Transcript Highlights:

• The effect of those provisions would be a revenue reduction in Minnesota.
• </c><00:37:36.960><c> in</c> uh would be a revenue reduction in uh would be a revenue reduction in Minnesota
• </c><00:47:26.319><c> of</c> impact would be a revenue reduction of impact would be a revenue reduction
• </c> revenue reduction revenue reduction are<00:47:58.720><c> are</c><00:47:59.119><c> categories</c>
• And you can see the subtotal reductions.

Bills: HR1, HF387

Keywords: January 6 insurrection, pardon, law enforcement, violent crimes, public safety, justice system, political accountability, Blaine, local sales tax, special tax, restaurant tax, lodging tax, admissions tax, amusement tax, hotel tax, redevelopment, capital improvements, municipal finance, bonding authority, tourism tax

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:21:28.040><c> is</c> the importance of um Source reduction is the importance of um Source reduction
• </c><01:21:49.360><c> working</c> um we formed a source reduction working um we formed a source reduction
• </c><01:22:57.719><c> I</c> that so um this this Source reduction I that so um this this Source reduction
• </c> um rules to to affect Source reduction um rules to to affect Source reduction to<01:23:13.880><c
• ><c> them</c><01:23:26.120><c> which</c> notes of s ource reduction in them which notes of s ource reduction

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The informational briefing focused on the City and County of Honolulu’s effort to site a replacement landfill for Oahu before Waimanalo Gulch landfill closes in 2028. Department of Environmental Services officials outlined the solid waste system, including curbside collection, convenience centers, transfer stations, H-POWER, and the existing landfill, and explained that H-POWER reduces the volume of waste going to the landfill by about 90%. They reviewed the siting history, including the 2019 Land Use Commission deadline, the 2020 enactment of Act 73 with landfill setback and conservation-district restrictions, and the 2021-2022 landfill advisory committee that evaluated six sites but recommended none because they were within the Board of Water Supply’s no-pass zone. The city said it ultimately selected a site in central Oahu, on agricultural land near Wahiawa and the Dole Plantation, as the best legally permissible option and described it as requiring about 150 acres, with 90 acres for the landfill itself. City officials also described the proposed landfill design and safeguards, emphasizing a modern sanitary landfill with double liners, leachate collection, groundwater monitoring wells, and post-closure monitoring. They said the ash from H-POWER is dry and that leachate would be pumped to a wastewater treatment plant. They stated the site is away from residences and groundwater wells, accessible by highway, and can be permitted under state and federal rules, though they acknowledged that a full environmental review, public hearings, and multiple permits would still be required. When asked whether the new landfill could be operating before the 2028 closure date, the city said it did not yet know and that an extension of Waimanalo Gulch might be needed if the new site is not ready in time. The Board of Water Supply strongly opposed the city’s decision to site a landfill above Oahu’s freshwater resources. Its representative said the agency’s mission is to protect safe, dependable water for the future and that it had disapproved all six previously proposed sites because they were located over freshwater aquifers. In response to questions from legislators, the Board said it could not guarantee the liner system would remain impermeable forever and warned that leachate can contain hazardous chemicals, including so-called forever chemicals. The Board characterized the proposal as a long-term risk to the island’s drinking water supply and compared the decision to past infrastructure choices that later proved problematic. No votes or formal actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line five includes a reduction<00:11:54.000><c> for</c><00:11:54.399><c> for</c> reduction for for reduction
• ><c> 40</c> million in 2627 and a reduction of 40 million in 2627 and a reduction of 40 million<00:13
• </c><00:18:32.640><c> uh</c> 1,200,000 and then a reduction uh 1,200,000 and then a reduction uh completely
• </c><00:18:52.720><c> in</c> $3,500,000 reduction in $3,500,000 reduction in 2627<00:18:54.400><c> and
• </c> extended employment services reduction extended employment services reduction of<00:25:40.000><c

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fuel reduction projects.
• Wildfire risk reduction is of paramount importance for our communities and the wildland-urban interface
• , roadside fuel reduction, forest thinning, and a handful of other types of projects.
• , roadside fuel reduction, forest thinning, and a handful of other types of projects.
• The Legislature has also provided many CEQA exemptions for fuel reduction programs, including those in

