Transcript Highlights:

• I think 1816, with its intervention, is the appropriate method, and I think that Claremont illustrates
• We really shouldn't have a surplus at the end of the year because there have been a lot of educational
• with its intervention is the appropriate with its intervention is the appropriate method<02:25:12.080
• We really shouldn't have a surplus okay.
• We really shouldn't have a surplus at<02:25:42.160> the<02:25:42.240> end<02:25:42.319>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Management and Budget's February forecast finds the state's projected deficit has been replaced with a surplus
• A looming deficit to a projected surplus in just a few months.
• We now project to end fiscal years 26-27 with a surplus of $3.7 billion, which is $1.3 billion more than

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget’s February forecast reported that the state’s projected deficit has turned into a surplus, with an estimated $3.7 billion balance for fiscal years 2026-27 and a projected $377 million positive balance for FY28-29. Officials said the improved outlook is driven by a slightly stronger national economy and higher forecast revenues, but they cautioned that the state remains in a strong yet not secure position. A major concern discussed was federal funding uncertainty. CMS has indicated it may withhold $515 million per quarter in Medicaid Assistance reimbursement, and separately notified the state it would defer $260 million in Medicaid reimbursements pending further information. Those potential losses are not included in the forecast, but lawmakers were told federal funds account for about one-third of state agency spending and that budget flexibility may be needed if cuts occur. Speakers also noted that Minnesota still faces a structural budget imbalance despite progress made last session. Current biennium spending is projected to be $68 million lower than earlier estimates, but planning estimates are up $152 million since the last forecast. Several lawmakers emphasized affordability concerns for residents, citing rising delinquency rates, increasing unemployment, flat wages, and the need to focus on tax conformity, vehicle tab fees, and property taxes. Members from both parties said they want to continue working together on budget solutions and spending restraint.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, we also recognize that we do not have an $18 billion surplus.
• Okay, we do not have that surplus. So, we have to work within the means that we have.
• Okay, we do not $18 billion surplus.
• Okay, we do not have<00:18:30.400> that<00:18:30.640> surplus.
• So, we have to work have that surplus.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the financial and workforce crisis facing Minnesota emergency medical services, especially ground ambulance providers in rural areas. Michael Johnson of the Minnesota Ambulance Association said EMS serves more than 600,000 Minnesotans a year and argued that reimbursement rates do not cover the cost of readiness, staffing, and 24/7 response. He and others called for ongoing EMS sustainability funding of about $50 million, higher Medicaid reimbursement, and continued support for EMT/paramedic scholarships, first responder training, and high school EMS programs. Senator Grant Hoschild and Representative Jeff Backer echoed the urgency, describing EMS as a moral imperative and emphasizing that rural communities cannot wait for ambulances when lives are at risk. Backer, who also volunteers as an EMT, described staffing shortages, reliance on volunteers, and a recent cardiac arrest response to illustrate the importance of local EMS coverage. Becca Hitch of PUM Area EMS said rural services are paid only when patients are transported, not for responding or treating on scene, and that one-time aid helped but did not solve underlying deficits. Bradley Peterson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said local governments that hold ambulance licenses are being forced to absorb unrecovered costs through property taxes, and that state support is needed to prevent service failures and rising local burdens. In response to questions, speakers said a 2023 statewide study found about $120 million in need, with roughly half tied to operational deficits and half to volunteer support; last year’s aid included about $24 million for rural services and some improvements in volunteer call pay and equipment needs. They also discussed a proposed 10% Medicaid increase, possible special tax district ideas, and the need to target any new funding toward rural services most at risk.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's also an appropriation for this subcommittee later in the bill.
• 10:18.720> and appropriates money to establish and appropriates money to establish and operate
• He said this is not a big appropriation and asked whether it is just a couple of FTEs.
• amount of money that we're appropriating amount of money that we're appropriating would<00:40:56.480
• It's not you know this is appropriation.

