Transcript Highlights:

• mortality improvement, we will fund the plan slightly more than we need to because remember we pay lifetime
• That's the last lifetime COLA.
• But that's part of the valuation to account for the lifetime payment for those folks.
• Their last lifetime COLA was on July 1, 2022, and they're currently building up the funding deposit account

Summary: The Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee met on February 23, 2026, approved the December 18, 2025 minutes, and heard actuarial valuation reports and experience studies for several retirement systems. Presenters repeatedly noted strong investment performance, payroll growth, and generally improving funded ratios across the systems, with most plans showing lower minimum recommended employer contribution rates for fiscal 2027. The committee also received explanations of funding deposit accounts, frozen unfunded liabilities in some plans, and how recent legislative changes, including the move to five-year DROP periods in some systems, affected costs and assumptions. For the Clerk of Court, District Attorney, Firefighters, Municipal Employees (Plans A and B), Municipal Police, Registrars of Voters, and Sheriffs systems, the committee reviewed 2025 actuarial evaluations and, where applicable, 2025 experience studies. The actuarial reviewers reported no significant deficiencies and said the valuations were completed in accordance with applicable actuarial standards, generally accepted actuarial practice, and state statutes. The experience studies generally led to modest assumption changes, with some cost decreases from salary, mortality, withdrawal, and asset experience, while some plans saw offsetting increases from retirement or post-DROP behavior. The committee asked a brief question about mortality assumptions and was told the studies use separate male/female and safety/non-safety tables adjusted for Louisiana experience. The committee adopted each valuation and experience study without objection. Key fiscal 2027 minimum recommended employer contribution rates included 14.75% for Clerk of Court, 3.0% for District Attorneys, 25.5% for Firefighters, 20.75% for MERS Plan A, 8.75% for MERS Plan B, 26.5% for Municipal Police, 0% for Registrars of Voters with a $207,683 allocation to the Member Supplemental Savings Fund, and 7.75% for Sheriffs. The committee also recognized DROP crediting rates where applicable and adjourned after completing all agenda items.

Transcript Highlights:

• May you know that Mark and Melissa made an impact on all of us that will last our lifetimes.
• c><00:24:21.200><c> will</c><00:24:21.360><c> last</c><00:24:21.679><c> our</c><00:24:21.919><c> lifetimes
• </c> of us that will last our lifetimes. of us that will last our lifetimes.

Transcript Highlights:

• May you know that Mark and Melissa made an impact on all of us that will last our lifetimes.
• c><00:08:51.760><c> will</c><00:08:52.000><c> last</c><00:08:52.240><c> our</c><00:08:52.480><c> lifetimes
• </c> of us that will last our lifetimes. of us that will last our lifetimes.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you haven't been paying attention, it's more than most people will face in their lifetime.
• will<00:07:54.160><c> face</c><00:07:54.400><c> in</c><00:07:54.560><c> their</c><00:07:54.800><c> lifetime
• </c><00:07:55.680><c> Our</c><00:07:55.919><c> kids</c> will face in their lifetime.
• Our kids will face in their lifetime.

Summary: State lawmakers, the attorney general, advocates, and parents held a press event responding to Children’s Minnesota’s announcement that it would pause some gender-affirming care for minors. Speakers, including Rep. Lee Finke, Hannah Edwards of Transforming Families Minnesota, and Jess Braverman of Gender Justice, said the pause was driven by federal pressure and threats from the Trump administration and HHS, not by medical best practice. They emphasized that gender-affirming care remains legal in Minnesota under the state’s Human Rights Act, Trans Refuge law, and insurance protections, and argued that interrupting care harms trans youth and families, especially those who moved to Minnesota for protection. Testimony focused on the emotional and practical impact on families: loss of trust in providers, delays in treatment, travel and intake wait times, and the stress of having to scramble for continuity of care. Speakers described the care as evidence-based, medically necessary, and life-saving, and said the federal government was using coercion and misinformation to intimidate hospitals and doctors. The attorney general said his office and coalition partners are litigating related federal threats, including a separate RFK Jr. declaration and proposed federal rules, and that Minnesota officials are working to preserve access and enforce state protections. In response to questions, speakers said the state’s legal tools are strong but limited against federal action, so they are relying on court challenges and enforcement of existing state law. They said Children’s Minnesota had been specifically targeted by federal officials and that the hospital’s pause was tied to that pressure. No votes were taken; the event ended with a call for continued public and institutional support for trans youth and for Children’s to resume care as soon as possible.