Summary: The committee heard AB 1603, which would restrict new PFAS pesticides from being registered in California and add transparency requirements for pesticide use reporting. The author and supporters argued PFAS are persistent, harmful chemicals that contaminate water, soil, and food, and said the bill would reduce future contamination and public health costs. Supporters included environmental and public health groups, water agencies, nurses, teachers, and local governments. Agricultural and chemical industry groups opposed the bill’s registration ban, arguing California already has strong pesticide review, that the measure could limit future safer formulations, and that it could raise costs and reduce farmers’ access to pest-control tools. Committee members raised questions about affordability, water contamination, and the role of state versus federal regulators; the author said the bill was needed because existing regulation is too slow and incomplete. No vote was taken because the committee lacked a quorum. The committee then heard AB 2635, the Just Transition for Landscapers Act, which would create voucher programs and other support for landscapers transitioning from gas-powered to electric equipment, while limiting penalties and adding privacy protections. The author and supporters said many landscapers are low-wage immigrant workers who cannot afford the upfront cost of electric equipment and should not be punished for complying with local air-quality rules. Air district representatives and other opponents said the bill could be too prescriptive, could divert limited air district resources, and could create administrative and language-assistance burdens; one air district moved to neutral after amendments. Committee members discussed the health benefits of electric equipment and the need to avoid placing penalties on workers. The bill was held pending a quorum. The committee also heard AB 1732, which would extend CEQA streamlining to public university and community college housing projects. The author, UC student representatives, and the University of California said the bill would help address student housing insecurity and speed construction on already planned campus sites. There was no opposition. The committee then took up AB 1744, the Clear Labels, Clear Seas Act, which would prohibit sunscreen products marketed as reef safe or reef friendly from containing certain chemicals that harm marine ecosystems. The author said the bill is a transparency measure, not a ban, and the committee expressed support; no opposition appeared. Additional bills discussed included AB 2152, which would streamline CEQA review for fire station projects and was supported by firefighters and local governments but opposed by contractors over a project labor agreement requirement; AB 2231, which would streamline two hospital projects in Santa Clara and Emeryville and drew broad support with no opposition; AB 2410, which would create temporary CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions for wildfire fuel-reduction projects and drew support from counties, cities, utilities, and fire officials but opposition from Sierra Club California over the breadth of the exemptions; and AB 2234, which would update geothermal exploratory project rules to reflect newer technologies, supported by clean power advocates and opposed or opposed-unless-amended by utility groups concerned about impacts on existing geothermal operations. Several of these measures were discussed with amendments, but votes were deferred where a quorum was not yet present.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the most painful cuts, such as reductions to Medi-Cal and CalFresh, are delayed until after next
• Medicaid, agriculture, which includes SNAP, Inflation Reduction Act, repeals and rescissions, energy
• For the Inflation Reduction Act Repeals and Rescissions, it repeals the green house gas reduction fund
• So all of the programs under the Inflation Reduction Act that are being rescinded.
• We're also concerned that the reductions of staff and the elimination of the department the U.S.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid serves as New Mexico's largest healthcare payer, which means that reductions in Medicaid are
• We are also looking at some reductions in the SNAP program.
• We're also looking at some eligibility reductions.
• So reduction in that retroactive Medicaid period.
• Mexico or reduction in federal funding to New Mexico.

Transcript Highlights:

• We see immediate opportunity to drive significant emissions reductions, 10 to 15 million of industrial
• Carbon reductions only occur with appropriate use or permanent storage of the associated carbon.
• But a meaningful policy solution must ensure real greenhouse gas reductions occur.
• The credit was then raised in 2018, and then again in 2022 with the Inflation Reduction Act.
• It creates incentives for material reduction and recyclability.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If any population within the federally listed area experiences a population reduction of 25% or more
• It has been a major factor in the reduction of sockeye from roughly 500,000 returning adults over time
• It has been a major factor in the reduction of sockeye from roughly 500,000 returning adults over time
• We are seeing a reduction in size of smallmouth bass. That’s important.
• We’re not seeing a reduction in the population. We’re seeing a reduction in size.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5838, which would add a federally recognized tribal representative to the State Board of Natural Resources. The Department of Natural Resources commissioner and tribal leaders said the change would bring Indigenous knowledge and a voting voice to decisions on trust lands, while preserving existing tribal consultation. Some county and economic interests said they were not opposed to tribal participation but stressed the board’s fiduciary duty to trust beneficiaries and asked for more review of the board’s purpose; one witness questioned whether the beneficiaries had been consulted. The prime sponsor, Senator Claudia Kaufman, said the bill is about inclusion and equity and indicated openness to an amendment adding both eastside and westside tribal representation. The hearing closed with 142 written comments reported: 33 pro, 107 con, and 2 other. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5960, which would require Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and take predator mitigation actions when populations fall below specified benchmarks. Senator Shelley Short said the bill responds to declining deer and elk numbers and a lack of management, especially in northeast Washington. Supporters argued the bill would codify existing agency plans and restore balance in wildlife management, while opponents—including conservation groups, the Sierra Club, and several scientists and advocates—said the state’s predator-prey study found wolves were not the main driver of ungulate declines, pointing instead to habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions. Ranching and farm groups supported the overall goal but objected to the bill’s in-state wolf translocation provisions. The Department of Fish and Wildlife said it recognized the bill’s intent but opposed it because some directives were impractical, costly, or would require legislative approval. The hearing closed with 1,197 written comments reported: 843 pro, 352 con, and 2 other. The committee then held a work session on Lake Washington salmon predation. Larry Phillips and Muckleshoot Fisheries Director Jason Schaffler described a coalition effort to reduce predation on juvenile salmon in the Lake Washington system, saying invasive and predatory fish such as walleye, rock bass, American shad, northern pike, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass are harming sockeye and Chinook recovery. They said sockeye returns have fallen from hundreds of thousands to about 18,000 in recent years, ending tribal and sport fisheries, and argued that targeted predator removal, supported by prior state and county funding, could help restore runs. Senators asked about the methods and funding, and the presenters said fishing and netting are being used to suppress larger predatory fish and that more sustained investment is needed. Finally, the committee began public hearing on Senate Bill 1697, which would make federally recognized tribes eligible recipients for county conservation futures funds. Testifiers from the Washington Farmland Trust and the Tulalip Tribe said the bill would expand voluntary conservation partnerships, help tribes steward farmland and habitat, and make it easier to leverage county funds with other grants. They described past projects where tribal participation improved conservation outcomes but said tribes could not directly access conservation futures dollars under current law.

