Video & Transcript Research : 'dedication'
Page 58 of 367
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Press Conference: Republican Leaders Address Tax & Affordability Concerns for Minnesotans - 04/15/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Democrats are dedicated to finding more and more revenue, pinching the budgets and pockets of every Minnesotan
- Democrats are<00:02:36.400>
dedicated <00:02:36.840>to <00:02:36.920>finding <00: - 02:37.280>
more <00:02:37.800>and <00:02:38.040>more are dedicated to finding more - and more are dedicated to finding more and more revenue,<00:02:39.480>
pinching <00:02:39.840>
Summary:
Republican senators held a Tax Day press event focused on affordability, arguing that DFL control has led to overspending, higher taxes, and reduced competitiveness in Minnesota. They criticized recent state tax increases and proposed new taxes, including taxes on social media and advertising, extending sales tax to legal and accounting services, a higher income tax tier, a statewide property tax, and a housing-related sales tax amendment. They also contrasted Minnesota policy with federal tax relief, saying Minnesotans need spending restraint, fraud reduction, and a smaller, more efficient state government instead of additional revenue measures.
Senator Dziedzic focused on transportation costs, especially high license tab fees, saying residents are overwhelmed by taxes and fees and that the state should fund roads and bridges with existing money rather than raising fees. He cited a House proposal to quintuple tab fees and said Minnesota’s vehicle ownership costs are far higher than neighboring states. Senator Kunesh focused on property taxes, saying homeownership is becoming unaffordable because of state spending and unfunded mandates passed on to local governments. He argued that Democrats’ 2023 spending drove up property taxes and warned that a proposed statewide property tax would worsen the housing crisis and hurt families, seniors, and first-time buyers.
In response to questions, the senators said their caucus is open to companion bills and some targeted tax relief measures, including conformity with federal changes such as tax treatment of tips and overtime and Section 179 business provisions. They said they support transportation investment but want it funded through existing resources and better prioritization, not new taxes or fees. They also discussed possible bonding negotiations and said they are still evaluating proposals related to HCMC and a one-time property tax rebate, which they described as insufficient compared with the need for permanent relief. No votes or formal actions were taken.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill creates a dedicated Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce.
- housing investment: on housing, the bill raises the minimum SHIP allocation to a million dollars and dedicates
- It creates a dedicated Office of Rural Prosperity, so rural local governments finally have a single place
- It creates a dedicated office of rural prosperity, so rural local governments finally have a single place
Summary:
The Senate convened with a prayer, pledge, doctor-of-the-day introduction, and several recognitions, including a Founders’ Day tribute to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a welcome to a nationally ranked student debater in the gallery. The chamber then took up a committee report on 52 gubernatorial executive appointments; after explanation by the Ethics and Elections chair, the Senate adopted the report and confirmed the appointments by a vote of 39-0.
The first major bill was SB 250 on rural communities. Senator Simon described it as a broad “Rural Renaissance” package creating an Office of Rural Prosperity, a Renaissance Grant Program, housing and transportation investments, education funding, and rural health care improvements. Two amendments were adopted to remove overlapping health-care provisions in light of new federal rural health funding and to update hospital funding amounts. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing the bill’s focus on rural infrastructure, health care access, and local flexibility. The bill passed 39-0.
The Senate then considered CS/SB 318 on educational scholarship programs. Senator Gates explained that the bill responds to Auditor General concerns by separating scholarship funding from public-school funding, tightening enrollment verification, reducing administrative fees, requiring student identification numbers, improving reimbursement processes, and directing the Department of Education to develop a business plan for scholarship funding organizations. Three amendments were adopted, including removal of a declining-enrollment provision from the bill, with that issue expected to move elsewhere. Senators discussed transparency, accountability, and protections against overpayments and unverified enrollments, while also noting the need to preserve support for school districts. The bill passed 38-0.
After both bills passed, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify SB 250 and CS/SB 318 to the House. The chamber also heard announcements recognizing Palm Beach County Day at the Capitol and scheduled a group photograph for the following Thursday before adjourning until January 22 or upon the President’s call.
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 6 January, 2026; 12:00 PM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We dedicate this session to you, Lord. Lead us, guide us, and keep us in your grace.
