Transcript Highlights:

• Co-chair Scott.
• Scott.
• Uh, Chair<00:31:26.320> Scott, Chair Scott, Chair Scott, >> thank<00:31:28.000> you,<
• I think Chair Scott was clear. author. I think Chair Scott was clear.
• bill as amended, Chair Scott. bill as amended, Chair Scott.

Bills: HF3479, HF4205, HF3782, HF4081, HF4138

Keywords: foreclosure, mortgage, redemption period, homestead, Minnesota Statutes, automated license plate reader, ALPR, license plate recognition, vehicle surveillance, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, BCA, data privacy, government data practices, law enforcement data, surveillance technology, location data, vehicle tracking, warrant requirement, probable cause, exigent circumstances

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 4319 from Senator Her, then Senate File 3807 and Senate File 4183 from Senator Gustafson.
• And so first up will be Senator Her presenting Senate File 4319.
• Senate File 4183 from Senator Gustafson.
• So thank you so much, Scott, and Senator Champion, Mr. Farr, thank you.
• Senate File Thank you, Senator Champion.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Elkins and Senator Representative Elkins and Senator Seabberger<00:05:22.960>
• Um, would it be appropriate for me to mention the situation we have with Senator Senator?
• Uh, unfortunately, the Senate, as usual, is working on Senate time, and her formal letter of appointment
• Senate as usual is working on on Senate Senate as usual is working on on Senate time<00:08:00.400
• >> I >> I >> I >> Tim<00:09:25.279> Johnson. >> Tim Johnson.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The task force held its first meeting on the insurance affordability crisis affecting single-family housing, common interest communities, and multifamily rental housing. Members and staff introduced themselves, including representatives from insurers, the Department of Commerce, housing advocates, affordable housing developers, and HOA/community association interests. Representative Steve Elkins was elected chair by roll call vote with 10 members in favor, after discussion that the Senate appointee’s formal appointment had not yet arrived; the group noted the intent to later move to co-chair leadership once that appointment is finalized. Staff reviewed the task force’s enabling statute and open meeting law requirements. The task force is charged with studying homeowners and commercial property insurance, property resilience and risk mitigation, liability laws and possible tort reform, notice and oversight issues, public reporting, and the state-supported insurance program, including possible expansion to a catastrophic reinsurance fund or self-insured pool. The final report is due February 15 and will go to the commissioners of commerce, housing finance, and employment and economic development, as well as relevant legislative committees. Members were also briefed on meeting logistics, a draft charter to be voted on at the second meeting, a resource page for shared materials, and the schedule of future meetings. The Department of Commerce then gave an overview of Minnesota’s property and casualty insurance market. Commerce described its regulatory role, the state’s competitiveness test, and how homeowners insurance is often filed under a “file and use” process rather than prior approval. The presentation emphasized that homeowners coverage has been under pressure for years: insurers have lost money in many recent years, premiums have risen, some consumers are taking on more risk through higher deductibles or reduced coverage, and some are moving into the surplus market. Commerce also highlighted the impact of severe weather losses, the growth in premiums since 2014, and gaps in oversight for homeowners associations and related policies. The meeting then shifted to brainstorming the problems the task force should address. Early discussion focused on climate and construction-related resilience, including hail and wind-driven rain damage, discontinued building materials, and whether stronger materials are reflected in insurance pricing. Members also raised the need to study programs like Alabama’s fortified roof model and Minnesota’s own Strengthen Minnesota Homes effort, along with questions about whether the construction industry is prepared to support broader resilience measures. No additional votes were taken during the discussion segment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott. Representative Scott.
