Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I do see that we have Justin Cook on Zoom from Rochester Public Schools and as a school board
• Cook, if you want to come online or off mute and go ahead with your testimony.
• Um and I do see that we<00:15:01.240> have<00:15:01.480> Justin<00:15:01.880> Cook
• Uh, Chair Westlin, members of the committee, my name is Justin Cook.
• Cook, do you happen to have any background information as to why it's been done this way?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Castle & Cooke Homes in support.
• Castle & Cooke Homes in support. One individual in support.
• Stanford car development in support support support castle<00:32:28.360> and<00:32:28.559> Cooks
• <00:32:29.320> castle<00:32:29.639> and<00:32:29.760> cook<00:32:30.000>
• homes castle and Cooks castle and cook homes castle and Cooks castle and cook homes Hawaii<00:32:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several housing-related measures. SB 38 SD2 drew mixed testimony on changes to 21H projects, with HHFDC supporting and county and community groups split between support and opposition. In discussion, members focused on how county legislative bodies can alter projects in ways that increase costs, including changes to AMI mixes and fee waivers. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, limiting county changes that would impose stricter conditions than HHFDC, stricter AMI requirements, or reduced fee waivers; the motion passed with one member voting with reservations and two members excused. A major portion of the hearing focused on SB 71 SD2, which would revise the rental housing revolving fund. Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi YIMBY, and NAAP Hawaiʻi opposed the bill, arguing it would weaken support for deeply affordable units, eliminate the 5% set-aside for households at or below 30% AMI, and create a funding gap for households between 60% and 120% AMI. Supporters of the bill, including public housing and some development interests, emphasized the need to redirect funding and make the program more flexible. In decision-making, the committee described the bill as making comprehensive changes that would narrow Tier 2 toward higher-income projects and favor shorter loan terms, then moved it out with amendments. The committee also heard and advanced several other measures with little or no opposition: SB 40 SD2 on state finances, SB 378 on HHFDC, SB 572 SD1 on housing, SB 1229 ST2 on the dwelling unit revolving fund, and SB 602 on the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority all received support testimony and were moved forward. For SB 65 SD2, HPHA and other agencies supported the measure, and HPHA testified it sought roughly $8 million to $10 million for repair and maintenance of units not covered by CIP funds. The committee also took up SB 826 SD1 on the low-income housing tax credit, where HHFDC, the Tax Foundation, and DHHL expressed confusion over the bill’s intent and whether it would bar state agencies from using LIHTC financing; no action was taken on that item in the excerpt. SB 944 SD2 on LIHTC transferability drew support and a suggestion to keep clarifying language that notifies the tax department, and the committee indicated it would keep the provision in.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Representative Cook. >> Representative Cook. >> Here. >> Representative Lewis. >> Representative
• that reason, I'm a no. >> Representative Hodgson, yes. >> Representative Imes, yes. >> Representative Cook
• >> Representative<00:24:36.000> Cook, >> Representative Cook, >> Representative
• Cook, >> yes.

Keywords: HB 534 (only one on the agenda) – 00:02:08, 958, all

Summary: The House Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee met to consider House Bill 534, sponsored by Rep. DJ Johnson, with a committee substitute. Johnson said the bill was the product of interim work with the Secretary of State’s office, the State Board of Elections, county clerks, KREF, and other stakeholders, and that the committee substitute folded in several election-administration changes. He highlighted provisions clarifying the timeline for felony voter-roll removals, allowing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify non-citizens on the voter rolls, creating a process for those individuals to prove citizenship and vote provisionally, and changing some KREF board appointments. He also described technical campaign-finance changes and said some provisions might still be adjusted through floor amendments. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, timing, and voter privacy. Rep. Bivens questioned the cost and whether the bill could affect voter records; Johnson responded that the bill itself did not require new equipment or broad new spending, though a special election in a local government failure scenario could create costs. Rep. Hancock and Rep. Marzian argued the bill could create unnecessary burdens on county clerks and questioned whether there was a demonstrated problem to justify the changes. The county clerks’ association, through Rockcastle County Clerk Danetta Ford Allen, opposed the bill as introduced, warning that citizenship checks could wrongly remove eligible voters, that online ballot images or cast vote records could threaten voter privacy and facilitate vote buying, and that the emergency clause would force major changes too close to the May primary. Johnson defended the bill as a targeted response to a real local election failure and said the citizenship data sharing would be limited to name, date of birth, and Social Security number. He also explained that the ballot-image language was permissive and intended to let counties explore emerging technology, but he was open to removing that section or changing the effective date in a floor amendment. He further said he would consider preserving gubernatorial appointments to KREF with Senate oversight instead of shifting appointments to legislative leaders. After discussion, the committee voted 9-2 with one pass to report the bill out, with several members explaining yes votes as support for moving the bill forward while expecting further cleanup, and no votes citing cost, timing, and voter-access concerns.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair Cook. Ranking Member Collins. Representative Brown. Bush? Dolan? Elliott? Here. Falkner?
• Vice Chair Cook? Aye. Ranking Member Collins? Representative Brown? Aye. Bush? Aye. Davis? Yes.
• Vice Chair Cook. Aye. Ranking Member... Yes. Vice Chair Cook. Aye. Ranking Member Collins. Yes.
• Thank you, Representative Cook, you are recognized.
• Thank you, Representative Cook, you are recognized. Permission to inquire. Please proceed.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook? Here. Senator Gutierrez? Here. Senator Nichols? Here. Senator Paxton? Here.
• Senator Cook, if I could, I was at the hearing yesterday.
• Senator Cook, you're recognized.
• If I may add, I can tell you this is M&O, Senator Cook.
• Senator Cook, Senator Gutierrez, Senator Nichols, Senator Paxton, Senator West.

