Transcript Highlights:

• This subdivision does not apply to a food article that is sold and marketed as pet food.
• This subdivision does not apply to a food article that is sold and marketed as pet food.

Bills: HB139, HB172, HB156

Keywords: HB139, Alabama discrimination, civil rights, public accommodations, employment discrimination, equal access, protected classes, race discrimination, sex discrimination, religious discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination, national origin discrimination, school board discrimination, labor organization, employment agency, retaliation, private right of action, punitive damages, attorney fees

Transcript Highlights:

• here, I know just to make things fair, I think unless we have an amendment, this is political subdivisions
• provider agent of a provider entity affiliated with a provider that primarily represents political subdivisions

Summary: The Committee on Education K-16 heard testimony on SB 1635, which would give certain coastal, recapture-paying school districts a credit against recapture payments for mandatory windstorm and hail insurance costs. Senator Hinojosa said the bill is intended to offset unusually high insurance expenses for districts in Tier 1 or Tier 2 coastal zones, and he estimated about a $12 million impact to state revenue. Witnesses from Port Aransas ISD and Gregory-Portland ISD described sharp premium increases, reduced coverage, higher deductibles, and the effect on teacher pay and classroom spending. Senators asked about the number of affected districts, the accuracy of the fiscal estimate, and whether the bill might encourage districts to maintain coverage. Public testimony was closed and SB 1635 was left pending. The committee then took up several other bills and committee substitutes, adopting and reporting favorably SB 2786, SB 2623, SB 646, SB 843, SB 2392, SB 1998, SB 1418, SB 2788, and SB 2076, with most votes unanimous or near-unanimous. SB 2392 was amended to add improper relationship between educator and student to mandatory reporting offenses and to authorize an attorney general civil penalty for failure to report. SB 2623 was revised to clarify duties and exemptions related to the Safe Schools and Neighborhood Task Force and school proximity restrictions. SB 843 would create a TEA database of school district bonds and related projects, and SB 2788 would exempt certain PSAT scorers from the Texas Success Initiative assessment. The committee also heard SB 2929, which would allow referees and other officials at school athletic events to immediately eject disruptive spectators. The Texas Association of Sports Officials testified in support, citing abusive spectator behavior and a shortage of officials. SB 2929 was left pending. Finally, the committee heard a substitute for SB 2927 on 1882 partnerships and a substitute for SB 2619, which would require more transparency and accountability for failing school districts, superintendent hiring, trustee training, and takeover timelines. Testimony on SB 2619 was mixed, with one witness from Texas 2036 supporting parts of the bill’s accountability provisions. The committee adopted the substitute for SB 2619, left it pending, and then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members of the committee, I have a problem with the fact that political subdivisions would
• But I think that is really an onerous punishment for the political subdivision because there are people

Bills: HCR3025

Keywords: law enforcement, first responders, heroism, community safety, condolences, 908, all

Summary: The State and Local Government Committee first heard House Concurrent Resolution 3025, a resolution honoring the police and first responders of Fargo. Representative Hendricks presented it as a straightforward tribute tied to a tragic incident, and several members and a representative of the Chiefs of Police Association and North Dakota League of Cities spoke in support. There was no opposition, and the committee closed the hearing and later gave the resolution a 6-0 do pass recommendation, with Senator Braunberger volunteering to carry it. The committee then heard House Concurrent Resolution 3010, which would direct Legislative Management to study legislative responsibility to review existing law before proposing new law. Representative Kempinock said the idea was to reduce repetitive or duplicative bills and improve legislative education, but also noted that current efforts by Legislative Council and leadership had made the resolution largely unnecessary. Members generally agreed with the premise but questioned whether a study was needed, and the committee ultimately gave it a 4-2 do pass recommendation, with Senator Lee volunteering to carry it. Next, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 3003, which would raise the threshold for approving constitutional amendments from 50% to 60%. Speaker Wise argued constitutional changes should be difficult and cited other states’ higher thresholds, while Eric Spencer of the Greater North Dakota Chamber supported the measure and emphasized how often North Dakota’s Constitution has been amended. Members discussed the irony of asking voters to raise the threshold by a simple majority and the broader issue of an overused constitution, but the committee still recommended it do pass on a 6-0 vote. The committee then spent considerable time on House Bill 1297 and related House Bill 1307 amendments dealing with approval voting, ranked-choice voting, and a Fargo-specific exemption. Members and witnesses from the Secretary of State’s office and the League of Cities debated whether Fargo should be exempted and how to avoid conflicts between the two bills. An amendment to strip approval voting from 1297 failed on a 3-3 tie, after which the committee gave 1297 a 4-2 do pass recommendation so the floor could decide the issue, with plans to reconcile 1307 afterward based on that outcome.

