Video & Transcript Research : 'side impact'
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 28 Afternoon Session Mar 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This language would impact every courtroom in the Oklahoma court.
- The other side says it's 95%.
- The private school side of this, my recollection is this is the scholarship granting side of things.
- There's $25 million on one side, $25 million on the other.
- You, I think you said earlier the impact of the parental choice tax credit on demand on the demand side
Bills:
HB3329, HR1039, HR1040, HB3413, HB3414, HB3415, HB3416, HB3417, HB3418, HB3419, HB3420, HB3706, HB3711, HB4139, HB1268, HB3660, HJR1023, HB3298, HB3056, HJR1084, HB3934, HB3919, HB4118, HB4119, HB3791, HB4260, HB4178, HB4215, HB4324, HB3270, HB4352, HB4305, HB2955, HB3315, HB3066, HB1245, HB4125, HB3075, HB3129, HB3239, HB4153, HB3265, HB4491, SB680, HB4263, HB4268, HB1675, HB3885, HB2984, HB3697, HB2959, HB3671, HB3852, HB2933, HB3057, HB3802, HB4294, HB4285, HB3708, HB3979, HB3977, HB3986, HB3985, HB3588, HB3742, HB3845, HJR1070, HB3590, HB3595, HB3391, HB3183, HB3764, HB3765, HB1002, HB4434, HJR1086, HB4060, HB3881, HB3500, HB4408, HB3648, HB3127, HB3606
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Air Mobility & Aviation Economic Development Task Force (7-14-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- Economic impact. I think all of us probably have some economic impact slides.
- by side inside that hangar.
- by side inside that hangar.
- by side inside that hangar.
- <00:46:43.880>
that Boeing 777s side by side um inside that Boeing 777s side by side um inside
Summary:
The task force was called to order with a quorum present, and Commissioner Mark Carter of the Kentucky Department of Aviation gave the first presentation. He outlined the state’s airport system, noting 58 public-use airports, the department’s small staff, and its funding structure through a jet fuel tax that generates about $23 million annually, leaving roughly $15 million for airport investment after required deductions. Carter highlighted recent projects at airports including Bardstown, Madisonville, Central Kentucky Regional, Paducah, Sparta, Danville, and Henderson, and said the department has also expanded data collection on airport activity, hangars, schools, and training programs. He emphasized that the department recently completed the first statewide economic impact study of general aviation airports and is developing a five-year airport needs plan.
Carter said several things are working well, including stronger communication with airports, the public, the legislature, and especially the FAA’s Memphis district office, which now involves the state more in project selection. He said the department is reasonably staffed overall, but identified workforce development and advanced air mobility as major gaps. In response to questions from Senator Nunn and Representative York, he said he did not have specific workforce shortage numbers on hand, but cited Boeing reports showing large national and global shortages of pilots and mechanics, and explained that instructor shortages and low wages limit training capacity. He also said air traffic control is an FAA function, though EKU has shown interest in developing a training program.
Carter identified several needs for improvement: more workforce investment, more aviation education in high schools, more scholarships for pilot and mechanic training, more attention to advanced air mobility, and more frequent, institutionalized data collection. He also pointed to major pending capital needs at airports such as Elizabethtown, Owensboro, Harlan, Leitchfield-Grayson County, and Whitesburg-Letcher County, all of which would require FAA and state support. He urged airports to do a better job marketing their economic value and said the state should continue updating aviation studies so lawmakers have current information for policy decisions.
The task force then heard from Lexington Blue Grass Airport Director Eric Frankl, who welcomed the new CVG director and thanked the legislature for creating the task force and supporting aviation infrastructure. Frankl said Blue Grass Airport has rebounded from the pandemic and now exceeds pre-pandemic passenger levels, while serving a mix of private aviation, pilot training, corporate aviation, and commercial airline activity. He described ongoing terminal-area planning, parking technology upgrades, and a major parking lot expansion expected to finish by early spring 2026, and said the airport is planning for future technologies such as vertiports and electric aerial vehicles. Frankl estimated that a broader terminal modernization program will cost roughly $500 million to $700 million over the next 5 to 10 years and said the airport needs continued state support to close funding gaps and remain competitive with other states investing in aviation.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- The impact on our environment.
