Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1177's general appropriation bill has moved due pass, and I'll yield for questions.
• So, it is going to be distributed to teachers and it's gonna be an additional $26. There's no...
• It talks about the General Revenue Fund from the General Revenue Fund and it just basically says as may
• Necessary to perform the duties imposed upon the office of the Attorney General by law.
• Because we send a lot of things over to the Attorney General, so how was that calculated?

Bills: SB1177

Keywords: education funding, mental health services, public safety, housing, state budget, 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> in general. >> in general.
• So generation perspective generation.
• general um generation and development in general um generation and transmission<01:01:51.040> development
• re-referred to the general register. re-referred to the general register.
• by our 26 distribution cooperatives. by our 26 distribution cooperatives.

Bills: HF3296, HF3802

Keywords: energy conservation, data centers, electric sales, energy optimization, utility regulations, energy regulation, certificate of need, renewable energy, power production, energy efficiency, Minnesota statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And basically that's an AI-generated transcript with a few spelling corrections.
• And basically that's an AI-generated transcript with a few spelling corrections.
• them to go and to efficiently distribute them to go and to efficiently distribute payments<00:36
• really credit extension um generally really credit extension um generally speaking<00:43:42.800>
• The source of that yield generate yield.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission met to review stable tokens, real-world asset tokenization, and blockchain-based trust, approved the agenda and December 12 minutes, and heard a presentation from Anchorage Digital after postponing a planned Bitco presentation because of its IPO quiet period. Anchorage’s Melinda Delos, Joe Mioli, and Kevin Wasaki introduced the firm, describing it as a global digital assets platform and the first crypto-native institution in the U.S. to receive a federal banking charter. They said their approach emphasizes security, regulated custody and trading services, and responsible innovation for institutional clients, banks, states, and sovereigns. The presentation focused on post-Genius Act momentum in the stablecoin market. Anchorage said the law provided regulatory clarity and helped spur activity with major clients, including Athena, Tether, and Western Union. The speakers highlighted Western Union’s planned stablecoin as especially significant because it reflects adoption by a long-established traditional payments company, and they said the project illustrates how stablecoins can support programmable, real-time, interoperable payments. They also noted that Anchorage is providing issuance infrastructure for the Western Union project. The commission and presenters also discussed government uses of tokenized assets, including reserve legislation, digital assets for tax collection and fees, and a Marshall Islands initiative to use a tokenized sovereign bond for direct citizen payments. In response to a question, Anchorage said it would follow up on which states are using digital assets for revenue collection, mentioning Louisiana and Pennsylvania as examples. The banking discussion centered on remittances, instant payments, and interbank settlement, with Anchorage arguing that stablecoins can reduce settlement time, fees, and foreign exchange risk while improving traceability and auditability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of that, $1.7 billion was from the general fund.
• Up to AOC that could then be distributed to courts statewide.
• There's also some items for the Attorney General.
• The General Services Department has issued a rate sheet.
• Chair, Representative, the general fund. General fund into that fund. Yes.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Every zoning district. of promoting health, safety and general of promoting health, safety and general
• <02:21:53.040> energy added a reference to distributed energy added a reference to distributed
• <02:26:05.120> line that said that any distribution line that said that any distribution line
• <02:33:46.800> utilities, distribution utilities, distribution utilities, Eversource,<02:33:49.200
• excess fund put in the general fund. excess fund put in the general fund.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would be under the purview of a judiciary committee, which is generally handling civil and criminal
• Just in general? Like, yeah. So I also...
• So think about 50 to 60 systems that generally do the same things.
• I guess I had a general comment just for the committee, right? I know that. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• I guess I had a general comment just for the committee, right?