Bills: SB9, SB 9

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, tax rate calculation, Tax Code, local government finance, municipality, county, special taxing unit, sales and use tax, property tax cap, tax rollback, tax levy, maintenance and operations, debt rate, disaster relief rate, Texas Legislature, local taxing unit, school assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Cook, I said she's almost... my constituency. I'd want to introduce her to you.
• Thank you very much. now recognizes Senator Cook to introduce the regent for Texas. A&M University.
• We will call you to the table. in a few minutes, but the chair recognizes Senator Cook to introduce the
• Thank you very much, Senator Cook. You two can go to other committees or whatever you need to do.
• She was introduced earlier by by Senator Cook. And at this time, Ms.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• becoming team manager, competing at state and nationals, and later finding confidence, passion for cooking
• 00:05:25.560> of my whole life I found the passion of my whole life I found the passion of cooking
• <00:05:26.240> in<00:05:26.440> this cooking in this cooking in this program<00:05:29.240
• This program extends beyond the cooking instruction; it serves as a launching pad for students to gain
• This program extends beyond the cooking instruction; it serves as a launching pad for students to gain

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And then pages 28 through 30, that language pertains to the opening of the new Army National Guard Museum

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, uh, our first one, the ribbon cutting occurred in May at the Explorer Children's Museum in Albuquerque

Transcript Highlights:

• And this includes plans to open a state of the art Alamo visitor center and museum.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have all visited memorials and museums to the Holocaust, met survivors.
• We have all visited memorials<00:42:01.520> and<00:42:01.760> museums<00:42:02.160>
• to<00:42:02.319> the<00:42:02.480> Holocaust, memorials and museums to the Holocaust
• , memorials and museums to the Holocaust, met<00:42:03.440> survivors.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened, established a quorum, approved the corrected journal, and made several announcements, including recognition of Liberty Common High School seniors and Canyon Creek Elementary students visiting the Capitol. Committee meeting notices were also given for Judiciary and Transportation, Housing, and Local Government. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1027, a Holocaust remembrance resolution sponsored by Representatives Weinberg and Woodrow and Senators Weissman and Ball. The resolution emphasized the history of the Holocaust, the rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Colorado and nationally, the importance of Holocaust and genocide education, and the need to combat bias and hate. Several members spoke in support, including personal reflections from Representatives Woodrow, Weinberg, Goldstein, and others about family history, survivor testimony, and the importance of remembrance and prevention. The House adopted HJR 1027 by vote, and Representatives Rutnell and Lindsay were added as co-sponsors. The chamber then set a slate of bills as special orders for April 14, 2026. In committee-of-the-whole action, House Bill 1288 on jury selection was amended and passed; the amended bill creates a jury selection working group to study voir dire, juror questionnaires, and related issues, with a public report and Supreme Court review of any proposed rule changes. House Bill 1224 on financial protections for mobile home park residents was also taken up, with committee reports adopted and discussion focused on transparency in park sales, resident purchase opportunities, disclosures, and due diligence protections. Representative Richardson offered amendment L006 to adjust how a state registration fee is allocated, describing it as a flexibility and transparency measure, while the sponsor responded that the bill was keeping the fee structure stable and that the existing split had been negotiated with stakeholders.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, I went to a presentation at Bishop Museum about conservation and ecology, and I heard students
• Recently, I went to a presentation<00:35:39.800> at<00:35:39.920> Bishop<00:35:40.240> Museum
• <00:35:40.920> about presentation at Bishop Museum about presentation at Bishop Museum about

