Transcript Highlights:

• air, clean water, and clean land.
• air, clean water, and clean land.
• Energy demands play a role as well. How much energy are they using?
• And then that last tranche is this clean, sustainable energy authority, which has a grant pool and it
• And then on the far right on the bottom, you see the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority.

Summary: The committee met in Grand Forks, approved the February 26 minutes by voice vote, and recessed for a tour of Minnkota Power Cooperative before hearing presentations on large energy consumers and related infrastructure issues. The first presentation, from the North Dakota Transmission Authority, focused on the need for better local decision-making tools for counties, townships, and planning and zoning boards facing major projects such as transmission lines, pipelines, data centers, wind, solar, and large-scale agriculture. The speaker urged more objective, data-driven analysis, noted that local officials often have limited time and resources, and said the state should support training and tools through groups like the League of Cities and the Association of Counties. Members asked about proactive outreach, data center ordinances, and how to avoid subsidizing large loads or causing reliability problems. The Division of Air Quality then discussed environmental oversight of data centers, emphasizing that North Dakota’s air remains among the cleanest in the country and that the agency’s role is limited to air, water discharge, stormwater, and waste—not zoning or water use. The presentation explained that data centers generally have low direct emissions but may rely on diesel backup generators when the grid is unavailable, which creates air-quality concerns; the department said it is requiring air monitors at some projects to collect real-world data and guide future decisions. Members asked about generator emissions, misinformation, monitoring costs, and staffing succession, and the agency said permit applicants pay for the monitors while the state handles some QA work. The Department of Water Resources followed with an overview of North Dakota water law and data center water use. The director explained the state’s prior-appropriation system, the public-interest review for permits, and the large overall water supply available from groundwater and the Missouri River. He said most proposed data centers use closed-loop cooling systems and generally request relatively small amounts of water compared with other uses such as power plants, irrigation, and oilfield operations, and that even a worst-case data center scenario would use only a tiny fraction of Missouri River flow. Questions focused on downstream impacts and comparisons to fracking water use, and the director said the state’s use is too small to materially affect downstream users. Later, McLean County State’s Attorney Ladd-Erickson testified online about data center zoning and permitting. He asked the committee to have Legislative Council gather information on how other states handle data center permitting and to keep the topic on the interim agenda. He argued that local zoning should remain local, but said counties lack the technical and legal resources to manage complex reclamation or bonding requirements and that state-level enabling legislation may be more appropriate. He also recommended eliminating tax incentives for data centers. The committee chair said staff would prepare a document on other states’ zoning and permitting approaches. After a lunch recess, the committee reconvened at the EERC, where CEO Charles Gorecki gave an overview of the center’s 75 years of work and its role in oil and gas, carbon management, and other energy technologies, highlighting enhanced oil recovery and carbon dioxide utilization as major opportunities for future production and tax revenue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our region's emissions are interwoven with the economy.
• Breakthrough Energy was founded to accelerate energy innovation and build the industries of the future
• I firmly believe our nation's energy security depends on what I call affordable, reliable, and clean
• energy.
• It's interesting that you mentioned the need for more energy because, as you create the energy and you

Committee: Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• It takes food off kitchen tables, throws clean energy workers out of jobs, spikes utility bills.
• clean energy workers out of jobs, spikes utility<02:10:10.560><c> bills.
• And in Texas, we're one of the largest exporters of clean energy jobs. Texas is the energy state.
• </c> the largest export creators of clean the largest export creators of clean energy<02:49:00.720><c
• </c> also are the largest creator of clean also are the largest creator of clean energy<02:49:10.000>

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they're trying to work with Minnesota.
• And of course, with fuel economy, more hybrid vehicles, that's practically flat.
• And of course, with fuel economy, more hybrid vehicles, that's practically flat.
• It was an energy project, and so the company moved to the next township.
• But the thing is, is that energy—this state is energy and ag. The money is coming from energy.

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met to consider Senate Bill 2012, the Department of Transportation budget, with Representative Brandenburg presenting a detailed House amendment package and Speaker Robin Weisz explaining the overall funding strategy. The discussion focused on restructuring transportation funding streams, including moving Prairie Dog money into a flexible transportation fund, adjusting gas tax distributions, increasing the legacy earnings transfer from 7% to 8%, and authorizing a $155 million bond for Highway 85. Members also discussed DOT operations, bridge funding, rest areas, electronic titling, and the use of funds for grants to counties, cities, and townships. A separate provision would let the DOT consider whether local ordinances or policies unreasonably restrict permitted agriculture or energy projects when scoring grant applications, which drew significant debate about local control and whether the language was punitive. Testimony from Brandenburg and Weisz emphasized that the plan was intended to provide more predictable funding, preserve the ability to match federal dollars, and direct money where needs are greatest through a grant process. Weisz said the package was designed to simplify multiple revenue buckets, ensure DOT can meet federal match requirements, and free up money for the general fund while still supporting transportation needs. Several members raised concerns about whether cities, counties, and townships would receive as much as under the prior Prairie Dog structure, whether the bridge allocation was correctly reflected in the bill, and whether the local-policy language would penalize subdivisions that oppose energy projects. Supporters argued the state needed to protect revenue tied to energy development and that local governments would still receive distributions plus additional grant opportunities. The committee adopted the House amendment to SB 2012 by a vote of 19-1-3, then rejected an amendment to remove the local-policy language on a 5-15-3 vote. The committee then passed SB 2012 as amended on a 20-0-3 vote, with Representative Brandenburg designated as the carrier. The chair announced that Senate Bill 2014 would not be taken up at that time and the committee recessed until called back.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:26:50.720><c> energy</c> blocks and cancels new clean energy blocks and cancels new clean energy
• including clean energy.
• including clean energy.
• including clean energy.
• </c><00:46:32.240><c> And</c> could be based on clean energy. And could be based on clean energy.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, December 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• HF 1662 makes changes to Minnesota statutes.
• </c><00:03:56.319><c> homeless</c> veterans onto the Minnesota homeless veterans onto the Minnesota homeless
• We have four of them here in Minnesota, and they serve different populations.
• We have four of them here in Minnesota, and they serve different populations.
• We have four of them here in Minnesota, and they serve different populations.

