Transcript Highlights:

• Today, as we talk about and memorialize Cinco de Mayo, we know that it's so much bigger than that in
• She is now involved in efforts to build a memorial in Los Angeles honoring those affected, following
• Joining us from Washington, D.C. are representatives from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation,

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know that within the last year, the Department of Energy, the Congressional Budget Office, and
• Station 27, and in that particular area of town we have quite a bit of assisted living, quite a bit of memory
• So these are more of the people that we're talking about, who have... ...living, quite a bit of memory

Summary: The committee first heard HB 2957, which would prohibit cities, towns, counties, and districts from requiring a digital or mobile driver license for government identification purposes and would require physical licenses to be accepted. The sponsor argued the bill preserves choice, privacy, and state control over identification, and several supporters said it protects informed consent and limits biometric data use. Some members raised concerns about travel requirements and proof of legal status, but the sponsor said the bill would not eliminate Real ID or change federal travel rules. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 4-3 vote. The committee then heard HB 2941, which would make certain unsafe motorcycle lane-splitting or lane-sharing behavior subject to reckless driving penalties. The sponsor said the bill is intended to address dangerous conduct and close a gap in enforcement, while a motorcycle rights advocate explained the difference between lane filtering, which is legal under Arizona law in limited circumstances, and lane splitting, which is not. Testimony emphasized public safety and education for riders. The committee approved the bill with a do pass recommendation on a 7-0 vote. Next, the committee considered HB 2305, as amended, dealing with private property towing. The bill would make towing rates a matter of statewide concern, tie charges to DPS tow service agreements, require documentation and notice requirements, and standardize rules for private towing carriers. Supporters said the measure would reduce confusion and predatory towing by creating uniform statewide standards, while opponents from the trucking industry argued the DPS rate structure was designed for emergency towing and that more stakeholder work was needed. After adopting an amendment clarifying the bill applies only to motor vehicles towed from private property, the committee passed the bill 7-0. Finally, the committee heard HB 2257, a strike-everything amendment changing how watercraft fee revenue is distributed between the watercraft licensing fund, the State Lake Improvement Fund, and boating safety/law enforcement purposes, while also requiring an annual expenditure report. Supporters said the change would help Mohave County and other local agencies that are covering more water patrol duties as Game and Fish resources are stretched, but Game and Fish warned the shift would create a significant fiscal impact and said the department is already operating with tight budgets. The committee adopted the amendment and gave the bill a do pass recommendation on a 4-3 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know that within the last year, the Department of Energy, the Congressional Budget Office, and
• Station 27, and in that particular area of town we have quite a bit of assisted living, quite a bit of memory
• So these are more of the people that we're talking about, who have... ...living, quite a bit of memory

Bills: HB2127 , HB2257 , HB2305 , HB2573 , HB2772 , HB2941 , HB2957

Committee: House Transportation & Infrastructure

Keywords: special license plates, transportation, funding, nonprofits, charitable contributions, boating, watercraft licensing, law enforcement, safety fund, state funding, Arizona Revised Statutes, towing regulation, private towing carriers, vehicle impound, towing rates, preemption, DUI, ignition interlock, substance abuse treatment, driving privileges

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I'm going from memory, but four years ago, they used what was called an increase, which was something
• This aligns with the federal rule. used currently in congressional testimony, which is limited to testimonial
• This is from memory; am I right on that? I kind of think it's about 70,000 members.

Bills: SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB 2 , SB 3 , SB 5 , SB 9 , SB 10 , SB 14 , SB 16 , SB 18 , SB 34 , SB 6 , SB 7 , SB 8 , SB 11 , SB 12 , SB 13 , SB 15 , SB 17 , SB 4 , SB1 , SB2 , SB3 , SB5 , SB9 , SB10 , SB14 , SB16 , SB18 , SB34 , SB6 , SB7 , SB8 , SB11 , SB12 , SB13 , SB15 , SB17 , SB4

Transcript Highlights:

• Congressional and Federal Aviation Administration support, with the FAA providing both financial support
• It was built<00:10:22.480><c> with</c><00:10:22.640><c> US</c><00:10:22.959><c> Congressional</c><00:
• 10:23.519><c> and</c><00:10:23.760><c> Federal</c> built with US Congressional and Federal built with
• US Congressional and Federal Aviation<00:10:24.560><c> Administration</c><00:10:25.279><c> support</
• </c> certifications and congressionally certifications and congressionally directed<01:03:19.839><c>