Transcript Highlights:

• Having worked for years with survivors, I can tell you that often those scars last a lifetime and that
• highest rates in having worked for years with survivors, I can tell you that often those scars last a lifetime
• I think that, and I know that this is something that lasts a lifetime, the trauma that you deal with
• the situation in which someone avoids seeking the medical care they need for fear of incurring a lifetime

Bills: SB5720 , SB5833 , SB5936 , SB5993 , SB5735

Committee: Senate Law & Justice

Keywords: consumer debt, judgment, uniformity, legal standards, debt collection, pets, motor vehicles, animal welfare, public safety, legislation, human trafficking, prevention, remedies, victims, law enforcement, support services, medical debt, interest charges, consumer protection, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• Orthodontic lifetime maximum is increasing from 3,000 to 3,200, and a new national network benefit will
• Orthodontic<00:03:38.319><c> lifetime</c><00:03:38.799><c> maximum</c><00:03:39.280><c> is</c> Orthodontic
• lifetime maximum is Orthodontic lifetime maximum is increasing<00:03:40.000><c> from</c><00:03:40.319

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed. Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed. The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved. After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, H.R. 1 imposes new federal loan caps, including a $20,000 annual cap and a $65,000 lifetime limit
• There's also a $257,000 lifetime cap for student borrowers.
• First, HR1 imposes new federal loan caps, so including a $20,000 annual cap, and 65,000 lifetime limit
• There's also a $257,000 lifetime cap for student borrowers.

Committee: House Appropriations

Summary: The House Appropriations Committee held a work session covering juvenile rehabilitation system capacity, behavioral health capacity, federal funding changes, and a 2026 budget overview. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth and post-25 residents, and is projected to keep growing, creating crowding at Green Hill School and placement limits across the system. They described safe operating capacity concerns, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for additional medium-security and specialized mental health beds, including a proposed Parkland facility and continued development of Harbor Heights. Committee members were told to follow up separately with questions, and the presentation moved on due to time. Behavioral health officials from DSHS and HCA then reviewed forensic and civil capacity. DSHS described expanding state hospital and civil treatment capacity through Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, Brockman Campus, and a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State, while noting ongoing construction, staffing, and funding issues. HCA outlined its strategy to move long-term civil commitment care into community settings through contracted long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams. Members asked about out-of-state placements, Medicaid funding, and the differences among facility types; officials said the goal is to right-size inpatient capacity while expanding community-based supports. OFM then presented an update on federal funding and the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371. Agency staff said H.R. 1 would tighten SNAP work requirements, reduce exemptions, shift some lawful immigrants to state-funded food assistance, increase state administrative and benefit costs, and affect Medicaid eligibility, redeterminations, cost sharing, and state-directed payments. HCA estimated major Medicaid caseload reductions and significant future fiscal impacts, while OFM also noted marketplace subsidy changes and higher education and K-12 downstream effects. H.R. 5371 was described as a short-term federal funding extension through January 30, 2026, with some full-year appropriations and a change affecting hemp producers. Finally, Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview, citing declining NGFO revenue forecasts, reversions, vetoes, and the added uncertainty from H.R. 1, with the projected ending fund balance moving from positive amounts to a negative outlook over the four-year period.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, H.R. 1 imposes new federal loan caps, including a $20,000 annual cap and a $65,000 lifetime limit
• There's also a $257,000 lifetime cap for student borrowers.
• First, H.R. 1 imposes new federal loan caps, including a $20,000 annual cap and a $65,000 lifetime limit
• There's also a $257,000 lifetime cap for student borrowers.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused first on juvenile rehabilitation system capacity. DCYF officials said the juvenile rehabilitation population is older, includes more adult-sentenced youth, and has longer lengths of stay, especially for “post-25” youth who must remain in secure facilities and cannot go to community beds. They described overcrowding at Green Hill School, placement limits at Echo Glen and Harbor Heights, staffing turnover, mental health acuity, and the need for more medium-security and specialized mental health beds. DCYF said it is pursuing a Parkland facility proposal, a staffing model decision package, and a broader feasibility study and master plan update. No votes were taken; members were asked to follow up with questions later. The committee then heard on behavioral health system capacity from the Behavioral Health Administration and the Health Care Authority. DSHS described growth in forensic and civil bed need, expansion at Olympic Heritage, Maple Lane, and Brockman, and construction of a new 350-bed forensic hospital at Western State expected to open in 2028. HCA reported progress on long-term civil commitment beds, intensive behavioral health treatment facilities, PACT teams, and intensive residential treatment teams, saying the community-based system is being expanded to support step-down care and reduce hospital reliance. Members asked about whether capacity is right-sized, the difference between facility types, and federal match eligibility for services. A federal funding update followed, covering the effects of H.R. 1 and H.R. 5371 on SNAP, Medicaid, marketplace coverage, long-term services and supports, K-12, higher education, and hemp regulation. OFM and agency staff said H.R. 1 adds work requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, increases state administrative and benefit costs, reduces Medicaid and marketplace subsidies for some groups, tightens redeterminations, and may significantly affect provider payments and state-directed payments. H.R. 5371 extended federal funding through January 30, 2026 and included some agency appropriations and other provisions, including changes affecting hemp producers. Members asked about SNAP error rates and special enrollment periods. Finally, budget coordinator Mary Monroe gave a 2026 supplemental budget preview. She reviewed the state’s near general fund outlook, noting revenue declines since the enacted budget, the effect of reversions, and a preliminary maintenance-level outlook showing a projected increase in NGFO spending over the four-year period. She said the supplemental will reflect updated caseload and cost forecasts and mandatory impacts from H.R. 1, but not policy proposals. No actions or votes were taken during the session.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hope in my lifetime I at least see a projection of going the right way on this.
• And I hope in my<00:30:39.120><c> lifetime</c><00:30:39.520><c> I</c><00:30:39.760><c> at</c><00:30:39.760
• <c> least</c><00:30:40.000><c> see</c><00:30:40.159><c> a</c><00:30:40.399><c> projection</c> my lifetime
• I at least see a projection my lifetime I at least see a projection of<00:30:41.039><c> going</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• seal a single episode for a first-time, low-level, nonviolent misdemeanor conviction for a person's lifetime
• including withheld adjudication, to ask the court to seal the record no more than three times in their lifetime
• misdemeanor conviction would be limited to one criminal incident and one episode of relief in the person's lifetime
• In one episode of relief in the person's lifetime. So that is the first amendment.

