Transcript Highlights:

• It also provides for an additional appropriation of $25 million to be directed toward affordable housing
• This bill provides a much-needed immediate one-time appropriation, and importantly it also provides ongoing
• and importantly it onetime appropriation and importantly it also<00:06:49.639> provides<00:06
• Builders could better fit appropriately Builders could better fit appropriately sized<01:00:56.079
• I'll pass this in if that's appropriate with my scrubbles on it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• However, the money is subject to appropriation by the legislature.
• I think that's new language for an appropriation.
• With the COG appropriation that was appropriated last year, this is basically extending the time duration
• You all appropriated, Mr. Chair, $2 million last year.
• I think part of the issue with this appropriation, Mr.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This pertains to an increase in appropriated receipts.
• We didn't have an appropriation for most of these cases.
• This is all about an appropriation.
• As you know, you can only do appropriations when it's time to appropriate.
• We just have to pay it through an appropriation, and there's no way to appropriate, right?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• After that was finished, the real work began as campaign workers went to surplus voters.
• delegate, you could get an extra delegate, making the case for their candidate and watching those surplus
• afternoon, Chair Hahn and honorable members. finished, the real work began as campaign voters went to surplus
• candidate, you could get an extra delegate, making the case for their candidate and watching those surplus

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on Boston’s home rule petition (H. 4262) and Bedford’s petition (H. 4916). Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, explained the three-minute testimony limit, and noted that written testimony would also be accepted. The hearing featured testimony from a wide range of supporters, including advocacy organizations, community leaders, Boston City Council members, and Bedford residents. Witnesses generally argued that ranked choice voting would produce majority-supported winners, reduce vote-splitting and negative campaigning, encourage coalition-building, and give voters more freedom to rank candidates without fear of wasting their vote. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves whether to adopt the system. Others highlighted potential benefits for women, historically marginalized communities, and voter participation more broadly. Boston councilors and supporters also described the city’s local approval process and said the proposal would still require voter ratification if enacted by the legislature. No opposition testimony was presented in the excerpt. The committee took no substantive vote on the bills during the hearing; after testimony concluded, the chairs thanked participants and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We had an $18 billion surplus.
• two years ago uh we had an<00:02:47.879> $18<00:02:48.400> billion<00:02:49.000> Surplus
• c><00:02:49.440> we've<00:02:49.599> heard<00:02:49.840> many an $18 billion Surplus
• we've heard many an $18 billion Surplus we've heard many times<00:02:50.599> on<00:02:50.840>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• typographical error in lines 1.3, 1.9, and 1.1.9 through 1.11, and that's just making sure that the appropriate
• difficult difficult it is to put together a balanced budget with so many uncertainties, a much smaller surplus
• Included in the bill, in addition to the appropriations that are listed in your packet and available,
• you will see an extension to prior appropriations, both for the Capitol Mall design framework and for

Bills: HF2783

Keywords: state government finance, biennial budget, appropriations, Minnesota Management and Budget, Healthy Aging Subcabinet, Office of Healthy Aging, older adults, aging policy, long-term care, caregivers, public health, Medicaid fraud, medical assistance fraud, attorney general subpoena power, fraud enforcement, business filing fraud, Secretary of State, deceptive mailings, consumer protection, certified public accountant

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:17.280> have cultural heritage appropriation have cultural heritage appropriation have
• uh just to note any to appropriate uh just to note any Appropriations<00:20:56.400> made<00:20
• deal with so every uh appropriation deal with so every uh appropriation there's<00:33:26.039>
• over in addition so the Appropriations over in addition so the Appropriations that<00:34:16.960>
• So they have an appropriation in the bottom of our appropriation bill every year.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income. The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails. House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > I think what you're seeing right now is Democrats' frustration after 2 years and $18 billion of surplus
• billion dollar of surplus being spent. billion dollar of surplus being spent.
• We saw $18 billion of surplus being spent that year.
• We saw $18 billion<00:41:07.280> of<00:41:07.440> surplus<00:41:07.920> being<00
• uh that billion of surplus being spent uh that year.<00:41:09.680> And<00:41:09.839> then<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have leveraged our state surplus over several sessions to make targeted investments.
• It helps feed Texans with enhancements in the home-delivered meals program and the surplus agriculture
• It's what we had done last session when we had surplus as well.
• We're going to have a unit that is very specific for them, done in an appropriate manner and done well
• Initially, no state funding was appropriated for the initiative; however, that has now changed, making

