Transcript Highlights:

• The supplemental need last year... ...is quite a significant amount.
• There's not an ESA supplemental request, but Mr.... It's not an ESA supplemental request, but Mr.
• That's with a supplemental cost show... Hold on.
• Um, have you submitted those supplemental requests yet directly to me?
• submit that supplemental request to us.

Summary: The committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation, with the chair repeatedly asking members to keep questions brief and avoid speeches. The discussion focused first on the overall revenue and spending outlook, including concerns from members that the executive forecast was more optimistic than the JLBC baseline and that the budget appeared to front-load revenue and expenditure growth. The governor’s budget team said the forecast was close to JLBC’s, that the budget was structurally balanced, and that differences were roughly $100 million per year on ongoing revenue. Members asked for follow-up calculations in writing, including the total multi-year gap and the amount of revenue enhancements above base revenues. A major portion of the meeting centered on tax and fee proposals tied to data centers, water use, and sports betting. The governor’s team defended eliminating the existing data center tax incentive as the removal of a loophole rather than a new tax, arguing the incentive had already succeeded in attracting major investment. They also described a proposed Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority for data centers to support a new Colorado River Protection Fund, and said the proposal would apply to existing and future facilities without a grandfather clause. Members raised concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and whether the changes would require a supermajority vote. The team also discussed increased sports betting fees, saying the revenue forecast did not include dynamic behavioral effects. The committee then moved through major spending areas, including corrections, public safety, border security, cybersecurity, K-12 education, Medicaid, and developmental disabilities. The governor’s budget includes ongoing funding to prevent correctional officer pay cuts, money to comply with prison health care court orders, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl task forces, and cyber readiness grants. Members questioned the lack of funding for a prison oversight committee and asked for corrections spending totals over the administration. On border security, the executive said it was seeking about $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border-related costs and that the governor had met with federal officials, including Secretary Noem and Tom Homan, about the request. In education, the budget proposes renewing Prop. 123, adding K-12 base funding, and issuing $1.5 billion in school facilities bonds over three years; members debated whether the proposal was appropriate and whether Prop. 123 revenues could support the debt service. The meeting also covered AHCCCS cost growth and federal HR1 impacts, with the executive warning of major coverage losses and hospital funding reductions, and DDD funding, where the governor’s team said the budget fully funds services and includes about $120 million in supplemental needs. No votes were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Civil penalties are deposited in the Supplemental Pension Fund, and L&I was required to convene a wage
• under the wage complaints and the Minimum Wage Act are deposited in that account rather than the Supplemental
• showing indeterminate receipts and expenses and approximately $2 million to the accident and medical aid
• accounts for 2025 to 2025 to 2020. accident and medical aid accounts for 2025 to 2029 that concludes
• The fiscal note shows a cost of $301,000 for L&I from the accident and medical aid accounts, as well