- towns, and faith to stir our cities, towns, and state.<00:04:53.040>
We <00:04:53.120>dedicate - We dedicate this session to you, state.
- We dedicate this session to you, Lord.<00:04:55.640>
Lead <00:04:56.040>us, <00:04:56.360
Summary:
The Mississippi Senate convened on January 6, 2026, with a quorum present and opened the session with an invocation by Pastor Jonathan Vasquez and the Pledge of Allegiance. The chamber then administered the oath of office to newly elected and reelected senators, reaffirming their constitutional duties. After that, the Senate organized for the session by nominating and electing Jimmy Jordan as sergeant-at-arms by acclamation, followed by his oath of office.
The Senate also recognized several guests and pages, including senior pages Caleb Bierman and Walter Townsend, Dr. Catherine Penhal as doctor of the day, Gerald Mumford, Jackson Mayor John Horhn, Jean Frazier, Mayor Uta Peterson, and Angela Simpson. Members offered multiple announcements and adjournment-in-memory requests honoring several deceased individuals and family members, including Ronnie Massey, Kathy Luke, Jimmy Alexander, Matt McElhaney, Sandra Farr Aiken, Amy Nixon Jackson, Robert L. Bobby Butler, John Buckman, Bonnie L. Monroe, Louis Smith, Davis Gray, David Wayne McClendon, Wells Warren McClendon, Shepherd Thomas McClendon, Yancey Burns, Dorothy Shackelford Stanfill, and Buddy Hollowell.
The Senate also announced committee meetings: Public Health would meet after adjournment, Appropriations would meet 10 minutes after recess in Room 216, and Education would meet 5 minutes after Appropriations in Room 216. Finally, Senator Blackwell moved that the Senate stand in recess until 5:00 p.m., with the journal reflecting adjournment until 10:00 a.m. the next morning; the motion passed and the Senate recessed.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Nov 19th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's the dedication that we have to pushing forward congestion relief in our state.
- Also includes our first dedicated wildlife overpass in the state.
- County, there either seems to be, or there was, some sort of plan initially, I believe, to have a dedicated
- Is that the case, or is it just the appearance of there being, or at one point there being, a dedicated
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to hear presentations from the Department of Commerce and the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Florida Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, life sciences, defense, and financial services. He described the department’s tools for small business lending, rural investment tax credits, venture capital support, infrastructure and workforce grants, performance-based incentives, and disaster recovery loans, and highlighted examples such as ServiceNow, Williams International, Asteris, and Point Blank Enterprises. Senators asked about grant availability for small businesses, foreign companies relocating to Florida, workforce shortages in manufacturing, and whether additional tools may be needed; Mahon said most small-business support is loan-based and noted ongoing workforce and infrastructure challenges.
Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing the state’s large portfolio of active contracts and major congestion-relief projects across Florida. She highlighted early completions and accelerated timelines on projects including the NASA Causeway Bridge, I-95 at US 1 in Volusia County, I-4 congestion relief lanes, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, I-4 interchanges in Central Florida, A1A coastal protection work, I-75 improvements in Southwest Florida, and the I-395 reconstruction in Miami. Senators asked about how express lane projects are selected, whether toll revenues are used for local maintenance and improvements, the status of the Miami I-395 project, and the impact of losing electric-vehicle express lane exemptions. Marshall said FDOT works with local long-range plans and congestion data, and that she would follow up on several specific funding and project questions.
Committee members generally praised both agencies for project delivery, cost savings, and coordination with local partners. Senator Mayfield noted the importance of using savings and working with local governments, while Senator Wright commended Commerce’s role in economic development and FDOT’s work on major road projects. The meeting concluded with no further business, and the committee adjourned.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Jul 10th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Leadership, innovation, and dedication to public service.
- She would soon build and manage a social media page dedicated to spreading awareness and resources regarding
- It's clear Samantha's dedication and passion for agriculture paid off, and now she has funding to put
- Mazzetti was widely regarded by his peers as a visionary leader whose passion for his people and dedication
Summary:
The Assembly met with a quorum present after a roll call and prayer, then proceeded through routine journal, procedural, and guest-introduction business. Members recognized several guests, including local district officials, Japanese business leaders, and students/interns, and the chamber also observed remarks about the Texas flooding tragedy during the prayer. The body then moved through the daily file, including second-reading items and concurrence votes on AB 390, which expands the slow-down/move-over law to stationary vehicles, and AB 1478, which allows retailers to absorb mattress recycling fees; both measures had Senate amendments concurred in by recorded vote.
