Transcript Highlights:

• I have some of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency FTEs.
• I want to be clear, I think our Minnesota Housing Finance Agency is one of, if not the best housing finance
• </c> I think our Minnesota Housing Finance I think our Minnesota Housing Finance Agency<00:42:23.600>
• </c> housing finance agency in the country. housing finance agency in the country.
• </c> And over time, our housing finance And over time, our housing finance agency<00:42:36.760><c> has

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered the conference committee report on House File 1141, a housing bill, and moved to adopt the report and repass the bill as amended. Rep. Howard said the compromise would help build thousands of new homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, EHPAP, supportive housing, and a new provision for greater public access at MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate proposals, including a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases, were not included. Several members spoke in support of the compromise. Rep. Kozlowski emphasized the bill’s role in addressing housing instability, homelessness, and workforce shortages, citing investments in first-generation homebuyer assistance, supportive housing, and preservation of beds and units. Rep. Skraba and Rep. West also supported the bill, with Skraba praising the bipartisan process and West arguing the bill focused on supply-side solutions such as manufactured housing and easing development constraints. Rep. Schultz opposed the bill, arguing the money should instead go to school safety, fraud prevention, asset preservation, and lowering costs for taxpayers. After brief discussion, the House adopted the conference report and advanced the bill to third reading.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversight and accountability and line of sight for the legislature to the Minnesota State Housing Finance
• </c><00:05:01.480><c> Agency</c> Housing Finance Agency Housing Finance Agency so<00:05:03.400><c> that
• This provides gap financing and ways to make sure that we're building that critical workforce housing
• This provides gap financing and ways to make sure that we're building that critical workforce housing
• In unspent interest earnings off of legislative programs within the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• CCRCs like Fleet Landing are financed by publicly issued debt or loans from banks.
• look at the proposed structure of the debt and see very clearly that they have a first lien on the finances
• they adjust the interest rates appropriately, or they tell us we're not going to have access to the financing
• When my wife and I moved to Fleet Landing, we looked at the finances of Fleet Landing with the benefit
• Homeowners will now be able to access existing 1802 forms for the property instead of having to hire

Committee: Senate Banking and Insurance

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several insurance, financial regulation, and public safety bills. The most extensive discussion centered on SB 1656, a major Office of Insurance Regulation bill covering reciprocal insurers, rate transparency, data calls, cybersecurity notification, and stronger oversight of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). The sponsor and OIR described the bill as aimed at transparency and preventing insolvencies, especially after recent CCRC failures. CCRC residents and industry representatives testified both in support and in opposition, with supporters emphasizing resident protection and opponents warning about liens, reserve requirements, management-company regulation, and higher costs. After debate and assurances that problematic provisions would be refined, the committee adopted a delete-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also passed SB 1658, which creates a public records framework for the uniform mitigation verification of inspection form database while protecting policyholders’ personal information; a clarifying amendment was adopted before the bill was reported favorably. SB 1612 on financial institutions was approved after a substitute amendment restored current limits on credit union investments and kept only reimbursement, not salary, authority for certain board members and officers. SB 1740, an insurance bill intended to reduce premiums and insurer insolvency risk, was amended to prioritize rate-decrease filings and prohibit claim denials based solely on AI, then reported favorably. Two public-safety bills also moved forward. SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety would update OSHA-related protections, address toxic exposure in gear, encourage safer replacement equipment, and support best practices and mental health resources; an amendment refined terminology and added related provisions, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 1184 on residual market insurers was amended to preserve existing consumer protections and disclosure rules for excess and surplus lines and to clarify Citizens-related appointment requirements before being reported favorably. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly noted ongoing stakeholder negotiations and intent to refine several bills further in later committee stops.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:30.239><c> for</c> also lease purchase financing for also lease purchase financing for equipment
• And it's through the homeowners.
• </c><00:55:28.240><c> capital</c> that um when you're financing capital that um when you're financing
• </c><01:09:10.640><c> as</c> over state government finance as over state government finance as required
• </c> Paul. um as well as associated financing Paul. um as well as associated financing costs.<01:46:04.080

