Transcript Highlights:

• We would probably appreciate a supplemental executive summary of what CLU is doing.
• And up first, we'll have Philip Knapp from Civil Legal Aid, Office of Civil Legal Aid.
• First, we'll have Philip Knapp from the Civil Legal Aid, Office of Civil Legal Aid.
• Civil legal aid is often defined as any sort of legal issue that's non-criminal.
• So what did the Office of Civil Legal Aid focus on?

Summary: The work session began with a discussion of expanding opportunities in the legal profession, especially in response to shortages of lawyers in rural Washington and in public service roles. Washington State Bar Executive Director Tara Nevitt described a slowly growing but aging attorney population, noted that younger attorneys have declined, and outlined efforts such as supervised practice pathways to bar admission, reduced admission-by-motion experience requirements, expanded law clerk capacity, rural job fairs and grants, and a pilot program allowing innovative legal service delivery models. Members asked about bar passage score changes, loan repayment assistance, and the former Limited License Legal Technician program; Nevitt said the bar is monitoring other states and remains in dialogue with the court about paraprofessional licensing. Law school representatives from UW, Seattle University, and Gonzaga emphasized public service pipelines, financial barriers, and rural legal deserts, citing LRAPs, scholarships, stipends, clinics, and hybrid or regional programs designed to recruit and retain students in Washington. Seattle U highlighted its FlexJD and hybrid hub partnerships in underserved areas, while Gonzaga and UW reported substantial shares of graduates entering public service, though most still cluster in urban regions. The committee also heard from the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Office of Public Defense, both of which described severe recruitment and retention problems in rural counties, with vacancies, low applicant pools, and the need for higher salaries, housing help, internships, and loan support. The Office of Public Defense said its internship and fellowship program, created by SB 5780, has already placed interns in rural counties and produced some commitments to return after graduation. The Washington State Bar’s law clerk program was also presented as a pathway that helps people train locally and remain in their communities, including by supporting succession for aging solo practitioners. The committee then shifted to family law and guardianship issues. On Title 26 guardian ad litem practice, presenters from Northwest Justice Project and private family law practice said GALs can play an important role but that training, oversight, and consistency remain major concerns, especially in domestic violence cases. They described problems such as inadequate training, bias, inconsistent recommendations, high fees, and lack of accountability, and suggested stronger, standardized training, more use of mental health professionals for custody evaluations, and better oversight mechanisms. Members asked about county practices, including rotation systems for GAL appointments and whether King County’s family court assessors provide a useful model. The discussion then moved to minor guardianships under the Uniform Guardianship Act. A Superior Court judge said the 2021 changes increased the need for court visitors and appointed counsel, but courts are struggling to find qualified attorneys and visitors, especially in rural areas. A former commissioner said most of the bill under discussion was technical cleanup to align prior amendments, though it would add some fiscal burdens. Administrative Office of the Courts staff reported that the statewide reimbursement program for UGA implementation has repeatedly run out of money earlier each year, with minor guardianship costs making up most of the expense. The Office of Public Guardianship then described rapid growth in demand for adult guardianship and less restrictive alternatives, noting that referrals and caseloads have risen sharply, but that the office is constrained by a shortage of certified professional guardians and low compensation levels. Finally, the committee began an update on Blake implementation from the Office of Civil Legal Aid, which funds civil legal services related to the decision, before the transcript cut off.

Transcript Highlights:

• A new report out of Minnesota just today found that 340B entities in Minnesota A new report out of Minnesota
• just today found that 340B entities in Minnesota alone earned $1.34 billion in 340B revenue in 2024,
• of hiring authority for claims managers from the appropriated portions of the accident and medical aid
• And again, that would come out of the non-appropriated portions of accident and medical aid.
• This fiscal note covers 29 different agencies, so I prepared supplemental paper to present on.

Bills: SB5420 , SB5877 , SB5868 , SB5109 , SB5832 , SB5922 , SB5944 , SB5988 , SB6065 , SB6103 , SB6151

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, service members, uniformed services, National Guard, reservists, active duty, qualifying discharge, veterans preference, hiring preference, public employment, state benefits, license renewal, professional licensing, retirement service credit, pension, public retirement system, Washington RCW, military leave, reemployment rights

Transcript Highlights:

• I live in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
• We live in Minnesota.
• We live in Minnesota.
• </c><00:32:47.799><c> representative</c> citizens of Minnesota representative citizens of Minnesota representative
• There's a terror attack in the state of Minnesota.

