Transcript Highlights:

• therefor, to take effect immediately: budget bill.
• Colleagues, today we are not simply voting on a budget.
• therefor, to take effect immediately: budget-related.
• We have a $20 billion structural budget deficit.
• Item 125, SB 104, Wiener, and item 126, SB 138, Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, to the Budget

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved procedural motions including suspension of rules for same-day action on certain bills and removal of several measures from the consent calendar. Members also introduced guests and interns from their districts and offices. The chamber then moved through a large number of second- and third-reading items, with many bills deemed read and amendments deemed adopted, and several items passed or retained on file without debate. On the floor, the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments to AB 104, a budget measure making technical and conforming changes to the 2025 Budget Act and extending loan repayment terms for two Imperial County hospitals, and to AB 138, which ratified additional collective bargaining agreements and related addenda. Members also concurred in Senate amendments to AB 1114 on private ambulance toll fee waivers, AB 642 on emergencies, AB 1051 on state highways, AB 1533 appropriating funds for state claims, SB 611 on housing and land-use litigation delays, SB 251 appropriating funds to pay claims against the state, and AB 1459 on hazardous materials regulatory programs. Most of these measures passed with little or no opposition; SB 611 and the claims bills were presented as urgency measures and passed unanimously or near-unanimously. The consent calendar was adopted after ABs and SBs on the remaining list were approved, and the Assembly also re-referred SB 104 and SB 138 to the Budget Committee and moved SB 773 to the inactive file. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for James Raymond Bell, a juvenile justice reform advocate, and Gail Yolanda McGowan, followed by notice of committee meetings and an announcement that the House would stand in summer recess and reconvene on August 18, 2025, at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if not, what reforms would you support?
• </c> reforms would you support? reforms would you support?
• I should have reformed?
• </c><00:54:20.000><c> is</c><00:54:20.240><c> 1.79</c> that budget is 1.79 that budget is 1.79 billion
• And so we shouldn't be surprised that the Southwest line is over budget.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Minnesotans today deserve to be able to have real solutions to the budget challenges that they're
• That is why my colleagues and I are working on bills to reform our health care system.
• on bills to reform our health care<00:02:32.000><c> system.
• And that was visibly displayed in the budget forecast last week.
• </c><00:14:02.400><c> and</c> comprehensive look at the budget and comprehensive look at the budget and

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press event outlining an affordability agenda focused on housing, child care, health care, groceries, energy, and taxes. Speakers argued that Minnesota families are being squeezed by rising costs and income inequality, and said the caucus would pursue policies aimed at lowering everyday expenses and shifting more costs onto corporations and wealthy residents. Representative Bierman said health care costs are pushing people to skip care and called for system reforms, including moving toward a more universal model and reducing the role of insurers and pharmacy benefit managers. Representative Kotiza-Wazhushk said the caucus is pushing for universal or low-cost child care, expanded pre-K and community-based care, and a bill to stop grocery surveillance price gouging. Representative Acomb and other energy leaders said the House DFL wants to lower utility bills through more energy assistance, weatherization, renewable energy support, limits on utility cost recovery for lobbying and executive pay, and stronger PUC authority to prevent shutoffs and limit rate increases. Representative Agbaje described housing as unaffordable for many renters and homeowners, cited a shortage of housing units, and said the caucus supports restricting private equity and corporate purchases of single-family homes. Leader Stevenson framed the agenda as a response to a budget picture that he said reflects gains for corporations and wealthy Minnesotans, and he criticized federal tax policy and Medicaid cuts. In response to questions about cost, he said several proposals would not require state spending, while others could be funded by looking at new revenue and at those who benefited most from recent tax changes. The event also included a detailed explanation of the grocery surveillance pricing proposal, which would restrict the use of personal data and AI to set individualized prices and limit rapid electronic shelf price changes. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also proposing basic service reforms.
• This budget is massive.
• And when we had the opportunity to take up reform in November, we did not.
• Budget billing estimates the total of 12 consecutive months.
• Budget billing estimates the total of 12 consecutive months Budget billing estimates the total of 12

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite prior reforms, permitting delays remain a major driver of California's housing crisis.
• The need for these reforms is clearly documented. Extensions of the shot clock.
• The need for these reforms is clearly documented.
• As highlighted in the final report from the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform last year,
• This builds on prior reforms and would create predictability and accountability.