Keywords: 907, all

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most manufacturers do not have control of their own distribution.
• The consistency is very important for both the manufacturer, the distribution, and the resale of goods
• to over 1,200 convenience stores, and we buy these products from manufacturers and distribute them to
• to over 1,200 convenience stores and we buy these products for manufacturers and distributed to our
• I mean, if you've spoken to me for about eight seconds, you know exactly where I lie generally on this

Summary: The Committee on Agriculture met with a quorum present and took up four bills. First, CS/SB 150, “Trooper’s Law,” by Senator Gates, would make it a third-degree felony to abandon or restrain an animal during a declared weather emergency, such as a hurricane or tornado. The bill was presented as a response to a widely publicized case of a dog tied to a fence during Hurricane Milton. Several speakers supported the measure, and the committee voted unanimously to report it favorably. Next, SB 374 by Senator Trunow would refine the definition of “farm product” to include plant and plant products and bar local governments from restricting the collection, storage, and processing of farm products on bona fide agricultural land. An amendment related to food waste was withdrawn for further discussion, and public testimony came from composting, recycling, and poultry interests in support. The bill was then reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 560 by Senator Martin on chemical additives in food products, which would restrict a list of 10 chemicals in food. The sponsor argued the bill was aimed at serious health concerns and noted some chemicals had already been banned federally; industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill as creating a patchwork of state rules and potential market disruptions, while some senators supported the health goal but raised concerns about consistency. The committee voted to report SB 560 favorably, with one recorded no vote. Finally, SB 572, the Pam Rock Act by Senator Collins, would create a statewide dangerous dog registry and impose additional criminal penalties, permitting requirements, microchipping, sterilization, and insurance requirements for dangerous dogs. The sponsor and family members of attack victims described severe injuries and deaths to support the need for public notice and accountability. Some members questioned the usefulness of a registry and the burden of the information requirements, but the sponsor said the bill was intended to prevent repeat attacks and help victims. The committee voted to report SB 572 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you like to move HF2027 before the committee to be placed on the general register?
• <00:01:00.559> Madam<00:01:00.960> Chair, on the general register?
• Madam Chair, on the general register?
• So it's and distribution of alcohol.
• as amended be placed on the general as amended be placed on the general registry.<00:48:41.599><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing that my amendment proposes is that you do have some general fund transfers built into
• the bill that we talked about, and it eliminates those so that we don't have any general fund impact
• fund impact so that is have any general fund impact so that is my<00:06:52.160> amendment<00:
• <00:13:57.800> funding highway user tax distribution funding highway user tax distribution
• support of the bill and the the general support of the bill and the the general Concept<00:15:38.560

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it takes about four of us to generally it takes about four of us to help<00:04:27.440> her<00
• And I just want to understand why you're doing the point distribution here.
• <00:18:48.280> here 10531 for the point distribution here 10531 for the point distribution
• When it comes to harm reduction, we think about naloxone funding and distribution.
• analysis of the Noone distribution analysis of the Noone distribution system<00:45:49.119> here

Bills: HF696, HF1429, HF1379

Keywords: HF696, rural EMS, ambulance, emergency medical services, uncompensated care, payment pool, rural health, Office of Emergency Medical Services, public safety answering point, PSAP, nontransport, unpaid ambulance calls, EMS reimbursement, rural ambulance provider, general fund appropriation, Minnesota health finance, specialized life support, metropolitan counties, emergency response funding, HF1429

Transcript Highlights:

• It is estimated that $1.918 million will cancel, so that is a savings to the general fund.
• Then, those are the total general fund changes. Changes.
• We give everything we have to support Minnesota's next generation.
• via a district distribution plan.
• We have about 10 minutes if members would like to have some general comments.