Bills: HF3732

Keywords: workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, economic development, grants, job creation

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to start with Appropriations, 2271, page 16, please.
• Madam Witt, members, as amended by the Committee on Appropriations, House Bill 2579 appropriates $1.6
• I would much rather vote for a general fund appropriation.
• Much rather vote for a general fund appropriation.
• There's no such thing as a government surplus.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The meeting was a caucus-style run-through of many bills and resolutions across Appropriations, Commerce, Education, Federalism/Military Affairs/Elections, Government, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, ENRU, Public Safety, and Rural Economic Development. Measures discussed included housing and HOA rules, school policy and funding, health care licensing and records timelines, public safety and corrections funding, election and campaign rules, water and environmental policy, and several criminal justice and juvenile justice changes. Many items were described as being on third-read consent or consent calendars, with staff often noting that no questions were raised and no sponsor was present. Several bills drew sponsor explanation or member discussion. In education, members reviewed bills on teacher strikes, school safety, math placement, student outcomes, free school meals, parent permission for clubs, and school bond ballot disclosures. In health, bills covered prior authorization data reporting, nursing board rules and complaint procedures, pharmacist testing/treatment authority, opioid antagonist expiration dates, board continuations, and a constitutional amendment on refusing medical mandates. In government and public safety, members discussed DCS legal representation, inmate medical records, public safety parity funding, sheriff authority, border support funding, and a resolution supporting county sheriffs. In commerce and housing, bills addressed condominium and HOA authority, shade structures, pet restrictions, insurance certificates, apprenticeship definitions, automatic renewal contracts, and a state housing affordability district. There was notable discussion on House Bill 4044, which would create a Public Safety Parity Fund for DPS and DOC salaries using interest from the state rainy day fund and other revenue sources. The sponsor argued it would provide a reliable way to fund public safety pay, while others objected that it would consume interest needed to preserve the fund’s value and that a general fund appropriation would be more appropriate. The bill prompted extended back-and-forth, with some members supporting the concept and others saying it was fiscally irresponsible. Another point of discussion came on House Bill 2775, where staff noted a possible misprint in the bill history, and on House Bill 467, where staff clarified that the inactive voter list changes related to e-poll book status categories. No formal votes were recorded in the transcript, and the meeting appears to have been a review of measures before floor action.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, even back when there was an $18 billion surplus, Democrats chose not to invest in the upgrading of
• :07:26.440> dollar when there was an 18 billion dollar when there was an 18 billion dollar surplus
• 28.280> chose<00:07:28.680> not<00:07:29.080> to<00:07:29.280> invest surplus
• , Democrats chose not to invest surplus, Democrats chose not to invest in<00:07:29.840> the<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House Republican leaders held a brief end-of-session update describing a negotiated agreement with the governor and legislative leaders that they said would make Minnesota more affordable and improve fraud prevention. They highlighted passage of an independent Office of Inspector General, which they said was a top priority to combat fraud and waste in state government, along with county IT modernization as another fraud-prevention measure. They also said the deal includes $125 million in property tax cuts, $250 million in car tab fee reductions, and no extension of the Hennepin County ballpark tax, which they said allowed help for HCMC without raising taxes. The leaders also described additional spending and policy items in the agreement, including $30 million for distressed hospitals statewide, higher MA rates for HCMC, a nine-month delay in PFAS reporting requirements for businesses, and school safety funding. The school safety package was said to include anonymous threat reporting, school-linked mental health, mobile crisis teams, and security improvements for public officials and the Capitol campus. They said a $1.2 billion bonding bill remained part of the broader negotiations and would support infrastructure projects. In response to questions, the leaders said the House would continue to follow a single-topic committee process and would not take up broad omnibus bills. They said gun-violence-related bills had already been heard in committee and on the floor, where they failed on party-line votes, and argued that the school safety measures moving forward were bipartisan and did not include gun bans. They also said the car tab fee relief was only secured for one year, and expressed hope that future elections would give Republicans more leverage to continue the affordability agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and that gave us a larger than expected surplus at the end of this biennium. memorialize uh the Hortman's
• > expected and that gave us a larger than expected and that gave us a larger than expected surplus
• surplus at the end of this bianium. surplus at the end of this bianium.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sure people have mentioned on your show that we had a $18 billion surplus and they spent $10 billion
• we had a$1 mentioned on your show that we had a$1 18<00:07:53.639> billion<00:07:54.159> Surplus
• and<00:07:54.759> they<00:07:54.919> spent<00:07:55.080> $10 18 billion Surplus
• and they spent $10 18 billion Surplus and they spent $10 billion<00:07:56.080> more<00:07:57.080