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Second Substitute House Bill 2479 would create a wage recovery program within L&I to advance part of unpaid wages to low-wage workers facing immediate hardship, funded by civil penalties, while also increasing and restructuring wage theft penalties and complaint prioritization. Supporters, including the prime sponsor, labor advocates, and employer representatives from the work group, said it would help workers get paid faster and was a consensus proposal; questions focused on how the current complaint process works and whether general fund money would be needed. Engrossed House Bill 1941, as amended, would allow licensed cannabis producers to form agricultural cooperatives, with the striking amendment limiting any cooperative to three producer licenses; supporters said cannabis producers should have the same cooperative tools as other agricultural sectors, while some testimony urged future changes for interstate commerce and warned against consolidation. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2476 would expand the spirits, beer, and wine theater license from 120 to 200 seats per screen and add stronger alcohol-control measures when minors are present; theater operators and LCB supported the change, and committee questions focused on youth access and enforcement. House Bill 1526 would allow snack bar licensees to sell wine by the glass in addition to beer; the sponsor said it simply modernizes the license, and LCB noted a likely fee alignment issue and a small revenue impact. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 would void non-compete agreements and expand related notice and non-solicitation rules, with testimony split between labor and worker advocates supporting broader worker mobility and business and health care groups seeking narrower exemptions for executives, physicians, and financial institutions. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2303 would prohibit employers from requesting or coercing employees to accept microchip implants, with no testimony offered. Substitute House Bill 2405 would create a three-year pilot for earlier PTSD treatment coverage in workers’ compensation for eligible occupational disease claims, with L&I supporting it as a way to improve outcomes and reduce long-term costs. The committee also took public testimony on these bills, with strong pro and con positions noted on the wage recovery, cannabis cooperative, and non-compete measures. In executive action, the committee adopted a striking amendment and passed House Bill 1069, narrowing it to Department of Corrections employees and making supplemental retirement bargaining mandatory, despite concerns from one member about the change. The committee also adopted a striking amendment on House Bill 1347 concerning cannabis testing labs, then passed it to Rules; passed Second Substitute House Bill 1701 on liquor licensees sharing property; passed House Bill 291 on employee information for public employers to Ways and Means; passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2229 updating engineer registration provisions; passed House Bill 2264 on unemployment eligibility for workers in employer-initiated layoffs; passed Substitute House Bill 2472 adding enforcement for sprinkler contractors and fitters; and passed Second Substitute House Bill 2345 on paid family and medical leave premium allocation. A striking amendment to Second Substitute House Bill 1128 creating a child care workforce standards board was not adopted, and the bill then passed to Rules. The committee also announced it would hold House Bill 1066 for later action and planned to return the next day for its final executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Compare that to the unfortunate conversations we're having around CSU and UC and the financial aid system
• colleges compare that to the unfortunate conversations we're having around CSU and UC and the financial aid
• system but as we discussed the governor's proposals and other issues And the financial aid system.
• The SCFF is held together by band-aids like stability, hold harmless, ECA, three-year rolling averages
• non-basic aid districts to ensure equity in the ranking process.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance held a hearing focused on California Community College budget proposals. Chair Alvarez opened by emphasizing the system’s role in access, transfer, workforce training, and serving more than 2 million students, while also noting persistent challenges in enrollment, persistence, transfer, and graduation. Public commenters and system representatives broadly supported COLA, enrollment growth funding, deferred maintenance, student support block grants, and additional flexibility for districts facing uncertainty. The first major panel covered the student-centered funding formula, COLA, and enrollment growth. The Department of Finance said the Governor proposes a 2.43% COLA ($230.4 million) and 0.5% enrollment growth funding ($30.4 million). The LAO said the COLA was reasonable and recommended funding at least the proposed growth amount, citing uneven enrollment recovery and regional differences. The Chancellor’s Office supported both proposals and asked for additional changes, including using the greater of current-year or three-year average for apportionments and lifting the 10% local enrollment cap, arguing these would better fund growing districts. Members questioned how the formula works, whether SCFF is improving outcomes, and how much additional funding would be needed under different growth scenarios. The committee then reviewed categorical program COLAs, Rising Scholars, career education proposals, IT proposals, and student housing. The Governor proposed a 2.43% COLA for selected categorical programs ($31.9 million). For Rising Scholars, the Governor proposed $30 million ongoing and removal of the cap on participating colleges; the LAO urged waiting for outcome data before doubling funding, while the Chancellor’s Office said the program is serving more students and supports equity for justice-impacted students. On career education, the Governor proposed $50 million for credit for prior learning and $50 million for a career passport; the LAO supported more reporting on credit for prior learning but recommended rejecting the career passport as too undefined, while the Chancellor’s Office supported both. On technology, the Governor proposed $162.5 million for a common cloud data platform and $168 million for a common ERP system; the LAO said both were premature or lacked sufficient planning and recommended rejection, while the Chancellor’s Office argued they would improve real-time data, security, and systemwide efficiency. The committee also heard an update on student housing: the administration said the 2024 shift to a lease-revenue bond model remains in progress for 13 approved projects, with 11 still active, and members asked about withdrawn projects and possible use of any returned funds. No votes were taken, and several items were held open for further discussion and May Revision updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Christy Jano, the American Legion Department of Minnesota Legislative Chair and the Minnesota Association
• All of these live here in Minnesota and they have been omitted from this...
• All of these live here in Minnesota and they have been omitted from this...
• Vietnam that live here in Minnesota that Vietnam that live here in Minnesota that served<00:27:16.080