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee heard and voted on a long series of criminal justice, public safety, victim protection, and regulatory bills. Several measures were reported favorably, including SB 1374 on school district reporting requirements, SB 1378 on restitution for leaving the scene of a crash, SB 1072 creating an expedited DNA testing grant program, SB 1140 establishing a Hillsborough County criminal offender substance abuse pilot program, SB 1266 revising public records protections for crime victims and certain law enforcement identities, SB 1546 delaying and refining background screening requirements for athletic coaches, SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings related to terrorism victims, SB 1444 making a broad set of criminal justice changes, SB 240 on domestic and dating violence protections, SB 606 clarifying public lodging and food service removal procedures for nonpaying guests, SB 1450 giving law enforcement discretion in arrests involving people with significant medical conditions, SB 44 increasing penalties for impersonating law enforcement with unauthorized red or blue lights, SB 1000 expanding court-ordered sealing options, SB 1400 requiring platforms to remove altered sexual depictions, and SB 1696 addressing rideshare impersonation and transit service rules. Many of these bills were amended before final passage, often with strike-all amendments or technical changes, and several had support from law enforcement, advocacy groups, or industry representatives. Testimony was generally supportive on the public safety and victim-protection bills, with speakers emphasizing faster DNA testing, better protections for domestic violence survivors, clearer rules for hotel and motel operators, and stronger tools against fraud, impersonation, and trafficking. Some bills drew notable concerns or opposition. SB 1266 prompted questions about whether a 72-hour cooling-off period for officer identities could be extended too broadly, while SB 606 drew concerns that the bill could affect families living in hotels or extended stays during the housing affordability crisis. SB 1444 generated discussion about false reporting language, off-duty carry for prosecutors and judges, and the scope of automatic sealing changes. SB 1000’s expanded sealing relief received broad support but was narrowed by amendments excluding certain offenses such as DUI and indecent exposure. The most contentious measure was SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for trafficking a child under 12 or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation. The sponsor argued it targets the most severe trafficking cases and includes safeguards such as excluding minors from capital punishment and preserving life imprisonment if the capital procedure is invalidated. Opponents, including the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, argued the death penalty is unconstitutional for non-homicide crimes, costly, and ineffective, and committee members raised concerns about whether the bill would incentivize traffickers to kill victims to avoid identification. Debate also touched on broader concerns about the death penalty’s constitutionality and whether life imprisonment is a more severe punishment. The transcript ends during that debate, without a final vote on SB 1804 included in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• worst we could have; we could have much, much worse than that, and we don't have experience in our lifetimes
• that and we don't have experience<00:08:32.159><c> in</c><00:08:32.320><c> our</c><00:08:32.519><c> lifetimes
• </c><00:08:33.080><c> of</c><00:08:33.279><c> that</c><00:08:33.479><c> so</c> experience in our lifetimes
• of that so experience in our lifetimes of that so that<00:08:33.760><c> would</c><00:08:33.880><c> be

Transcript Highlights:

• I was drawn to this work out of pure personal passion and as a lifetime of wilderness travels.
• passion and personal passion and and<00:20:31.000><c> as</c><00:20:31.200><c> a</c><00:20:31.240><c> lifetime
• </c> and as a lifetime of wilderness travels. and as a lifetime of wilderness travels.
• This issue comes to me from a lifetime of passion and experience and is informed by the past decade of