• Senate Council. Senate Council.
• Senator Liur online. >> Oh, yeah. Um, Chair Scott. Um, thank you, Mr. Elen.
• Um, Chair Scott. they'd like to add? Um, Chair Scott.
• Representative Scott. These are tough Representative Scott.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee approved the October 15, 2025 minutes and then held a broader discussion on current challenges with data retention and government transparency. Judy Randall of the Office of the Legislative Auditor said historical data is essential for post-audits, which often look back three to five years, and that retention decisions must balance audit needs with the burden of separating public and nonpublic data. She described the records-retention panel process as informal and largely based on individual judgment, noting she had objected to a proposed 60-day email retention period and generally uses a three-year guideline, though she said that standard is not grounded in a formal rule. Members discussed whether auditing standards should set retention periods, with Randall saying auditing is a good starting point but other offices, including the attorney general, also have needs, and that some agency discretion is unavoidable because of the gray area between official records and non-records. Representative Elkins raised the related principle of data minimization, arguing that government should not keep data longer than needed and citing a University of Minnesota legacy data warehouse breach as an example of the risks of retaining unnecessary sensitive information. Randall agreed that data no longer needed is a liability and said her office purges workpapers after five years. Representative Scott pressed whether three years is enough for fraud investigations and financial records; Randall responded that a reasonableness standard is needed and that longer retention can produce diminishing returns, though she said she would follow up on whether financial records should be treated differently. Tanya Tacker of the Rum River Special Education Cooperative testified in support of updating Minnesota’s data-retention laws for schools. She said districts want to protect student information and maintain transparency, but the current general retention schedule dates to 1985 and 2000 and does not reflect digital records, modern systems, or the volume of special education data. She urged modernizing the schedule, clarifying what must be kept in paper versus digitized form, aligning state rules with IDEA and other federal requirements, and providing practical guidance and tools. Members praised the specificity of her recommendations. Dr. BB Newman testified that retention failures in St. Anthony Village have made it difficult to obtain routine municipal and police data, with records delayed, missing, or inconsistently produced and no clear explanation of what systems were searched or whether records were destroyed. Newman argued these gaps undermine statutory access rights and force residents into costly litigation, and recommended stronger retention auditing, documentation of destruction, mandatory disclosure of systems searched, and consequences for noncompliance. In response to questions, Senate counsel said there is generally no direct penalty, but affected parties may seek mandamus, Data Practices Act claims, or informal mediation/opinions from the Data Practices Office. The discussion closed with calls for clearer standards and possible legislative updates to improve compliance and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate District 30 36. Senate District 30 36.
• And um Senate Senate um unanimously.
• I represent Senate District 17. >> Uh, Billy Parker, Superintendent, Scott County Schools, cities of
• Now, Senator Nunn, I did my student teaching at Scott County High School with John Lacy in the ag department
• teaching Senator Nunn, I did my student teaching at<00:15:46.000> Scott<00:15:46.320> County