Transcript Highlights:

• or Minnesota Care or something Medicare or Minnesota Care or something like<00:07:31.600><c> that.
• </c> generally it seems like the Minnesota generally it seems like the Minnesota nice<00:09:23.360><c
• ><c> Coalition</c> note that the Minnesota Coalition note that the Minnesota Coalition Against<00:20:
• Violence Free Minnesota disagrees you. Violence Free Minnesota disagrees with<00:20:22.280><c> you.
• </c> sentence for that crime in Minnesota sentence for that crime in Minnesota history.<00:20:43.840>

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><03:19:42.560><c> state</c> towns can supplement inadequate state towns can supplement inadequate
• </c> state would actually get far less aid. state would actually get far less aid.
• Building aid, adequacy aid, free and reduced aid, special education aid, all ignored.
• :28.239><c> and</c><03:44:28.479><c> reduced</c><03:44:28.800><c> aid,</c> aid, adequacy aid, free and
• reduced aid, aid, adequacy aid, free and reduced aid, special<03:44:29.359><c> education</c><03:44:29.840

Transcript Highlights:

• To a regular home health aide or certified nursing assistant.
• But then I do work with this naturopath doctor for supplements... ...a naturopath doctor for supplements
• Have you ever used a Band-Aid, Representative?
• Well, a Band-Aid is a very simple synthetic material, and the way a Band-Aid works is twofold.
• It has an absorbent property... ...and the way a Band-Aid works is twofold.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 1414 by Sen. Polsky on congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) education. The bill would require the Department of Health, working with medical experts, to create and distribute CMV educational materials to expectant and new parents or caregivers through hospitals, birth centers, and OB/GYN practices. An amendment removed a section that would have required instruction for medical professionals, and the amended bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then took up a block of confirmations. Appointees on tabs 2 through 7 were recommended favorably in one vote, and Chavon Harris was separately confirmed as Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration after extensive questioning. Senators praised her leadership and experience, while others raised concerns about Medicaid redeterminations, the state’s CORE modernization project, Hope Florida, and a DCF anti-marijuana ad campaign; Harris said she would follow up on some issues and defended the agency’s work on transparency, managed care oversight, and access to care. Her confirmation was recommended favorably, with Sen. Berman noting opposition. Several health-related bills were then heard and advanced. SB 186 by Sen. Garcia expanded epilepsy training requirements for school personnel, including charter school bus drivers, and was reported favorably. SB 902 by Sen. Garcia, after amendments narrowing dental workforce provisions and allowing certain seizure rescue medication delegation to family home health aides, was reported favorably; testimony focused on medical marijuana regulation, practitioner accountability, and concerns about park and child-care proximity restrictions. SB 196 by Sen. Sharif created a uterine fibroid research database with privacy protections and was reported favorably after emotional testimony from a patient and supporters. SB 688 by Sen. Rodriguez would reestablish licensure of naturopathic doctors; it drew both support and skepticism about diagnosis and treatment boundaries, but was reported favorably. SB 1574, Maddie’s Law, would add biliary atresia screening to newborn screening and was strongly supported by parents describing a delayed diagnosis; it was reported favorably. SB 878 on clinical laboratory personnel, SB 1092 on podiatric medicine and certain cellular/tissue-based products, and SB 1032 on medical marijuana registry timelines and veteran fee waivers were also reported favorably, while SB 1032 drew debate over longer renewal/supply periods. The committee then began SB 1760 on Medicaid oversight and program transparency, with the sponsor describing the bill’s creation of a joint legislative oversight committee and a legislative actuary.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> people around the state of Minnesota people around the state of Minnesota through<00:04:37.800><
• </c> per capita more than any other Minnesota per capita more than any other Minnesota Metro<00:10:49.120
• members throughout Minnesota.
• <00:46:51.640><c> them</c> supplement them supplement them for<00:46:53.800><c> we</c><00:46:54.240><
• I am here as a leader with TakeAction Minnesota and Minnesota United Parents.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• We have one of the most generous college financial aid packages in the country.
• The legislature could address it in the 2027 supplemental budget. We do not need this bill.
• The legislature could address it in the 2027 supplemental budget. We do not need this bill.
• This includes maintenance-level increases for basic education and student financial aid.
• Speaker, I urge your adoption of this supplemental budget and appreciate your vote as yes.