Transcript Highlights:

• The reduction, particularly since 2017 and 2018, has been sharper than the reduction that's occurred
• This is a hopefully positive trend that will result in continued reduction in caseloads in Washington
• We believe that the reduction, the reduction, it's a question for all of you.
• And the reduction, particularly since 2017, 2018, has been sharper than the reduction that's occurred
• reduction reduction reduction is like a big warning light.

Summary: The committee heard a lengthy update on Washington child welfare from Casey Family Programs and DCYF. Dr. David Sanders said Washington has sharply reduced out-of-home care and increased kinship placements, but he flagged concerns about low screening-in rates, long stays in foster care for many children, and a recent rise in repeat maltreatment and child fatalities, especially among infants. He urged more focus on infants and young children, better coordination among child protection, health care, and law enforcement, and more proactive review and investigation practices. Members asked for disaggregated data on children lingering in care, fatalities, and causes such as fentanyl exposure. DCYF said it has increased relative placements and guardianships, but also reported a concerning rise in 2025 critical incidents, mostly near-fatalities involving children age three and under, many opioid-related. The department described responses including safe child consults for opioid cases, more training, hotspot analysis, and proposed investments in peer support, public health nurses, community referrals, and an updated safety framework. Members also discussed whether a broader commission on child abuse prevention would be useful, and DCYF said it was open to that idea. The committee then received a DSHS reorganization update from Secretary Angela Ramirez, who described the “Reimagined” plan to consolidate four administrations into three new ones, with the stated goals of reducing silos, improving customer experience, and making transitions between services smoother. She said the agency is seeking statutory changes and CMS approval to align the new structure, and members asked about preparing for federal HR1 impacts, especially SNAP. Ramirez said DSHS is monitoring those impacts closely and emphasized the need for accurate data and cross-agency coordination. Finally, DSHS’s Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration updated the committee on residential habilitation centers and implementation of Substitute Senate Bill 5393, which phases out Rainier School by June 30, 2027 and limits new admissions. Officials reported current census and staffing levels at the state’s RHCs, said Rainier has had some residents transition to supported living or adult family homes, and explained that emergency and permanent rulemaking was needed to implement the law. They also said Rainier was recently cited by federal surveyors for not meeting the active treatment requirement for two residents, and that the facility has 90 days to return to compliance before possible payment penalties or further remedies. Members pressed for details on the citation, the meaning of active treatment, the assessment process for admissions, and whether Rainier could be repurposed for other services; DSHS said it is working on corrective action and will follow up in writing.

Transcript Highlights:

• On line 195, there is a $450,000 reduction each fiscal year for Second Harvest Heartland, and that reduction
• It's a $250,000 reduction each fiscal year, and that also occurs in the tails.
• The base for this appropriation is $150,000, so this reduction of $150,000 each year also eliminates
• </c> farmer office it's a $250,000 reduction farmer office it's a $250,000 reduction each<00:10:39.360
• </c><00:14:15.240><c> and</c> takes into account reductions and takes into account reductions and spending

Bills: HF1704

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• The preferences met the target reduction for nitrogen dioxide, but not the other three pollutants.
• Here is an example for the target reduction for carbon dioxide, where the target reduction was 300 million
• together with vehicles, they reach 45% of the target reduction.
• B&O tax rate reduction of 82%.
• This is a 33% reduction from 2020.