Bills: HCR13, HCR61, HCR136, HCR185, HCR155, HCR68, HCR174, HCR178, HCR179, HCR91, HCR103, HCR115, HCR199, HR15, HR128, HR175, HR147, HR62, HR164, HR168, HR169, HR83, HR95, HR107, HR189

Keywords: coral reefs, sunscreen, environmental education, student stewardship, marine conservation, reforestation, Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources, native forests, climate resilience, sustainable practices, economic opportunity, biodiversity, wildland-urban interface, WUI, wildfire mitigation, wildfire safety, Maui County, County of Maui, Kauai

Summary: The Committee on Water and Land met on March 31, 2026, and heard testimony on several resolutions. HCR 13/HR 50, which asks DLNR to work with DOE and the Public Charter School Commission on a student coral stewardship program, drew comments from DLNR, which said it stood on written testimony and had proposed amendments, and from supporters in the room. HCR 61, urging investment in reforestation policies, workforce, nursery capacity, and related support for public and private lands, received strong support from DLNR and multiple testifiers, including members of a reforestation policy hui, a resident, and others who emphasized watershed protection, flood and fire resilience, and the need to upgrade nursery infrastructure and staffing. Committee members asked questions about nursery modernization, staffing, island-specific needs, and whether reforestation could reduce wildfire impacts; the DLNR witness said all islands need investment, with especially large opportunities on Hawaiʻi Island, and that healthier forests improve resilience though they cannot eliminate climate-related risks. The committee then heard HCR 136/HR 128 on wildland-urban interface safety standards for Maui plantation towns, but no one testified. It also heard HCR 185/HR 175, which urges denial of permits for ICE detention-related warehouses; Chris Coffey of Immua Alliance testified in support, saying migrant survivors of exploitation are harmed when ICE detains people and that Hawaii would not be the first place to take such action, citing examples from other states and cities. In questioning, members explored whether a local facility would keep people closer to families and services or instead increase local detention; Coffey said detention generally cuts off access to services and can intensify fear, and that a local facility could incentivize more detention and make survivors less likely to come forward. Finally, the committee heard HCR 155/HR 147 supporting the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition’s Hawaii Water Safety Act. Testifiers included Allison Shapera, who described the statewide water safety plan, Hawaii’s high drowning rate, the economic and human costs of drownings, and her personal loss of her daughter in a preventable drowning; Kirsten Hermstead and Kalani Vierra of the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association said the plan’s recommendations need legislative recognition to help with implementation and grant funding; and Jessamine Town Horner testified by Zoom as a co-founder and bereaved family advocate. The transcript provided does not show any votes or final committee actions on the measures discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• levy medical services special districts for 850,000, weed and pest district for 566,000, a special museum
• Weedenpest spe uh district for 566,000, 566,000, 566,000, a<01:06:20.000> special<01:06:20.480> museum
• district<01:06:21.359> for<01:06:21.680> 284,000,<01:06:23.039> a a special museum
• district for 284,000, a a special museum district for 284,000, a senior<01:06:23.599> citizens

Bills: HB0147, HB0127

Keywords: property tax, homeowner exemption, Wyoming, voter initiative, tax legislation, HB0127, recreation mill levy, recreational facilities, public recreation, mill levy, local tax, county commissioners, school district levy, voter approval, ballot measure, general election, tax referendum, special purpose tax, Wyoming taxation, W.S. 18-9-201

Transcript Highlights:

• Jennifer Crane, Donna Holiday, Corey Coranne Jackson, the Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Aviation Museum
• /c> Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Kentucky National Guard, Kentucky Aviation<01:35:16.880> Museum
• /c><01:35:18.159> um,<01:35:18.560> Karen<01:35:18.960> Lambertton, Aviation Museum
• , um, Karen Lambertton, Aviation Museum, um, Karen Lambertton, the<01:35:20.320> General<01:35