- The other side of it is the mitigation.
- The other side of it is the mitigation.
- If I pay, what about my neighbors on each side?
- , the roofing, the siding over time.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Insurance held an informational hearing on how climate change, wildfire risk, and related catastrophes are affecting California’s insurance market, affordability, and availability. Chair and members framed the issue as a statewide challenge tied to resiliency, land use, utilities, legal liability, and the FAIR Plan. Senator Becker noted the hearing was connected to SB 254 and its recent report, while the Vice Chair emphasized that the state’s current regulatory framework limits flexibility and that industry testimony would also have been useful.
Amy Bach of United Policyholders described worsening availability and affordability, driven by climate impacts, insurtech/risk scoring, inflation, and the growth of surplus lines coverage. She said the Sustainable Insurance Strategy is beginning to show progress, but the FAIR Plan remains too large and non-admitted carriers create concerns because they are less regulated and do not share FAIR Plan or guaranty fund obligations. She stressed that mitigation incentives, grants, and voluntary insurer rewards for wildfire-hardening are important, but that many households cannot afford the needed improvements. In response to questions, she said underinsurance remains a major problem, especially after recent fires, and suggested stronger insurer responsibility for replacement-cost estimates or broader replacement-cost endorsements.
Actuary Nancy Watkins and Stanford’s Michael Wara argued that California must both reduce wildfire risk and allow actuarially sound pricing if it wants a healthier market. Watkins compared the market to a household with rising expenses and said the state needs a mitigation framework focused on the highest-risk communities, especially older neighborhoods and homes near the wildland-urban interface. Wara said premiums must roughly equal expected claims plus expenses, and that California is “burning down too many houses,” which drives both availability problems and higher rates. He highlighted the role of structure-to-structure spread, older housing stock, utility ignitions, and the need to focus on community hardening, not just vegetation management. Both speakers said mitigation should be targeted, science-based, and sustained rather than one-time or scattered.
Frank Freebalt of Cal Poly and Michael Gullner of UC Berkeley continued the discussion on fire modeling and risk reduction. Freebalt said the problem is best understood as a structure ignition and urban conflagration problem, requiring integrated land-use, utility, and community mitigation, with evidence-based priorities and better analytics. He emphasized that the state should focus on the highest-risk intersections first and that targeted mitigation can multiply the effectiveness of suppression and evacuation resources. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony, questions, and policy discussion.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot of military applications for microreactors have a very different impact on a community and a very
- On the right-hand side, where you get into different moderators, different cooling moderators, some of
- again, economic impacts can be a very powerful tool in community engagement.
- So if we put those, even though there's a 1,000-foot difference between them, we put them side by side
- Impacted, either positively, negatively, or potentially both.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee Jun 16th, 2026
Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- A lot of military applications for microreactors have a very different impact on a community and a very
- On the right-hand side, where you get into different moderators and different cooling moderators, some
- again, economic impacts can be a very powerful tool in community engagement.
- So if we put those, even though there's a 1,000-foot difference between them, we put them side by side
- Impacted, either positively, negatively, or potentially both.
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.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human services panel considers HF1005 3/4/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:18:13.360>
we patients one of the biggest impacts we patients one of the biggest impacts - I think that the other side of this is schools.
- I think that the other side of this is schools.
- I think that the other side of this is schools.
- I think that the other side of this is schools.
Summary:
House File 105 was presented by Representatives Beerman and Baker and then laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. The bill would implement the remaining mental health and physician service recommendations from DHS’s rate study, including raising certain Medicaid reimbursement rates to at least 100% of Medicare where a Medicare equivalent exists, increasing community-based children’s and adult mental health rates and behavioral health home rates, and phasing in additional increases over three years. The authors said the proposal also addresses master’s-level clinician reimbursement and fee-for-service hospital inpatient mental health services, and they emphasized that the changes are intended to improve access, transparency, and provider stability.
