Transcript Highlights:

• c><00:01:40.159> the bill continues to move through the bill continues to move through the process
• <00:01:42.079> Uh process, which is of course typical.
• Uh process, which is of course typical.
• Representative Stevenson<00:03:03.920> renews<00:03:04.239> the<00:03:04.400> motion
• renews the motion that House File<00:03:05.280> 1615<00:03:05.840> as<00:03:06.000>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1615, a bill sponsored by Chair Stevenson, and first considered the DE1 amendment. Representative West moved the A1 amendment to the DE1, describing it as a compromise with Chair Stevenson that would allow hemp manufacturers to participate in markets outside Minnesota with non-compliant products, permit medical businesses to sell medical cannabis to other medically endorsed or medical combo businesses, and strengthen participation requirements in the market. Stevenson supported the amendment, noting ongoing discussions with West and the Office of Cannabis Management. The committee adopted the A1 amendment. Stevenson then presented the bill as amended, saying the committee had already heard an overview and testimony on the bill and that the only change was the newly adopted amendment. He noted the bill largely combines measures previously heard by the committee on separate days. After brief discussion and closing remarks from Stevenson, he asked for a yes vote. The committee renewed the motion to re-refer House File 1615, as amended, to the Committee on Ways and Means. The motion prevailed on a voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:18.160> development intention for renewable development intention for renewable development
• Renewed deals. No, not renewed deals. [laughter] The museum. No. I wasn't going to say that.
• Renewed<01:02:02.680> deals.
• <01:02:03.040> No,<01:02:03.320> not<01:02:03.560> renewed Renewed deals.
• No, not renewed Renewed deals. No, not renewed [laughter]<01:02:03.920> deals.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is just a renewal contract that went through the RFP process last year with Smith War Management
• Next, the open bid time was for a 2-year contract with three one-year renewals. Okay, all right.
• Uh, we have three contracts on your agenda today: two renewals and one new contract.
• The renewals are CC and Lichfield and Thompson Engineering.
• Young, and it is a renewal. Any questions? All right, moving to page 15.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:23:13.679> the navigate this bureaucratic process the navigate this bureaucratic process
• reason for the that if the renew reason for the non-renewal<00:49:24.799> or<00:49:25.359>
• <00:50:02.119> the billing um insurance and renewing the billing um insurance and renewing
• restrictions on on on renewal restrictions on on on renewal non-renewals<01:00:19.280> they
• What was the process for reappointment? We had to go through the whole hiring process again.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• What would be the process for unwinding those agreements if this passes? You are recognized.
• It only applies to those executed or renewed after January 1, 2027. ...applies to those executed or renewed
• executed contract allows for a renewal at a set, fixed price, I can't renew that contract if it goes
• So it wouldn't affect the current agreement, but it would affect the renewal?
• This bill grandfather's a crazy grandfathering process for any health care providers.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of retained bills and several new measures, with most receiving favorable reports after amendments. Major debate centered on CS/SB 706, which preempts airport naming to the state and designates Palm Beach International Airport as the Donald J. Trump International Airport subject to FAA and trademark-related conditions. Senator Jones offered amendments to avoid private royalty benefits, but both failed. Senators Berman, Osgood, Jones, and Pizzo spoke against the bill, raising concerns about naming an airport after a sitting president, lack of local input, and ethical issues; Senator Mayfield defended the bill as cost-free to the airport and noted the naming agreement. The committee ultimately voted the bill favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 546 on conservation land notice requirements and CS/SB 1014 on municipal utility service to properties outside city limits, both with amendments and some opposition from the Florida League of Cities on the utility bill. Several other bills were heard and reported favorably with little controversy. CS/SB 1500 would streamline uncontested probate proceedings; SB 962 would exclude farms and farm operations from certain zoning definitions tied to affordable housing preemption; CS/SB 820 would strengthen reporting for problem-solving courts; SB 840 would revise portions of last year’s hurricane-related land-use law to narrow its scope and sunset temporary restrictions; and SB 856 would require online property listings to show estimated ad valorem taxes, with an amendment excluding social media platforms and broadening liability protections. SB 110 would clarify homestead exemption eligibility for 98-year or longer residential leases. SB 394 would exempt certain underwriting managers handling limited facultative reinsurance from licensure requirements, and SB 434 would prevent wind-hardening improvements from increasing assessed value for residential property tax purposes. The committee also advanced several public-safety and transparency measures. CS/CS/SB 658 and 608, a combined water-safety bill, would require safety features for rental properties with pools or nearby water bodies and authorize DBPR enforcement; supporters framed it as a response to Florida’s high child-drowning rates, and Airbnb waived in support. SB 748 would place constitutional language on restoration of voting rights on sentencing score sheets, with broad support from voting-rights and civil-rights groups. CS/SB 824 would require annual reporting of unimproved school-district land inventories, and CS/SB 848 would create a framework for off-site stormwater treatment and related credits, with support from builders and mitigation bankers. The committee also heard CS/SB 1036 on school counselors, which clarifies certification requirements and performance criteria after a delete-all amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So when a home rule charter city, statutory city, or town issues a renewal or renews a rental license
• Stahlberger for running through the process.
• but could take up to two business days to get those applications processed.
• This allows enough time for that process to happen.
• You're starting the process in March. You're starting to train people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you provide that renewal.
• <00:49:48.960> and maintains a policy of not renewing and maintains a policy of not renewing
• the process is inclusive as possible. the process is inclusive as possible. Mahalo. Mahalo.
• duties um to help them you know process duties um to help them you know process paperwork.<01:11
• So I don't think we need process.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Water and Land met on March 25, 2025, and first announced it had deleted HCR 3 and HCR 4567 from the agenda pending similar Senate measures. It then heard HR 35/HCR 40, which urges DLNR and other state agencies to work with community groups to co-steward community forests on public lands. DLNR’s urban and community forester testified in strong support, and several organizations and individuals submitted support; there were no questions or opposition noted. The committee next heard HCR 64, asking OPSD to convene a working group on establishing and placing an Office of Resilience and Recovery. OPSD and the Governor’s Office of Recovery and Resilience supported the resolution and suggested friendly amendments, including replacing county civil defense representatives with mayors or their designees and allowing subject-matter experts to serve. Members questioned the office’s role, funding, and relationship to other resilience and emergency management offices, and the witness explained it was created after the Maui wildfires to coordinate long-term recovery, with special-project funding and a focus distinct from response and mental health functions. The committee also heard HR 59/HCR 65 on coordinating concurrent reviews of general plan, district boundary, and zoning amendments during land reclassification. OPSD testified with comments and warned that the proposal could facilitate spot zoning if individual landowners could use the concurrent process, recommending it be limited to county-initiated actions. A related discussion followed on HR 118/HCR 122, which would create a collaborative working group on surveying and protecting iwi kūpuna and related coastal erosion issues; DNR, OHA, and others supported it with suggested additions, and testimony emphasized cultural sensitivity and community-specific decision-making. Members asked about burial practices and a recent court ruling, and witnesses said the working group could help guide broader policy and communication. Finally, the committee heard HR 145/HCR 151, requesting DLNR to report on its lease enforcement process and procedures. DLNR said it was recruiting staff to conduct lease inspections but had difficulty filling positions due to compensation, and explained that new or extended leases can include inspection requirements, while retroactive cost-shifting would raise contractual issues. Members asked for information on lease renewal timelines and whether inspection provisions were being added to renewals; DLNR said those decisions are made in public sunshine meetings and agreed to provide additional information. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, please call the next regulation. rules for the renewal and activation of rules for the renewal
• <00:04:01.840> and board policy to establish processes and board policy to establish processes
• > and timelines for the renewal and timelines for the renewal and reinstatement<00:04:04.640><
• I just have one question about the application process.
• So, our prior authorization process process process we<00:19:09.040> try<00:19:09.240> to