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, approval of the prior journal, and remarks welcoming visitors, including military children in the annex. The House clerk then communicated several House-passed measures to the Senate, and the clerk reported second readings of Senate Bills 70, 74, 80, 127, and 154, which were sent to the Rules Committee. Committee reports also advanced SB 129, SB 101 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 124, SB 50, SB 162 with Committee Substitute 1, SB 170 with Committee Substitute 1, and Senate Resolution 103. The chamber also introduced SB 211 on prescription drug coverage and SB 212 on mental health coverage and declared an emergency. The main floor action was on Senate Joint Resolution 74, which directs the Legislative Research Commission and state agencies to create a statewide fiscal map of substance use disorder programs and funding sources. Supporters said the map would consolidate fragmented funding information across agencies, identify gaps and duplication, improve budgeting, and provide a public-facing report; the resolution also requires posting the map online and submitting a report to the General Assembly by October 30, 2026. The Senate passed SJR 74 by a vote of 38-0. The chamber then took up Senate Bill 104, the “Halo Act,” which would create a 25-foot safety buffer around first responders while they are performing official duties. Supporters argued it would protect first responders and EMTs from interference and still allow bystanders to document events from a distance. Opponents said existing laws already cover obstruction and related conduct, and warned the bill is vague, duplicative, and could chill First Amendment activity such as filming police or protesting. The debate included multiple explanations of votes, with some senators citing public safety and others raising constitutional concerns; the excerpt ends before the final vote on SB 104 is completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Appears on page 36, Unit 205, State Museum. Seeing none. All those in favor of Seeing none.
• State >> Appears on page 36, unit 205, State >> Appears on page 36, unit 205, State Museum
• Museum. Museum.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I know they've hosted an aviation camp there, from the Kentucky Aviation Museum.
• from the there, an aviation camp from the Kentucky<01:20:23.120> Aviation<01:20:23.679> Museum
• c><01:20:24.640> Um,<01:20:25.600> but<01:20:25.920> other Kentucky Aviation Museum
• Um, but other Kentucky Aviation Museum.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee approved the October 15 minutes and observed a moment of silence for the victims of the UPS Worldport plane crash. The main presentation was from Transportation Cabinet Commissioner Bobby Joe Lewis on the Local Assistance Road Program/County Priority Projects Program (LAARP/CPP), which was implemented under House Bill 546 and now requires rehabilitation projects to restore roads to original condition, cap funding at $500,000 per project, use a new scoring matrix, include a local match, and submit one photograph per 300 feet of project length. He reported that the 2026-2027 cycle ran from June 1 to October 1 and drew 1,215 project applications from 107 counties and 106 cities, with total submitted project costs of about $121.1 million and about $102.3 million requested after local match. He also said 30% of submissions scored 10s and 22% scored 9s, and that the list of requests and required photos had been submitted to the General Assembly and LRC. Members asked about how scores change over time, whether roads can move from lower scores to 10s, and whether the new process gives a better picture of local needs. Lewis said scores can change based on weather and road conditions, but the new system provides more information and a more standardized evaluation than before. Several members raised concerns about the volume and size of required photographs, suggesting drone footage or video as an alternative; Lewis said the photo requirement has caused confusion and large file uploads, and he was open to considering easier ways to document conditions. Members also discussed continuity in scoring across districts, and Lewis explained that district staff appointed by chief district engineers use a handbook and scoring matrix, with the scores entered into a computer system so evaluators do not see the final score while scoring. The committee also discussed funding levels and carry-forward balances for the program. Lewis said the program began with $20 million authorized in HR92, noted underruns from completed projects, and reported a carry-forward amount that had grown to $355,432.42 available for reauthorization as of October 13. In response to questions, he said the current process concentrates applications into a short window, with 63% of applications arriving in the last few days and 417 on October 1, which created a heavy workload but was completed on time. The meeting then moved to multimodal funding priorities, with Jennifer Kersner of Kentuckians for Better Transportation introducing herself and offering condolences for the UPS aviation incident before beginning her remarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, Hmong History Pilots is honored in the National Museum in the U.S.
• honored<00:37:44.480> in<00:37:44.720> the<00:37:44.880> National<00:37:45.280> Museum
• <00:37:45.760> in<00:37:46.000> the<00:37:46.160> US honored in the National Museum
• in the US honored in the National Museum in the US Air<00:37:46.720> Force<00:37:46.960> in

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:22:30.040> visit<01:22:30.280> the<01:22:30.400> national<01:22:30.760> museum
• <01:22:31.320> of to visit the national museum of to visit the national museum of African-American
• c><01:22:45.600> outside<01:22:45.960> of I also had a chance to visit the National Museum

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also had the chance to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where I engaged
• 00:19:35.679> visit<00:19:36.000> the<00:19:36.160> National<00:19:36.559> Museum
• <00:19:37.039> of chance to visit the National Museum of chance to visit the National Museum

Bills: HF630, HF1435, HF1607

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• state Humanities Center, and they also distribute grants to cultural organizations and to children's museums
• organizations and grants uh to cultural organizations and to<00:10:23.440> Children's<00:10:23.920> Museums
• <00:10:24.519> which<00:10:24.640> has<00:10:24.760> been to Children's Museums
• which has been to Children's Museums which has been very<00:10:25.399> popular<00:10:26.399><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income. The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails. House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.