Bills: SB27, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB30, SB37, SB260, SB268, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB650, SB763, SB1405, SB1506, SB1540, SB1566, SB1610, SB1637, SB1660, SB2018, SB2024, SB2217, SB2308, SB2337, SB2601, SB2753, SB2878, SB2900, SB2972, SB3059, HB4, HB40, HB46, HB119, HB145, HB300, HB493, HB705, HB1545, HB2011, HB2017, HB2067, HB2516, HB2885, HB2963, HB2974, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3642, HB3909, HB5138, HB5246, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1944, SB1232, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB2683, SB1319, SB3045, SB3071, HB796, HB1523, HB5294, HB748, HB3395, HB180, HB3171, HB146, HB5596, HB5694, HB1135, HB3225, HB186, HB1449, HB3793, HB112, HB104, HB3336, HB3520, HB3320, HB5663, HB2399, HB111, HB3483, HB4580, HB3748, HB632, HB4730, HB5690, HB5689, HB3385, HB4359, HB5381, HB123, HB5606, HB1057, HB3664, HCR141, HCR40, HCR59, SR634, SR687, SR703, SR709, SR715, SB1494, SB2121, SB2373, SB2431, HB46, SB1, SB8, SB12, SB13, SB15, SB37, SB260, SB331, SB379, SB441, SB447, SB457, SB568, SB763, SB1405, SB1540, SB1566, SB2018, SB2308, SB2337, SB2878, SB3059, HB705, HB2017, HB2067, HB3071, HB3372, HB3556, HB3595, HB3909, HB5246

Keywords: elections, local governance, political subdivisions, general elections, Texas Election Code, data brokers, personal data, regulation, business entities, consumer protection, financial exploitation, artificial intelligence, phishing, legal liability, criminal offense, civil penalty, foreign language, study abroad, higher education, language credit

Transcript Highlights:

• This could be appropriations that were modified or new appropriations entirely.
• Those appropriations are being carved out of the existing agriculture base appropriations sustained by
• I'll be walking through the appropriations. The first section is appropriations for agriculture.
• Section two is appropriations to the M.D.A., subdivision one being the total appropriations.
• Paragraph I appropriates money to the M.D.A.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know that we've got a $6 billion deficit that is looming even after spending the $18 billion surplus
• We know that we've got a $6 billion deficit that is looming even after spending the $18 billion surplus
• We know that we've got a $6 billion deficit that is looming even after spending the $18 billion surplus
• We know that we've got a $6 billion deficit that is looming even after spending the $18 billion surplus

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, 300,000 is the appropriation request.
• Uh, 300,000 is the appropriation request.
• Um, this does not have any appropriation Um, this does not have any appropriation and<00:19:07.960
• As it made its way appropriation.
• appropriation for 375,000. appropriation for 375,000. >> Correct. >> Correct.

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:18.800> at in in general fund appropriation at in in general fund appropriation at
• <00:16:16.199> in area chair s if you have a surplus in area chair s if you have a surplus
• <01:26:38.440> it every bium this is not appropriated it every bium this is not appropriated
• A general fund appropriation in 2024, the $1.125 million general fund appropriation, was cancelled from
• A general fund appropriation in 2024, the $1.125 million general fund appropriation, was cancelled from

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, different appropriation.
• The sense that we don't allow the private carriers to charge what they need for the appropriate risk.
• California had the opposite, where they couldn't charge for the appropriate risk.
• them and make sure they're appropriate them and make sure they're appropriate but<01:25:01.639><
• need for the appropriate risk California had<01:25:11.400> the<01:25:11.840> opposite<