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Joint Memorial 1. Committee reports. &gt;&gt; Thank you, Mr. President.
• Senate<00:34:50.399><c> Joint</c><00:34:50.639><c> Memorial</c><00:34:51.040><c> 1.
• </c><00:34:52.320><c> Committee</c> Senate Joint Memorial 1. Committee Senate Joint Memorial 1.
• Senate Bill 88, funding<03:11:30.000><c> for</c><03:11:30.160><c> memorials</c><03:11:30.560><c> and<
• for memorials and state capital grounds<03:11:31.359><c> approved</c><03:11:31.520><c> on</c><03:11:

Transcript Highlights:

• Swanson for memorial recognition. Thank you, Mr.
• That woman, Mary Helen Van Dever, is who we memorialize.
• And so your district, I know the congressional district you live in.
• Yes, the district is predominantly Latino, the congressional district.
• Menendez Memorial Parkway.

Bills: HJR175 , HJR88 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HB5138 , SB17 , HB4944 , HB2284 , HB3421 , SB1569 , SB2420 , SB1968 , SB2351 , SB2544 , SB1490 , SB1349 , SB1568 , SB2776 , HB3531 , HB2149 , HB4327 , HB3158 , HB3717 , HB4520 , SB888 , SB552 , HB3138 , HB3704 , HB2921 , HB4853 , HB4506 , HB3892 , HJR161 , HJR175 , HJR88 , HB1937 , HB3334 , HB5444 , HB5137 , HB361 , HB321 , HB5447 , HB464 , HB678 , HB2294 , HB4172 , HB3225 , HB1769 , HB5394 , HB1837 , HB1787 , HB2271 , HB2440 , HB5134 , HB5149 , HB2151 , HB2073 , HB2186 , HB2025 , HB1936 , HB1777 , HB1663 , HB 1306 , HB 1290 , HB1527 , HB4802 , HB3462 , HB2963 , HB2462 , HB2560 , HB644 , HB2725 , HB2621 , HB2588 , HB1443 , HB1403 , HB3032 , HB1557 , HB1664 , HB2811 , HB2088 , HB2598 , HB3062 , HB3134 , HB3940 , HB4027 , HB4097 , HB4862 , HB4170 , HB4157 , HB4205 , HB4279 , HB4377 , HB4838 , HB5424 , HB5294 , HB4870 , HB4763 , HB5639 , HB4112 , HB2275 , HB1677 , HB5014 , HB3848 , HB3797 , HB3727 , HB3709 , HB3177 , HB3057 , HB4176 , HB4202 , HB2180 , HB3528 , HB3658 , HB21 , HB49 , HB216 , HB346 , HB573 , HB565 , HB954 , HB1953 , HB2686 , HB1441 , HB2734 , HB1650 , HB3161 , HB2876 , HB3185 , HB3388 , HB2761 , HB3233 , HB 1186 , HB1534 , HB5506 , HB5129 , HB3619 , HB778 , HB2867 , HB3221 , HB3672 , HB2434 , HB4903 , HB3687 , HB3675 , HB4609 , HB4582 , HB4921 , HB3866 , HB3901 , HB4534 , HB2446 , HB3984 , HB700 , HB4012 , HB4491 , HB4088 , HB229 , HB4234 , HB722 , HB4136 , HB4105 , HB4413 , HB170 , HB551 , HB2858 , HB3053 , HB3142 , HB3180 , HB3722 , HB2200 , HB1794 , HB1784 , HB1581 , HB2530 , HB4308 , HB1896 , HB2974 , HB3359 , HB4580 , HB2458 , HB2215 , HB3332 , HB2278 , HB3015 , HB3151 , HB1368 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40

Keywords: constitutional amendment, medium of exchange, currency rights, digital currency, financial autonomy, tax exemption, rainwater harvesting, graywater system, local government, ad valorem taxation, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, audit requirements, affordable housing, development bonds, oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes

Transcript Highlights:

