Senator Reyes. Absolutely.
• We'll go with Senator Laird, then Senator Reyes.
• Yeah, thank you, Senator.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator from Windsor. >> Senator from Windsor.
• >> Senator from Windham. >> Senator from Windham.
• >> Senator from Essex. >> Senator from Essex.
• >> The senator The The senator from >> The senator The The senator from Chittenden<01:20:
• >> Senator from Rutland. >> Senator from Rutland.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, representing Senate District 4.
• Well, I think Senator Grayson and also Senator Becker for their comments, and Senator, I appreciate your
• Thank you, Senator. Do we have a motion? Okay. Senator Ashby. Thank you, Senator.
• Senator Alvarado-Gil and Senator Becker: aye. The vote is 4-0. The bill is out.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Hinojosa — present. Senator Huffman — here. Senator Miles — present.
• Senator King — present. Senator Hagenbuch — here. We have a quorum. A quorum is present.
• Senator Hagenbuch. Senator Hagenbue.
• Yes, thank you for that question, Senator. Yes, thank you for that question, Senator.
• Senator, may I add one point, Senator King?

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want us Minnesota Senate Rule uh 3610 Minnesota Senate Rule uh 3610 uh<00:50:58.480> words
• Senator Rasmusson votes I. Senator Her, for those voting pursuant to rule 40.7. Uh, Mr.
• Senator Gizinski, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7. Senator Farnsworth votes I.
• Senator Her, for those voting pursuant to rule 40.7. Mr. President, Senator Carson votes no.
• Senator Herr, for those voting pursuant to Rule 40.7, Senator Kroon and Senator Pratt were under a roll

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under a call, established a quorum, received the House message on Senate File 4807 concerning benefits for veterans of the secret war in Laos, and voted not to concur in the House amendments, appointing a three-member conference committee. The chamber also received a batch of House files, laid several of them on the table, and adopted committee reports and other routine motions. Senate Resolution 84 was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senator Murphy designated special orders for immediate consideration. The main floor debate centered on Senate File 4059, the supplemental finance omnibus bill. Senators described the bill as a slim, supplemental budget focused on urgent affordability needs, including $52 million for state grants in higher education, $15 million for LIHEAP, school district compensatory revenue adjustments, support for public television stations facing federal cuts, Medicaid fraud enforcement, and consumer restitution for scam victims. The Jobs article was presented first, with roughly $4.9 million in Workforce Development Fund appropriations for workforce and job-training programs, including support for rural oncologist training, homelessness-related employment programs, youth training, local news talent development, transportation-related employment assistance, and manufacturing support. Several amendments were offered and debated. Senator Farnsworth offered the A14 amendment to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off Iron Range miners, but withdrew it after being told it would unbalance the bill and after receiving a commitment to continue working on the issue in conference committee. Senator Draheim offered the A18 amendment to redirect Cookie Cart funding to rural hospital maternity training grants; after debate, the Senate rejected the amendment by a roll call vote of 32 ayes and 34 nays. The discussion emphasized competing priorities between youth workforce programs and rural health care needs. The Senate then moved into Article 1 on K-12 education, where Senator Kunesh outlined provisions including anti-grooming language, a district health insurance reporting requirement, extension of a gender-neutral bathroom grant, compensatory hold-harmless aid, operating capital flexibility, literacy aid hold harmless language, and several cost-neutral district fund transfers. Senator Nelson offered the A29 amendment to require school sports teams and participants be designated by biological sex at birth; debate on that amendment began near the end of the transcript, but no final vote was shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are joined by Senator Baskin, Senator Fahy, and Senator Rolison.
• Motion by Senator Rolison, second by Senator Fahy.
• Senator DeVeehanes, Senator Rolison second. All in favor? Any opposition?
• Senator Faye. Senator Baskin. All in favor? Aye. Any opposition? AWR.
• Our 14th bill is Senate Bill 9973 by Senator Griffith.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The local government committee met for its fifth meeting of the year and considered 15 bills, with the chair noting there may be one more meeting to finish the agenda. Members present included Senators Baskin, Fahy, and Rolison, and the committee moved through the bills with brief motions and seconding throughout. The committee reported several measures, including bills on making housing a state policy, directing a study on real property tax saturation, requiring notice to adjacent municipalities for certain zoning changes, authorizing the Town of Huntington to alienate park land for the Huntington African American Museum, requiring CPR training for 911 dispatchers and call takers, allowing the Johnson City School District to create an insurance reserve fund, incorporating the New Hartford Volunteer, Exempt Firefighters, Benevolent Association, creating a Suffolk County real property tax exemption for certain volunteer auxiliary police officers, and extending various local finance and public authorities provisions. One bill, S4504 by Senator Griffo, which would prohibit unfunded state mandates on municipalities and school districts and create a Mandate Review Council, was reported to the Education Committee, with the chair noting opposition. Several bills extending the effectiveness of local finance-related laws were reported to the Finance Committee, including measures on statutory installment bonds, installment loans, refunding bonds, and Environmental Facilities Corporation powers. The committee also reported a bill on county tribal detention agreements and another on base adjusted proportions in the Real Property Tax Law. During discussion of the 911 CPR training bill, members noted an amendment was being worked on to require the training every four years. Most bills were reported unanimously or with no recorded opposition, and the meeting concluded after the final bill was approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Olivera, Senator Pete Harckham, Senator D.
• Motion by Senator Hart and seconded by Senator Rivera and Senator Sepúlveda. All those in favor?
• The third bill on our agenda, which is on the agenda pursuant to Senate Rule 7, Section 2E, the motion
• The system is S. 8492 by Senator Sepúlveda, which was placed on the agenda pursuant to Senate Rule 2E
• Senator Murray?

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Crime Victims, Crime and Correction met with a quorum of members present and considered 10 bills. The committee held a lengthy debate on S.2656, a bill to repeal provisions related to solitary confinement, with supporters arguing the current law is not fully implemented and that solitary confinement is harmful and ineffective, while opponents said the law has made facilities less safe and removed needed disciplinary tools. After discussion, the bill failed to advance, with five negative votes and no report to the floor. The committee also considered several correctional administration and health-related measures. S.394, the Clemency Justice Act, and S.2509A, concerning transfers of incarcerated individuals from county jails to state facilities, were both reported to finance. S.5134, creating a uniform electronic medical records system for correctional facilities, was reported, as was S.9126A. S.8492, establishing a digital legal mail program, drew concerns about privileged communications and was defeated in committee. S.9467, setting radiation standards for employees and visitors at correctional facilities, was reported to the Health Committee. Two additional bills, S.9916 on employee mental health services and S.9928 on rights of sexual assault survivors during the investigative process, were reported after brief discussion and expressions of support. One bill on the agenda was laid aside at the sponsor’s request. Overall, the meeting featured a mix of correctional policy, facility operations, health, and survivor-rights legislation, with several bills advancing and one major reform measure on solitary confinement failing to move forward.