Transcript Highlights:

• It talks about... ...may be able to provide data on a rolling basis to a person under the subdivision
• have—let's not call them mandates, but what you can do as a writer—because under Chapter 13073, Subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• include all public employees, whether it be state, municipal, county, and a special district or any subdivision
• include all public employees, whether it be state, municipal, county, and a special district or any subdivision

Summary: The committee took up several bills and reported each favorably after brief presentations, amendments, and roll calls. SB 1760, by Senator Grall, would require certain elected officials and agency heads to reside in Florida, with agency heads also required to be U.S. citizens and live in the county where their agency is headquartered; it also clarifies the constitutional prohibition on holding more than one office. SB 1202, by Senator McClain, expands insurance benefits for firefighters who are totally and permanently disabled during official training exercises, and its amendment was adopted to avoid local fiscal impact. SB 582, by Senator Leak, increases penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and limits the higher penalty to properties on the National Register of Historic Places or in a listed district; supporters included representatives of St. Augustine and the Florida League of Cities, while one opponent waived in opposition. SB 312, by Senator Gates, revises governance of the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and allows affiliated nonprofit subsidiaries to enter agreements with universities; an amendment adding one public member to the board was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SB 676, by Senator Martin, which would allow employees to waive the state minimum wage right under a framework the sponsor said would help young or inexperienced workers gain entry-level experience. The bill drew extensive public testimony, with supporters arguing it could help small businesses hire and create opportunities, and opponents saying it would undermine the voter-approved minimum wage, invite coercion, and exploit vulnerable workers. Senator Martin’s amendment clarifying the Fair Labor Standards Act exception was adopted, and the bill passed on a favorable vote despite opposition from Senator Arrington and others. Finally, SB 440, by Senator McClain, was heard as an expansion of prior law to cover public employees and prohibit certain employment practices related to gender identity and pronoun use; after an amendment narrowing the bill by deleting references to training, instruction, or other activity regarding sexual orientation, the committee heard extensive testimony both for and against, with supporters framing it as protecting conscience rights and opponents calling it discriminatory. The committee ultimately reported SB 440 favorably as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do appreciate that the sponsor recognizes this long-awaited ...districts as being political subdivisions
• engineers, required to do a water analysis for the facility, whether they're running a trust or doing subdivision

Transcript Highlights:

• I think I see what you're trying to get at with the new subdivision six starting on line 1.29 of the
• And I understand you and the stakeholders have been working on an amendment to address the subdivision
• Um, we believe so the changes in this new subdivision six address some of the concerns that were brought
• However, I was more concerned about the proportionality of larger political subdivisions versus small
• subdivisions subdivisions versus<02:08:47.640> small<02:08:48.000> towns.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm hoping that you can detail for us um on lines 12.21, subdivision four, license provider requirements
• 00:31:20.080> on<00:31:20.160> lines<00:31:20.520> 12.21,<00:31:21.800> subdivision
• <00:31:22.440> four, us um on lines 12.21, subdivision four, us um on lines 12.21, subdivision
• 06.360> it<00:32:06.480> says 12.23, it says 12.23, it says the<00:32:07.560> subdivisions
• three through 10 that the subdivisions three through 10 that apply<00:32:09.640> to<00:32:10.040

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• In the first section of the bill, the reference is to a cooperative unit under 123A.24, subdivision 2
• I So I'm wondering I'm was trying to look at the on line 1.13 and 14 it references the subdivision which
• :09.280> the on line 1.13 and 14 it references the on line 1.13 and 14 it references the subdivision
• which then goes I believe to subdivision which then goes I believe to the<00:17:12.559> safe<
• You can also use it for the items in 126 C.44, subdivision 4, which were in your previous bill.

