Transcript Highlights:

• I took the whole top, Roger, myself, our top biologists, our land managers. We all went there.
• On top of that, we were able to negotiate $40 million, $23 million of that to manage this property and
• Barreto, in my opinion, is Exhibit A for why we need reform at the top.

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met to consider confirmation appointments, beginning with Rodney Barreto’s reappointment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Barreto described his background and defended his record, saying the commission has expanded public access, conserved land, supported youth conservation programs, and maintained strong law enforcement and wildlife management. Senators questioned him about public opposition to his confirmation, his role in supporting Amendment 2, a proposed use of submerged land near Singer Island, the Split Oak land swap, and whether FWC may reopen a bear hunt. Barreto said he saw no conflict in his Amendment 2 involvement, denied that any condo application existed for the Singer Island property, defended the Split Oak deal as a conservation and land-acquisition tradeoff, and said bear-hunt options would be presented later by staff and biologists. Several members of the public spoke against Barreto’s reconfirmation, arguing that FWC needs reform, term limits, and more scientific leadership, and criticizing his real estate and lobbying ties as conflicts of interest. Speakers also objected to his positions on development, habitat protection, trap use, herbicide spraying, and the handling of bear management and public notice at FWC meetings. Senator Avila spoke in strong support of Barreto, citing FWC’s role in Biscayne Bay restoration, juvenile redfish releases, invasive species control, and community involvement. The committee then voted to recommend Barreto’s confirmation favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. The committee next considered tabs 2 and 3, the reappointments of Kathy Chapman and Michael Kennedy to the Florida Inland Navigation District. With no separate vote requested and no public opposition, the committee recommended both confirmations favorably by voice roll call. The meeting concluded with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's start at the top of the agenda. We have HB 77, and at this time Hawaii Emergency Manager M.
• start<00:01:50.000> um<00:01:50.399> at<00:01:50.560> the<00:01:50.719> top
• <00:01:50.920> of everyone let's start um at the top of everyone let's start um at the top

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Tourism on February 12, 2025, focused on HB 77/HB 1077, a measure related to increasing the transient accommodations tax and directing revenue toward climate mitigation/resiliency and economic development/tourism resiliency. Most testifiers supported the bill, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, State Energy Office, Governor’s office, DLNR, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Nature Conservancy, the Hawaii Climate Advisory Team, Care for Aina Now Coalition, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, and the Ocean Legislative Task Force. Supporters emphasized the need for reliable funding for disaster preparedness, environmental restoration, infrastructure resilience, and tourism-related resilience projects; some cited polling and a reported funding gap for natural resource protection and restoration. Opposition or concerns came from the Kohala Coast Resort Association, which argued the state should fully collect existing taxes from short-term vacation rentals and other accommodations before considering any tax increase. The Attorney General and Department of Taxation offered technical comments, noting the bill’s special fund language referred to fees that the chapter did not actually authorize and recommending either deleting that language or authorizing fee collection through rulemaking. The Hawaii Tourism Authority supported the measure but asked that the funding mechanism have a clear nexus to tourism resiliency. After a brief recess, the chair recommended amendments to redirect the proposed 1.75% TAT increase away from the two special funds and into the general fund, while earmarking 7.3% of total revenue for climate mitigation/resiliency and 7.3% for economic development and tourism resiliency, with technical and defect-effective-date amendments. Both committees then voted to pass the measure with amendments; the recommendations were adopted, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vestis is one of the top eight wind turbine manufacturers in the world.
• Vestis won the top eight wind turbine manufacturers in the world.
• It's top to bottom, you know, whereas with the e-tabs machine, it's a spinning reel left to right.
• Oh, do we want to talk about the one issue at the top of the agenda that I had printed off?
• So I also came up with, like, the top protections that come through our doors.