Bills: HF1388

Keywords: BARR Center, Building Assets, Reducing Risks, education finance, school funding, grant appropriation, evidence-based program, student achievement, social and emotional learning, school climate, teacher effectiveness, high school graduation, students in poverty, students of color, BIPOC, equity in education, Minnesota Department of Education, urban schools, suburban schools, rural schools, school coaching

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaking of equalization, many of the school finance formulas in general education and outside of general
• general fund revenues District combined general fund revenues expressed<00:23:55.520> as<00:23
• Another kind of thing to take note of is this is only general school district general fund revenues,
• amount so as we think about general amount so as we think about general education<00:29:11.159><
• c> to<00:30:28.799> uh<00:30:28.960> 7 general general education some to uh 7 general

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first budget bill is the General Appropriation Act.
• fund for distribution to Globe, Miami, and Gila County for flood relief, and $10 million from the general
• fund for distribution to Globe, Miami, and Hila County for flood relief, and $10 million from the general
• They generate more income as a result of having education.
• It's pretty general.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• General Sales Tax was up by 6.1 and Investment Income was up by 10.4. Mr.
• On slide 43, our general fund revenue trend, Mr.
• Investments are adding about $250 million more to the general fund each year.
• So, what does this mean for the state's general fund?
• The income taxes went negative, and general fund revenue went negative to 13 4.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General Counsel: Mizell here. Mizell: Here. General Counsel: Urban. Urban: Here.
• General Counsel: Gorman. Gorman: Here. General Counsel: Morrison. Morrison: Here.
• General Counsel: Stroma. Stroma: Here. General Counsel: We have a quorum.
• General Counsel: Mizell. Mizell: Here. General Counsel: Urban. Urban: Here.
• General Counsel: Stroma. Stroma: Here. General Counsel: You have a quorum.

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission convened at 9:03 a.m. and held an executive session, reconvening at 10:18 a.m. During the meeting, the Commission approved a settlement agreement with Michael Quinn Sullivan, ending ongoing litigation. The agreement involved Sullivan dropping his legal challenges regarding a civil penalty previously imposed by the Commission. The Commission also announced personnel changes, including the departure of the director of enforcement, Marie Prim, and the appointment of Jordan Hun as interim director. The Commission discussed outside counsel contracts, approving the addition of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta LLP to their pool of qualified vendors. They scheduled their next meeting for September 23rd and approved minutes from previous meetings. The agenda included several rulemaking items, with three rules adopted and five proposed for publication in the Texas Register. Notably, amendments to Chapter 20 regarding reporting contributions and expenditures were approved, as well as changes to lobbyist registration thresholds in Chapter 34, which were proposed for publication. The Commission also addressed advisory opinions, adopting several, including one regarding political advertising by charter schools and another concerning the revolving door prohibition for former state employees. Appeals for administrative waivers and reductions of fines were considered, with several fines waived or reduced based on individual circumstances. Lastly, the Commission discussed policies related to alternative dispute resolution and clarified responsibilities between the Commission and staff, concluding the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, as Representative Lundstrom was talking about, preceptors generally, one, I know this is not
• In general, public health offices offer family planning services, immunizations, harm reduction, and
• However, those that don't generally try to refer MAT patients to a therapist in the community.
• The 2024 General Appropriation Act (GAA) appropriated 15 million dollars to the health care authority
• Through a distribution to other agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• > an This resource would generate an This resource would generate an estimated<00:02:49.880>
• <00:03:20.800> fund budget is 0.3% of our state general fund budget is 0.3% of our state general
• Because misclassification and general Because misclassification and general contractor<00:41:29.080><
• That could mean more generational...
• That could mean more generational homes.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House File 3279, the “Our Future Starts at Home” constitutional amendment, which would ask voters to approve a 3/8 of 1% statewide sales tax increase to create a dedicated housing revenue stream. Chair Howard said the proposal is intended to address Minnesota’s housing shortage through predictable, long-term funding, estimated at about $400 million annually for 25 years, and would be administered through a council that would fund housing vouchers, rental and supportive housing, and affordable homeownership. Supportive testimony came from coalition and nonprofit advocates, including Nelima Sitati Munene, Ben Helvick Anderson, Dakota Morgan, and Chris Berggren. They argued that Minnesota’s housing crisis requires permanent, sustained investment rather than one-time grants, and said the amendment could produce thousands of vouchers, supportive housing units, rental units, and starter homes over time. Testifiers also emphasized the need for community voice and lived-experience representation in how funds are distributed, and described the bill as a way to prevent homelessness and stabilize families statewide. Several members raised concerns that the proposal would add another regressive tax burden on residents already struggling with affordability. Representatives Johnson, Nash, Dotseth, and Myers argued that sales taxes hit lower-income Minnesotans hardest and said the state should focus more on zoning, regulatory reform, and other cost reductions instead of new taxes. Chair Howard responded that housing costs themselves are already highly regressive and that both policy reform and public investment are needed. The bill was laid over and no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• , six generations.
• If you will bear with me, I'll try and keep it real general and simple, and if you want to go deeper,
• Just generally, from our perspective at the Office of the State Auditor, $20,000 a year wasn't enough
• What we have is some generational issues happening where most of the CPAs in the country are retiring
• MNERD has pools of money that they also distribute.