The Assembly adopted AJR 12, a bipartisan resolution recognizing Head Start Month and urging Congress and the President to protect and increase Head Start funding. Multiple members spoke in support, emphasizing the program’s role in early education, health, nutrition, and family support, especially in rural and low-income communities; the resolution received 70 ayes and no noes after 69 co-authors were added. The chamber also adopted ACR 96, designating a portion of Highway 101 in Humboldt County as the Patty Berg Memorial Highway, and SCR 50, which calls for state review of climate adaptation and maladaptation criteria to improve climate resilience planning; both measures passed without opposition.
On the consent calendar, the Assembly added co-authors to ACR 81 and adopted the second-day consent calendar and remaining consent items, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The body also approved a motion to return AB 529 from engrossing and enrolling to the Senate for further action. The session concluded with numerous adjournment-in-memory tributes, most notably for Rincon Tribal Council Chairman Bo Mazzetti and former legislative secretary George Steffes, followed by a moment of silence for each and adjournment until Monday, July 14 at 1 p.m.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Minnesota House passes measure seeking to honor Hubert H. Humphrey at U.S. Capitol 5/13/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- read his memoirs multiple times, and having a campaign poster of his in my office at home, is his dedication
- 10.119>
home, office at home, office at home, is<00:02:12.200>his <00:02:12.520>dedication - is his dedication is his dedication to<00:02:14.440>
doing <00:02:14.800>the <00:02
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- oversight and performance and accountability standards in SB 7 are essential to any state revenue dedication
- will give the legislature meaningful, lasting oversight over the Water Development Board's use of dedicated
- Lastly, I support, as Sarah said, how Sir Kirkle, how SB 7 expands the opportunity for this revenue dedication
- A dedicated focus on this vital issue will allow North Texas and the entire state to continue to attract
Bills:
SB 7
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House/Senate DFL Media Availability 4/23/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- press conference about that issue on the day that Pope Francis died, you know, an individual who had dedicated
- an individual Francis died. you know, an individual who<00:07:17.280>
had <00:07:17.440>dedicated - 18.240>
of <00:07:18.479>his <00:07:18.720>life <00:07:19.440>to who had dedicated - so much of his life to who had dedicated so much of his life to uh<00:07:20.240>
talking <00:07
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Apr 21st, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- has a purpose, and her purpose was clear: To lift others, to listen well, to serve with fierce dedication
- Representative Murphy dedicated her life to serving the people of Minnesota.
- Her steady voice, historical knowledge, and fierce dedication to the people of Minnesota shaped this
- She was a dedicated public servant and a defining figure in Minnesota's legislative history.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Mahalo to our incredible volunteers, our dedicated staff, and everyone who helped make this event such
- 29.440>
our Mahalo to our incredible volunteers, our Mahalo to our incredible volunteers, our dedicated - 30.640>
and <00:15:30.800>everyone <00:15:31.120>who <00:15:31.280>helped dedicated - staff, and everyone who helped dedicated staff, and everyone who helped make<00:15:32.040>
this
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
State Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, we're requesting $40,000 for dedicated performance evaluation systems to enhance the office's
- We have a dedicated team who works on Medicaid fraud, which again is a direct responsibility Congress
- continue to be able to investigate and prosecute fraudsters who steal taxpayer dollars that should be dedicated
- It's a dedicated group of skilled investigators, analysts, prosecutors, and legal support staff.
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
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We're headquartered in San Antonio and we are, uh, binational financial institution dedicated to the
- By establishing a dedicated trade office in Israel, Texas businesses would gain valuable access to new
- just in one little uh conversation I had, we've already seen some conversations, and so having a dedicated
- A dedicated trade office would streamline this exchange, opening doors for Texas-based companies to expand
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll create that strong partnership through this, through the workgroups, and we also will have dedicated
- empowering them and providing them with the assistance that they are going to need through these dedicated
- And they will be dedicated to each policy area.