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock and heard extensive comments from tribal council members, state legislators, and tribal program leaders about ongoing state-tribal coordination issues. Early discussion focused on the committee’s purpose, the need for better communication, and frustration that the meeting agenda and time allotted did not include enough state department heads or program experts to address child welfare, ICWA, Medicaid, and other human services concerns. Tribal leaders emphasized that Standing Rock wants more direct, regular communication and more practical follow-through from prior meetings. A major theme was health and human services, including concerns that the state’s rural health transformation efforts and human service zone structure do not fit tribal needs, especially for a direct-service tribe that relies on federal funding and Indian Health Service. Members also raised foster care delays, housing shortages that force children off-reservation, substance abuse treatment capacity, and the need for cultural competency in child welfare and education. Other issues included missing and murdered Indigenous people, law enforcement cooperation, extradition and banishment ordinances, cross-deputization, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, census accuracy, and the need for updated lists of tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes. Economic development and sovereignty issues were also discussed. Standing Rock leaders raised concerns about e-pull-tabs and charitable gaming, saying state regulation has reduced tribal gaming revenue and that e-tabs should be treated as Class III gaming. They also objected to county-issued fireworks and liquor permits that affect reservation communities, arguing that state and county authority often conflicts with tribal sovereignty. In response, legislators said e-tabs and charitable gaming were likely to return as legislative issues and suggested possible solutions such as restricting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also discussed the need for more information on tribal-related bills and for legislators to receive cultural and treaty training. Several tribal projects and programs were presented. Joseph McNeil described Sage Development Authority’s 235-megawatt wind project, which is paused because of federal permitting delays, and asked for state support to move it forward. Dave Arshambo described Wojou’s land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, youth, and wellness programs. Later, Cheryl Carey of Sacred Pipe Resource Center introduced the needs of the urban Native population in Bismarck-Mandan and statewide, noting that many Native people live off-reservation and often fall through the cracks in state-tribal discussions. The committee adjourned for lunch and planned to continue with additional presentations afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a mining lease in Round Top out in Hudson County for rare earth minerals.
• A MUD does not exempt you from any of those rules or provide more things on top.
• Comment at the top.
• If I'm the board and I'm going to levy a tax, what's the top amount?
• Now, what is the top amount to issue debt?

Summary: The committee heard testimony first from the Texas General Land Office and School Land Board. GLO officials described the agency’s role in managing more than 13 million acres of state lands and mineral interests for the Permanent School Fund, overseeing the Alamo, coastal programs, veterans’ services, and federal disaster recovery. They said the agency has generated about $6 billion for the Permanent School Fund since Commissioner Buckingham took office, and that its disaster recovery portfolio is about $14 billion across multiple events, with more than 22,000 housing units rebuilt or reconstructed since Hurricane Harvey. Members asked about land purchases such as Brewster Ranch, rare earth mineral leasing, SpaceX-related beach access, and whether the lands are public access lands; GLO staff said the holdings are managed to maximize revenue for education, that most land is leased rather than open to public access, and that they are coordinating on coastal access and compliance. On the School Land Board, members sought clarification on the difference between GLO-managed lands and the Permanent School Fund Corporation’s investment role, and staff explained that GLO generates the revenue while the separate corporation invests it. No votes or formal actions were taken. The Board for Lease of University Lands then testified. University Lands officials explained that they steward 2.1 million acres of surface and mineral interests in West Texas for the Permanent University Fund, which supports UT and Texas A&M institutions. They said a 2025 lease sale produced about $50 million in bonus revenue from 28,000 acres, and described the Board for Lease’s role in approving lease forms, lease sales, and development agreements. Members asked about the size and use of the PUF, how distributions work through UTIMCO, whether PUF money can be used for athletics, and how the land is managed; the witness said the fund is a constitutional endowment, the land is largely leased rather than sold, and distributions are generally used for buildings, labs, and other permanent structures, with some institutions also using a portion for operations. No votes or formal actions were taken. The committee then took up municipal utility districts. Testimony from a law firm, the Texas Municipal League, Fort Bend County Commissioner Vincent Morales, and Johnson Development largely supported MUDs as a financing tool for infrastructure tied to growth. Witnesses said MUDs help fund water, sewer, drainage, roads, parks, and related infrastructure, allowing development to proceed without shifting costs to existing taxpayers and helping keep housing affordable. They emphasized that MUDs are created with disclosure to homebuyers, are subject to the Open Meetings Act and Public Information Act, and are overseen by TCEQ for bond issuance and related financial stress tests. Members questioned whether MUDs are taxing entities, whether they can be created inside city limits or ETJs, how much control cities and counties retain, and whether MUDs are becoming permanent local governments; witnesses acknowledged they levy taxes and debt, can exist within city limits with city consent, and often function as long-term local entities. The committee did not take any formal action during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you have that number off the top of your head, that's fine. Representative Howard: Uh, Mr.
• Housing is one of the top things I hear about from constituents in my district and the effects from not
• One of the top reasons that people are in the emergency room are, you know, the impacts from not having
• things I hear Housing is one of the top things I hear about<00:31:38.280> from<00:31:38.400><
• uh you know, top reasons that people<00:31:48.680> are<00:31:48.800> in<00:31:48.880><