Bills: SB5754

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> presumptive eligibility, a reduction, presumptive eligibility, a reduction, not<02:16:20.800><c
• . reductions. reductions. there's<02:42:44.560><c> going</c><02:42:44.720><c> to</c><02:42:44.960><c>
• The bill also includes a reduction of $18.6 million in total funds, including a reduction of $9.5 million
• </c><04:13:02.159><c> in</c> Um and we have a onetime reduction in Um and we have a onetime reduction
• disparity grant reduction.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, funding, making eligibility when someone is at the risk of reduction of services.
• This is at risk of a reduction; you don't even have to be having a reduction, just there's some hypothetical
• I'm curious what that means to you, risk of reduction, and what provision or what rules are in place,
• You had mentioned that the reduction In...
• Chair, Senator Brandt, I'm typically talking about the hospital payment reductions that will go down

Transcript Highlights:

• It relates to a reduction of the previous appropriation in FY 25 for the green fertilizer.
• This is an identical $3 million reduction that was carried by the governor's bill.
• Then on line 148 is a reduction to the Dairy With an Eye program that was in the previous agriculture
• It's a reduction of $500,000 per year, but it's still available for $500,000.
• to the Dairy With an Eye program, as well as the reduction to the green fertilizer program.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a reduction of $1.3 billion from the current year. billion from the current year.
• . dollar reduction, a 1.3% Medicaid managed care efficiency resulting in a $206.3 million reduction for
• Total reductions include $10.7 million in recurring funds and a reduction of 88 vacant positions.
• It looks like I'm seeing a significant reduction there.
• Vacant public defender positions and a reduction of 1.1 million dollars in task force tasks.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that should be another $60 million reduction in other funds that we don't need.
• I think this reduction would...
• So we will reduce that $18,963,729 down to $14,222,797, a reduction of $4,749,032.”
• “A reduction of $4,749,032.
• There's significant reductions in the use of tobacco.

Bills: SB2015

Keywords: corrections, rehabilitation, prison budget, department of corrections, adult services, youth services, correctional facilities, Heart River correctional center, Missouri River correctional center, James River correctional center, minimum security facility, county jails, regional jails, deferred maintenance, capital construction, strategic investment and improvements fund, Bank of North Dakota, line of credit, tasers, body cameras

Summary: The committee met to review revised long sheets and section-by-section language for a human services/health budget bill, with much of the discussion focused on how to present block grant funding and full-time equivalent (FTE) positions for behavioral health clinics and CCBHCs. Members debated whether to keep FTE counts in the budget at all, ultimately leaning toward removing or zeroing out the FTE references while keeping the dollar authority, and reducing the salaries-and-wages block grant by about $4.75 million. They also discussed public health federal authority, agreeing to remove about $60 million in unused federal spending authority tied to COVID-era funds, and clarified that if federal money later becomes available it could be requested through the Emergency Commission. A major topic was the provider inflation increase. The House version had 2% and 2%, while members debated alternatives and appeared to settle, at least for further work, on 2% in the first year and 1.5% in the second year, with staff asked to recalculate the fiscal impact. The committee also reviewed FMAP changes, noting a revised 2027 FMAP estimate and its effect on general fund and other funds, and discussed whether to adjust public health and other line items accordingly. Several members emphasized that many of these numbers are still tentative and will be refined before final action. The committee also touched on several policy items and capital-related provisions, including behavioral health services, Medicaid expansion, the moratorium on new ICF beds, and a proposed amendment for a medical homes/fourplex-related item that would show a $400,000 legislative investment with repayment from a developer. There was extended discussion of the All True hospital/facility proposal, with some members favoring leaving it in with a smaller initial commitment and others preferring to remove it and revisit later in conference committee. The meeting ended with staff asked to continue updating the bill language and members instructed to review remaining sections before the next meeting; no final votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reduction in expenditures that coincides with the end of CAS funding, the federal pandemic funding at
• Tell me Kind of what you're referring to earlier in the presentation is the 13% reduction in the $12
• The majority of the savings does come from a labor reduction.
• But, what I heard, I think, is roughly $18 million of the $20 million will be a reduction in force.
• And I would like to qualify it's not necessarily a reduction of leaving the state.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the state also can't reduce spending to that lower level because of a law that prohibits reductions
• Those were spending reductions, but they didn't require districts to return any payments the state had
• That is going to mean spending reductions.
• you could explore would be to amend the law so it continues to prohibit any kind of prior-year reductions
• Would be to amend the law so it continues to prohibit any kind of prior-year reductions that require