• , the VRA was widely regarded as, quote, among the most remarkable and consequential pieces of congressional
• , which is before the Supreme Court for the second time, and that's a challenge to Louisiana's congressional
• In congressional and presidential-year elections, in those even-year elections, you get higher rates
• infrequent or less frequent voters that often come out for these general elections, particularly in congressional
• tribal reservations as opposed to outside—slightly higher in off-year elections, but comparable in congressional

Committee: House State Government & Tribal Relations

Summary: The committee held a work session on voting rights, beginning with testimony from Marissa Wright of Campaign Legal Center and David Montes of the ACLU of Washington. They described the federal Voting Rights Act’s main protections—preclearance, vote suppression, and vote dilution—and argued that Supreme Court decisions such as Shelby County and Brnovich have weakened those protections. They said state-level action is increasingly important, pointing to the Washington Voting Rights Act as a tool to address discriminatory election systems, with examples from Yakima, Sunnyside, and other parts of the Yakima Valley. Members asked about Washington’s history of discrimination, voter roll purges, noncitizen registration, remedies under the WVRA, ranked-choice voting, and how statistical evidence is used in vote dilution cases. No votes were taken. The committee then heard a joint presentation from the Office of Equity and several commissions, including the Hispanic Affairs Commission, Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, and LGBTQ Commission. The panel described their role in advising state government, working with communities, and helping agencies improve equity and service delivery. They focused on the new immigration sub-cabinet created under Executive Order 2509, saying it is intended to coordinate across agencies, the legislature, the courts, and community organizations on issues such as data privacy, language access, communications, and protections for immigrant communities. Members asked about accountability under the Keep Washington Working Act, the use of NGOs, and the sub-cabinet’s goals. The panel said the effort is meant to make Washington residents feel safe, protected, and included. Next, researchers from the University of Washington presented findings from the Elections Database Project on vote-by-mail outcomes from 2020 to 2024. They reported that about 1.5% of ballots are signature-challenged in most elections, about 60% of those ballots are cured, and overall rejection rates are around 1% in general elections and 1.5% in primaries. They said younger voters and voters of color are more likely to have ballots rejected, and that cure rates do not fully eliminate those disparities. Committee members asked about tribal reservation data, turnout patterns, and access to election data. The researchers said they use publicly available data and will follow up with additional turnout information. The final panel featured Maria Fernandez and Vicki Frausto of EIA, who described voter education and leadership development work in Yakima County and Sunnyside. They said their organization helps residents understand ballot mechanics, language barriers, and misinformation, and they described harassment and intimidation tied to their civic engagement work. They supported stronger Washington Voting Rights Act protections and said at-large election systems continue to dilute Latino voting power in some jurisdictions. They also said turnout in Yakima County has risen modestly, which they attributed in part to community education and candidate recruitment. The committee thanked the presenters and adjourned the work session without taking action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment just includes congressional members to it. That's the amendment. Okay.
• some actual teeth in an affidavit or an oath that's signed, where, I mean, it's different for congressional
• ...of the white powdery substance that President Barack Obama received as well and many of the congressional
• We wish you well on your congressional run. We're in debate. Maybe I withdraw the bill?
• last year continues to suck the air out of the room is unnecessary and we wish you will on your congressional

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills and tax-related measures. It reported favorably SB 20, providing $400,000 in relief to J.N., a minor injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk, and SB 14, providing $1.7 million to the estate of Pineal Januier after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. It also approved SB 674, which would let property appraisers, like tax collectors, budget for hiring and retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval. In each claims bill, the sponsor described the underlying incident, the settlement amount, and the remaining payment sought under sovereign immunity limits; there was no opposition on the claims bills. The bonus bill drew support from property appraisers who said it would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new appropriations. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, which would create a new homestead-like property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead property for more than six months as residential rental housing. Supporters said it was intended to encourage more affordable rental housing by extending a $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes-style assessment cap to qualifying properties. County and city representatives, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, reduced public safety funding, and tax shifts to other property owners and businesses. Several senators also raised concerns about density, parking, and whether landlords would actually pass savings on to renters. Despite the opposition, both the constitutional amendment and the implementing bill were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS SB 268, as amended to include congressional members, creating a public-records exemption related to certain residential information for elected officials. The First Amendment Foundation opposed it, arguing the bill lacked a sufficient public purpose and could hinder transparency, while senators supporting it cited real threats and harassment against themselves and their families. SB 100, which bans government display of flags representing political viewpoints and allows active or retired military members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag, also passed after extensive debate. Opponents argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride and other identity-related flags; supporters said government buildings should not display political messages and that the bill protects neutrality. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval every eight years for local discretionary taxes such as tourist development taxes and local option taxes, with exceptions for pledged bond revenues. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the restaurant/lodging industry opposed it, saying it would create uncertainty, threaten tourism and infrastructure funding, and complicate long-term planning; Senator Sharief and others said the measure would disrupt existing surtax-backed projects and revenue streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Tax Committee and the designation of the Congressional Trade Advisors en bloc.
• Do you think that the proper use of the congressionally extended authority to the President in national
• people to understand what might be coming, especially when the President is going to use his congressionally
• President Trump and congressional Republicans have bragged about...
• And the necessity of congressional approval for binding market access deals, do you believe USTR would