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the prior meeting’s minutes, and then reviewed a series of administrative regulations from multiple agencies. Most of the regulations were presented as technical updates or policy clarifications, and in each case the committee approved staff-suggested amendments without objection. The Department of Revenue regulation would delete a section on tax credits for trusts and estates to align with statute. The Kentucky Public Pensions Authority package updated definitions, sick leave credit rules, hazardous/non-hazardous employment participation, refund procedures, contribution limits, mortality table references, and incorporated federal tax references. The Board of Medical Licensure regulations addressed renewal and activation of inactive physician-assistant licenses and renewal/reinstatement timelines for athletic trainer licenses. The Fish and Wildlife regulations revised rules for Otter Creek and Peabody areas by deleting definitions and creating shooting-range permit exemptions. The committee also heard emergency vocational rehabilitation regulations that would clarify definitions, due process rights, federal compliance, service fees, in-state service preferences, and service-specific requirements; a workforce insurance regulation updating contribution/reporting rules for professional employer organizations; and a horse racing regulation adding license categories for allied animal health professionals, animal chiropractors, and equine dental providers, while updating fees, application timing, and special events licensing. Members asked questions about the horse racing licensure changes, and the agency explained they were responding to prior session changes and adding guardrails, including veterinarian sign-off for equine therapist licensure on the back side of a racetrack. The Department for Public Health package made several personnel and salary-related changes for local health departments, including salary ranges for new hires, probation and evaluation rules, salary increases after probation, and limits on certain leave payouts for employees who separate without proper notice or are dismissed for cause. The Office of Inspector General regulation added electronic prescription references and removed authority to create a new prescription number for partial dispensing of Schedule II prescriptions. The Department for Medicaid Services regulations updated provider group definitions, removed some service limits, required prior authorization for all genetic testing for non-MCO recipients, changed physician fee schedule updates from quarterly to annually, and added reimbursement for department-approved vaccines. Members asked detailed questions about genetic testing prior authorization and sleep disorder coverage; the agency said prior authorization is intended to take two to five days and that sleep disorder services generally involve sleep apnea-related treatments such as CPAP machines and sleep studies. The committee then adjourned and announced its next meeting for Tuesday, May 12 at 1:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• through this revalidation process? through this revalidation process?
• or the credentiing gets renewed, etc. or the credentiing gets renewed, etc.
• process? process?
• process there is a backwards position. process there is a backwards position.
• authorizations approved and um renewed. authorizations approved and um renewed.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know we can capture in that process know we can capture in that process so<00:09:31.040> any<
• So this just streamlines the process for those community-based day services.
• day Services needs determination process day Services needs determination process for<00:15:37.040
• <00:16:05.480> for just um streamlines the process for just um streamlines the process for
• disregard state law regarding processing disregard state law regarding processing licensing<00:37