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus
• they don't want to do some of the hard decisions that are going to be made after having a record surplus

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: House Republican leaders spoke to reporters about the ongoing Minnesota House standoff, saying Democrats had still not returned to the chamber and that no meaningful progress had been made toward a power-sharing deal. They rejected claims by Rep. Hortman that the sides were closer to an agreement, saying the same proposal had been offered for about 15 days and that any deal would first require Democrats to “show up to work.” Republicans also said they were open to written negotiations on a tie arrangement, but only if the terms were new and acceptable to both sides. The discussion focused heavily on the consequences of the absent Democrats and the Republicans’ efforts to keep legislative work moving. GOP members said they were still meeting with constituents, discussing bill ideas, and preparing work on capital investment, roads, bridges, wastewater, school funding, and budget issues. They emphasized priorities such as stopping fraud, improving reading outcomes, public safety, and limiting taxes and wasteful spending, while also saying agencies had previously been told not to attend Republican-led committee hearings and that they hoped those meetings could resume. Republicans also addressed questions about pay and per diem, saying members were still receiving legislative salary but not per diem and arguing that lawmakers who do not show up should face penalties, including loss of pay. They said such penalties would need to be authorized by the Rules Committee. On other matters, they said there was nothing new to announce on possible legal action, they had not yet fully reviewed the president’s funding freeze, and they were open to meeting again with Rep. Hortman, including at 3:30 the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• We put our surplus money into our permanent funds to stabilize our revenues and into our future.
• House Bill 1, the Special Session General Appropriation Act, does the following: We pay for the expenses
• That's the direction behind the appropriation. I see. Thank you for that. Mr.
• I'm not seeing what you're appropriating directly to.
• And appropriate the money correctly, and so we do not have Eastern University.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an appropriate punishment, and it comes with reductions in civil liberties.
• squandered we had1 billion Surplus squandered we had1 billion<01:12:36.840> in<01:12:37.080><
• If it's bad this year, just think what it's going to be like when the projected surplus that has been
• If it's bad this year, just think what it's going to be like when the projected surplus that has been
• If it's bad this year, just think what it's going to be like when the projected surplus that has been

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or the joint conference appropriations or the joint conference committee<00:12:22.720> on<00:
• <00:33:49.120> salaries<00:33:50.080> that<00:33:50.399> those had appropriate
• It's clearly appropriate for all students.
• It's clearly<00:39:12.960> appropriate<00:39:13.359> for<00:39:13.599> all<00:39
• clearly appropriate for all students. clearly appropriate for all students.

Bills: HB0159

Keywords: student rights, free expression, K-12 education, speech protection, religious views, political speech, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Egan, I know we heard this bill in appropriations and another similar bill about district
• This has not been addressed or adjudicated appropriately in about 20 years, and there have been major
• Association came up with a number of an additional 174 warrants that were needed in order to fully and appropriately
• allocation, that is how much it was adjudicated that Orleans had by way of, I don't use the word a surplus
• , but yes, it is a surplus.