- ASSET will house a state chief technology procurement officer with an entire division dedicated to developing
Summary:
The Appropriations Committee met with a quorum present and considered three items. First, it heard and passed SB 158, which eliminates cost-sharing for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations under the state employee health plan. Senator Berman described the bill as a way to remove financial barriers to early breast cancer detection, and several senators spoke in strong support, emphasizing the importance of follow-up screening and the life- and cost-saving value of early diagnosis. The bill was reported favorably by roll call vote.
The committee then took up SPB 7024, a committee bill on state planning and budgeting. Senator Brodeur explained that the proposal modernizes and simplifies the state agency long-range planning process by focusing on key data points, removing stale measures, and improving how plans are presented to the Legislature. Senator Berman supported the bill, highlighting new provisions on implementation status and budget consequences if enacted laws are not carried out. The committee voted to submit the proposal as a committee bill and reported it favorably.
Finally, the committee considered SPB 7026, a major overhaul of state information technology governance. Senator Harrell described a transition from the current Florida Digital Service structure to a new cabinet-level Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET), with enterprise-wide standards, interoperability, procurement oversight, cybersecurity coordination, technical debt tracking, a testing laboratory, workforce development, and annual IT expenditure reporting. Members raised questions about procurement authority, judicial branch inclusion, existing contracts, cybersecurity, and staffing; Harrell said agencies would retain final procurement decisions but would have to follow enterprise standards, the courts were not included, existing contracts would continue, and the bill would add significant state IT staffing. Several amendments were adopted, including changes on CIO selection conflicts, removal of the Northwest Regional Data Center from a definition, reporting on deviations from standards, and technical updates related to the data center and workforce positions. Public testimony strongly supported the bill as a needed modernization of Florida’s fragmented IT system. The committee then reported SPB 7026 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting adjourned after members recorded their votes on the three items.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And we now have staff dedicated to environmental permit compliance, which is a team that...
- notice to mitigate spills, explosions, and respond to natural disasters like Hurricane Beryl where we dedicated
- see if that can be elevated to be a bigger disincentive, and we also think the DPS needs to have. dedicated
- perhaps it's that that model could be used in the oil industry uh... as to using special rangers dedicated
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Feb 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- WITHOUT DEDICATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY IN TIMELINESS OF THESE CASES ARE THAT COULD POTENTIALLY DELAY AND
- UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE NOT REIMBURSED FOR THE RESOURCES WE DEDICATE IT TO THIS EFFORT.
- IN MY OFFICE, A LOW FIVE OUT OF 50 IT STAFF MEMBERS AND A 10 PERCENT ARE DEDICATED TO THE SUBJECT TO
- OFFER SOME VALID IMPORTANT INFORMATION. >> I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLORIDA CARES NONPROFIT DEDICATED
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- If that happens, the sales tax revenues those same residents voted on to dedicate to county roads gets
- If that happens, the sales tax revenues those same residents voted on to dedicate to county roads get
- active transportation, and dedicated transit<00:43:02.240>
funding <00:43:02.840>dedicated - <00:43:03.440>
transit transit funding dedicated transit transit funding dedicated transit - long-term dedicated funding for transit. long-term dedicated funding for transit.
Keywords:
transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use
Summary:
The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 3373, which was laid over. The bill sought trunk highway bond funding for preliminary and final design work at the 70th Street interchange in St. Paul Park. Representative Hansen, Mayor Keith Frankie, and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham described the interchange as undersized and increasingly unsafe because of refinery truck traffic, aggregate hauling, nearby growth, and changing traffic patterns. Members asked about prior study, cost, and greenhouse gas requirements, and the bill author said the request was about $500,000. Chair Cosgrove noted the bill would be laid over and suggested the issue could involve future statutory exemptions.
The committee then took up House File 4449, also laid over, after adopting the A4 author’s amendment. Representative Jones presented the bill as a transit planning and accountability measure for the Twin Cities metro. It would set numeric transit goals, require better coordination between road projects and future transit projects, and give the Met Council more tools to support transit-oriented development, including property acquisition and development around transit corridors. Jones argued the bill would help avoid rebuilding roads twice and improve transit ridership, frequency, speed, and reliability.