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:

• I think one is in the city of Minneapolis, the top one.
• of Minneapolis, the top one. of Minneapolis, the top one.
• Because when we were here last time, I thought that was like at the top of my list was Blaine.
• Oh, no, that was not top secret.
• think that was top secret information. think that was top secret information.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, um, in the original bill, we added parents or guardians up top.
• /c><02:32:48.160> or<02:32:48.399> guardians<02:32:49.040> up<02:32:49.280> top
• uh added uh parents or guardians up top. uh added uh parents or guardians up top.
• it<03:07:01.120> the<03:07:01.279> fact<03:07:01.439> that and and and on top
• of it the fact that and and and on top of it the fact that we<03:07:01.760> actually<03:07:02.560

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee of conference spent most of its time on Senate Bill 96, which deals with educator conduct and when information may be withheld from parents. The main dispute was over the House-amended language on violations and the “compelling state interest” standard. The Senate sponsor objected to extending penalties to third-party medical or mental health contractors and to language suggesting psychological or emotional injury to a child would not constitute a compelling state interest. The House side argued its draft was intended to keep the bill focused on credentialed educators and administrators, to include parents or guardians, and to avoid creating competing standards by relying on existing abuse definitions in statute. The House also added a requirement that any withholding of information be documented and reported to the school board in nonpublic session, and both sides discussed whether educators, administrators, nurses, and guidance counselors would be covered under the statutory definition of educator. The discussion also covered enforcement and penalties. The House draft proposed that an educator found to have willfully violated the law could have a credential suspended for a first offense and would face a minimum one-year suspension for multiple offenses, while the Senate raised concerns that this was too rigid and did not allow enough discretion or address revocation. The House later explained that the department would still have discretion on first offenses and that the one-year rule applied only to multiple offenses. Another point of disagreement was a three-year statute of limitations for investigations, which the House said was meant to prevent “witch hunts,” while the Senate noted New Hampshire’s constitutional prohibition on retroactive laws. After caucusing, the Senate rejected the House amendment, and the House then voted non-concur; the committee of conference adjourned without agreement. The transcript then moved to Senate Bill 87, concerning one-day liquor license requirements and allowing salons and barber shops to obtain on-premise licenses. The members discussed a House amendment that would allow two drinks instead of one, with supporters saying the change reflected the longer time customers may spend in salons and that alcohol service would still be covered by existing training requirements, including the EDGE course. Opponents worried that allowing multiple drinks would create over-serving and enforcement problems and could complicate business practices. After discussion, the Senate member agreed to go along with the House position, and the bill was reported ready for final sign-off.

Transcript Highlights:

• legislature because increasingly it is of grave concern to everybody when you have a few people at the top
• who own more than the rest of at the top who own more than the rest of us<00:04:24.080> combined.
• And, you know, I think I understand the top-down problem-solving nature of this bill, but if parents
• know, I think I understand the the top know, I think I understand the the top down<00:25:07.039>
• - down uh position, I think is is is top- down uh position, I think is is is trying<00:26:18.000>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a top priority for my community, and unfortunately we had similar circumstances in my district
• This is a top priority for my community, and unfortunately we had similar circumstances in my district
• This is a top priority for my community, and unfortunately we had similar circumstances in my district
• This is a top priority for my community, and unfortunately we had similar circumstances in my district
• This is a top priority for my community, and unfortunately we had similar circumstances in my district

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• As you know, health care affordability is the top issue to constituents and for Texas employers.
• of the bar is member contributions, then the dark blue is member out-of-pocket, and then that last top
• Our top trend driver now is cancer.
• We're trying out this PEAQ scoring, and we put the top 25% of the providers in tier one and the bottom
• So when we ask our employers what is driving their costs, three issues consistently rise to the top:

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On top of that, you know, you have family health insurance.
• But on top of that, you have this side of service differential.
• , The total drug cost is on the top chart, which is orange.
• Like, do you pay the top co-pay, the middle co-pay, or the lowest co-pay?
• We've had literally two of our, probably the two of the top experts.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The top map is our large-scale regional water supply systems and their coverage.
• The top map is our large-scale regional water supply systems and their coverage.
• The top map is our large scale of regional water supply systems in their coverage.
• I do not know the percentage off the top of my head, but we can certainly get that for you.
• I do not know the percentage off the top of my head, but we can certainly get that for you. Great.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This growth is on top of significant increases that we saw in the November forecast.
• The solid line across the top represents our current forecast.
• Um, we know that, you know, the top 10% hold 93% of stocks and mutual funds.
• Um, we know that, you know, the top 10% hold 93% of stocks and mutual funds.
• For example, in the top and so forth.