Committee: Senate Capital Investment

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Property taxes are the single largest tax burden on homeowners.
• But if the homeowner gets a judgment below that highest offer, the homeowner now becomes on the hook
• If a homeowner commits fraud, let's hold them accountable.
• If a homeowner commits fraud, let's hold them accountable.
• We're trying to really reduce the burden on homeowners and folks.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, a moment of silence for fallen Oviedo Officer Jimmy Serrano-Torres, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognition of Chief Joseph Tuminelli as law enforcement officer of the day. The chamber approved the journal and adopted the special order report, and the Speaker announced a schedule change canceling the floor on Monday and starting Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. The main business was CS for HB 7033, the House tax package, presented by Rep. Duggan. He described a broad set of tax changes, including the previously passed sales tax rate reduction from 6% to 5.25%, exemptions for certain bullion sales, changes to tourist development tax (TDT) use, property tax administration updates, affordable housing-related exemptions, repeal of the aviation fuel tax, delayed natural gas fuel tax implementation, corporate income tax changes, and other provisions. Debate focused heavily on the TDT section and the bill’s property tax relief structure. Amendments to preserve local flexibility or remove the TDT restrictions were offered and debated; one Duggan amendment was adopted to allow local governments to keep 25% of TDT revenues for general use while directing 75% to property tax relief, and another amendment requiring audit certification of compliance was also adopted. A combined reporting amendment offered by Rep. Eskamani to close corporate tax loopholes was debated at length but failed. On final passage, supporters argued the bill provides immediate, permanent tax relief and affordability help, while opponents said it diverts tourism dollars away from local needs and could harm tourism-dependent counties and services. CS for HB 7033 passed the House 78-29. The chamber then took up CS for CS for HB 1221 on local option taxes, which would give local governments more control over certain local taxes and, as presented, redirect TDT revenues toward property tax relief with some local flexibility. After questions and amendments, including a Miller amendment allowing 25% of TDT revenue for general purposes and another accountability amendment, the bill moved to final debate. Members split sharply: supporters framed it as immediate tax relief and local accountability, while opponents warned it would undermine tourism marketing, infrastructure, and county budgets. The transcript ends during closing debate on HB 1221, before final passage is recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mark Manganello, Department of Education, Bureau of School Finance.
• homeowner income rebate program. program. program.
• </c><01:33:36.239><c> and</c> Uh so it's not just for homeowners and Uh so it's not just for homeowners
• >> I think it would be finance. >> Yeah, might be you guys. I don't know. >> I don't know.
• </c> &gt;&gt; I think it would be finance. &gt;&gt; I think it would be finance.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um I know that that for homeowners.
• </c> concerns that we have, how do homeowner concerns that we have, how do homeowner associations<02:
• </c> homeowners in Minnesota. homeowners in Minnesota.
• 02:16.960><c> have</c><03:02:17.200><c> locked</c> homeowners associations who have locked homeowners
• out their own homeowners from meetings, homeowners<03:02:21.520><c> association</c><03:02:22.279><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• include homeowners, homeowner<00:07:25.840><c> associations,</c><00:07:26.639><c> management</c> homeowner
• . homeowners. homeowners.
• </c> you know, we work with the homeowners. you know, we work with the homeowners.
• </c> homeowners that maybe that we represent. homeowners that maybe that we represent.
• Homeowners do have recourse.

Bills: SF1750 , HF704 , HF3479

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1180, DOR income tax informities, Finance.
• SB 1206, storm-related insurance claims, Finance.
• SB 1165, insurance cost of hearing breast exams, Finance.
• SB 2027, prior authorized gold card exemption, Finance.
• SB 1151, homeowners associations open meetings.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's a homeowner, but there are commercial ones. Yes. Yes.
• And why we want the homeowner to have to go through the additional expense of removing an empty tank.
• to have to And why we want the homeowner to have to go<00:30:59.320><c> through</c><00:30:59.560><c>
• , it is available to for all homeowners, it is available to them<00:36:05.400><c> to</c><00:36:05.520
• </c><00:40:33.920><c> of</c><00:40:34.040><c> the</c> complexity of the finances of the complexity of

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Finance is called to order. Today is Tuesday, January 20th.
• Representative Partially, welcome to House Finance committee. I miss you, Chair, ranking member.
• Welcome to House Finance. Thank you. Thank you so much, Chair Berg and Ranking Member Orcutt.
• Chair Berg, welcome to House Finance. Please introduce your small, non-complicated bill.
• Rather, many counties are making it impossible for homeowners to offer housing.