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Youth Council is a council of 36 young people from across the state, from every congressional
• </c> the state uh from every congressional the state uh from every congressional district<00:16:10.800
• </c><00:18:03.120><c> districts</c><00:18:03.840><c> and</c><00:18:04.000><c> four</c> eight congressional
• districts and four eight congressional districts and four selected<00:18:04.720><c> at</c><00:18:05.039
• If the members from your congressional district should have reached out to you about different issues

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Finke and Representative Isaacson's, you know, being around for a while, you get the curse of memory
• And, you know, having a long memory, you could actually look back just a year in a few days that there
• We also have congressional legislation canceling protections for the Boundary Waters, going so far as
• ><01:47:54.280><c> we</c><01:47:54.400><c> also</c><01:47:54.560><c> have</c><01:47:54.719><c> Congressional
• </c> uh we have a we also have Congressional uh we have a we also have Congressional legislation<01:47

Committee: House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So order petitions, memorials, and other papers.
• It simply means they are here in violation of congressional laws voted on over decades of immigration
• more celebrated when he was elected as Maryland's first Black congressman, serving in the Seventh Congressional
• Congressman Mitchell was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
• chairman of the subcommittee on housing, minority enterprise, and economic development of the Congressional

Transcript Highlights:

• Immediate jobs creation will generate... congressionally directed spending from congressionally directed
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• There is all of the diversity language in there, addressing all of the different congressional district
• We used to work together, so we came up with the congressional districts and how these and the diversity

Bills: SB5 , SB142 , SB158 , SB171 , SB5

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter

Transcript Highlights:

• of this is of dubious legality and constitutional authority and certainly flies in the face of congressional
• In their congressional majority.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Bills: SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , SB24 , SB83 , SB142 , SB140 , SB94 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149 , HB132 , HB37 , HB51 , HB105 , HB54 , HB7 , HB158 , HB188 , HB189 , HB111 , HB13 , HB192 , HB149

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: body-worn camera, public records, law enforcement transparency, recording disclosure, civil rights, adult-size changing table, changing station, accessible restroom, public bathroom, public building, public entity, ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act, accessibility, restroom renovation, new construction, grant program, state grant, local government facilities, historic property

Transcript Highlights:

• committee uh with the uh congressional committee uh with the uh have<00:10:45.120><c> a</c><00:10:45.279
• Uh, again, working with our congressional delegation, we were able to unsuspend that and get that money
• Uh, again, working with our congressional delegation, we were able to unsuspend that and get that money
• Congressional delegation and the money has been able to keep flowing to the agencies.
• </c> happy to run maps by congressional happy to run maps by congressional districts<00:52:29.520><c>

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

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not congressional. It's set as a rule by the congressional.
• It's set as a rule by the congressional. It's set as a rule by the egg department.
• which is not processes to federal law which is not processes to federal law which is not even congressional
• It's it's ruled even congressional law. It's it's ruled even congressional law.

Bills: SB199 , HB142 , SB86 , HB152 , HB297 , SB1 , SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• administration, and there are many key details we don't know yet, including the impact of any future congressional
• This forecast assumes no reduction in federal Medicaid funding at this time because the actual congressional
• </c><00:32:14.519><c> action</c><00:32:14.840><c> is</c><00:32:15.000><c> unknown</c> actual congressional
• action is unknown actual congressional action is unknown however<00:32:16.679><c> it</c><00:32:16.919
• This forecast assumes no reduction in federal Medicaid funding at this time because the actual congressional

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.