Both authors argued that low MA reimbursement rates are driving access problems across Minnesota, especially for children, families, and rural communities. They said providers are struggling to hire and retain staff, clinics are closing or shrinking, and patients are facing long waits, boarding in hospitals, or delayed care. Representative Baker said the issue is personal and described the bill as a phased, long-term approach because of state budget limits and the size of the cost, which he said is in the hundreds of millions but still awaiting a fiscal note.
Public testimony was strongly supportive overall. A family physician said higher rates would improve access, keep clinics open, and help patients avoid emergency care, while a Children’s Minnesota mental health leader described more than 1,200 pediatric boarding episodes in 2024 and said outpatient investment is needed to reduce pressure on emergency and inpatient services. A rural provider said her organization had to close an in-home children’s mental health program because of insufficient reimbursement, harming access in underserved counties. A psychologist testifying for the Minnesota Psychological Association supported the bill’s general direction but objected to repealing the pay differential for doctoral-level psychologists, arguing that doctoral training is more extensive and that eliminating the differential could worsen workforce shortages. After testimony and member questions about the bill’s scope and cost, public testimony was closed and the bill was laid over.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Jobs and Economic Development - 03/05/25
Jobs and Economic Development
Transcript Highlights:
- the loan side of things.
- of things uh on the the grant side of things uh on the lending<01:21:01.400>
side <01:21:01.560 - <01:37:42.679>
and do recognize are highly impactful and do recognize are highly impactful - <01:37:57.159>
of representation of some of the impact of representation of some of the impact - positive impact positive impact and<01:38:54.159>
this <01:38:54.280>would <01:38:54.440
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Regulated Industries Mar 4th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And in 1926, we have the great Miami hurricane and that impacted.
- Our transmission right away is every year on the distribution side.
- Now we had 3 named storms that impacted our service territory.
- And on the positive side, the greatly increased cooperation.
- We're also seeing rate cases at an increased rate impact.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session - part 2 May 19th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- From the Republican side, we had Rasmussen and also Ebbler on the conference committee.
- From the GOP side, Tom Brennan.
- They are not law enforcement and firefighters, but they deal side-by-side With them in some more dangerous
- The targets that you provided from the House side made this possible.
- And this is going to have some drastic impacts, good impacts.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
EEP/WAL Joint Public Hearing - Tue Mar 18, 2025 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh so environmental impact statements.
- But the board of significant impact.
- their impacts are allowed to proceed. their impacts are allowed to proceed.
- Um, and the potential impacts are beyond that. And the potential impacts are beyond that.
- >
community <02:02:22.239>is health impacts when the community is health impacts when the
Summary:
The joint hearing covered three measures. SB 1602 would appropriate funds to DLNR for monitoring wells for the Koho aquifer system; DLNR and HHFDC supported it, and written testimony from several organizations and individuals was also in support. Members asked whether monitoring wells are a statewide function rather than a county function, and staff confirmed they are done statewide. The second bill was an administration measure clarifying that criminal water pollution enforcement remains with the Department of Health rather than DLNR. The Attorney General’s office said it was a cleanup clarification and that DOH has stronger enforcement powers and better testing capability; DOH and DLNR supported it, and there was no opposition noted.
The final and most heavily debated measure was SB 1074 on environmental impact statements. The bill would let previously authorized or permitted commercial activities continue for up to one year while an agency determines whether environmental review applies after a challenge, and would allow permit renewals during that review. DLNR said it stood on written comments and suggested aligning the bill with similar House language. Supporters, including several ocean tourism and Maui business representatives, argued the bill would provide certainty and keep families and small operators working while environmental review is completed, especially in the wake of the Lahaina fires and ongoing business losses. Some supporters said the measure should be narrowed with a sunset or limited to recently renewed permits.