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Michelle, Senator Mumford, Senator Norwood, Senator Parks, Senator Pope, Senator Rhodes, Senator
• Seymour, Senator Simmons of the 12th, Senator Simmons of the 13th, Senator Sparks, Senator Suber, Senator
• Tate, Senator Taylor, Senator Thomas, Senator Thompson, Senator Turner Ford, Senator Whaley, Senator
• Senator Thomas, Senator Thompson, Senator Turner Ford, Senator Whaley, Senator Wiggins, Senator Williams
• Jimmy Scott McMon of Starkville. He passed away over the weekend. Thank you, Senator.

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 23 February, 2026; 4:00 PM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Reverend Tony Chrysler, and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Routine motions were adopted to dispense with reading the journal, committee reports, and bill and resolution titles. The chamber also recognized Dr. Scott Hamilton as doctor of the day and welcomed a group from the Hancock County Youth Academy to the gallery. On the calendar, several items were passed over and retained, including items one through six on the finance calendar, a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 3053, and House Bill 1076. No substantive debate on those measures was recorded in this segment. The Senate then moved into announcements. Announcements included a capital prayer gathering the next morning, the Mississippi Legislative Sportsman’s Caucus catfish dinner, an appropriations committee meeting, a joint appropriations/IT meeting to discuss statewide computer and technology issues, a finance committee meeting, and notices that Insurance and Judiciary Division B would not meet the next morning. Members also requested that the Senate adjourn in memory of several individuals, including Jimmy Scott McMon of Starkville, Mary Margaret Casease of Oxford, Brent Coleman of Sebast, and Leila Bea Keys of Clarksdale and Robera Jameson of Marks. The Senate voted to stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal to reflect adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the following morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Item number four, Senate communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?
• Item number four, Senate communications. Mr. Clerk, are there any Senate communications?
• :11:51.440> Senate<00:11:51.760> Communications<00:11:52.680> Madam there any Senate
• > report ordered senate committee report ordered senate committee report 740<00:38:54.400> representative
• Senate Committee Report. Representative Garcia: No vote, so ordered.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so that's a date that's in Senate Bill 6.
• Scott: You're Scott? Yes. But who do I have first? You have Kirk first. I have Kirk first.
• Chairman: Scott, we'll go to you.
• Scott Wright: My name is Scott Wright and I am the Vice President of Energy Market and Regulatory Strategy
• Scott Wright: But good afternoon, as I was Scott Wright: Saying, so I definitely appreciate the opportunity

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Oh, Senator Scott. So go ahead, Representative Chandler.
• Chavez, Representative Herndon, Senator Scott, Senator Block, Senator Hickey, and Representative Jones
• There's me, um, Senator Scott, Senator Block, and Representative Jones was just here, wasn't she?
• Senator Scott. Thank you. Madam Chair. Looking at slide 17.
• Madam Chair, Senator Scott, that is correct. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Madam Chair. Senator Block.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott, thank you.
• Representative Scott, thank you.
• Representative Scott, are you...
• <00:24:27.919> majority to Paul gazela then Senate majority to Paul gazela then Senate majority
• Representative Scott, thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.

Transcript Highlights:

• This, your recognize the gentleman from Mobile, Pro Tim Pringle. Thank you, Mr.
• Speaker, I move the rules be suspended for consideration of House Resolution Number One, notifying the Senate

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Gallegos - Here Senator Nava - Here Senator Pinto - Here Senator Polk - Present Senator Scott
• Senator Pinto, Yes. Senator Pope, Yes. Senator Scott, Yes. Senator Wilson, Yes.
• Senator Scott, thank you, Chair.
• Senator Narva? Senator Pinto? Senator Polk? No. Senator Scott? Yes. Senator Wilson? Yes.
• Senator Pinto? Senator Polk? Yes. Explain my vote. Senator Scott. Senator Wilson? Senator Hickey?

Bills: SB41, SB33, SB32, SB30

Keywords: sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, individualized treatment, investigational treatment, health care, life-threatening illness, patient rights, physician recommendation, informed consent, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child protection, prosecution, crime amendments, SB30, induced abortion, abortion reporting

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we will hear Senate Bill 467, which revises provisions relating to cybersecurity.
• I will now open the hearing on Senate Bill 467.
• Is there anyone here in Carson City wishing to testify in opposition to Senate Bill 467?
• Carson City wishing to testify in opposition to Senate Bill 467.
• And with that, we will now open the work session on Senate Bill 467.

Bills: SB156, SB467

Keywords: gun violence, firearm safety, special counsel, data collection, community initiatives, grants, Attorney General, public safety, suicide prevention, cybersecurity, information security, state agency, data protection, confidentiality, 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Senator Scott.
• Senator O'Malley, yes. Senator Scott, yes. Senator Thornton, yes. Senator O'Malley, yes.
• Senator Scott, yes. Senator Thornton, yes. Senator Sadia Lopez is excused.
• Senator Hamblen? Yes. Senator O'Malley? Yes. Senator Scott? Senator Thornton? Yes.
• Senator O'Malley? Senator Scott? Senator Thornton? Yes. Senator Thornton. Yes. Senator Soponix?