Bills: HF1662 , HF2115 , HF2159 , HF1095 , HF2160

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• have told the city they prefer that the source is clean and sustainable because energy is so central
• He said they align with Minnesota's clean energy goals.
• and the state's commitment to providing clean energy opportunities.
• to a clean, just, and equitable energy future.
• I'm Avana Stark, State Director of Clean Water Action Minnesota.

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Bills: SB1696 , SB1670 , SB1687 , SB1975

Keywords: SB1696, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Program, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Revolving Fund, Department of Commerce, economic development, workforce development, community development, relocation incentives, talent recruitment, in-migration, population growth, household relocation, grant program, revolving fund, local government grants, municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, economic incentives, residency

Bills: SB1696 , SB1670 , SB1687 , SB1975

Keywords: SB1696, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Program, Oklahoma Talent Attraction and Relocation Revolving Fund, Department of Commerce, economic development, workforce development, community development, relocation incentives, talent recruitment, in-migration, population growth, household relocation, grant program, revolving fund, local government grants, municipalities, counties, nonprofit organizations, economic incentives, residency

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, offered the invocation, and recognized the Doctor of the Day and several visiting groups in the galleries. The chamber then moved through a series of bills, with most of the action focused on third reading, amendments, and final passage votes. Senator Coleman’s motion to reconsider the failed vote on SB 1696 passed, allowing the bill to be taken up again. SB 1696, described by Senator Coleman as a rural economic development measure with no fiscal impact, passed on final passage and then passed again as an emergency measure after several senators changed votes from no to yes. SB 1670, as amended to add defense to the industries covered by its technology-transfer guidance, passed unanimously and was declared an emergency measure. SB 1687, which would strengthen Service Oklahoma’s authority regarding written driver’s tests and extend learner’s permit timing, was amended to delete unclear language and restore the title, then passed unanimously. SB 1975, which reorganizes how schools publicize AP testing dates, locations, and sign-up information, drew questions about compliance and implementation but no opposition; it passed unanimously and was also declared an emergency measure. After the bills were disposed of, members made personal announcements, including congratulations for a new grandchild and upcoming birthdays, and the Senate adjourned until Monday, March 16, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, um, we had the opportunity to talk about some of the amendments to clean up the civil, uh, interested
• </c> cleaned up. They're not well defined. cleaned up. They're not well defined.
• Pendergraph Harelson, and Representative Pendergraph to<01:05:34.400><c> just</c><01:05:34.640><c> clean
• c> up</c><01:05:35.599><c> the</c><01:05:35.920><c> definition</c><01:05:36.400><c> of</c> to just clean
• up the definition of to just clean up the definition of firearms<01:05:37.200><c> and</c><01:05:37.440

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Number three, we clean up what three.
• Energy is a big... ...dear to my heart. Energy is a big...
• </c> turn it over to Rob from the Energy turn it over to Rob from the Energy Authority,<00:46:24.240>
• </c> going back to reinvest in energy going back to reinvest in energy projects<00:49:03.040><c> big<
• taxes paid and reinvesting taking energy taxes paid and reinvesting in<00:52:51.920><c> energy</c><00

Bills: HB0130 , HB0095 , HB0096 , HB0097 , SF0101 , SF0106 , SF0067 , SF0123

Committee: Senate Appropriations

Keywords: Second Amendment, firearms, state rights, federal regulation, law enforcement, civil penalties, government liability, concealed carry, public colleges, university facilities, weapons legislation, self-defense, campus safety, weapons, age requirement, permits, HB0097, Wyoming firearms privacy, merchant category code, MCC

Transcript Highlights:

• Protecting scarce renewable energy and emerging technologies continue to grow.
• Please keep our water clean. Science may say one thing today.
• The industry should clean up its own messes, not pipe them to another state.
• How close are we to cleaning this water where it'd be safe for a human to drink?
• And they're cleaning the water so much that it's not healthy for a human to drink it, and they're cleaning