Committee: House Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, a major comprehensive literacy reform effort that is statewide doesn't go without concerns or a
• 48:20.240><c> most</c> Comprehensive literacy reforms are most Comprehensive literacy reforms are most
• Uh, yeah, yeah, yeah, put additional pressures on our budget.
• </c> put additional pressures on our budget. put additional pressures on our budget.
• </c> They're struggling uh with their budgets They're struggling uh with their budgets and<01:08:50.720

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• This balanced budget proves that we can meet the moment, investing boldly in our people, our economy,
• Chair, this budget is huge. I believe it's what, a 3% increase?
• We try to reserve places in the budget, but a bill still has to pass.
• We try to reserve places in the budget, but a bill still has to pass.
• I do think the budget was smoother this year than it's been in the past.

Bills: HB97 , HB280 , HB183 , HB151 , HB202

Committee: Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 2, the General Appropriations Act, and reviewed the Senate Finance Committee substitute and amendments. Staff described the budget as balanced, with recurring growth of about 2.65% and reserves maintained at roughly 28% if the related disaster reform bill passes. Members discussed the bill’s major spending areas, including health care, child care, public safety, economic development, natural resources, and education, along with technical corrections, cleanup items, and where the public could find the revised bill online. There was also discussion of contingent appropriations that depend on other bills passing, and staff said a hot list of those items would be circulated. Several members asked about specific allocations, including university athletics and facilities funding for UNM and NMSU, tourism, the State Racing Commission, the Spaceport Authority, and school-related items. The committee also discussed reserve levels, oil and corporate income tax revenue assumptions, disaster and fire recovery funding, and concerns about fraud, waste, and abuse in emergency spending. Members raised questions about a Gallup DA funding issue, online school funding, and a personal care/health care item in the Health Care Authority budget. Staff clarified several line items and explained that some appropriations were tied to future legislation or temporary provisions. After debate, the committee adopted the Senate Finance Committee amendments and then voted on the committee report for House Bill 2. The motion to do pass House Bill 2 as amended passed 8-3. The chair noted that the committee would need to return later because of caucuses and the floor schedule, and staff thanked members for the process and preparation.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Housing Finance budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget.
• The Minnesota Housing Finance budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget.
• The Minnesota Housing Finance budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget.
• The Minnesota Housing Finance budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget.
• The Minnesota Housing Finance budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget.

Bills: HF3279 , HF1879 , HF1417 , HF2462

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The city's budget cycles.
• They would need to plan for this in the next budget cycle, so July 1 would give them that time to do
• to move on. terms of their sentence and demonstrated reformation to move on with their lives.
• We want to make sure that people are working towards reformation.
• We want to make sure that people are working towards reformation and becoming productive members of society

Bills: HB1455

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee first heard House Bill 1455, which would require the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission to review introduced legislation for tribal implications and conduct consultation with affected tribes. Rep. Collette Brown said the bill was intended to formalize and strengthen tribal consultation, and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe representative Ross Bell testified in support. Brad Hawk, executive director of the Indian Affairs Commission, testified neutrally, saying the office already does much of this work but that the bill would add structure; several senators raised concerns about duplication, possible future staffing costs, and whether the bill was necessary. The committee amended the bill to replace “each measure” with “all legislation,” then passed a do-not-pass recommendation on HB 1455 by recorded vote, with Sen. Luick designated as carrier. The committee then took up House Bill 1032, dealing with municipal courts, appeals, and judge qualifications. Legislative Council and court staff walked through proposed amendments, including making municipal courts courts of record on a delayed effective date, clarifying appeal procedures, and adding standards for municipal judges. Members discussed whether to use the term “ethical standards” or “judicial conduct”; after questions about definitions and enforcement, the committee settled on replacing the language with “judicial conduct” in the amended bill. The committee adopted the amendments and then passed HB 1032 as amended on a do-pass vote, with Sen. Cory to carry. Later, the committee heard House Bill 1263, which would make it easier for people with criminal records to seek sealing after a denial by allowing an appeal and reducing the waiting period for a new petition from three years to one year. Rep. Nels Christensen, Christopher Davis, Travis Fink, and Brad Peterson all supported the bill’s goal of giving people a better path to rehabilitation and employment. The main point of disagreement was whether to keep the statutory presumption that the benefit to the petitioner must outweigh the presumption of openness of criminal records; several witnesses urged removing that language, while others said it was part of the compromise that created the current law. The committee closed the hearing without taking final action and said it would review the House discussion before deciding later.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT THESIS HAS BEEN PROVEN BY THE WORK OF OUR BUDGET SUBCOMMITTEES.
• WE WILL EMBRACE ANY AND ALL IDEAS THAT CURB THE STATE BUDGET.
• WE HAVE OFFERED TO PASS A LEAN CRITICAL NEEDS BUDGET WITH MINIMAL SPENDING AND NO TAX CUTS.
• THIS BUDGET WOULD BANK ALL THE EXTRA MONEY INTO RESERVES.
• WHEN WE FINALLY PUT A BUDGET ON THE DESK FOR THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD, LET IT BE A BUDGET THAT WAS