Bills: SB66, SB79, SB108

Keywords: environment, cleanup, contamination, uranium mining, abandoned sites, state funding, mosquito control, public health, surveillance, prevention funds, local government grants, food security, agriculture, food bank, regional program, appropriation, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:37.279> Chair<00:26:37.600> Scott. Scott. Okay. Chair Scott. Scott. Okay.
• Chair Scott.
• Thank you, Chair Scott.
• Representative<00:32:03.200> Scott. Representative Scott. Representative Scott.
• Chair Scott,<01:19:36.560> would<01:19:36.800> you Scott, would you Scott, would you >

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4252 and first heard a walkthrough of a DE2 amendment that largely incorporated Office of Higher Education technical and statutory cleanup items, including reporting consolidations, updates to postsecondary registration and licensing statutes, and an anti-fraud provision. New provisions in the DE2 would require public postsecondary institutions to explain developmental courses before enrollment and obtain a written acknowledgement, revise the state grant tuition cap, add a $1.5 million ongoing appropriation in FY 2027 for an identity verification system to combat enrollment fraud, and provide $5,000 one-time funding for reforestation at Bemidji State University. Fiscal staff also noted additional special revenue fund revenue and expenditures tied to licensing and registration litigation response. The main debate centered on the A8 amendment offered by Representative Rarick, which would require the governor to appoint University of Minnesota regents only from candidates recommended by the joint legislative committee if the legislature fails to elect regents. Rarick argued the amendment was needed to address what he described as conflicts of interest and pay-to-play concerns in recent gubernatorial appointments. Several members questioned whether the language was constitutional, whether it actually addressed conflicts of interest, and whether it should instead refer to ARCAC-screened or ARCAC-recommended candidates. Nonpartisan staff said the governor’s appointment power is addressed in the university charter, not directly in the constitution, but could not definitively assess constitutionality if challenged. Members were divided: some supported the goal of cleaner governance but said the amendment was not ready or did not match the problem being described; others argued the legislature had failed to complete its own regent appointments and that the amendment was a response to that failure. No vote on the A8 amendment or the bill was reached in the portion provided, though a roll call was requested on the amendment and the chair indicated the bill would continue through amendment consideration before final discussion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Manki's bill.
• There's Senator McConi. Oh, there he is. Warm work. Okay. Good morning, Senator. Good morning.
• <00:17:52.559> Bill Senate Bill Senate Bill 94?
• I'm opening the hearing on Senate Bill 30, and I pull Senator Fenton.
• Thank you, Senator. Thank you, Scott Brody.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 94, which would prohibit municipal amendments to the state building code and move New Hampshire toward a more uniform statewide code. Senator McConi and several supporters, including the Josiah Barlo Center for Public Policy, the State Fire Marshal, the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, and the New Hampshire Homebuilders Association, argued that local variations create confusion, raise housing costs, and make compliance harder for builders operating in multiple towns. The Fire Marshal said the goal is a single state building and fire code with only limited administrative amendments at the local level, not technical changes, and noted that municipalities could still seek exceptions through the Building Code Review Board if needed. The chair explained that a similar House bill was already moving forward with fire code and administrative amendment language, and members agreed that retaining SB 94 would avoid conflicting bills. The committee then voted to retain SB 94 by roll call, 13-0, with no minority report. The committee then took up Senate Bill 30, which would designate the Virginia opossum as New Hampshire’s state marsupial. Senator Fenton presented the bill as a light-hearted measure inspired by Chesterfield School fourth graders, who had submitted written testimony and supported the idea. Members discussed the bill in a humorous but mostly supportive way, with one member objecting that it trivialized the legislature, while others said it could help engage students in the legislative process. The committee voted ought to pass on SB 30, 11-2, and agreed to place it on consent with no minority report. Later, the committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 95, concerning youth