Transcript Highlights:

• members of the committee, that can be shown on line 29 of the spreadsheet where the 2025 February forecast
• c> of the spreadsheet where the 2025 of the spreadsheet where the 2025 February<00:02:39.440> forecast
• balance<00:02:41.040> is<00:02:41.360> higher<00:02:41.599> than February forecast
• balance is higher than February forecast balance is higher than the<00:02:41.920> governors<00
• bill and the challenges that<00:34:22.399> MDH<00:34:23.040> is I know the budget forecast

Bills: HF2435

Keywords: healthcare, dementia services, public health funding, opioid prevention, women's health, community health boards, mental health, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Yes, that line 33 of the spreadsheet shows current law forecasted revenues for estate taxes.
• of the spreadsheet shows current law 33 of the spreadsheet shows current law um<01:37:15.719> forecasted
• revenues<01:37:16.800> for<01:37:17.040> estate<01:37:17.520> taxes um forecasted
• revenues for estate taxes um forecasted revenues for estate taxes the<01:37:18.800> uh<01:37:
• 37.239> uming Madam Chair and Representative Anderson, that the spreadsheet is showing the forecast

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Pinto said he was confused because the committee does not have a supplemental budget forecast
• We can confirm or deny if the forecast is going to overperform or underperform.
• that has public access, is I want to make sure that the weather and access to the weather and the forecasting
• and that the businesses in our communities get access to that data, have access to the weather forecasting
• change alarm industry and calls for it to be broken up and downsized and fully commercialize its forecasting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• are committed to collaborating with state agencies, MMB, the LBO, and all of you to create dynamic forecasts
• /c><00:21:39.039> Dynamic of all of you to create Dynamic of all of you to create Dynamic forecasts
• that<00:21:40.279> demonstrate<00:21:40.840> how<00:21:41.039> this forecasts
• that demonstrate how this forecasts that demonstrate how this investment<00:21:42.080> will<00
• I mean, these numbers are real, and we can forecast them out.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We heard it, um, and it was before the budget forecast, and so then the commission decided to wait to
• We heard it, um, and it was before the budget forecast, and so then the commission decided to wait to
• we heard it um and it was before the we heard it um and it was before the budget<00:37:20.800> forecast
• 21.319> and<00:37:21.560> so<00:37:21.760> then<00:37:21.920> the budget forecast
• and so then the budget forecast and so then the commission<00:37:22.359> decided<00:37:22.680

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate File 563, a bill to change the board makeup of the Northern Koochiching Area Sanitary District. Senator Hild said the proposal had been heard the previous year and had broad support from local officials and stakeholders. Cali Briggs, the district’s executive director, explained that the board structure no longer reflected current populations and sewer service patterns: International Falls now holds six of eight seats after earlier consolidations, while East Koochiching has grown through sewer expansions and should receive additional representation. The bill would reduce the board to seven members, with International Falls having three seats, East Koochiching two, Rainier one, and one at-large member chosen by the board. The committee raised no substantive objections, and Senator Gustafson moved the bill to pass and go to general orders; the motion prevailed. Members then briefly joked about the topic and moved on to an overview from the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall described the office as a nonpartisan legislative branch agency serving both chambers, with a mission of strengthening oversight, promoting accountability, and producing objective, useful reports. She outlined the office’s structure, including financial audits, program evaluations, and a growing special reviews unit, and explained the Legislative Audit Commission’s role in appointing the auditor and selecting program evaluation topics. Randall also emphasized the office’s broad access to records and data, its independence, and its responsibility to protect nonpublic information. Randall answered questions about the office’s authority over entities such as the University of Minnesota, explaining that OLA has audit authority there but often relies on the university’s internal audit function and can also conduct special reviews and program evaluations. She noted that public employees are required to cooperate and that subpoenas are available if needed, though the office prefers to maintain cooperative relationships. Special Reviews Director Katherine Tyson then described how her unit handles complaints and allegations involving misuse of public funds, data, or noncompliance with law, including preliminary assessments, communications with complainants and agencies, and deeper reviews when warranted. She said allegations and reports have increased steadily, with 481 received from 2020 through 2024 and nearly 10 per week on average last year, contributing to a heavier workload for her small team.

Transcript Highlights:

• doing business, is excessive, and so we might have 2% to 5%, 2.5% revenue projections that we can forecast
• to share some thoughts about how we could maybe do some things, knowing that the state financial forecast
• the maybe do some things um knowing that the State<00:52:08.280> financial<00:52:08.760> forecast
• <00:52:09.440> a<00:52:09.520> little<00:52:09.640> bit State financial forecast
• is a little bit State financial forecast is a little bit different<00:52:10.040> than<00:52:10.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee approved the minutes from January 21, 2025, and then heard testimony from several school superintendents about the financial and operational impact of recent education-related mandates. Chair Bennett framed the hearing as an opportunity to hear from districts about the effects of more than 65 new mandates and restrictions adopted in recent years. The first witnesses were Corey McIntyre of Anoka-Hennepin, Michael Thomas of Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools, and David Law of Minnetonka Public Schools. The superintendents said districts are facing rising costs, flat or declining enrollment, the end of federal pandemic aid, and mandates they described as unfunded or underfunded. McIntyre cited major budget cuts in Anoka-Hennepin, including reductions in central office staff, and said the district faces continuing shortfalls tied to special education, multilingual learner costs, unemployment claims, paid leave, transportation, literacy materials, and the K-3 discipline statute. Thomas said Prior Lake-Savage is balancing growing student needs against limited revenue, and argued that mandates such as REACT and other requirements should be delayed or better funded so districts can implement them with fidelity. Law said the concerns are statewide, not just metro-based, and criticized the accumulation of expectations around food service, mental health, sick and safe time, unemployment, and family leave without corresponding resources. Several witnesses emphasized that school budgets are heavily committed to staff costs and that new obligations create administrative burdens as well as direct expenses. They urged lawmakers to reduce, delay, or better fund mandates, adjust timelines, and provide more flexibility in local revenue tools and equalization aid. No votes were taken on legislation during this portion of the meeting beyond approval of the prior day’s minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many are forecasting significant economic growth from AI.
• Many are forecasting significant economic growth from AI.
• Many are forecasting significant economic growth from AI.
• embracing AI and a university that conducts world-class research in data science and AI. down many are forecasting
• significant down many are forecasting significant economic<00:09:47.839> growth<00:09:48.160>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the May 8, 2006, revenue estimating conference, Louisiana's official revenue forecast was lowered

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 and considered several resolutions and one Senate bill dealing with transportation project delivery, vehicle safety, school-zone safety, flooding, and highway signage. The committee first took up SCR 64, which creates a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) for public works. An amendment added representatives from Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors to the task force, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The committee also heard HR 282, which creates a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with Louisiana State Police and other stakeholders; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and the resolution was reported with amendments. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 513, which addressed public works project delivery methods and included a proposal for an average-bid award method as well as design-build authority for airports and vertiports. Testimony from a Reason Foundation policy analyst and a Louisiana Associated General Contractors representative opposed the average-bid concept, arguing it lacked U.S. precedent, could encourage collusion, and could raise costs, while airport-related design-build provisions were supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to remove the average-bid language, then reported SB 513 with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate all school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses involving crossing guards and distracted driving. In addition, HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were acted on and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Up a projected nearly 50,000 megawatts from forecast just over one year ago.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it is prompting, I think, new ways to think about load forecasting as well as how you marry that
• that based on experience of an accident someplace, or is it just based on a theory, basically, or forecast
• On our forecast, yeah, Mr.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whether weather forecasting, global communications, or national defense, our reliance grows every day
• infrastructure, and national defense, it enables modern life, powering GPS, communications, weather forecasting
• WEATHER FORECASTING, ARTIFICIAL TECHNOLOGY, SOLAR CELLS, FIRE RESISTANT FABRICS AN EVEN MEDICAL IMAGING

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, February 24, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, in the most recent February forecast, MMB estimated that that limit, that capacity which would include
• :20:15.520> recent<01:20:16.239> uh<01:20:16.400> February<01:20:16.880> forecast
• <01:20:17.600> uh<01:20:17.760> MMB most recent uh February forecast uh MMB most recent
• uh February forecast uh MMB estimated<01:20:18.640> that<01:20:18.800> that<01:20:19.120

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• Even actuarial forecasts can't predict high-cost claimants.
• Um even actuarial forecasts<01:55:16.159> can't<01:55:16.480> predict<01:55:17.280>
• high-cost forecasts can't predict high-cost forecasts can't predict high-cost claimants.<01:55:18.719

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "Can we put a forecast grab in that, Jim, while he's right? This is not the budget bill." "I know.
• Can<01:36:02.400> we<01:36:02.560> put<01:36:02.639> a<01:36:02.800> forecast
• grab<01:36:03.520> in<01:36:03.679> that,<01:36:03.920> Jim, Can we put a forecast
• grab in that, Jim, Can we put a forecast grab in that, Jim, while<01:36:04.320> he's<01:36:05.040

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• State Grant eligible, but there was a significant increase there that wasn't considered in the forecasting
• State Grant eligible, but there was a significant increase there that wasn't considered in the forecasting
• State Grant eligible, but there was a significant increase there that wasn't considered in the forecasting
• Uh, considered in the forecasting because it wasn't reported to OHE, you remember that slide that we

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• people away from the need to be on that social safety net, and the dollars that we just saw in the forecast
• just<00:21:32.120> saw<00:21:32.480> in<00:21:32.559> the<00:21:32.720> forecast
• <00:21:33.559> show that we just saw in the forecast show that we just saw in the forecast

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, given the state's budget forecast, the MDA considered a multitude of cost-reduction options
• given the Grant funds unfortunately given the state's<00:45:51.240> budget<00:45:51.520> forecast
• <00:45:51.960> the<00:45:52.040> MDA state's budget forecast the MDA state's budget
• forecast the MDA considered<00:45:52.800> a<00:45:52.920> multitude<00:45:53.319> of

Bills: HF1063

Keywords: grain buyers, grain dealer, grain elevator, agriculture, financial reporting, audit, CPA review, independent accountant, financial statement, balance sheet, cash flow, nonpublic data, licensee oversight, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, grain purchase volume, insolvency, nonpayment, warehouse chain, fiduciary duties, producer protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Distribution Fund will result in an increase of one-quarter of 1% of the $6.3 billion in tax revenues forecast
• <01:18:05.800> in<01:18:06.040> tax<01:18:06.280> revenues<01:18:06.760> forecast
• <01:18:07.320> to<01:18:07.480> be billion in tax revenues forecast to be billion in
• tax revenues forecast to be collected<01:18:08.120> into<01:18:08.480> the<01:18:08.920

Bills: HF198, HF269, HF185, HF303, HF305, HF189

Keywords: HF198, shared time pupils, shared-time enrollment, nonpublic school, private school, public school, career and technical education, CTE, secondary credit, school funding, state aid, education finance, Minnesota Statutes 126C.01, compulsory attendance, school district, education policy, HF269, Spicer, Minnesota bonding bill, capital investment

Transcript Highlights:

• million that just showed up, or the million and a half dollars that just showed up on a governor forecast

Keywords: June 22, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the May 8, 2006, revenue estimating conference, Louisiana's official revenue forecast was lowered

Bills: HR275, HR282, HCR112, SCR62, SCR64, SB513

Keywords: highway maintenance, signage, transportation safety, DOTD, infrastructure, public safety, federal grants, job creation, Utility Terrain Vehicles, UTVs, safety regulations, transportation, Louisiana, task force, vehicle operation, legislation, accidents, HCR112, House Concurrent Resolution 112, Louisiana Highway 1

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on May 26 with a quorum present and took up several resolutions and one Senate bill. SCR 64 created a task force to study construction management at risk (CMAR) in Louisiana public works; an amendment added representatives from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and Associated Builders and Contractors, and the resolution was reported with amendments. HR 282 created a task force to study utility terrain vehicles with state agencies; an amendment added the State Fire Marshal, and it was also reported with amendments. The committee then considered SB 513 on public works project delivery methods. The bill originally included an average-bid award method for certain pilot projects, along with airport design-build provisions. Testimony from a Reason Foundation analyst and from the Louisiana Associated General Contractors raised concerns that average-bid contracting could encourage collusion, raise costs, and lacked supporting data or use by U.S. transportation departments, while airport design-build was supported. The committee adopted an amendment in concept to strike the average-bid provisions, leaving the airport-related design-build language in place, and SB 513 was reported with amendments by a vote of 11 yeas and 4 nays. The committee also reported SCR 62 favorably, which urges DOTD to evaluate school zones on state highways in response to safety concerns and near misses, including a fatal incident referenced by the author. HCR 112 was reported favorably to study flooding on Louisiana Highway 1 in Shreveport, and HR 275 was reported favorably to study an interstate highway signage maintenance and reporting program. The meeting concluded after all items were disposed of and the committee adjourned.