Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Sheriff's Association supports House File 135 and urges its passage to enhance the safety
• </c><00:07:11.280><c> house</c> sheriff's Association supports house sheriff's Association supports house
• I like the idea as well, as you know, supporting our correction officer in this situation.
• Chair and committee, for the opportunity to share a perspective on support of this bill.
• </c><01:27:04.320><c> and</c> and uh I appreciate all your support and and uh I appreciate all your support

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We respectfully ask for your support of HF 3521.
• None of that supports healing.
• None of that supports healing. bed. bed.
• </c> who are not experiencing addiction. who are not experiencing addiction.
• </c> support this bill. Thank you. support this bill. Thank you.

Bills: HF3521 , HF1807 , HF1270 , HF2070 , HF3136

Committee: House Health Finance and Policy

Keywords: hospital moratorium, hospital construction, bed capacity, hospital expansion, health care facilities, hospital licensing, safety-net hospital, level I trauma center, Ramsey County, Minnesota health law, hospital beds, new hospital exception, certificate of need, inpatient capacity, emergency care, trauma services, health system regulation, state moratorium, hospital modernization, health infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• But we've not wasted any time with setting up support for our faculty and staff, which we do know we
• But we've not wasted any time with setting up support for our faculty and staff, which we do know we
• I'm proud of the work that they do, whether in faculty or staff or administrative support.
• We're here to support you.
• We're here to support you.

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education met for its first meeting and heard an update from KCTCS President Dr. Ryan Corral. He opened with a brief report on flood impacts across the state, noting damage at Big Sandy and Hazard, support for displaced faculty and staff, emergency student aid, and the use of campuses as shelters and Red Cross sites. He then outlined KCTCS’s role as the state’s largest postsecondary system, serving about 107,000 students across 16 colleges and 70 campuses, with strong enrollment growth, major dual credit and GED operations, and a large workforce-training mission. Corral emphasized student support needs such as food, housing, and mental health services, and said KCTCS wants to expand work with incarcerated populations and recovery communities. Corral also described system changes focused on compliance, stability, leadership development, property disposal, and curriculum review. He said KCTCS has addressed prior audit findings, is conducting additional audits, has sold or is selling several buildings, and has removed 400 underutilized credentials to better align programs with employer needs. He highlighted transfer agreements with the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University, and said KCTCS is working to align training with employers and local governments. He also discussed the system’s response to House Bill 6 and the $90 million appropriated for an efficient operations and innovation plan, including three proposed capital projects: a Somerset Community College facility for diesel, automotive, welding, HVAC, CAD, and 3D printing; replacement of an outdated Louisville building; and a South Central/Glasgow allied health facility to expand nursing and related programs. In response to questions, Corral said the Blue Oval SK training building in Glendale is open and operational, though workforce demand there has been slower than initially expected, and that KCTCS is working with the company and state officials to cover operating costs. Members praised KCTCS’s workforce role and flexibility in meeting employer needs statewide. Representative Moll also commented on the system’s progress and importance to Kentucky’s workforce development. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have bipartisan support out of the Senate. It was nearly unanimous.
• </c> them know that we're lending our support them know that we're lending our support as<00:03:16.000
• It was nearly support out of the Senate.
• Well, I think when we talk about social media companies, this is really an addicting thing, right?
• </c> companies, this is really an addicting companies, this is really an addicting thing,<00:04:04.799

Transcript Highlights:

• I thought that was a meaningful change, and many of us on the Republican side supported it as a win he
• operating budget will be part of the discussion because, unless he's just not getting good staff support
• And in lieu of doing that, they chose to fund a program that gives drug paraphernalia to drug addicts
• So it's a Fund a program that gives drug paraphernalia to drug addicts.
• Do you prioritize young children, infants who were born into addiction, or would you prefer to give out