Opponents, including the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Earthjustice, the Sierra Club, and other environmental advocates, argued the bill was overly broad and could weaken HEPA/NEPA-style environmental review, especially for fisheries and other commercial activities. They said the bill could be used as a “Trojan horse” to avoid review and that DLNR could resolve the underlying disputes more quickly through settlement or existing exemption processes. No votes were taken during the hearing.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 04/01/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:59:46.880>
on without insurance because of siding on without insurance because of siding - more input from all impacted more input from all impacted stakeholders<01:43:44.760>
but < - Most impacted stakeholders were not consulted.
- Most impacted stakeholders were not consulted.
- manufacturers but also just impacting manufacturers but also impacting<01:56:20.760>
dealers <
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
ECD Info Briefing - Fri Jun 19, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- 25.000>
of What's the environmental impact of What's the environmental impact of increased<00: - Like, I mean, if I was looking just on the tourism side, about all the fees that are impacting our visitors
- , about all the fees that uh are side, about all the fees that uh are impacting<00:49:35.960>
our< - , um from the philanthropic side, um from the philanthropic side, we<01:54:22.360>
have <01 - governance side of it. governance side of it.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Republican Press Conference 5/6/25
Transcript Highlights:
- It's been a bipartisan group, which includes Jenny Cleorne and Norris on the Democrat side.
- Bipartisan group, which includes Jenny Cleorne and Norris on the Democrat side.
- <00:11:41.040>
of the chair on the Republican side of the chair on the Republican side of - And as you heard Cher Robbins say from the very beginning, this is not just fraud that doesn't impact
- <00:14:48.399>
were colleagues on the other side were colleagues on the other side were frustrated
Summary:
House Fraud and State Agency Oversight Chair Kristen Robbins and Vice Chair Patti Anderson reviewed the committee’s first session, saying its work focused on exposing fraud, identifying gaps in statute and agency tools, and creating a public whistleblower portal (mnfraud.com). Robbins said the committee helped drive bipartisan opposition to legislatively named grants/earmarks, and that committee testimony from agencies, the Office of Legislative Auditor, and the Office of Grants Management led to late-session committee bills on issues such as a state kickback statute and required grants-management training. She also said the portal received 530 submissions in its first week, which the committee will review over the interim.
Members emphasized the need for stronger statewide oversight of grants and fraud prevention. Anderson said existing agency inspector general structures have not worked well and described a bipartisan effort to create a statewide Office of Inspector General with full investigatory authority. Robbins said the Senate version was moving through finance and expected on the floor soon, with the governor indicating he would sign it. Walter Hudson argued that hearings showed agencies often focus on paperwork and compliance checkboxes rather than actually preventing fraud, citing conflict-of-interest attestations and the Feeding Our Future-related testimony as examples. Jim Nash said the state government finance bill includes funding for anti-fraud efforts through the Office of the Auditor and related provisions.
In response to questions, Robbins said the committee tried to remain bipartisan despite a 5-3 Republican majority, and that members had handed significant allegations to law enforcement when appropriate. She said the committee did not need subpoena power this session because it is an oversight body, not a law-enforcement body. On legislatively named grants, Robbins said the goal is to change legislative culture rather than impose a formal ban, and she expects future policy to require front-end risk review, 990 review, and capacity checks before such grants are approved. Anderson added that the House and Senate versions of the inspector general bill differ on branch placement and law-enforcement authority, and that the House will decide whether to accept the Senate version once it comes back from finance and the floor.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary (7-24-25) - Resumed
Transcript Highlights:
- We happen to farm on the upper side on one of those.
- <00:12:20.720>
number <00:12:20.880>one one-sided, so that's our number one one-sided - We don't think about how that<00:13:25.120>
impacts that impacts that impacts what<00:13:27.040 - happen to farm on the upper side happen to farm on the upper side on<00:13:43.519>
one <00 - impacted by a utility contractor. impacted by a utility contractor.
Summary:
The committee discussed House Bill 353, a proposal to tighten eminent-domain procedures and property protections while still allowing public projects. Supporters said the bill would not prohibit condemnation, but would require proof that property is in blight, give owners notice and an opportunity to cure, require a reasonable plan and funding for the public use, and ensure the taking is limited to what is necessary. They argued this would protect good-faith property owners, prevent abandoned projects, and make the process more efficient for utilities and infrastructure by encouraging easements where possible instead of full takings.