Committee: House Ethics

Transcript Highlights:

• Naming the community solar program in her honor is a fitting tribute to her lifetime of service.
• 08:21.360><c> her</c> her honor is a fitting tribute to her her honor is a fitting tribute to her lifetime
• </c><00:08:23.840><c> I</c><00:08:24.240><c> urge</c><00:08:24.400><c> your</c> lifetime of service.
• I urge your lifetime of service. I urge your support. support. support.
• In 2023, we tried to show her a fraction of our gratitude by presenting her with our industry's lifetime

Transcript Highlights:

• bond allocates $3.8 billion for safe drinking water, drought, flood, and water resilience over the lifetime
• The climate bond allocates $1.2 billion over the lifetime of the bond.
• The climate bond allocates $1.2 billion over the lifetime of the bond.
• The climate bond allocates $700 million for park creation and outdoor access over the lifetime of the
• bond. $700 million for park creation and outdoor access over the lifetime of the bond.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Climate, Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation opened its first hearing on the governor’s natural resources budget with Secretary Wade Crowfoot of the Natural Resources Agency. Crowfoot reviewed California’s recent climate and environmental challenges—drought, wildfire, heat, sea level rise, and federal uncertainty—and highlighted progress on clean energy, zero-emission vehicles, wildfire resilience, water management, coastal planning, conservation, tribal land return, and streamlined project delivery. Members praised his engagement and the administration’s work with tribes, and Crowfoot emphasized that the administration is focused on finishing major projects, improving nature-based solutions, and considering whether some temporary streamlining measures should be codified. He also discussed the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership and said the state is working with other Mediterranean-climate governments on wildfire, drought, and heat response. Members and the LAO then focused on budget conditions and priorities. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state budget remains precarious despite strong revenues, with the governor’s proposal relying on borrowing and reserves and leaving large out-year deficits unresolved. The LAO urged a high bar for new spending, especially in a deficit environment, and recommended prioritizing immediate health and safety needs, avoiding new ongoing commitments, and thinking carefully about special funds. On Proposition 4, the LAO said the administration’s approach generally appeared reasonable and consistent with the bond, but noted implementation has been slow and that the Legislature may want to use appropriations language to shape broad programs such as home hardening, outdoor recreation, and climate education. The chair stressed that climate and environmental funds should be used for their intended purposes and that wildfire spending should shift more toward community hardening and home protection. The hearing then turned to water resilience and Proposition 4 spending. Department of Finance and department staff outlined the bond’s water-related funding for safe drinking water, drought, flood, water recycling, stormwater, groundwater management, dam safety, and the State Water Project. Members pressed for details on how funds would be prioritized, how grants would reach disadvantaged communities, and how the state would track the bond’s 40% target for vulnerable communities. Staff said new tools and reporting systems are being used to monitor allocations, and that AB 107 and related changes should speed up grant implementation by reducing redundant regulatory steps. The committee also discussed dam safety needs, State Water Project repairs, groundwater implementation grants, and the risk of relying on uncertain future revenues from the Salton Sea lithium tax. No votes were taken, and the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• What I will say is that Marion accomplished very much within her lifetime, which was long and robust.
• What I will say is that Marion accomplished very much within her lifetime, which was long and robust.

Transcript Highlights:

• reference; and amending Section 33-1114, Idaho Code, to provide a correct code reference regarding lifetime
• instructional and lifetime administrator certificates.

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things he was not, however, was light. during his lifetime.
• King was a hero because he was hated during his lifetime, because he fought for what was right even when

Transcript Highlights:

• We've got either a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in all of the 11 cases that
• We've got either a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in all of the 11 cases that

Bills: HF627 , HF474 , HF361 , HF1837

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:15:26.000><c> of</c><01:15:26.159><c> the</c> least half of the lifetime of the least half of
• the lifetime of the proposed<01:15:26.880><c> facility.
• </c><01:15:38.400><c> As</c><01:15:38.560><c> I</c> lifetime of my proposed facility.
• As I lifetime of my proposed facility.
• </c> half of the lifetime of the facility. half of the lifetime of the facility.

Committee: House Environment and Agriculture

Transcript Highlights:

• I think we all aspire that our kids do a little something that we always wanted to do in our lifetime
• I think we all aspire that our kids do a little something that we always wanted to do in our lifetime
• but weren't able to do in our lifetime but weren't able to<01:17:52.840><c> and</c><01:17:53.000><c>
• <01:30:22.120><c> event</c><01:30:22.560><c> happening</c><01:30:22.960><c> on</c> once-in-a-lifetime
• event happening on once-in-a-lifetime event happening on July<01:30:23.400><c> 4th</c><01:30:23.800>

Committee: Senate Education Policy