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I wanted to share with the chair and members some of the top pressures that direct care and treatment
• Recruiting and retaining staff is our top priority for the foreseeable future.
• chaired members some of the top chaired members some of the top pressures<00:04:40.960> that<
• 00:04:47.880> our recruiting and retaining staff is our recruiting and retaining staff is our top
• Data privacy is the top priority for us around data as we kind of move forward.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll get through it. >> So, um, so you're on the achieving top 10. >> Top 10, right? >> Yep.
• 10 US states for economic into the top 10 US states for economic growth<00:36:02.000> over<00
• >> So, um, so you're on the achieving top >> So, um, so you're on the achieving top
• >> Top<00:36:35.599> 10, >> Top 10, >> Top 10, >> right?
• So moving to the top 10 >> right? Yep.

Bills: HF4862, HF4598

Keywords: apprenticeship, education, teacher training, grant program, labor and industry, workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician

Transcript Highlights:

• Erickson, to just touch on this top one, and then I'll take it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Erickson, to just touch on this top one, and then I'll take it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Erickson, to just touch on this top one, and then I'll take it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Erickson, to just touch on this top one, and then I'll take it. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• them I just don't have them on the top them I just don't have them on the top of<00:56:52.200>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So they chose to look at the top 10; that wasn't in the story.
• They chose to look at the top 10 CCAP daycare providers over a period of time. J.
• So they chose to look at the top 10; that wasn't in the story.
• They chose to look at the top 10 CCAP daycare providers over a period of time. J.
• So they chose to look at the top 10; that wasn't in the story.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard a presentation from Department of Children, Youth, and Families Commissioner Tiki Brown on the department’s 2025 budget and transition plans. Brown said the governor’s budget pairs targeted reductions with modest investments, resulting in net general fund savings, while preserving core safety-net programs. Major proposals included funding for program integrity, modernization of the child welfare SSIS system, compliance changes for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), operating adjustments, and a transition account reallocation as the new department continues moving programs from other agencies through July 1, 2025. A large portion of the discussion focused on CCAP fraud prevention and oversight. Brown and Assistant Commissioner Diane Hy explained that the proposed statewide electronic attendance recordkeeping system would replace retroactive paper-based attendance reporting with more timely data, making it harder to falsify attendance and claim payments improperly. Brown also said the department is working with the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General and other partners on compliance and fraud controls. Senators pressed for more detail on current enforcement, whether payments can be withheld for violations, and whether recent media reports showed gaps in oversight; Brown said payments can be stopped for false attendance records, suspended or revoked licenses, or fraud allegations, but not for health and safety violations alone. The committee also reviewed other budget-neutral policy changes, including expanding permanency support services for relative foster care and tribal equivalents, strengthening tribal child welfare grants, updating TEACH scholarship rules for early childhood educators, and adjusting the Great Start Compensation Support Payment Program to create a special revenue fund and extend a 10% payment increase to tribally licensed programs and programs on tribal reservation land. Brown also described a $1.5 million annual reduction to restorative practices grants, leaving a smaller ongoing base. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you look at it again, the top part, Serious accidents.
• We picked one couch up and set it on top of another one.
• We picked one couch up and set it on top of another one.
• There were cars piled up on top of each other.
• Our dog was sitting on top of it.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• top of page 15, 1830, Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• Moving on to the top of page 17, 2024. 2025.
• Moving on to the top of page 17, 2024. 2025.
• We're on the top of page 18. We're on the top of page 18.
• 20 At the top of page 21, 2048. 20 At the top of page 21, 2048.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then, the fourth thing that I would say is, how much money do they need on top of this?
• and our agencies, neither one asked top and our agencies, neither one asked for<00:06:47.040> this
• Good luck topping that, Representative Davis. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
• <01:53:11.720> six but we're spelling out these top six but we're spelling out these top six
• And then on top of that, you get the results and then you start looking at the services.

Keywords: 916, all