Much of the discussion focused on the proper measure of compensation and the broader constitutional limits on eminent domain. Several members argued that compensation should reflect current market value and that public benefit should not be treated as the standard for value. Others said market value can be unfair in cases involving unique property uses, damage to land, or public-private projects, and suggested owners should share in some upside. Members also raised concerns about Kelo v. City of New London, the risk of abuse by governments or large corporations, and the need to protect farmers and rural landowners from one-sided treatment.
A number of legislators supported the concept but asked for more detail on how the bill would work in practice, whether it is based on model legislation from other states, and how it could be tailored to Kentucky. The bill sponsor said it was a modified model policy and was open to amendments to make it more Kentucky-specific. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And that third component, where it looks at the commercial side, doesn't exist.
- No one kind of watches that other side.
- In addition, it has no impact on the existing 340B drug program.
- This will have any sort of material impact.
- On the commercial side, I see those being negotiated.
Keywords:
prescription drugs, drug pricing, pharmacy benefits, health insurance, health benefit plan, insurer, HMO, self-insured employer, public employer, school district, county, municipality, university system, higher education, retirees, dependent coverage, stop-loss coverage, bulk purchasing, group purchasing, purchasing pool
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:04:43.880>
across <00:04:44.199>the people impacted across the people impacted - They have an impact as well, and also that's probably the more significant MinnesotaCare impact.
- They have an impact as well, and also that's probably the more significant MinnesotaCare impact.
- <00:26:53.240>
the <00:26:53.360>impact <00:26:53.679>on um the impact the impact - on um the impact the impact on Minnesota<00:26:56.480>
the <00:26:56.640>specific <00:26
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Transportation (2-26-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:13:31.800>
where the right side of the bus the side where the right side of the bus the - So, the farm-to-farm use of your side-by-side at all, is that correct?
- So, the farm-to-farm use of your side-by-side at all, is that correct? That's correct.
- I go fishing when I have time, and they love to go ride their side-by-side.
- I go fishing when I have time, and they love to go ride their side-by-side.
Summary:
The Senate Transportation Committee met with a quorum, approved the February 19 minutes, and opened with guest recognitions and a brief prayer for a colleague who had a medical episode. The committee then took up Senate Joint Resolution 66, which would create a task force to study Advanced Air Mobility and related policy issues in Kentucky. The sponsor and witnesses described AAM as emerging eVTOL “flying car” technology, argued Kentucky has strong aviation and logistics assets to compete for the industry, and said the task force would include legislative, KYTC, and industry representatives. Senators asked about the technology and potential uses, including rapid transport of medical specialists. The resolution was reported favorably after roll call, with several members expressing support and at least one member noting a desire for more information while still voting yes.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 38, as amended by committee substitute, dealing with school bus stop-arm safety cameras. The sponsor cited survey data showing hundreds of illegal school-bus passings in Kentucky and argued the bill would help change driver behavior by allowing, but not requiring, school districts to use camera systems funded through violators rather than district budgets. Testimony emphasized that the measure is voluntary, vendor-neutral, provides an appeals process in district court, limits camera activation to when the stop arm is deployed, and keeps revenues within the school district and court system. Representative David Hale supported the bill, sharing a personal story about a near-miss involving a child crossing after a bus stop. The committee approved the committee substitute and then reported SB 38 favorably with the expression of opinion that it should pass with the committee substitute attached.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 63 on street-legal special purpose vehicles. The sponsor and Backroads of Appalachia representatives said the bill would define and regulate these vehicles, while expressly excluding farm and agricultural vehicles from its requirements. They explained the bill would require inspection, registration, and a motorcycle plate for qualifying vehicles, set limits on where and how far they can be driven, and allow local or state restrictions where applicable. Supporters framed the bill as an economic development measure for Eastern Kentucky and the broader state, citing tourism, trail-system spending, and examples from other states. A committee member asked for clarification about farm-to-farm use, and the witness confirmed the bill would not affect agricultural use. The transcript ends during discussion of SB 63, before any final committee action is shown.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Commerce and Consumer Affairs (02/12/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- This is very biased and one-sided. This only seeks disclosure on the plaintiff side.