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a media availability in Olympia as the 2026 session entered its final full week, focusing heavily on affordability, taxes, and the state operating budget. Senators Braun and Gildon, along with House Republicans Connors and Abbarno, criticized the House and Senate budget proposals as spending billions more than forecast revenue, relying on one-time money, the rainy day fund, and what they called unrealistic assumptions. They argued the budgets would worsen a future deficit and said Democrats were prioritizing special interests over fiscal restraint. A major topic was the proposed income tax on high earners, which Republicans said would likely expand over time and drive businesses and wealthy residents out of Washington. They also discussed other tax proposals they said would hurt affordability, including changes affecting data centers, nicotine products, prescription drug warehousing, retail bags, and bottles. House Republicans said they were working with some Democrats to oppose the income tax and urged the governor to veto it if it reaches his desk. They also said the budget process has excluded Republican input and relied on closed-door negotiations. Republicans also raised several policy issues they said were stalled or killed this session, including juvenile rehabilitation reform, child endangerment and fatality reporting, tort reform, and housing and energy policy. They criticized the House for not advancing measures they said would help with child safety, juvenile justice, housing supply, and energy diversity, and they opposed a data center tax/clawback bill they said could discourage investment and jobs, especially in rural communities. In response to questions, Braun said he planned to raise the income tax, the budget, juvenile rehabilitation, child endangerment, and tort reform in an upcoming meeting with the governor. No votes were taken during the availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am here to testify in support of Senate Bill 2881.
• So while social media is not physically addictive like alcohol, nicotine, and THC, we know that its use
• So this measure would reduce addictiveness. of the apps, and limit the exposure to harmful content.
• Laura Presley, and I'm in support of the bill.
• I support it. Other questions, members? None?

Bills: SB1065 , SB2117 , SB2217 , SB2363 , SB2533 , SB2742 , SB2743 , SB2881 , SB2964 , SB3013 , SB3014

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment programs, support overdose prevention, education, and to support job placement, housing, and
• treatment programs, support overdose prevention, education, and to support job placement, housing, and
• So that takes us to page 147, which is tobacco addiction prevention.
• This corps supports four local communities.
• This NDI requests opioid addiction treatment and recovery funds to support the bureau operations rather

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• I urge you to support it.
• of your support.
• support staff.
• In addition, we support the...
• With the Direct Support Professional (DSP) turnover at state-supported living centers in 2022, we were

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:45.120><c> Uh</c> in this state with um addiction. Uh in this state with um addiction.
• </c> voice my support of reggg 767. voice my support of reggg 767.
• </c> addiction that started with nicotine. addiction that started with nicotine.
• We appreciate that support. We appreciate the prior support of the Tobacco 21 law.
• Let's do that now. that support. We appreciate the prior that support.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then took up Department for Medicaid Services regulations 907 KAR 23:010 and related rules. DMS explained that one regulation would establish a beneficiary advisory council and another would remove language barring coverage of GLP-1 drugs for obesity-related use. The department said coverage would still be limited by prior authorization and clinical criteria, with use tied to underlying chronic conditions such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, and that the pharmacy and therapeutics committee would help set the detailed standards. Members discussed the potential health benefits, but several raised concerns about cost, timing, and whether the legislature and the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board should review the policy first. DMS said the drugs are already on the formulary, that current Medicaid users with diabetes are already covered, and that the fiscal impact was estimated using current utilization, rebates, and expected savings; the department also said it would only cover the drugs if subject to rebates. The committee then voted 5-1 to find 907 KAR 23:010 deficient. The committee next considered several emergency regulations from the Public Protection Cabinet’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control implementing SB 100. The rules covered tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product licensing, including the application form, denial standards, and transitional licensing. ABC counsel said the department had received about 5,500 applications and issued nearly 5,000 licenses, with additional provisional licenses issued to avoid interruption in sales after the law’s effective date. He said some applications remained pending because inspections and photographs revealed possible unauthorized nicotine vapor products, and the department was seeking documentation before approval. A staff amendment was adopted without objection before the ABC presentation continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• I support it. When you look at...
• Then they went to their conference and said that they weren't going to support the bill.
• Committee, I called my 911 director, and he absolutely supports this legislation.
• The science does not support this assertion.
• For these reasons, I strongly urge you to support HB357.