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:14:43.560><c> Outlook</c> GDP turning now to the Minnesota Outlook GDP turning now to the Minnesota
• </c> formula basic revenue is the largest Aid formula basic revenue is the largest Aid stream<00:29:00.240
• </c> Federal Medicaid funding to Minnesota Federal Medicaid funding to Minnesota every<00:31:15.639><
• Federal funding is critical to Minnesota.
• </c> proportionately across States Minnesota proportionately across States Minnesota could<00:35:19.400

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> dnrm council and greater Minnesota dnrm council and greater Minnesota regional<00:05:09.600><c>
• Minnesota Trail the vistas along the Minnesota Trail the vistas there<00:12:10.839><c> the</c><00:12
• </c><00:12:18.920><c> DNR</c> colleague Laura at the Minnesota DNR colleague Laura at the Minnesota DNR
• </c> a couple of zoos in Greater Minnesota a couple of zoos in Greater Minnesota who'd<00:25:50.960><
• That's our Minnesota resource.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• **SB 2** supplements existing funding for legal service providers by $25 million in the current year.
• The bill provides funding for legal aid assistance, which could include many different things.
• He met with them on the tarmac and tried to secure federal aid.
• Again, the resources that are provided for legal aid assistance are already in. Being used.
• Legal aid in this context has always been bipartisan.

Committee: House Budget

Transcript Highlights:

• It also supports non-federal-aid roadways where many pressing needs exist and allows us to help integrate
• The ones that they're going to be dealing with most directly on a grant is our state aid coordinator.
• That's somebody who works in the district locally and will work with... ...state aid coordinator.
• We had a separate program already moving forward, so we're not going to be able to supplement it, but
• Certainly there have been some infusions and some supplemental increases in the interim.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets

Summary: The Joint Committee on Bonding, State Assets, and Capital Expenditures held its first public hearing on House Bill 4257, a transportation bonding bill. The administration testified in support, describing the bill as a $1.185 billion authorization: $300 million for Chapter 90 municipal road funding and $885 million for statewide transportation capital programs. Officials said the bill would increase municipal aid by 50%, with $200 million distributed under the traditional Chapter 90 formula and $100 million based solely on road mileage to better help rural communities. They also highlighted $500 million for bridge and pavement lifecycle asset management, $200 million for culverts and small bridges, and $185 million for congestion, safety, ADA, sidewalk, and multimodal improvements. Committee members asked about how municipalities would apply, how the road-mile formula would affect rural towns, and how the bill would interact with federal funding uncertainty and debt financing. Administration witnesses explained that projects would be administered through MassDOT district offices and Grant Central, that the bill would not backfill rescinded federal funds, and that the proposal would likely use special obligation bonds backed by Fair Share revenues to reduce pressure on the Commonwealth’s general obligation debt limit. Members also pressed the administration on the shift from general obligation to special obligation financing and on whether the Chapter 90 increase keeps pace with inflation. Administration officials said the special obligation structure would be credit-rated separately and was intended to expand available capital without affecting the GO bond cap, while acknowledging that the Commonwealth’s debt portfolio would grow. They said the Chapter 90 increase would roughly restore purchasing power lost since 2012, though construction inflation has outpaced general inflation. Several members and witnesses emphasized the importance of the road-mile formula for rural communities and the need for technical assistance for small towns. The Massachusetts Municipal Association testified in strong support of the bill, calling Chapter 90 and the new infrastructure authorizations critical for cities and towns facing federal uncertainty and rising costs. The Massachusetts Aggregate and Asphalt Pavement Association also supported the bill, citing the importance of the funding for road and bridge work, the construction season, and the industry’s economic impact. A committee member asked about asphalt price inflation, and the witness said liquid asphalt costs rose sharply after COVID, including increases of around 20% in some years. At the end of the hearing, the chair said members would receive a poll by email to move the bill out quickly, and the committee then voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• versus Metro Minnesota, right?
• </c><00:21:37.840><c> versus</c> different is greater Minnesota versus different is greater Minnesota
• or county program aid like that.
• aid or county program aid like that.
• But I think, to your point about local aid, there wouldn't be an effect on local aid.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Emmer, Minnesota, the majority whip, Mr.
• </c> stop the bleed, and first aid. stop the bleed, and first aid.
• ,</c><01:07:14.000><c> will</c> aid, including he meant food aid, will aid, including he meant food aid
• from Minnesota seek gentleoman from Minnesota seek recognition.
• Owens of Utah and Miss McCullum of Minnesota. Minnesota. Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let me share a local perspective to supplement what Allie has put on the record for the MMA.
• Massachusetts can join over 20 states, including Minnesota, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey
• Massachusetts can join over 20 states, including Minnesota, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Jersey
• Here in Massachusetts, modeling available tax data from Minnesota and other analogies. licensees here
• We need to supplement that for these people to be able to have something else.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a public hearing on a wide range of alcohol, liquor licensing, and hemp-derived beverage bills. Early in the hearing, there was a procedural dispute when Senator Jacob Oliveira attempted to testify virtually on S. 279; the House chairs declined to recognize virtual testimony from a committee member, and Senator Pavel Payano instead read prepared remarks supporting the bill to return liquor license authority to municipalities. The committee then heard testimony on H. 437/S. 279 from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Cohasset Town Manager Christopher Senior, both of whom argued that local control would streamline licensing, better match modern community needs, and support downtown economic development. A Lexington business owner also supported local licensing flexibility for a paint-and-sip business seeking a beer and wine license. The committee also heard extensive testimony on hemp-derived beverage regulation, including H. 357 and S. 222. Supporters from the Commonwealth Beverage Coalition and Theory Wellness said the products are already widely available in unregulated settings, including gas stations and smoke shops, and argued for a regulated framework with age limits, testing, labeling, and local public health funding. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild supported regulation of low-dose hemp beverages but asked that breweries be allowed to participate using their existing retail and distribution rights. The Guild also supported H. 478, which would allow limited self-distribution by pub breweries, saying it would reduce inefficiency and help small breweries grow. Several bills modernizing alcohol licensing laws were also discussed. Representative Ruel supported H. 477, describing it as a cleanup measure that would remove the contiguous-premises requirement, add a character standard for applicants, and extend public notice periods. Representative Sangiolo testified in support of H. 3893, a local liquor-license bill tied to economic development and new businesses in Lexington, including a movie theater, coffee shop, and paint studio. Fable Brewing Company also supported the local license bill, saying the licenses are needed before they can finalize leases and open. The committee then heard opposition from the Massachusetts Package Stores Association and several retailers, who warned that the retail tier is under pressure from oversaturation, declining revenues, and expanded competition, and opposed a long list of bills they said would further weaken existing stores or the three-tier system. At the end of the hearing, Representative McKenna testified in support of H. 437 and S. 279, emphasizing municipal autonomy and the importance of on-premises licenses for restaurants and other economic-development projects. The chairs noted that additional written testimony could still be submitted on bills that did not receive in-person testimony. The hearing concluded with a motion by Representative Sangiolo, seconded by Representative LeBoeuf, to close the hearing, which passed by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> We're seeing proposed cuts to local aid We're seeing proposed cuts to local aid that<00:38:40.720
• ,</c><00:44:10.319><c> people</c> people living with HIV, AIDS, people people living with HIV, AIDS,
• </c> establishing a budget for the Minnesota establishing a budget for the Minnesota Housing<00:53:25.920
• </c> But it's for Minnesota But it's for Minnesota legacy.<01:24:56.000><c> It's</c><01:24:56.239><c>
• </c><01:31:22.000><c> You're</c> wheels in greater Minnesota. You're wheels in greater Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• What nothing in Minnesota law changed.
• ><c> that</c><00:04:02.440><c> this</c> Minnesota has already decided that this Minnesota has already
• band to hold his to have a hearing aid band to hold his hearing<00:09:54.480><c> aid</c><00:09:54.600
• </c> gambling should be banned in Minnesota gambling should be banned in Minnesota this<00:28:37.480>
• </c> across all Minnesota payers. across all Minnesota payers.