Bills: HB2720 , HB2073 , SB5816 , SB5919 , SB5831 , SB6244 , SB6044 , SB5109 , SB5877 , SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, state regulation, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives, best practices, community protection, voluntary measures, mortgage modification

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:

• </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:

• 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:

• Supplemental pay is not a defined term within the workers' compensation statute.
• We therefore understand supplemental pay to mean perhaps a couple of different things.
• </c><00:12:08.519><c> to</c><00:12:08.920><c> pay</c><00:12:09.160><c> to</c> or provide supplemental
• to pay to or provide supplemental to pay to employees<00:12:09.880><c> have</c><00:12:10.000><c> to<
• I'm Joshua Shower, a legislative aide for Senator Gannon.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• The baby now has severe vitamin D deficiency and is on a very high dose of a vitamin D supplement...
• ...and is on a very high dose of a vitamin D supplement.
• Finally, the bill amends delegation duties of medicine under the Family Home Health Aid Program, which
• Michael Emanuel Rainer, a person living with HIV/AIDS and also a client of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program
• But being a part of this population that we're talking about, living with AIDS yourself, you, I jotted

Bills: S0042 , S0196 , S0878 , S0902 , S0914 , S1092 , S1168 , S1340 , S1404 , S1414 , S1684 , S1686

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to hear and vote on a series of health, human services, and education-related bills, along with a presentation of the committee’s proposed HHS budget. The budget was described as increasing by more than $2.1 billion over the current base, with major funding highlighted for Medicaid and KidCare, rural health, provider rate increases, child welfare, mental health and substance use, opioid treatment, Alzheimer’s initiatives, cancer research, ADAP, veterans’ services, and IT modernization. Public testimony on the budget focused heavily on AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding and concerns about Department of Health changes affecting access, premium assistance, notice, and continuity of care for people living with HIV/AIDS. Among the bills reported favorably were measures on podiatric medicine and tissue-based products (SB 1092), background screening and clearinghouse procedures (SB 1168), child protective investigations involving specific medical diagnoses and second opinions (SB 42), clinical laboratory personnel licensure standards (SB 878), uterine fibroid data tracking and research (SB 196), medical marijuana treatment center oversight and related health provisions (SB 902), dyslexia and dyscalculia screening and intervention in schools (SB 1340), memory care licensure for assisted living facilities (SB 1404), congenital CMV education materials (SB 1414), Parkinson’s disease registry and related public records exemption bills (SB 1684 and SB 1686), and occupational therapy dry needling licensure standards (SB 914). Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1092, SB 42, SB 902, SB 1684, and SB 1404. Testimony generally came from professional associations, advocacy groups, and affected stakeholders, with support voiced for most measures. The committee adopted amendments on the floor, heard no opposition during debate on the bills described, and then voted to report each measure favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This supplement helps ensure districts can manage fixed costs like staff and facilities, 2025-2026 school
• Finally, and this goes back to the supplements and the declining enrollment, in the back of the bill,
• . $20 million for cancer research and breast and cervical cancer screenings. $11.3 million for the AIDS
• Michael Emmanuel Rainer, a person living with HIV/AIDS, a client of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
• Year after year, we put a Band-Aid on the problem.

Committee: Senate Appropriations

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:

• This supplement helps ensure districts can manage fixed costs like staff and facilities even when student
• Senator Burgess, there are some reductions in the FEFP, where we're talking with the DJJ supplemental
• In our budget, how much of the opioid settlement money is being used to supplement the state budget as
• ...being used to supplement the state budget as it relates to behavioral health funding.
• The proviso language says $118 million to try and put a band-aid on these funding cuts, if you will,