- This is very biased and one-sided. This only seeks disclosure on the plaintiff side.
- give certain information to each side give certain information to each side list<00:35:16.520>
nice to see everybody on the same side nice to see everybody on the same side as<00:45:50.000>- :09.880>
me the Consumer Legal funding side trust me the Consumer Legal funding side trust me - :09.880>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on HB 733-FN, a bill concerning third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors funding lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, increases litigation abuse, and contributes to higher insurance and consumer costs. He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with guardrails and reporting requirements on specified pages of the bill. He also noted a couple of drafting fixes, including adding the word “knowingly” and incorporating a missing section later.
Members raised questions about the bill’s foreign-entity language, especially the provision allowing a governor or the Department of Safety to designate a country as a threat to critical infrastructure. Representative Cole said he would have lawyers review that issue. Another member asked whether the bill would prohibit a party from obtaining outside funding for a lawsuit; Cole clarified that the bill is intended as a reporting measure, not a ban, and that disclosure would be required. He also said the bill is aimed at American citizens rather than foreign-backed financing, and that some states had considered caps on such arrangements, though this bill does not.
Brandon Gratz of the Attorney General’s office testified that the enforcement language appears too limited, because it would allow only civil penalties and not broader Consumer Protection Act remedies such as injunctions or restitution. He suggested the Attorney General may not have meaningful authority under the bill as written and raised possible insurance-law issues. Commissioner D.J. Benton-Court of the Insurance Department said the disclosure could help insurers better assess risk and potentially soften the hard insurance market by improving transparency, competition, underwriting, innovation, and claims management. He also said the bill likely needs further work on jurisdiction and enforcement, and that the committee may need to coordinate with the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and possibly banking regulators. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Informational interview with Rep. Keith Allen (R-Kenyon) Nov 20th, 2025
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- In a case like that, my concern was solely on the side of the student.
- to be able to learn when you have to be concerned about what a professor says and if it's going to impact
- and kind of go through what they were experiencing and some of the frustrations he was seeing on his side
- <00:03:11.440>
And impact you in terms of your grades. - And impact you in terms of your grades.
Summary:
The interview focused on the representative’s first session in a tied House, which he described as record-setting and a lesson in working across the aisle. He said bipartisan support became essential, and he highlighted working with Representative Liz Rehm on a couple of bills and spending the off-season building more bipartisan legislation aimed at issues affecting rural and greater Minnesota.
He also discussed a meeting with MSU Mankato’s president about civil discourse and freedom of expression on campus. His concern was protecting students who might push back against divisive comments from professors and ensuring they would not face repercussions or grade-related consequences for speaking up.
A major portion of the conversation covered agriculture and trade, especially tariffs and their effects on farmers. He said farmers are again facing difficult conditions, though not as severe as the 1980s farm crisis, and noted that recent U.S.-China soybean purchasing agreements helped raise soybean and corn prices. He also said greater Minnesota is facing serious nursing home closures and shortages, which are forcing seniors farther from their communities.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said he is working on several bills: a stop-arm bill to clarify penalties related to school bus violations, a robocall bill requiring callers to identify themselves with a number, and a mass casualty firewall act aimed at allowing charges when someone has assembled materials and plans for a mass casualty event. He said the mass casualty proposal is the one he is most proud of and that discussions with both DFL and Republican leaders have been positive.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- half of 2026 as we see impacts half of 2026 as we see impacts >> uh<00:07:42.800>
of - However, um on the other side of the However, um on the other side of the coin<00:10:07.360>
in - 36.800>
the <00:10:37.040>standard stimulus side, it raises the standard stimulus side, - that's going to have an impact. that's going to have an impact.
- They're going to impact Hawaii. real. They're going to impact Hawaii.