Summary: The committee heard public testimony on a health insurance/home care nursing provision and on other consumer protection items. Nick Keis and Emily Walters, both parents of medically complex children, testified that commercial health plans had recently begun capping home care nursing as if it were intermittent home health visits, which they said was contrary to Minnesota law and legislative intent dating to 2010. They described severe impacts on their families, including hospitalizations, loss of nursing coverage, strain on waiver budgets, and the risk of children being forced out of the home and into institutions. Representative Bierman echoed that the bill was a straightforward clarification of existing law, not a new mandate or added cost, and a staff member later cited the statutory definition of home care nursing as ongoing, continuous nursing services that cannot be met through intermittent or visit-based care. The committee also discussed the practical difference between home health visits and private duty/home care nursing, with testimony emphasizing that the latter is medically necessary, assessed, and not unlimited in practice. Laura Sales of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office testified on changes to the Consumer Protection Restitution Fund (CIPRA). She said the fund has begun distributing restitution, starting with consumers harmed by the closure of Woodbury Dental Arts, but that current statutory language limits the office’s flexibility to prorate payments. She asked for an amendment allowing the AGO to distribute available funds more equitably so more eligible consumers can receive some payment, rather than requiring full payment to the oldest claims first. Annette Meeks, representing Citizens Against Gambling Expansion, testified in support of banning sweepstakes gambling in the Commerce Committee omnibus report. She argued that online sweepstakes casinos are an illegal gray-market form of gambling, cited rapid growth and billions in revenue, and said other states have acted through enforcement and legislation to stop them. She urged the committee to include language from Senate File 4474 to clarify state law and prohibit sweepstakes gambling. No votes were taken in the portion of the meeting shown; members mainly asked questions and received testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• superintendent of public instruction may withhold any portion of the school's apportionment of basic state aid
• It threatens state aid for compliance failures, so effectively it's politicizing health care.