camp cabins and state fire/building codes. Senator McConi said the bill would exempt new residential cabins in youth recreation camps from sprinkler requirements and allow them to omit electrical, mechanical, or plumbing systems, while requiring any such systems that are present to comply with state code. He said the measure was intended to resolve recurring interpretation problems that have caused expense and uncertainty for camp owners, and he praised work with the Fire Marshal’s office to reach a workable compromise. Representative Schmidt asked about cabin sizes and whether larger cabins with multiple occupants would still be safe; the senator explained that camps typically use counselors, drills, and supervision, and that the people behind him could answer more detailed questions. The transcript cuts off before the hearing concludes or any vote is taken on SB 95.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Scott asked, "How much was that?"
• Represent<00:08:05.919> Scott.
• And I Represent Scott. Um, thank you.
• Represent Scott. million dollars a year. Represent Scott.
• been a while since I was a CA in Senate been a while since I was a CA in Senate in<00:09:20.640>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2432, the public safety finance bill, and first confirmed that the public safety finance committee had met its budget target: an additional $50 million over the February forecast base for fiscal years 2026-27 and another $50 million in the tails. Chair Noatne and Chair Mhler described the bill as a compromise that tried to balance major operating pressures, especially at the Department of Corrections, with public safety priorities. The bill includes funding for peace officer training and recruitment, including the Philando Castile training fund, duty-to-intercede training, and the intensive police officer training program, as well as money for local public safety radio equipment. It also contains penalty and public safety changes such as increased penalties for certain offenses, a longer statute of limitations for first-degree arson, a mandatory minimum for first-degree criminal sexual trafficking, fentanyl-related provisions, and a requirement that the Department of Corrections maintain Narcan in prisons. Members also discussed victim services funding, including the creation of a special revenue account to help stabilize support for domestic violence shelters, sexual assault advocates, child abuse centers, and crime victim services. During discussion, members raised concerns that the target was too small to cover DOC operating costs and could affect evidence processing, corrections staffing, and rehabilitation programming. Questions focused on prison phone-call funding, which was described as about $3 million per year, and cable television costs, estimated at about $1 million per year. Supporters argued that phone access and programming help rehabilitation, maintain family connections, and improve safety for staff and incarcerated people. No amendments were offered. The committee then adopted motions to incorporate House File 2300 and House File 2432 into the public safety and judiciary omnibus as separate articles, and finally approved House File 2432 as amended for placement on the general register, with technical corrections authorized. The motions prevailed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Scott. Uh, Mr.
• >> Chair Scott. >> Chair Scott. >> Uh,<00:16:30.720> Mr.
• She added that it looks bipartisan in the Senate, or at least there is a DFL author in the Senate, and
• >> Chair<00:31:55.279> Scott. >> Chair Scott. >> Chair Scott.
• Scott. Scott.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Pinto? Senator Scott? Here. Senator Hickey? Senator Lopez? Here.
• Thank you, Senator Scott.
• Senator Gallegos? Yes. Senator Nava? Yes. Senator Pinto? Yes. Senator Scott? No.
• Senator Nava, Senator Pinto, Senator Scott, Senator Cedillo-Lopez, Senator Hickey, Senator Lueb.
• Senator Boone. Aye. Senator Charlie. Senator Gallegos. Senator Nava. Senator Pinto. Senator Scott.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator. It is deferred. All right, Senator.
• Members, next we would take up Senate Bill 109 by Senator Jenkins.
• Members, this is Senate Bill 109 by Senator Jenkins.
• Members, this is Senate Concurrent Resolution 20 by Senator Wheat.
• Members, this is Senate Bill 216 by Senator Wheat.

Bills: SB57, SB405, HB62, HB193, HB203, HB222, HB246, HB420, HB475, HB486, HB574, HB584, HB815, HB949, HB1092, HB1214

Keywords: SB 57, Act 735, Act 463, nutrition, public health, food additives, artificial colors, banned chemicals, ingredient labeling, food labeling, FDA, food and beverage regulation, consumer disclosure, school nutrition, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 40, Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 17, food manufacturers, food retailers, compliance, effective date delay