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The department, since these are a reduction in supplemental payments, is required to do a rate reduction
• But do you think they can function with the reduction?
• That's really what's driving the reduction.
• I don't need to explain to you guys: reductions in hours, staff reductions, potential closures will ensue
• I don't need to explain to you guys reduction in hours, staff reductions, potential closures will ensue

Summary: The subcommittee heard a lengthy Department of Health Care Services presentation on the governor’s Medi-Cal budget, including a $229.1 billion total-funds proposal, projected Medi-Cal enrollment declines as redeterminations continue, and several major cost drivers such as managed care growth, Medicare-related costs, pharmacy spending, and changes tied to federal policy. Members focused heavily on the elimination of Prop. 56 dental supplemental payments beginning July 1, 2026, questioning the likely impact on provider participation and utilization. DHCS said it is completing the required rate reduction/access analysis for CMS, has been holding stakeholder meetings and issuing provider bulletins, but could not yet quantify the real-world effect. The committee also discussed a $50 million savings proposal tied to new hospice utilization management authority and asked about possible effects on emergency dental care and provider participation. The hearing then moved through the November 2025 family health estimate and several county and program administration issues, including CCS, GHPP, and Every Woman Counts. DHCS said family health costs are rising despite slight caseload declines because of higher utilization and medical costs, and members raised concerns about CCS website accessibility, county administrative funding, and the transition of youth aging out of CCS. The department said most CCS beneficiaries are also on Medi-Cal, that counties have long raised funding concerns, and that it had clarified use of maintenance-and-operations dollars to address some county workload issues. Members also asked about Every Woman Counts potentially seeing higher demand as Medi-Cal changes take effect; DHCS said that is possible and that the program has multiple funding sources including General Fund. A major portion of the hearing focused on provider taxes and federal changes under H.R. 1, especially the Medi-Cal managed care organization tax and the hospital quality assurance fee. DHCS explained that H.R. 1 restricts new or increased health care-related taxes, phases down allowable tax levels over time, and tightens “generally redistributive” rules, which could sharply reduce the state’s ability to use the MCO tax for Medi-Cal financing. Members asked whether the Legislature could amend Prop. 35 or whether voters would need to act; DHCS said a three-fourths legislative amendment may be possible if it aligns with the measure’s purpose, but the department is still evaluating options. The committee also discussed hospital financing, with DHCS describing recent increases in state-directed payments and the effect of H.R. 1 in capping those payments at Medicare levels, and the LAO noting the tradeoff between preserving provider taxes and maintaining Medi-Cal funding. The subcommittee also reviewed a series of DHCS budget change proposals and trailer bill items, including managed care final-rule implementation, managed care operations, a hospital value strategy, a one-year extension of skilled nursing facility financing, long-term care payment transparency, and interoperability/prior authorization requirements. Members repeatedly questioned the use of limited-term versus permanent positions, the overlap among proposals, and the timing of new financing reforms. DHCS said the SNF extension would preserve current workforce standards, sanctions, growth limits, and the SNF quality assurance fee while the department develops a broader 2027-28 redesign. No votes were taken; items were repeatedly held open for later action. Covered California then presented on the expiration of the federal enhanced premium tax credit and the resulting affordability crisis. The agency said Californians will lose about $2.5 billion in premium assistance for 2026, average premiums could nearly double for many enrollees, and as many as 400,000 people could eventually leave marketplace coverage. Open enrollment ended with 1.9 million sign-ups, down 3% from the prior year, with especially steep declines among middle-income consumers and increased movement into bronze plans. Covered California said the state’s $190 million affordability subsidy is helping lower-income enrollees retain coverage, but cannot fully replace the lost federal assistance. Members also asked about the Health Care Affordability Reserve Fund, repayment of loans from that fund, the status of federal review of California’s essential health benefits benchmark, and implementation of the new gender-affirming care benefit under AB 144.

Transcript Highlights:

• reduction reduction if<00:03:59.040><c> the</c><00:03:59.280><c> seven</c><00:03:59.599><c> states</
• </c> water use reductions. water use reductions.
• The mandatory reductions are required.
• So it's either involuntary reductions.
• And that involuntary type of reduction.

Bills: SF0050, SF0084, HB0133, HB0116, HB0011, HB0044

Keywords: groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls, monitoring wells, public reporting, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, irrigation, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, conservation districts, supervisors, elections, agriculture, local governance, beneficial use