Bills: HM45 , HB276 , HB300

Committee: House House Agriculture, Acequias And Water Resources

Keywords: Taos County, Questa, produced water, treated produced water, water reuse, water quality control commission, freshwater conservation, rural communities, acequias, Indian nations, tribes, pueblos, water rights, industrial water use, data centers, artificial intelligence, AI, quantum computing, economic development, renewable energy

Transcript Highlights:

• I previously struggled with addiction but got clean when my son was born and chose to turn my life around
• Second of all, this would be good for the economy of our state, which we really need.
• I have worked on both the prior and current underground economy task forces focused on the construction
• I represented both groups on the Underground Economy Task Force this summer.
• recognize a situation where both unions and businesses understood there is a gap in the Underground Economy

Bills: HB2689 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: Working Connections Child Care, child care subsidy, subsidized child care, Washington DCYF, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, low-income families, child care providers, licensed child care centers, family child care, market rate survey, subsidy rates, income eligibility, state median income, SNAP, Basic Food, collective bargaining, provider reimbursement, daily payment, half-day care, partial-day care

Bills: SB6226 , SB6305 , SB5924 , SB5990 , SB5185 , SB5845 , SB6071 , SB6258

Committee: Senate Health & Long-Term Care

Keywords: SB 6226, Washington, audiology, audiologist, hearing aid specialist, speech-language pathologist, telehealth, teleaudiology, clinical autonomy, clinical judgment, in-person care, remote care, Board of Hearing and Speech, hearing instruments, hearing aids, dispensing hearing aids, standards of care, professional licensure, health professions regulation, patient-centered care

Transcript Highlights:

• One is the quarterly publication, the Northern... here in Minnesota and that's how our here in Minnesota
• </c><00:27:44.919><c> is</c> on my local community in economy is on my local community in economy is
• <01:08:46.000><c> livestock</c><01:08:46.520><c> Breeders</c> Minnesota livestock Breeders Minnesota
• of Minnesota.
• of Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so we always have our locally Minnesota so we always have our locally uh<00:08:23.919><c> Minnesota<
• </c><00:08:39.519><c> where</c> your area 120 csas In Minnesota where your area 120 csas In Minnesota
• And Minnesota-made SAF will bolster rural economies and provide additional revenue streams for farmers
• And Minnesota-made SAF will bolster rural economies and provide additional revenue streams for farmers
• Department of Energy did just recently award $10 million to Forever Green at the University of Minnesota

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Bills: SB5223 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5834 , SB5837 , SB5872 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB5925 , SB6019 , SB6148 , SB6184 , SB6190 , SB6237 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5992 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB5395 , SB6282 , SB5905 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6226 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB6269

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, SB 6183, HIV, antiviral drugs, antiretroviral therapy, AIDS

Bills: SB5223 , SB5831 , SB5928 , SB6183 , SB6071 , SB5995 , SB5966 , SB5841 , SB5840 , SB6061 , SB6058 , SB5931 , SB5944 , SB5520 , SB6011 , SB6087 , SB6076 , SB5916 , SB6016 , SB5936 , SB6137 , SB5956 , SB6025 , SB6009 , SB5833 , SB6161 , SB6188 , SB5890 , SB5917 , SB5820 , SB5973 , SJM8015 , SB5816 , SB6136 , SB6091 , SB6024 , SB5053 , SB5249 , SB5536 , SB5834 , SB5837 , SB5872 , SB5879 , SB5899 , SB5925 , SB6019 , SB6148 , SB6184 , SB6190 , SB6237 , SB6086 , SB5574 , SB5873 , SB5992 , SB5924 , SB6134 , SB6263 , SB5395 , SB6282 , SB5905 , SB6302 , SB5950 , SB6074 , SB6226 , SB6096 , SB5970 , SB6269

Keywords: criminal offense, fingerprinting, law enforcement, state regulations, public safety, mortgage modification, uniform regulations, homeowners, financial stability, foreclosure prevention, wildfire risk, disclosure, safety, environmental policy, risk assessment, SB 6183, HIV, antiviral drugs, antiretroviral therapy, AIDS

Summary: The Senate briefly convened to approve the previous day’s journal, then moved through the fifth order for introduction and first reading of bills. Senate Bill 6351 was introduced and referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The chamber then went at ease in anticipation of fiscal cutoff committee report activity later in the day. When the Senate reconvened, it took up reports of standing committees and supplemental standing committee reports. Substitute Senate Bill 5292, concerning family and medical leave rates, and engrossed substitute House Bill/Senate Bill 5466 were both reported and referred to the Committee on Rules. The referrals were approved without objection. No substantive debate or votes on the bills occurred in this transcript beyond the referral motions. The Senate adjourned at the end of the session until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, that's as much about driving our economy.
• I'll just stand on energy. Look, as I've said before, I am all the above when it comes to energy.
• And, you know, I continue to be a strong proponent of clean energy while recognizing the balance that
• air and clean water.
• We took action to protect our clean energy future.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Co-Minnesota. Co-Minnesota. Co-Minnesota.
• Not to brag, but #Minnesota.
• Cleaning. Cleaning.
• Wisconsin, the Minnesota bit.
• But, the for the local economy.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all