Transcript Highlights:

• environment then we need to get more creative and more specific and budget environment, then we need
• “What’s happening in D.C. is there is a congressional working group on universal service reform.
• I worked in the state legislature myself, as a legislator who was on the Budget Committee.
• It was in last year's budget bill.
• Undergoing a process to reform the carry of losses or obligations.

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• It also has reforms to the call-before-you-dig process.
• I serve as Executive Director of TURN, the Utility Reform Network.
• We wish it had reforms of strict liability.
• We wish it had reforms of strict liability and inverse condemnation, as well as some reforms on contingency
• We also approve their budget. We also approve their budget. I guess we can love to do their budget.

Committee: House Utilities and Energy

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy first heard SB 254, a major utility affordability and wildfire-liability package authored by Senator Becker and coauthored by Assembly Member Petrie-Norris. The bill combines wildfire mitigation oversight, $6 billion in securitized financing for future fire-mitigation capital work, a public ownership/transmission accelerator program, tighter scrutiny of utility profits, clean energy permitting streamlining, and a successor wildfire fund to replace the current fund after the January Southern California fires. Supporters, including the Governor’s office, TURN, labor, clean energy groups, utilities, and fire victim advocates, said the measure would lower bills, stabilize utilities, protect victims, and speed grid upgrades. Opponents from large energy users and agricultural interests argued the bill did not go far enough on affordability and that the wildfire fund’s volumetric charge would disproportionately burden business customers; counties also raised local-control concerns about permitting provisions. Committee members focused heavily on the wildfire fund structure, the role of ratepayers versus shareholders, and whether the bill creates enough incentive for utilities to reduce future wildfire risk. Authors and supporters said California’s inverse condemnation framework leaves ratepayers exposed without a fund, that the new continuation account would be split roughly 50/50 between ratepayers and shareholders, and that the bill includes a report on long-term sustainability. Members also discussed the clean energy permitting provisions and local consultation, with authors emphasizing that local land-use review and consultation remain in place. The committee then voted 16-0 to pass SB 254 to the floor. The hearing then shifted to an informational hearing on AB 825, which would enable California to participate in a West-wide electricity market. The authors and supporters said the regional market could save ratepayers up to $1 billion annually, improve reliability by widening access to wind and solar across the West, reduce curtailment, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Support came from environmental groups, labor, utilities, community choice aggregators, large energy users, and business groups. TURN opposed the measure, warning that last-minute changes removed safeguards against California ratepayers subsidizing out-of-state coal plants and other costly fossil generation. Committee discussion on AB 825 centered on governance, exit rights, and legislative oversight. The authors described safeguards including market rules protecting California policies, consumer advocacy and market monitoring requirements, annual reporting to the Legislature, a delayed 2028 start date, and the ability for California or other members to exit without penalties. Members also raised concerns about the CPUC’s constitutional independence and local consultation, but the authors said the bill preserves local input and gives the Legislature ongoing oversight. No vote was taken because the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Streamlining procedure is another important area that is right for state reform.
• Streamlining procedure is another important area that is right for state reform.
• Streamlining procedure is another important area that is right for state reform.
• Streamlining procedure is another important area that is right for state reform.
• However, as you all know, we face a budget deficit in only a few years.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> when local citizens formed a budget when local citizens formed a budget brigade<00:21:27.120><c>
• </c> of the budget committee last week. of the budget committee last week.
• :19.119><c> to</c> budget reflects a commitment to budget reflects a commitment to responsible<00:40:
• </c> establishing the congressional budget establishing the congressional budget for<02:27:35.680><c>
• </c> establishing the congressional budget establishing the congressional budget for<04:10:08.640><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• High rents and mortgages continue to outpace inflation and stretch budgets too close to the breaking
• High rents and mortgages continue to outpace inflation and stretch budgets too close to the breaking
• For small rural counties with tight budgets, repaying even a fraction of that reimbursement they are
• This is a smart reform that reflects international and increasingly U.S. best practice.
• It's been adopted in a This is a smart reform that reflects international and increasingly U.S. best