Bills: HF1662, HF2115, HF2159, HF1095, HF2160

Keywords: veterans, veterans affairs, State Soldiers Assistance Program, Veterans Stable Housing Initiative, MAXIS, human services data, data sharing, eligibility verification, informed consent, private data, benefits coordination, veteran housing, veteran assistance, Department of Human Services, Children Youth and Families, state benefits, federal benefits, privacy, public assistance, human services

Transcript Highlights:

• And so this bill is a basic process bill to have a fair process for cities to go through eminent domain
• ... ...process bill to have a fair process for cities to go through eminent domain to create a publicly
• and make it not a fair process.
• , to stymie the process.
• for this reconductoring process.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:08.640> my The motion prevails and I'll renew my The motion prevails and I'll renew
• So there are processes in place.
• So there are processes in place.
• So there are processes in place.
• So there are processes in place.

Bills: SF1959, HF2444, SF2298, HF2445, SF2216, HF2443, HF2130, HF1943, HF2436, HF2442

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Transcript Highlights:

• Cherrojusk renews<00:07:42.960> his<00:07:43.199> motion<00:07:43.599> on renews
• Oh, it has provisions related to safety deposit boxes and their automatic renewal.
• Oh, it has provisions related to safety deposit boxes and their automatic renewal.
• Oh, it has provisions related to safety deposit boxes and their automatic renewal.
• <00:15:53.279> renewability space and guaranteed renew renewability space and guaranteed renew

Bills: HF1545, HF2426, HF1615, HF2403

Keywords: medical cannabis, cultivation, cannabinoid products, plant canopy, Minnesota statutes, cannabis, hemp, lower-potency, edibles, regulations, licensing, local control, consumer safety, age restrictions, commerce policy, financial institutions, insurance regulation, limited long-term care insurance, Medicare supplement, health insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• You go through the the ARCAK process.
• :54.120> motion Representative Kotter renews his motion Representative Kotter renews his motion
• made it through the process made it through the process and<00:51:53.720> was<00:51:53.840
• The regent process is about the screwiest process we have in a place full of screwy processes.
• with the region election process. with the region election process.