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means and Commerce and Consumer Protection heard the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs present its biennium budget request for fiscal years 2025 to 2027. Director Nainoa Ando said the department’s requests were primarily special-fund ceiling increases to meet operational needs. Major items included an additional $12 million to complete the King Kamehameha V Post Office building roof project after hidden deterioration and water intrusion were discovered, plus funding related to fringe benefits and central services assessments. The department also outlined requests for a new medical compact implementation cost, an auditor position, an engineer position, and a captive insurance IT modernization project. A significant portion of the discussion focused on the Office of Consumer Protection’s landlord-tenant call line and public service access. Senators raised concerns that callers often reach voicemail, are told to leave a message, and sometimes are referred to look up the law themselves. DCCA said the Oʻahu line is staffed by one full-time employee backed by two to three investigators, with one investigator each on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island, and that calls are tracked in a case management system. The department said it plans to add one more Oʻahu staff position through a transfer from another division and that a new call-center/web system with time tracking is expected to go live in the summer. Members also discussed a possible bill related to Pearson VUE nursing certification testing, with one senator describing the burden on neighbor-island nursing graduates who must travel to Honolulu for a one-hour test. The senator said she intended to introduce legislation after receiving no response to repeated outreach. DCCA did not take action on that proposal during the hearing. For the PUC-related requests, the department explained a one-time $1 million request for outside consulting tied to Maui wildfire-related filings, including wildfire safety mitigation and hazard mitigation plans, and a separate $900,000 request through the Consumer Advocacy Division to hire consultants for review and analysis. The committee also discussed a captive insurance IT modernization request, which DCCA said would replace manual and spreadsheet-based processes with a cloud-based system to better handle filings, payments, and workflow; no vote or final action was taken on the budget items during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The House Committee on Appropriations will now come to order. The clerk will call the roll.
• request, um, and the, where we are in terms of appropriations for public education.
• Um, and so, uh, our recommendation is to, to, to see both policy and appropriations there.
• Again, because you all appropriate, but you, your appropriation is only half the picture.
• Other than excess or surplus, but it's been in the billions of dollars in past years.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the intention, and I agree, we should make sure that the legislation is appropriately crafted
• I'll ask Senate Council or fiscal staff to clarify the general fund appropriation that we make for the
• Well, I actually kind of knew the answer because I know we don't appropriate directly to rail operations
• We are fortunate to have surplus funds during the next few years as we build out transit systems, and
• We are fortunate to have surplus funds during the next few years as we build out transit systems, and

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee met on January 29, 2025, to hear the Metropolitan Council’s presentation on the Governor’s proposed agency budget requests. The Council outlined three main budget items: authorization to advance funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway project with arterial bus rapid transit construction; a proposal to make free regular-route transit rides permanent for eligible Metro Mobility riders, after a successful pilot that produced nearly 75,000 rides; and a reduction in general fund support for rail operations, which the Council said it could absorb in the near term. The Council also noted it was seeking $15 million in the bonding bill for bus rapid transit, including support for the H Line, and described other capital requests for an infill/infiltration program and regional parks. Council leadership said the advance-funds proposal would let two projects move together more efficiently, reduce disruption, and potentially lower costs by avoiding repeated reconstruction and maintenance. On the Metro Mobility fare pilot, they said the lower fare increased rider freedom and spontaneity while saving state money because fixed-route service is cheaper than individual Metro Mobility trips. On the general fund reduction, they said the agency is expanding service, opening the Gold Line, B Line, and E Line, and can manage the cut because of its diversified revenue sources, though it could affect future expansion. Senator Nelson raised concerns about the proposal to expand the Right-of-Way Acquisition Loan Fund to include regional parks and trails, warning that the legislation should clearly avoid creating condemnation authority for park or trail projects, especially where they are adjacent to MnDOT projects. Council staff responded that the program would finance local acquisitions rather than give the Met Council condemnation power, and said they would take the concern under advisement and ensure the legislation is carefully drafted. Members also discussed federal funding uncertainty; Council officials said federal transit operating support is about $30 million and that a pause or cut could affect future capital projects and some existing awards, while the region’s diversified funding base would help cushion operations. No votes or formal actions were taken at the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• As you well remember, we had $18 billion of surplus that was not returned to the taxpayers of Minnesota
• Senate and we were working with, uh, across the aisle on that, uh, we had a good budget, we had a surplus
• Yeah, I think it was absolutely appropriate that the governor acknowledged the tragedies and what we've
• I think that was absolutely appropriate to give acknowledgement to that.
• I think that was absolutely appropriate I think that was absolutely appropriate to<00:13:18.880>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Republican legislative leaders reacted critically to Governor Walz’s speech, saying it was divisive and focused too heavily on Democratic priorities rather than unity or bipartisan work. Speaker Daudt and Majority Leader Liska argued the governor ignored the state’s affordability problems, including high property taxes, rising business costs, and what they described as mandates imposed under full Democratic control. They also said the speech downplayed poor educational outcomes and failed to offer a unifying vision for the final weeks of session. A major theme was fraud and accountability. Leaders said the governor waited too long to address the state’s large fraud scandal and then deflected blame to other states. They said Minnesotans want accountability and affordability, and they pointed to the House Fraud Committee and the Senate’s OIG bill as examples of anti-fraud work Republicans say Democrats have blocked. They also criticized the governor’s tax proposals as a “bait and switch,” arguing that promised tax cuts would be offset by new taxes on services and banking fees. The discussion also touched on school safety, gun policy, child care credits, and the HCMC bailout. Republicans said they were willing to work on bipartisan school safety measures, including mental health supports and funding for public, private, and charter schools, but believed gun-control proposals lacked the votes. On the child care credit, leaders said they would keep evaluating it but were concerned about future deficits and the need for a pay-for. In response to questions, they said they were not surprised HCMC was not mentioned and said conversations were continuing. One leader also objected to the governor’s comments about voting access for people of color, calling them disrespectful.