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a full agenda of bills focused largely on housing, permitting reform, transportation governance, and local government finance. Early in the hearing, AB 24 by Assemblymember DeMaio proposed changing SANDAG board selection to give rural unincorporated areas a stronger voice; members raised concerns about the approach and local input, and the bill ultimately did not receive a second at the time it was heard. The chair later clarified that because no second was made, the bill was held rather than voted out, though the transcript also reflects confusion and later attempts to revisit the item. Several housing and permitting bills advanced with committee amendments and broad support. AB 671 by Assemblymember Wicks would streamline restaurant permitting through self-certification and faster plan review; AB 920 by Assemblymember Caloza would require a centralized online portal for housing permit tracking in larger jurisdictions; AB 1061 by Assemblymember Kirk Silva would allow SB 9 housing in historic districts with limits to protect historic character; AB 818 by Assemblymember Anamarie Farías would streamline temporary manufactured housing after disasters; AB 660 by Assemblymember Wilson would tighten timelines and remedies for post-entitlement housing permits; AB 1308 by Assemblymember Hoover would allow third-party inspections for small residential projects if local inspections are delayed; and AB 1445 by Assemblymember Haney would expand downtown revitalization financing tools for mixed-use housing. Each of these measures drew support from housing, business, and industry groups, with some local-government and special-district stakeholders seeking continued amendments on certain bills. The committee also approved AB 1156, which updates the solar use easement program to better accommodate renewable energy development on water-constrained agricultural lands, and AB 964, which would let local governments offset certain state mandate reimbursement debts against amounts the state owes them. AB 1223, by Assemblymember Wynn, would let Sacramento-area transportation authorities propose sales tax measures for portions of the county and keep revenues local; it advanced despite some transportation and taxpayer concerns. Consent items AB 36 and AB 1131 were also approved. Most bills were reported out on bipartisan votes, often with committee amendments and some members noting they would continue working on the measures in later committees.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the 2024 supplemental budget, additional ongoing funding for staffing In the 2024 supplemental budget
• The LRC is a civil justice reform group.
• The LRC is a civil justice reform group.
• future receivables for balancing its current budget.
• HB 1591 is a fiscally responsible reform.