Bills: HR310, HR314, HR316, HR317, HR321, HR275, HR276, HR279, HR282, HR286, HR289, HR292, HR295, HR302, HR319, HCR112, HR307, SCR59, SCR61, SCR62, SCR68, SCR69, SCR70, SCR54, SCR55, SCR64, SCR75, HCR79, HCR104, HB75, HB410, HB719, HB750, HB944, HB1098, HB1220, HB1252, HB359, HB210, HB468, HB1117, SB382, HB368, HB552, HB732, HB870, HB1236, SB29, SB42, SB43, SB149, SB208, SB274, SB300, SB312, SB387, SB389, SB401, HR74, HB998, HB901, HR20, HCR65, HCR71, HCR98, HB284, HB306, HB341, HB366, HB393, HB458, HB577, HB603, HB605, HB614, HB625, HB646, HB733, HB752, HB773, HB798, HB911, HB955, HB996, HB1035, HB1069, HB1113, HB1140, HB1180, HB1191, HB1240, HB1255, SB82, SB89, SB97, SB123, SB237, HB36, HB42, HB74, HB119, HB159, HB258, HB259, HB302, HB414, HB459, HB848, HB956, HB1017, HB1028, HB1095, SB217, SB283, SB469

Keywords: oil and gas, orphan wells, inactive wells, shut-in wells, marginal wells, plugging and abandonment, well decommissioning, site remediation, site restoration, Oilfield Site Restoration, OSR program, financial security, bonding, taxpayer liability, public liability, offshore wells, onshore wells, coastal erosion, Department of Conservation and Energy, natural resources

Transcript Highlights:

• The Appropriations Committee Pre K 12 education will not come to order and please call the roll. >> Chair
• This amendment clarifies that an app and front device must be approved by the FDA and having appropriate
• President, it's was asking there's not an and can joining the 50% or a surplus of 500.
• But at the end of the day, if we still have after we've done all that they can and are used are surplus
• Education, Charter schools and their educational service providers need to stay to to play students appropriately

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• most appropriate for Superintendent<00:45:40.960> Evans.
• what's the the you have the uh surplus what's the the you have the uh surplus lines<01:14:41.760
• , the surplus lines market is basically un...
• The surplus lines market is basically unregulated, or minimally regulated.
• <01:23:49.679> um develop a Minnesota appropriate um develop a Minnesota appropriate um version

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And that concludes my remarks, and I'm happy to take questions at the appropriate time. Thank you.
• where legislation was not funded in prior budgets and remains contingent upon future appropriations.
• The appropriate thing to do, certainly prudent, and I appreciate the question from Ms.
• appropriate based on their numbers.
• In terms of an appropriate COLA, what, Going forward, where is a range that would really be appropriate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• members, the Democrats claim to have fully funded education last session when we had an $18 billion surplus
• The Democrats claim to have fully funded education last session when we had an $18 billion surplus, but
• c><00:21:10.480> an<00:21:10.640> $18<00:21:10.960> billion<00:21:11.520> surplus
• ,<00:21:12.080> but when we had an $18 billion surplus, but when we had an $18 billion surplus

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:16:41.520> Thank non-competes is not appropriate.
• Thank non-competes is not appropriate. Thank you.
• that it does not have appropriations that it does not have appropriations going<01:43:33.679>
• And after spending an incredible surplus And after spending an incredible surplus in<01:52:47.119
• Um, I think that we've figured out a way to agree and disagree as appropriate.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:14:52.639> level<01:14:52.920> of into the appropriate level of into the appropriate
• Is this an appropriate time? Okay.
• that's that's a more um appropriate that's that's a more um appropriate scenario<03:47:32.239>
• Go ahead. not too long we'll have a surplus not too long we'll have a surplus statement<04:31:51.520>
• Surplus statement is what statement Surplus statement is what changes<04:31:54.119> hb1<04:31