Transcript Highlights:

• Future appropriators will do that.
• So there's no obligation for appropriators to put money into this. They don't have to.
• Just like a lot of things in our budgetary process, it's based on appropriations.
• Just like a lot of things in our budgetary process, it's based on appropriations.
• So if it's a surplus, encourage your family members and every constituent possible, if it is a surplus

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, we have pockets of surplus nurses in certain areas, let's say Southern California...
• So we hear the stories around there being pockets of surplus and pockets of shortage.
• Is it appropriate in terms of the amount of training?
• During that time, I was able to delegate responsibilities that were appropriate to the nurse.
• We are lucky to have many options, but everyone is backlogged with the surplus of clients.

Summary: The joint Assembly and Senate Business and Professions sunset oversight hearing focused first on the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), with committee chairs emphasizing oversight, consumer protection, workforce access, and economic mobility. BRN leaders reported improvements since the last review, including faster licensing timelines, streamlined enforcement, higher consumer satisfaction, growth in pre-licensure enrollment, and expanded data collection. Members questioned the board about nurse practitioner scope and supervision, international and military pathways to licensure, online nursing education and clinical requirements, rural workforce shortages, and the 30-unit LVN-to-RN option. BRN staff explained California’s tiered advanced practice system, the NCLEX and certification requirements, English proficiency rules, clinical hour standards, and the board’s role in approving programs and supporting schools through nursing education consultants. Several members and the board president also discussed the need to retain new graduates, improve diversity in the workforce, and better support nontraditional students and rural placements. Public comment on the BRN sunset review was extensive and largely supportive of the board, while also urging policy changes. Nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nursing education groups generally supported the BRN report and especially backed clarification of APRN-to-RN delegation authority under issue 13. Other commenters asked for clearer implementation of AB 890, more flexibility for clinical nurse specialists, streamlined renewals for nurse midwives, and changes to federal loan limits affecting graduate nursing education. Higher education representatives and private nursing schools raised concerns about duplicative BRN documentation, clinical placement bottlenecks, and barriers faced by out-of-state and online programs seeking to serve California students. The California Medical Association and some physician groups opposed easing transition-to-practice requirements for out-of-state nurse practitioners and cautioned against changes to specialty and delegation rules, while the California Nurses Association and others stressed the importance of community college pathways, new graduate support, and workforce retention. The hearing then moved to the Physical Therapy Board of California. Board leadership reported that the board oversees more than 41,000 active licensees, has seen about 15% growth since 2021, and continues to maintain high exam pass rates among California physical therapy and physical therapist assistant programs. The board described its mission as consumer protection through licensing, enforcement, continuing competency oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The vice president’s remote testimony encountered technical problems, so the executive officer continued with a brief overview of the board’s work and its commitment to efficient service and public protection. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the legislation and to recommend any action or legislation the task force deems necessary and appropriate
• Representative Baralt, is an act in Title 15 relative to court costs to provide for the transfer of certain surplus
• an act in Title 39 relative to state property, providing a preference for the purchase of certain surplus
• in Title 40 relative to the Imported Seafood Safety Fund to provide for the purpose and use of appropriated
• What IMPACT should not do is use the administrative intercept to override a specific legislative appropriation

Keywords: 974, senate, all