Summary: The committee first heard Substitute House Bill 1128, which would create a Child Care Workforce Standards Board within the Department of Labor and Industries to study child care workforce conditions and make recommendations on employment standards. Staff explained that the proposed second substitute narrows the board’s role from setting enforceable standards to making recommendations, with estimated ongoing costs for L&I staffing and smaller costs for board member stipends and possible DCYF support. Supporters, including child care providers, SEIU 925, and labor representatives, said the bill would help address understaffing, low wages, and retention problems; opponents, including child care industry groups and private schools, argued it duplicates existing work, adds bureaucracy, and creates unfunded costs. No vote was taken in the hearing. The committee then heard Second Substitute House Bill 1634, which would direct OSPI and ESDs to develop a technical assistance and training framework to help schools coordinate student behavioral health supports. Staff said the bill aligns with the Washington Thriving Strategic Plan and could largely be implemented with existing work and limited additional costs, though DOH would need some support. Testifiers from behavioral health and school counseling fields described severe youth mental health needs and urged passage, and OSPI said the work is doable with current resources. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2636, which would create a public education review advisory council to recommend K-12 policies and funding provisions for JLARC review; staff described JLARC, OSPI, and State Board costs, and no public testimony was offered. The committee next heard House Bill 1316, which would expand the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness program so additional university campuses can access funding. The sponsor said the program has strong retention outcomes, and student advocates testified that campuses such as UW Bothell need access to already appropriated funds for emergency aid, food pantries, and case management. Staff then briefed Substitute House Bill 2474, which would allow the Student Achievement Council Tuition Recovery Trust Fund to be used for refunds tied to broader consumer protection violations, with no expected fiscal impact; there was no testimony. The committee also heard Substitute House Bill 2365 on digital equity, which would expand the Broadband Office’s role, revise the digital equity forum, and rename the grant program; supporters emphasized rural access, affordability, and the loss of federal digital equity funding, while staff estimated significant Commerce staffing costs and some additional agency impacts. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2401, creating a Washington State Boys and Men Commission contingent on non-state funding, with staff outlining OFM startup and fundraising costs and an estimated operating budget if fully funded. Supporters said boys and men face mental health, education, and mentorship gaps and that the commission would improve coordination; the bill drew testimony from rural school leaders, nonprofit advocates, and community members. The committee then heard Substitute House Bill 2475 on language access, which would require the Office of Equity to develop uniform language-access guidelines and a report on interpreter and translator shortages; staff said the office could absorb the work but other agency and local government impacts were uncertain. Substitute House Bill 2517, on permitting for high-capacity transit, would let regional transit authorities apply for permits earlier and streamline land-use processes; Sound Transit and the sponsor said it would speed delivery of major projects, while staff estimated Commerce technical-assistance costs and possible local government impacts. The last bill heard was Substitute House Bill 2145 on the 340B drug pricing program, which would bar manufacturers from restricting contract-pharmacy access and require reporting to DOH; supporters said it protects safety-net providers and patient services, while opponents warned of higher costs for employers, state health plans, and litigation burdens. No final committee action or votes were recorded in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Work that we did in our budget two years ago related to child care.
• We have a budget for that agency that is something like $2.2 billion.
• , about the need for Structural health care reform.
• In 2024-2025, that budget is $670 million.
• So I guess my open question for us is: we're trying to establish the state budget. the state budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> The house budget goes up. The house budget goes up.
• The CIP budget makes strong budget.
• ><c> following</c> Senate budget funds the following Senate budget funds the following priorities:<00
• And you know, working with budget.
• Um, I just don't understand why would we consider having a bail reform that's not really a reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• President, binding powers to approve, modify, or reject the statewide decarbonization plan, its budgets
• The information the board reports will guide future oversight or structural reform and governance of
• The information the board reports will guide future oversight or structural reform and governance of
• for them, all we are doing today is continuing to provide unaffordable services under the guise of reform
• Every budget that we have taken up has also been a housing budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• It puts in statute... ...be on property tax reform. It does two things.
• A significant amount of our taxing entities' budgets go toward paying people.
• I know at least in school districts, it's like 80% of the budget.
• And gas prices really affect our school's transportation budgets. Sure.
• And gas prices really affect our school's transportation budgets. Sure.

Summary: The House met after a quorum was established and began with several introductions of special guests, including job shadows, 4-H participants, and interns. The chamber then moved to House Bills for Perfection, taking up HB 1707, which would stop sales tax from being imposed on credit card processing fees charged to vendors. Members asked for clarification about the bill’s scope and the title amendment, and the bill sponsor explained that the measure simply prevents tax from being charged on those fees. HB 1707 was then ordered perfected and printed. The House next considered HB 2819, a bill responding to the end of penny minting by authorizing rounding of cash sales to the nearest five cents. Supporters said the bill would give businesses a clear legal framework and reduce compliance risk. The chamber adopted the committee substitute and ordered the bill perfected and printed. Members then took up HB 2103, a property-fraud and notary-fraud bill aimed at strengthening penalties, requiring warning signs in recorder of deeds offices, and speeding court review for alleged victims. Supporters said it was needed to deter fraudulent deed filings and protect homeowners, while opponents argued it focused too much on notaries and recorders rather than the people committing the fraud. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill was ordered perfected and printed. The House also debated HB 1800, which would lower the inflationary cap on certain property-tax revenue growth from 5% to 3%. The discussion centered on whether the change would protect taxpayers or reduce funding for schools, fire districts, libraries, and other local services. An amendment was adopted that broadened the title and added property-assessment language, and the bill was then ordered perfected and printed. Finally, the House considered HB 2600, dealing with ambulance district consolidation and governance. The bill was described as a response to struggling rural EMS systems, with provisions for consolidation plans, public hearings, and voter involvement. An amendment modified the process for subdistricts, at-large districts, timing, and merger procedures, and the committee substitute as amended was adopted and ordered perfected and printed. The House then moved to announcements and adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.