Summary: The House Finance Committee heard briefings and public testimony on several bills related to local tax authority and exemptions. HB 2559 would let cities and counties impose an additional 4% lodging/short-term rental excise tax starting in 2027, with revenues dedicated to affordable housing programs and up to 15% for administration. Staff explained existing lodging tax limits and estimated substantial local collections, while the prime sponsor and supporters argued it would give local governments a needed tool to address housing shortages caused in part by short-term rentals. Opponents, including short-term rental owners and hosts, said the tax would hurt tourism communities, reduce supplemental income for owners, and should not single out one lodging segment. The hearing on HB 2559 was suspended and later reopened for additional testimony; no vote was taken. The committee also heard HB 2133, which would make permanent the property tax exemption for multipurpose nonprofit senior citizen centers. Staff said the exemption is currently set to expire in 2028 and that the bill would remove it from the automatic 10-year sunset. The sponsor and a veteran/senior center perspective emphasized that the exemption helps keep senior centers open and supports isolated older adults. A question was raised about whether a broader nonprofit community center with senior-focused space would qualify, and staff said they would follow up. The hearing on HB 2133 was then closed. HB 2135 would increase and extend the adaptive housing sales and use tax remittance for disabled veterans, raising the individual lifetime cap from $2,500 to $5,000, increasing the statewide annual cap, and extending the program’s expiration to 2038. Staff said the fiscal impact would be minimal because use is low, and a veterans coalition representative supported the bill as a way to ensure more federal grant dollars go toward home modifications. The hearing on HB 2135 was closed. The committee spent the most time on HB 2442, an eight-part local government tax and fund-flexibility bill. It would expand uses of existing REET revenues, allow cities to adopt an affordable-housing REET under certain conditions, authorize county public utility taxes with a low-income assistance set-aside, create a new local sales tax for children and family services, broaden housing-related sales tax uses, restructure mental health and veterans property tax levies, extend levy lid lift periods, and allow rental car tax revenues to be used for criminal justice purposes. Supporters from counties, cities, housing groups, and some local officials said the bill would provide needed fiscal flexibility and new tools to address housing, public safety, and service demands. Opponents from utilities, realtors, water and sewer districts, wireless carriers, auto dealers, and tax critics argued the bill would raise regressive costs, especially on housing and utility customers, and that some provisions lacked a sufficient nexus to the original taxes. The hearing on HB 2442 was closed after extensive testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Finance is called to order. Today is Thursday, January 15th.
• Welcome to House Finance.
• But the most important thing that I want to share with the finance available for that financing to pencil
• And then, of course, the potential extended timelines of financing something like this.
• House Finance is adjourned.