Bills: HB30 , HB263 , HB357 , HB359 , SB60 , SB102 , HB30

Committee: House Ways and Means General Fund

Keywords: elections, post-election audit, election audit, risk-limiting audit, ballot audit, election integrity, voter confidence, Secretary of State, judge of probate, canvassing board, poll watchers, ballot containers, manual tally, recount, county election, statewide election, general election, absentee ballots, provisional ballots, election transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• Ando, and support. Department of Taxation and support.
• Healthcare Association of Hawaii, in support. Jennifer Desman, HMSA, in support.
• Straw, Benioff Medical Center, in support. Gary Slan, Sanai Work, in support.
• Mariah Yosu Ofono Initiative, in support. Amy Miller, Hawaii Food Bank, in support.
• She urged support for his nomination and said they were in strong support.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several gubernatorial nominations and appointments, beginning with Sunshine Cho and Barbara Tom for the Language Access Advisory Council. Both nominees said they stood on their written testimony and expressed interest in continuing to serve, and multiple organizations testified in strong support. No opposition or questions were raised on either nomination, and the committee moved on after hearing the testimony. The bulk of the meeting focused on GM 642, the nomination of Ryan Yamane to be Director of the Department of Human Services. Yamane gave an extensive opening statement describing his social work background, long public service career, and philosophy of compassionate, balanced leadership. He emphasized DHS’s role in helping people from keiki to kūpuna with dignity and support, and shared personal stories from disaster response and family-service work to illustrate his approach. Support testimony came from a wide range of state officials, agency directors, community organizations, health systems, advocacy groups, and former colleagues, who praised his leadership, problem-solving, communication skills, and empathy. One witness, Moani Kiala Katherine Tu Alun, testified in opposition, raising concerns about retaliation and safety issues affecting foster youth and alleging harmful treatment within Child Welfare Services. Another witness, Angela Melody Young, supported the nomination and said Yamane could help overcome barriers for vulnerable communities and improve DHS programs such as financial assistance, SNAP, and disability services. The committee also heard from DHS staff and related officials about the uncertainty surrounding possible federal funding and staffing cuts; Yamane said the department is gathering information, coordinating with Budget and Finance and federal partners, and preparing to prioritize services and adjust if federal changes affect programs. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:18:36.640><c> planning</c> that early education supports planning that early education supports
• </c><01:23:02.880><c> ongoing</c> funding to support ongoing funding to support ongoing implementation
• While addiction is not sustainable.
• Please support SB 441.
• Please support<01:57:38.320><c> SB441.</c> support SB441. support SB441.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's really hard for me to support something that I don't know...
• It's really hard for me to support something that I don't know what the cost savings is, and I don't
• If it's even worth it, you know, I'm a believer that businesses need to pay a stipend of support for
• So it's not that I don't believe or don't support what you're asking. I support it completely.
• We do invite your support on this.

Committee: House A&B Human Services Subcommittee

Transcript Highlights:

• And so I'm concerned that I can't see or don't have enough information to support change if we can't
• And I support that legislation.
• So it's not that I don't believe or don't support what you're asking. I support it completely.
• So if families are receiving SNAP benefits for their family, they're receiving food support, and then
• We do invite your support on this.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 2949, as amended by a PCS, which would relax child care staffing ratios in an effort to improve the economics of day care centers and expand availability. Representative Tedford said the bill came from an interim study on child care deserts and that he was open to further changes, including tightening the infant ratio back to 4:1 and possibly reducing the toddler ratio. Members raised concerns about safety, learning, and the lack of data on how the changes would affect staffing and children. After discussion, the committee vote ended 2-2, and the bill did not pass. The committee then heard House Bill 3052, the Sir Major White Bullock Child Protection and Family Notification Act, which would require a more structured DHS response when there are repeat fentanyl-related births, including broader family notification and earlier involvement of extended family. Representative Stewart emphasized that the bill was narrowly focused on fentanyl, did not criminalize mothers, and did not mandate automatic removal. Members discussed whether the bill should also address drug dealers or other drugs, but Stewart said separate legislation would address penalties for fentanyl suppliers. The bill passed unanimously, 5-0. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 3638, with a PCS, to create a summer EBT program and revolving fund to help provide food support for children during the summer months when school meals are unavailable. Vice Chair Guys said the program would supplement existing SNAP benefits and summer meal efforts, and would be funded through a mix of public and private sources. Members asked about overlap with food pantries and school meal programs, and about federal matching and administrative costs. The committee approved the bill 5-0. The meeting then adjourned after all House bills were heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> find numerous letters that also support find numerous letters that also support this<00:06:50.960
• With that, members, I appreciate your support today. Thank you.
• With that, members, I appreciate your support today. Thank you.
• Chairs and committee members, I appreciate your support.
• I urge your support. Thank you.