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Personnel Appeals Board, which explained that it became an independent state agency after Senate Bill 487 and was presenting its first standalone operating budget. The board described its quasi-judicial role in hearing appeals from classified state employees over disciplinary actions such as warnings, suspensions, and terminations, and said it handles about 25 to 35 cases a year, with some cases lasting longer because of their complexity. Members also outlined the need for a chair and vice chair who are attorneys, the board’s current staffing and space needs, and its plan to move away from reliance on Administrative Services for office support and website functions. The board requested about $353,500 for fiscal year 2026, including startup costs, routine operating expenses, and two new part-time positions: a program director and a paralegal. Members said the budget reflects the new independent status, includes funding for only four board members rather than the authorized five, and is designed to avoid full-time staffing costs and benefits. Legislators asked about the cost per case, the board’s relationship to DAS, whether appeals must go through the board before court, and how often cases are appealed further. The board said appeals must first go through it, that court appeals are infrequent but have increased recently, and that the board’s process is intended to resolve disputes more quickly and less expensively than court litigation. Committee members also asked about the board’s caseload, outcomes, and staffing. The board said that in the prior year there were 22 cases, with four decisions overturned in favor of employees, nine dismissals, and nine settlements, and that many disputes are resolved before reaching the board through a multi-step internal process. A member noted the governor and council had recently approved a new board member and were expected to approve a fifth soon. The discussion ended with questions about the board’s website and records access, which members said would need to be moved from Administrative Services as part of the agency’s transition. The committee then moved to the New Hampshire Council on Developmental Disabilities. The executive director explained that the council is 100 percent federally funded under the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and develops a five-year plan to address the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She said the council works with state agencies and advocacy organizations on quality-of-life issues, accessibility, voter rights training, and plain-language or easy-to-read materials, and that 60 percent of its membership must be individuals with disabilities or family members/guardians. She also described the council’s funding structure, including reimbursement to the state for operating costs, and noted that it currently has three full-time and three part-time positions, with no new positions requested but one full-time position being eliminated and replaced after a pandemic-era staffing change did not work out as planned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in The budget and economic forecast released in November predicts the biennium will end with a surplus
• Whether we are facing structural surplus or structural imbalance, we know our job is to balance the budget
• structural budgets whether we are facing structural budgets whether we are facing structural Surplus
• > structural<00:24:36.919> imbalance<00:24:37.840> that<00:24:38.000> we Surplus
• or structural imbalance that we Surplus or structural imbalance that we know<00:24:38.279> our

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program opened with interviews on the start of Minnesota’s 94th Senate session, where the chamber is evenly split 33-33 after the death of DFL Senator Kari Dziedzic and a special election to fill the vacancy. DFL Majority Leader Aaron Murphy and Republican Leader Mark Johnson both said the tied Senate and narrow margins in both chambers will require more cooperation and compromise. Murphy emphasized affordability issues such as health care, child care, housing, college costs, and medical debt, while Johnson said Republicans want to refocus on Minnesota’s needs, limit tax increases and mandates, and use the split chamber to gain more influence in negotiations. Both leaders said they expect bipartisan work on issues like mental health, EMS, public school funding, permitting reform, and mandate reform. Former Senator Ann Johnson Stewart was also sworn in after winning the special election for District 45 and said she hopes to work on infrastructure, transportation, bonding, and jobs. The Senate Finance Committee then held a hearing on the social impact of legalizing online sports betting. Testimony from researchers and gambling addiction experts warned that online sports betting can contribute to addiction, family harm, and financial distress, with one witness describing it as a public health disaster and citing higher bankruptcy filings in states that legalize it. Committee discussion also reflected the competing view that many Minnesotans want the option to bet legally, while lawmakers have a responsibility to protect residents from harm. The final segment focused on Minnesota’s budget and economic forecast. Officials said the state is expected to end the 2026-2027 biennium with a surplus, but spending growth is projected to outpace revenues in the following years, creating a structural deficit of nearly $6 billion in fiscal years 2028-2029. Legislators said the forecast underscores the need to address spending, inflation, and long-term obligations such as special education and disability services, and some Republicans called for attention to waste, fraud, and abuse. The report noted that an updated forecast will be released in February, which could further shape budget negotiations.