Bills: HB1717 , HB1859

Committee: House Finance

Keywords: affordable housing, sales tax, housing programs, tax incentives, economic development, religious organizations, development, housing opportunities, land use, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Finance. SB 1181: certified public account certification alternative.
• Finance. SB 1221: tax loss interpretation application hearing. Finance.
• Finance. SB 1170: we did this page already, I think.
• Finance. SB 2028: health insurance provisional provider credentialing. Finance.
• SB 1151: homeowners associations open meetings.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established attendance, approved the prior journal, and welcomed several guests, including the Doctor of the Day, a student shadowing a senator, representatives from Republic Services, and visitors from Copper Valley Energy. Senators also announced administrative deadlines, including extensions for opening Senate folders and for Senate bill introduction preparation, with the bill introduction deadline set for February 2. The main floor business was the reading and reference of a large number of Senate bills and resolutions across many subject areas, including education, government, appropriations, natural resources, health and human services, finance, judiciary and elections, and military affairs and border security. The calendar also included second-reading placement for another large group of bills covering topics such as firearms, behavioral health, family courts, insurance, water, taxation, public safety, and elections. No substantive debate or votes on the merits of the measures occurred during this portion beyond the procedural reading and referral of the bills. Standing committee reports were accepted without being read, and committee announcements were made for upcoming meetings of Government, Health and Human Services, Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency, Education, Judiciary and Elections, and Public Safety. The Senate then adjourned on motion until Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 1:15 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• to the Committee on State Government, Finance, and Policy.
• on Health Finance and Policy.
• I've spoken to both of the chairs of State Government and Health Finance and Policy.
• and Policy and be re-referred to the Committee on Energy Finance and Policy.
• Policy, and be re-referred to the Committee on Health, Finance and Policy.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 719, by the State Affairs Committee, an act relating to campaign finance, amending Section
• House Bill 598, by the State Affairs Committee, relating to campaign finance.
• House Bill 598 by State Affairs Committee relating to campaign finance.
• Traditionally, when that has happened, they have been able to maintain their homeowners exemption under
• country in any manner, to go out and serve mankind in any of these facets, they can maintain their homeowners

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:01:52.319><c> Tax</c> Senate File 39, Long-Term Homeowner Tax Senate File 39, Long-Term Homeowner
• This just allows them the opportunity to go finance that.
• Now they have the mechanism to finance that.
• Now they have the finance that.
• And I understand and believe me, liquor laws are like campaign finance laws.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our budgets, inside of the states or, in fact, inside of municipalities, or small businesses, or homeowners
• ' household budgets, to actually... ...of municipalities or small businesses or homeowners, household
• on Financial Services, which I had the privilege to chair, and the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing
• the U.S. occupied Haiti for 20 years, during which American banks took over parts of the country's finances

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up debate on the FY2026 general appropriations bill, with several members speaking in support of the Ways and Means budget. Senators Comerford, O’Connor, Feeney, and DiDomenico emphasized the budget as a values-driven response to federal uncertainty, highlighting investments in MassHealth, education, housing, food security, local aid, libraries, transit, mental and behavioral health, and support for vulnerable residents. They also praised the budget’s lack of new taxes and its focus on spending within available revenues, while noting major cost pressures from health care and federal policy instability. Specific programs and items repeatedly cited included universal free community college, expanded financial aid, rural and minimum school aid, TAFDC/EAEDC increases, the Healthy Incentives Program, universal school meals, housing supports, Home and Healthy for Good, and funding for Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital. Speakers framed these investments as both fiscally responsible and morally necessary, and several noted that amendments would be considered during the debate. No votes on the budget itself were taken in the excerpt. After the budget remarks, Senator Miranda spoke in recognition of Haitian Flag Day and the history of Haiti, including foreign interference and the importance of protecting Haitian immigrants in Massachusetts. Another senator then honored Malcolm X on the 100th anniversary of his birth, connecting his legacy to the budget process and calling for investments in equity, education, housing, and health care. The Senate then adopted an order to meet the next day at 10 a.m. with the general appropriations bill as the only item on the calendar, and adjourned.