Bills: HF4252

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:47.800> Development 46,000 um from the renewable Development 46,000 um from the renewable
• <00:10:09.920> Development<00:10:10.279> Fund for the new renewable Development Fund
• for the new renewable Development Fund for<00:10:10.600> the<00:10:10.680> energy<00:10
• Revenue to the Renewable Development Fund comes from payments by utilities for the storage of dry casks
• development budget very and renewable development budget very and dropping<00:37:58.200> off

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that's a pretty robust process. Process. And there are things that get lost.
• through the process on this.
• The capital process.
• The third is increasing renewable energy. Through Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technology.
• And that process, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• , post-deprivation process satisfies the requirements of the due process clause.
• :07:14.880> of process satisfies the requirements of process satisfies the requirements of the
• the due process clause. the due process clause.
• communication, and lawful process. communication, and lawful process.
• energy efficient programs and renewable energy efficient programs and renewable energy<05:30:11.520

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The process is going to be fee-based.
• And so this bill is a basic process bill to have a fair process for cities to go through eminent domain
• ... process bill to have a fair process for cities to go through eminent domain to create a publicly
• and make it not a fair process.
• for this reconductoring process.

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and authorize additional funding to support renewable natural gas projects by reducing interconnection costs. Supporters said high interconnection costs and the current tax treatment are major barriers to methane reduction projects; opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, raised ratepayer cost concerns and objected to rate-basing and additional public funding. The author said amended language would remove the rate-basing provisions and instead urge the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Community Impact Mitigation Program for the Diablo Canyon plant through 2030 to continue funding local emergency preparedness, fire protection, public safety, and school district costs. The County of San Luis Obispo and labor groups supported the bill, while TURN opposed it as a statewide ratepayer subsidy that could be funded from existing PG&E revenues instead of higher rates. Members discussed the bill in the context of the 2022 Diablo Canyon extension deal and the possibility of a future longer extension. SB 1215 by Senator Cortese would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing and evaluate progress, with amendments aimed at affordability and limiting system upgrade costs. Supporters said renters are largely locked out of home charging and that prior utility programs proved cost-effective; no opposition testified. SB 1359 by Senator Stern would require more deliberate CPUC review before major gas system investments, emphasizing electrification and non-pipeline alternatives. Gas utilities and several industry groups opposed it, arguing it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and change the regulatory compact. The committee also heard SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar, presented by Senator Gonzalez, which would establish a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Water agencies, environmental groups, and local governments supported the measure, while one member expressed concern that it lacked a funding source and could not overcome Proposition 218 limits; the bill was moved to Appropriations and the roll was left open. Finally, SB 1098 by Senator Perez would restrict the use of long-running memorandum and balancing accounts by investor-owned utilities, require exceptional circumstances for new accounts, and add sunset and cost-sharing requirements. Consumer advocates and large energy users supported tighter oversight, while the utilities and business groups opposed the bill as too rigid and potentially harmful to flexibility for wildfire, emergency, and safety-related costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• > his<00:39:47.359> motion Vice Chair Coulter renews his motion Vice Chair Coulter renews
• Historically, the renewal and renovation of these buildings was also funded by the bonding process. committee
• make sense to renew to it doesn't make sense to renew to replace<01:08:47.279> existing<01:08:
• unfortunately, regular renewal funding unfortunately, regular renewal funding has<01:27:12.560><
• Our capital to renewal projects.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So very stringent process.
• through the process to get a permit? through the process to get a permit?
• So, this is renewals.
• It's the same process as others go through to renew those licenses by mail.
• be that renewal of that ID card. be that renewal of that ID card.

Keywords: 916, all