Representative Olson offered an amendment to exempt highway projects primarily addressing documented safety issues, arguing that safety projects should not be burdened by added transit requirements or costs. Jones said she supported the safety concern but opposed the amendment as written because the bill was aimed at major construction projects. After a roll call, the amendment failed on an 8-8 tie. The bill itself remained laid over for further work, with the chair noting there was still time to refine the proposal.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2026-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:31:23.000>
to <00:31:23.080>the in the room who are dedicated to the in the room - who are dedicated to the work<00:31:23.400>
and <00:31:23.520>dedicated <00:31:24.040>< - to listening truly to work and dedicated to listening truly to anybody<00:31:25.960>
who <00:31 - It also extends the grant that was dedicated for direct care services, called a pilot project.
- <01:13:38.760>
for <01:13:38.920>direct grant that was uh dedicated for direct grant
Keywords:
human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance
Summary:
The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured.
Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails.
Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- We feel there is a need for dedicated funding because services are the infrastructure just like we need
- So it was not dedicated funding per se. >> No, no, I think the dedicated funding by special funds uh
- So it was it wasn't um >> no<00:33:26.320>
dedicated <00:33:27.120>funding <00:33: - >> no dedicated funding per se. >> no dedicated funding per se.
- by >> No no I think the dedicated funding by by<00:33:31.840>
special <00:33:32.159>
Bills:
SB2190, SB2338, SB2424, SB2356, SB2981, SB3028, SB3187, SB2378, SB2398, SB2192, SB2155, SB3219, SB3218
Keywords:
affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning
Summary:
The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure.
SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing.
SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system.
The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee 3/10/26
Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
Transcript Highlights:
- The MAP Act adds 18 dedicated specialized staff to our Medicaid fraud control unit, bringing the number
- The MAP Act adds 18 dedicated The MAP Act adds 18 dedicated specialized<00:05:19.720>
staff - , uh, because the more people we have dedicated, uh, to stopping fraud in Minnesota, the faster that
- uh, because the more people we dedicated uh, because the more people we have<00:39:44.560>
dedicated - uh, to stopping fraud in have dedicated uh, to stopping fraud in Minnesota,<00:39:47.680>
the
Keywords:
medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, fraud, payment withholding, withheld payments, program integrity, public funds, state agency, program participant, credible allegation of fraud, administrative reconsideration, contested case, chapter 14, data practices, confidential data, protected nonpublic data, anti-fraud
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from March 5 by voice vote and welcomed new member Representative Van Binsbergen. It then took up House File 2354, which Chair Liebling moved to re-refer to the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. Representative Norris presented the bill as an updated version of the Medical Assistance Protection Act, aimed at strengthening the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, closing loopholes, equalizing fraud penalties, and increasing penalties for large-scale Medicaid fraud. Attorney General Ellison said the bill would add 18 specialized staff to the unit, moving it from 32 to 50 positions, and argued the federal-state matching structure makes the Attorney General’s office the proper home for the funding because the unit is dedicated to Medicaid fraud work.
Nick Wonka, director of the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, explained the bill’s provisions affecting committee jurisdiction: expanded subpoena authority to obtain financial account contents in provider-fraud investigations, conforming legal representation language to preserve the unit’s authority, venue changes to allow charging in counties where parts of the offense occurred, and a restitution change to let courts order restitution for related conduct in the same scheme. He said the subpoena change would speed investigations and align the Attorney General’s authority with other agencies, and that the restitution change would help recover more fraudulently obtained Medicaid funds.
No public testimony was offered. Members questioned why the funding should go to the Attorney General’s office rather than the BCA, whether the new records authority was federally required, how the venue language would work across state lines, and whether the added FTEs indicated the fraud problem was larger than expected. Ellison and Wonka responded that the federal grant requires the work to stay within the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, that the unit’s investigators are specialized and work with, but separate from, law enforcement, and that the venue provision applies only within Minnesota while out-of-state matters would be referred to the appropriate authorities. The amendment that had been posted was withdrawn and not offered.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Line 165 is just an increase from the lottery and LCC account that is dedicated just for the metro parks
- This funding represents support of talented and dedicated people, investments in technology, and allows
- , investments in dedicated people, investments in technology<01:25:31.360>
and <01:25:31.679>- <02:05:37.280>
revenue ...and that has non-dedicated revenue in the Health Care Access Fund- in a dedicated in a dedicated account.<02:08:38.239>
Um <02:08:39.199>line <02:08:40.159 - <02:05:37.280>