Bills: HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB29 , HB 125 , HB145 , HB171 , HB255 , HB50 , HB363 , HB 116 , HB491 , HB1495 , HB368 , HB 1285 , HB1905 , HB2002 , HB917 , HB2723 , HB2067 , HB 1238 , HB745 , HB 1188 , HB1606 , HB2003 , HB2147 , HB2355 , HB2546 , HB2495 , HB2818 , HB2249 , HB3228 , HB3240 , HB1507 , HB658 , HB1748 , HB1851 , HB1922 , HB2798 , HB 107 , HB1587 , HB3684 , HB 118 , HB388 , HB 114 , HB205 , HB2789 , HB2791 , HB499 , HB2960 , HB3163 , HB3135 , HB2427 , HB1618 , HB1672 , HB1722 , HB1338 , HB787 , HB2618 , HB879 , HB 1126 , HB4134 , HB3513 , HB718 , HB1536 , HB1445 , HB1640 , HB1893 , HB1734 , HB3229 , HB3306 , HB 1276 , HB3272 , HB3276 , HB3516 , HB4145 , HB1585 , HB4810 , HB2989 , HB2558 , HB3014 , HB2742 , HB1695 , HB609 , HB630 , HB420 , HB767 , HB1708 , HB1404 , HB2457 , HB140 , HB227 , HB913 , HB2198 , HB2763 , HB 1261 , HB 1135 , HB1318 , HB2358 , HB2765 , HB2735 , HB3307 , HB 1242 , HB2842 , HB333 , HB201 , HB694 , HB2415 , HB155 , HB272 , HB405 , HB519 , HB 1136 , HB 1275 , HB1437 , HB1532 , HB1675 , HB1868 , HB1888 , HB1990 , HB2286 , HB2523 , HB3129 , HB3251 , HB3354 , HB3479 , HB3803 , HB3804 , HB3805 , HB3806 , HB3887 , HB4163 , HB4238 , HB 1240 , HB1842 , HB2029 , HB2622 , HB3255 , HB654 , HB4643 , HB4945 , HB3611 , HB3724 , HB3623 , HB3810 , HB4127 , HCR78 , HCR12 , SB767

Keywords: HB 388, HB388, coordination of benefits, COB questionnaire, health benefit plan, health insurance, insurance commissioner, Texas Department of Insurance, uniform form, primary payer, secondary payer, multiple coverage, dual coverage, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, HMO, small employer health plan, school district health coverage, self-funded plan

Transcript Highlights:

• House Finance is called to order. Today is Thursday, January 15th.
• Welcome to House Finance.
• When you sell it to a homeowner, it will now and forever be owned.
• Evan, welcome to the House Finance committee. Go ahead. Thanks so much.
• House Finance is adjourned.

Summary: House Finance heard testimony on two affordable housing bills. House Bill 1859 would expand an existing density bonus for housing on religious organization property by lowering the affordability threshold from 100% to at least 50% affordable units, requiring local policies to implement the bonus upon request, and creating a new state and local sales and use tax exemption for qualifying projects with at least 50% affordable units maintained for 10 years. The sponsor and supporters said the bill would help projects on church-owned land pencil out amid high construction and financing costs, while a county association raised concern that the bill would create an unfunded mandate for local planning departments. Several witnesses also asked that homeownership projects be explicitly included, and staff confirmed the exemption would be administered through an exemption certificate. The committee then moved to House Bill 1717, which would authorize cities and counties to create a local sales and use tax remittance program for affordable housing developments. Staff said the remittance would cover 100% of local taxes paid after project completion, with a 50% affordable housing threshold and 40-year affordability requirement, and the sponsor and local government and housing advocates supported it as a flexible tool to reduce development costs. Testifiers generally backed both bills, with some asking for more flexibility on income targeting and clarification on county-city interactions under HB 1717. No votes were taken; both public hearings were closed and the committee adjourned after a separate work session on the Working Families Tax Credit, where advocates urged broader eligibility, higher benefit amounts, and easier access, and a California researcher described data-linking methods used to improve tax credit take-up.

Transcript Highlights:

• diverse cross-section of the county, including leaders from education, local government, banking and finance
• Does homestead exemption affect just the homeowner or will it affect personal property taxes?
• The way I understand what is being proposed is we're talking to property owners Homeowners that will
• Further down the road, I would like to see where my homeowners get a break in this climate.
• think that in our motivation to look at property tax reform this year, whether it be for individual homeowners

Bills: SB2102 , SB1940 , SB1625 , SB1442 , SB1623 , SB1242 , SB1949 , SB1592 , SB1913 , SB592 , SB992 , SB1241 , SB259 , SB1928 , SB1426 , SB1531 , SB1561 , SB1122

Keywords: credit card fees, merchant discounts, payment card network, interchange fees, transparency in fees, Oklahoma law, payment card, rebate, merchant, tax compliance, health insurance, mandate, impact analysis, insurance department, public health, access to healthcare, SB1442, alcoholic beverage control, ABLE Commission, liquor license fees