Bills: HB2015 , HB2060 , HB2062 , HB2100 , HB2118 , HB2165 , HB2258 , HB2327 , HB2397 , HB2445 , HB2460 , HB2641 , HB2745 , HB2876 , HB2917 , HB4011 , HB4049 , HB4056 , HB4087 , HCR2013 , HCR2016 , HCR2040 , HCR2044 , HCR2048 , HCR2056

Committees: Senate Government , Senate Senate Government Committee of Reference

Keywords: budget procedures, late filing penalty, accounting standards, financial reporting, state appropriations, abortion, educational institutions, health education, state aid, public schools, Buffalo Soldiers, monument, commemoration, Arizona, public funding, Wesley Bolin Plaza, military history, historical memorial, small land subdivision, land use

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota DAV has said they can live with.
• By the state of Minnesota.
• What we do in Minnesota, what we add, what the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs adds, is intensive
• will approve that for Minnesota credit.
• That's a win for greater Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> within your packet a supplemental within your packet a supplemental document<00:24:33.039><c> that
• <00:37:21.359><c> nutrition</c><00:37:22.320><c> assistance</c> supplemental nutrition assistance supplemental
• </c> state supplemental programs such as APD. state supplemental programs such as APD.
• So the case aid and the positions.
• </c> know that we certainly have supplemented know that we certainly have supplemented other<02:16:01.320

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And then during<00:14:50.800><c> supplementals</c> during supplementals during supplementals allocated
• But if you as of the supplementals.
• At-risk supplemental aid of $51.1 million.
• </c> at risk supplemental aid of 51,1 million at risk supplemental aid of 51,1 million contingency<04
• </c> and Financing to make supplemental and Financing to make supplemental payments<05:51:44.798><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• University of Minnesota. The University University of Minnesota.
• </c><00:04:33.600><c> their</c> of Minnesota recently published their of Minnesota recently published
• Minnesota has a housing must face.
• Minnesota since 2000. The legislature Minnesota since 2000.
• ,</c> seasonal tax base replacement aid, seasonal tax base replacement aid, ensuring<01:29:07.679><c>

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• the housing concerns in Minnesota.
• the housing concerns in Minnesota.
• </c> not have happen in Greater Minnesota not have happen in Greater Minnesota without<00:42:28.839><
• </c> LCC with Mr Ron Elwood with legal aid LCC with Mr Ron Elwood with legal aid that<01:13:06.000><c
• </c> Court here in the state of Minnesota Court here in the state of Minnesota finally<01:40:27.760><

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• of Minnesota.
• Minnesota law contains provisions that amended Minnesota Statutes 211B.15 to bar so-called foreign influence
• government aid.
• We don't do anything with township aid.
• With the Minnesota Association of Small Cities.

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Please take up the supplemental calendar. >> Secretary will read.
• Senator Gianaris, that completes the reading of the supplemental calendar.
• Let's take up the controversial supplemental.
• &gt;&gt; SENATOR GIANARIS THAT COMPLETES THE READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDAR.
• THERE IS A SENSE OF URGENCY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THIS TOPIC OF SCHOOL AID.

Summary: The Senate opened with routine formalities, approved the journal, welcomed a SkillsUSA student delegation, and then moved into budget and policy business. The chamber accepted a Rules Committee report and took up a supplemental budget extender, Senate Print 9963, which would extend state operations through April 22 and authorize $12.7 billion, including about $5.1 billion in new funding for Medicaid, payroll, and school aid. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in the budget, the lack of public detail, and unresolved issues such as CLCPA changes, auto insurance, and SEQR reforms; the sponsor said negotiations were ongoing and that school aid would likely build on the executive budget. The extender passed 57-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 1887, sponsored by Senator Brisport, memorializing the Governor to proclaim April 2026 as Arab American Heritage Month. Senators Brisport, Fahy, Salazar, and Gounardes spoke in support, emphasizing Arab Americans’ cultural, civic, and economic contributions in New York and condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bias. The resolution was adopted by voice vote and opened for co-sponsorship. The chamber next considered several bills on the calendar, including a bill by Senator Cleare to prohibit state-chartered financial institutions from investing in private correctional facilities. Supporters framed it as a moral response to private prisons and rising federal use of detention facilities, while opponents argued it would overregulate state-chartered banks and affect private investment decisions. The bill passed 36-22. The Senate also passed a bill by Senator Krueger raising the nonprofit lobbying disclosure threshold from $5,000 to $10,000, after debate over transparency and whether the change would reduce oversight; it passed 35-23. Finally, the Senate passed Senator May’s bill on advanced transmission technologies and utility planning, after extensive debate over ratepayer costs, battery storage, and data center growth; supporters said it could lower energy costs through more efficient grid use, while opponents said it would raise rates and duplicate existing studies. The bill passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar.