Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Senator Benevente, uh good day, and we're very delighted to have Jody on board.
• Good afternoon, Chair Senator Benevente and Vice Chair Kelvin. Thank you for hearing GM 556.
• Yes, aloha Chair Senator Benevente and Vice Chair Kelvin. Thank you for hearing GM 556.
• Okay, so Sean, our DM is going to be—we have quorum, so we have Senator Kanuha and Senator McKelvey here
• Good afternoon, Senator Buena Ventura.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard and considered several gubernatorial nominations to state boards and councils. The nominees included Jody Hashimoto for the Honolulu County Subarea Health Planning Council (GM 539), Mary Pat Waterhouse for the State Council on Mental Health (GM 556), Shaun Kanani Apuuni for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council (GM 564), Chrissy Kiamaluhia Doyle for the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission (GM 732), and John Kawamura for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment (GM 736). Each nominee described relevant experience and why they wanted to serve, and supporters from the Department of Health and various community organizations testified in favor of the appointments. Committee members and supporting testimony emphasized the nominees’ experience and the value of their perspectives. Hashimoto was praised for healthcare consulting, management, financial, IT, and organizational expertise; Waterhouse for her lived experience and active service in mental health; Apuuni for juvenile justice policy work and national coalition ties; Doyle for her work in education and community representation; and Kawamura for his long career in wastewater operations and environmental protection. The Department of Health also strongly supported Waterhouse and Kawamura. Because quorum was initially limited, the chair noted that decision-making would occur later in the calendar once more members were present. At the end of the meeting, the committee took up each nomination and adopted the chair’s recommendation to advise and consent on all five measures, with no objections or written reservations noted. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why Senator Erin Maye Quade says we need AI regulations now, and she has the bipartisan bills
• to do it. >> Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. >> Thanks so much for having me. >> Absolutely.
• You know, here in the Senate, you have some new allies, uh, for some of your bills.
• And so uh Senate File 398 would can.
• Senator, thank you so much for Okay. Senator, thank you so much for your<00:12:16.720> time.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Senator Erin Maye Quade discussed her package of bipartisan AI-regulation bills, saying consumer-facing AI is largely unregulated and has already caused harm to children, adults, the environment, consumer prices, and privacy. She argued the federal government has not acted, so states are stepping in, and said the issue is drawing support across party lines because the harms are affecting red, purple, and blue states alike. She described a bill aimed at AI chatbots and children, citing reports of self-harm, suicide, disordered eating, harmful behavior, and other unsafe interactions. She said chatbots are designed to maximize engagement, avoid friction, and keep conversations going, which can be especially dangerous for developing brains and can lead to explicit or boundary-pushing content without human oversight. Maye Quade also outlined bills to bar health insurers from using AI in review, evaluation, determination, or appeals processes, saying insurers already deny claims too aggressively and AI speeds up denials. Another bill would prohibit AI-driven surveillance pricing, which she said allows companies to use personal data to charge different customers different prices for the same product. A final bill would require notice when people are interacting with AI and provide access to a human, which she said is important for both routine customer service and high-stakes situations like medical appointments. She acknowledged possible court challenges but said coordinated state action could effectively create a national framework if Congress continues to do nothing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think last I saw you was on that bonding tour. >> Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. >> Hey, thanks
• I'm on a bill with Senator Johnson Stewart. Senator Dibble has his bill.
• <00:03:09.519> Senator with Senator Johnson Stewart.
• Senator with Senator Johnson Stewart.
• <00:03:26.480> Johnson states is my bill and Senator Johnson states is my bill and Senator

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on Minnesota legislation for autonomous vehicles, with Sen. John Jasinski arguing the state should create a clear statewide regulatory framework that welcomes driverless ride-share services without imposing so many rules that companies avoid investing here. He said autonomous vehicles are already testing and mapping in the Twin Cities area, and that the main benefits would be improved accessibility and independence for people who cannot drive because of disabilities or medical conditions, as well as broader transportation options for work and travel. Jasinski described his bill, Senate File 4010, as a public-safety framework that would rely on existing MnDOT and governor’s connected automated vehicle task force structures rather than creating a new, more restrictive process through DPS. He contrasted that approach with Sen. Dibble’s bill, which he said would be much more restrictive and could amount to "death by regulation." He also said he supports some guardrails, such as geomapping around downtown events, safe loading and unloading zones, and procedures for human takeover if a problem occurs, but wants to avoid a patchwork of city-by-city rules. He said the legislature is considering several autonomous-vehicle bills this session and that the timing reflects years of study by the state task force. Jasinski also discussed his earlier bipartisan Senate File 75, which authorized MnDOT to research autonomous mower technology after he noticed traffic delays caused by ditch mowing along highways. He said that pilot is still in testing at an MDOT facility, but he sees potential for the technology to reduce traffic disruption, improve worker safety, and lower costs. No votes or formal committee actions were described in the interview.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator<00:10:37.440> Crew. >> Senator Crew. >> Senator Crew.
• Senator Kun moves that Senate<00:23:29.360> File<00:23:29.760> 4747 Senate File 4747 Senate
• Senator<01:21:46.320> Krum. Senator Krum. Senator Krum.
• Go to Senator Holmstrom and then Senator Limmer.
• Senator Lur moves that Senate File 3946.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Spotlight is produced by the Minnesota Senate and Senate Media Services.
• Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight. Senator, welcome to Senate Spotlight.
• Senate File 4379.
• and Senate File 4379. and Senate File 4379.
• Senate<00:26:41.440> File<00:26:41.760> 4296 Senate File 4296 Senate File 4296 requires

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:05:14.960> Wiklund. Senator Wiklund. Senator Wiklund.
• Senator Wiklund. Senator Wiklund.
• you, Senator Limmer and Senator Pappas. you, Senator Limmer and Senator Pappas.
• Senator<00:30:26.560> Marty. Senator Marty. Senator Marty.
• Senator Pappas, Senator Gustafson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senate will come to order.
• senator from Chittna Southeast. senator from Chittna Southeast.
• Senate Finance will meet at 1:00. >> Senator from Rutland. >> Government Operations will also meet at
• Senator<00:06:31.280> from<00:06:31.520> Washington. Senator from Washington.
• >> Senator from Rutland. >> Senator from Rutland.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Port votes I. Senator Port votes I. And Senator Latz votes I. And Senator Latz votes I.
• Senator Carlson votes I. >> Senator Carlson votes I. >> Senator Port votes I. >> Senator Port votes I
• Senator<00:41:10.480> Klein. Senator Klein. Senator Klein.
• Senator Coleman votes no. >> Senator Coleman votes no. >> Senator Dreheim votes no. >> Senator Dreheim
• >> Senator Senator Klein. >> Senator Senator Klein.

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Summary: The Senate opened with a prayer, pledge, and roll call, confirmed a quorum, and then moved through routine business including first reading and referral of Senate File 5019 to the Health and Human Services Committee, along with referral of Senate resolutions 73 to 75 to Rules and Administration. Senator Westrom’s motion to withdraw Senate File 3893 from Finance, give it a second reading, and place it on general orders was adopted. The chamber then took up House File 3556, which renames Minnesota’s Community Solar Garden Program as the Melissa Hortman Community Solar Garden Program. Senator Hoffman presented the bill as a tribute to Speaker Melissa Hortman’s role in creating and advancing community solar in Minnesota, with Senator Marty and others supporting the recognition. The bill was read a third time and passed on final passage by a vote of 59-7, with the title agreed to. Senate File 1251 followed, a bipartisan bill to remove the June 2026 sunset on crossbow use during archery season and make the allowance permanent. Senator Pa and supporters cited a DNR study showing no negative impact on deer or turkey populations and argued the change would improve participation among women, youth, and older hunters. An A3 technical amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 67-0. The Senate then considered Senate File 3868, a bill to ban cryptocurrency kiosks in Minnesota due to fraud concerns. The author and supporters described widespread scams targeting seniors and others, citing losses in Minnesota and national fraud data. An A2 amendment requiring lawful-presence verification for foreign remittance transfers was ruled not germane, and the chair’s ruling was upheld on a 34-33 appeal. Debate then began on an A3 amendment related to cash transfers through airports, with members arguing over germaneness and the scope of the fraud-prevention bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are going to be taking up Senate File 2373.
• Uh, Senator Rarick. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Uh, Senator Rarick. Uh, thank you, Madam Chair.
• Uh thank you Madam Uh Senator Rarick.
• That is exactly what I was uh Senator.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Green.
• Senator Green. question from members? Senator Green.
• Senator Green. Then also Mr. Chair. Senator Green.
• Senator<01:02:16.600> Kupec. Senator Kupec. Senator Kupec.
• Senator<01:17:41.920> Latz. Senator Latz. Senator Latz.

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Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bahr. No. Senator Swedzinski. No. Senator Drazkowski. No. Senator Fateh. Yes.
• Senator Swedzinski. Senator Bar. No. Senator Swedzinski.
• Senator<00:25:48.640> Bar. Senator Bar. Senator Bar.
• Senator Bahr: no. Senator Wattenburg: aye. Senator Driskowski: no. Senator Fateh: aye.
• <01:30:31.800> Senator Senator Fateh? Yes. Senator Senator Fateh? Yes.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know Senator... not Senator. Um, Mr.
• I know Senator... not Senator. Um, Mr.
• I know Senator... not Senator. Um, Mr.
• I know Senator bill uh forward. I know Senator not<00:30:50.280> Senator.
• Um, Senator Rarick. Uh, Senator Westlin.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will next move to Senate File 4909, Senator Abeler.
• Senator Abeler. Just uh Uh Madam Chair. Senator Abeler.
• Any uh<00:36:50.880> Senator<00:36:51.120> Clark. uh Senator Clark. uh Senator Clark.
• Senator Pha. No. Senator Clark. Thank you, Chair, and thank you, Senator Pha, and thank you.
• Senator<01:13:18.240> Pha. Senator Pha. Senator Pha.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, Senator Karan, Senate File 4724. >> Thank you, Senator Kriscowski.
• :09:05.040> Senator >> Thank you, Senator Dibble, Senator >> Thank you, Senator Dibble
• Senator Senate file 4705 and thank you Senator Senate file 4705 and thank you very<01:30:22.400> much
• Senator Rest, yes. Senator Hauschild, yes. Senator Weber, no.
• But um Senator um uh Senator bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This relates to Senate File 4481 by Senator Omer Fateh.
• This relates to Senate File 4481 by Senator Omer Fateh.
• That is Senate File 3584 by Senator Putnam.
• That is Senate File 3584 by Senator Putnam.
• by um Senator Putnam. by um Senator Putnam.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator<00:46:58.400> Eichler. Senator Eichler. Senator Eichler.
• Um Senator Eken. Thank you. Um Senator Eken.
• Senators Senators Senators question. question. question. Seeing<01:52:07.160> none.
• Senator Senator mental health services?
• Senator<01:53:46.520> Utke. Senator Utke. Senator Utke.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Keywords: 1191, senate, all