Transcript Highlights:

• Supported primarily by revenues generated by the fair share surtax, the Senate’s fair share supplemental
• and bridges, which also includes $82.5 million to help support small and rural communities by distributing
• Student Opportunity Act, SOA it's sometimes referred to in the general laws. You'll see it.
• She had a soft smile, a generous heart, and quiet strength that left a lasting impression.
• Fray was generous with his time, wise with his advice, and sincere in his belief in Lawrence.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate took up Senate House No. 4010, a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill funded largely by surplus Fair Share revenues. The Ways and Means chair described the bill as a $1.28 billion package, with major investments in education and transportation, including special education circuit breaker aid, higher education deferred maintenance, career technical education capital grants, school construction relief, high-dosage tutoring, English language learning grants, MBTA reserve replenishment and safety training, commuter rail maintenance, Chapter 90 local road aid, regional transit authority support, ferry and micro-transit funding, and a small World Cup transportation appropriation. Members from both parties generally praised the bill’s one-time, regionally balanced approach while emphasizing fiscal discipline and the limited, surplus-based funding source. The minority leader and others questioned the fund balances and the use of the education and transportation innovation and capital fund, the Student Opportunity Act trust fund, and the transitional escrow account; the chair said the bill would zero out the innovation and capital fund, leave about $430 million in the SOA trust, and about $200 million in the escrow account. Several members highlighted specific priorities. Senator Cronin and Senator Feeney strongly supported the $100 million career technical education investment, arguing it would expand vocational opportunities in comprehensive high schools and help meet workforce needs. Senator Feeney also emphasized MBTA funding, special education, local road repairs, English language learning tied to workforce needs, and World Cup preparations in Foxborough. Senator Comerford praised the bill’s regional equity, higher education maintenance funding, special education support, and transportation investments, while also noting the need for broader future work on Chapter 70 and school finance. Senator Tarr supported the bill but repeatedly stressed that the spending was a unique one-time opportunity and that the Commonwealth should preserve fiscal reserves and continue to address school funding inequities and MBTA finances more broadly. The chamber then considered numerous amendments. Amendment 1 on tariff pricing transparency was withdrawn after brief remarks, and Amendment 14, proposing a DESE study on educational outcomes for young men and boys, was rejected. Amendment 182, funding Worcester Regional Transit Authority capital expenses, was adopted. Amendment 228, adding $500,000 for Free Period to expand access to menstrual products in schools, was adopted. Amendment 257, funding Springfield Public Schools communication and safety systems, was also adopted. Other amendments, including Tarr amendments on supplemental district aid, MBTA reporting, and the Foundation Budget Review Commission, were rejected. Amendment 308 concerning MBTA Communities and Milton was withdrawn, after which Senator Driscoll began a presentation arguing Milton was being misclassified under the MBTA Communities Act and should be treated fairly under the law.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:24.720> general<00:37:25.079> Elise committee Deputy attorney general Elise
• It broadens the objectives and general actions of the biosecurity program.
• C.A., Deputy Attorney General, providing comments on HB 498.
• the committee CA Deputy attorney general the committee CA Deputy attorney general providing<01:09
• <01:20:23.920> storage processing distribution storage processing distribution storage retailing

Keywords: 910, house, all