Bills: HF1379 , HF1596 , HF2260 , HF1429

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: nonopioid directive, opioid refusal, opioid-free care, pain management, health care directive, advance directive, patient autonomy, informed consent, substance use disorder, opioid epidemic, prescriber immunity, provider liability, emergency medical services, EMS, health record, Minnesota Department of Health, health care agent, medical power of attorney, Metropolitan Council, Minnesota government data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• Mcccleintoch in support, Forest Bats in support, Jay in support, Linda Winer in support, Donita Garcia
• Elliot Smith, Ohana Addiction Treatment Center, in support. Elliot Smith, are you present on Zoom?
• Bridget Hedi, Ohana Addiction Treatment Center, in support. Walden, HMSA, providing comments.
• Elliot Smith Ohana Addiction in support.
• </c> Addiction Treatment Center in support. Addiction Treatment Center in support.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Lottery Commission to support Lottery Commission to support legislation<00:09:26.000><c> that</c
• ><c> in</c> here for years supporting charities in here for years supporting charities in the<01:09:07.000
• West Virginia online gambling booms fuels addiction.
• </c> booms fuels addiction booms fuels addiction Michigan<01:11:54.600><c> there</c><01:11:54.719><c>
• </c><01:12:00.080><c> an</c> struggle with gambling addiction an struggle with gambling addiction an

Committee: Senate Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We are signed in, supported the bill.
• Very much in support. behalf of Pima County, thank you very much, excellent bill, very much in support
• Thank you for your support. Thank you, committee members. Thank you for your support. Thank you.
• So, ...support electoral interference.
• I do not support this bill.

Summary: The committee approved the minutes and then heard a long series of bills, mostly from Senators Hoffman, Fernandez, and Bolick. Early action included SB 1436 on school bond/override ballot language, which passed 4-3 after brief debate over ballot length and transparency. SB 1568, requiring election systems to keep clocks within 60 seconds of official time and making violations a misdemeanor, was amended and passed 4-3 despite concerns about machine failures and the breadth of the penalty. SB 1569, limiting special election board members from collecting voter registrations while assisting confined voters, also passed 4-3 after testimony from county officials and a deputy registrar describing alleged misuse of SEBs. SB 1746, requiring schools to serve as polling places and closing schools on regular primary/general election days for staff training, passed 4-3 over objections about school autonomy and safety. SB 1295, allowing certain incarcerated people needing long-term care or treatment to be transferred to contracted medical institutions, passed unanimously after an amendment narrowing the medical eligibility language. The committee then took up SB 1067, a county blight/abatement bill allowing property tax bills to include assessments for removing rubbish, debris, and dilapidated structures; county officials from Gila and Pima Counties strongly supported it, and it passed 7-0. SB 1285, which would have repealed kratom protections and added kratom and its alkaloids to the narcotic-drug list, drew strong opposition from industry and a pharmacist and failed 3-4 after debate over safety, regulation, and criminal penalties. SB 1413, removing the $100,000 restitution cap for serious injury or death caused by a moving violation, passed after a short explanation that it was intended to conform statutes to a prior Arizona Supreme Court ruling. SB 1476, making prenatal exposure to dangerous or narcotic drugs and fetal alcohol syndrome a class six felony child neglect offense with an affirmative defense for mothers who completed treatment, drew emotional testimony from a foster/adoptive parent and opposition from reproductive justice and criminal defense advocates; it passed 4-2. Later, SB 1585, creating standards and funding mechanisms for sex offender-specific evaluations, treatment, and polygraphs, passed 4-2 after supporters argued it would improve oversight and opponents questioned the added surcharge and appropriation. SB 1662, requiring probation conditions to be the least restrictive necessary and tailored to risk and needs, passed 5-0 with support from justice reform advocates and defense attorneys. SB 1664, adjusting constable nomination signature requirements in Maricopa and Pima Counties, passed unanimously after county association support. The committee then began SB 1666 on in-state custodial interference, with the sponsor and a supporter describing repeated violations of custody orders and arguing for a tiered civil-penalty-to-felony structure; the transcript ends during questioning on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> support systems in every school. support systems in every school.
• </c> are supported emotionally.
• </c> target, and supportive interventions. target, and supportive interventions.
• libraries support Minnesota's Strong libraries support Minnesota's broader<01:19:34.480><c> book</c>
• Thank you for supporting access.

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I am Jeff Davis." addiction counselor so addiction counselor so um<00:31:54.760><c> I</c><00:31:55.000
• opioid addiction, but cigarette addiction is also a huge killer for the U.S. population.
• Ear acupuncture for addiction.
• We support the efforts to ensure those living in poverty, supported by Medicaid, have access to this
• </c><00:41:05.000><c> this</c> sustain recovery I fully support this sustain recovery I fully support

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services