Bills: HF3492, HF3493, HF3494, HF3495, HF3602

Keywords: school safety, grants, education funding, Northern Lights Express, security improvements, rural schools, safe schools, charter schools, nonpublic schools, Tribal education, funding increase, safe schools aid, school security, mental health support, Tribal schools, cybersecurity, funding, mental health, evidence-based plans, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• There was that was mistakenly numbered subdivision 3 in order, and it is not its own subdivision.
• In order to correct that and then renumber the other subdivisions, we had to first delete that and then
• Training Fund within the POST Board, and it appropriates an additional... and it is not its own subdivision
• Um in and it is not its own subdivision.
• we had to reumber the other subdivisions we had to replicate<00:41:48.960> we<00:41:49.119>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It needs to be this state or an agency or political subdivision of this state in Texas.
• It needs to be this state or an agency or political subdivision of this state in Texas.
• So are you releasing it on behalf of every political subdivision in Texas?
• Yeah, and the other political subdivisions would have to do that themselves.
• Counties and subdivisions have had this right for many years. We've heard this already.

Bills: HB2242, HB2446, HB2799, HB4502, HB2920, HB2790, HB5620, HB5060, HB5076, HB5080, HB5081, HB5128, HB5130, HB3847, HB5116, HB2969, HB4546, HB4202, HB5624, HB3964, HB4803, HB872, HB4775, HB4777, HB4961, HB5570, HB2988, HB4260, HB1375, HB5009, HB5411, HB5134, HB4388, HB3095, HB1387

Keywords: constables, civil rights, local government, law enforcement, policy-making authority, affidavit, medical bills, civil actions, reasonable charges, healthcare services, judicial statistics, court performance, family law, civil cases, efficiency reporting, court security, emergency management, harassment penalties, judicial safety, court committee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills affecting civil practice, judicial conduct, and attorney regulation. HB 4961 and the similar HB 3095 would bar uninsured motorists from recovering non-economic damages after a collision, with HB 3095 also addressing certain exceptions and limiting economic damages in some cases. Supporters said the measures would encourage insurance coverage and fairness for insured drivers, while opponents argued they would unfairly punish injured people who were not responsible for the lack of insurance, including pedestrians, passengers, children, and others. HB 3095 drew constitutional concerns from witnesses, and the committee later withdrew the committee substitute and left the bill pending; HB 4961 was also left pending after questions about its scope, including passengers. HB 5570 would expand a continuing legal education exemption to attorneys appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate who serve on boards or commissions. The author and witness said the bill would free up time for public service while still requiring ethics training. A committee member raised a discrepancy in the number of attorneys covered, and the bill was left pending. HB 2969 would prohibit the State Bar from adopting rules or penalties that unreasonably burden attorneys’ religious exercise or free speech, especially in relation to sincerely held religious beliefs. Supporters framed it as a protection for lawyers of faith against an ABA-style speech code, while no one testified in opposition; the bill was left pending. HB 4260 would prohibit county judges and county commissioners from practicing law in courts over which they have jurisdiction. The author described it as an ethics measure to avoid conflicts of interest, but county officials and the County Judges and Commissioners Association opposed it, saying existing ethics rules already address conflicts and that the bill would impose hardships, especially in rural counties. The bill was left pending. HB 4388 would require all judges, including those who serve only in administrative roles, to remain subject to the Code of Judicial Conduct; supporters said some judges avoid discipline by relinquishing judicial functions, while opponents said the bill was unnecessary and could burden county judges who serve as administrators. It was also left pending. The committee also heard HB 5134, which would limit Rule 202 pre-suit depositions to people who have suffered or reasonably expect to suffer actual damages and allow attorney’s fees against abusive petitioners. The author said the bill would curb harassment and fishing expeditions, but members questioned how the standard would work in practice; the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 3964 would narrow common-law public nuisance claims by barring suits over lawful conduct, conduct already addressed by other remedies, and products, while preserving other causes of action. Supporters said the bill would prevent regulation through litigation and protect legislative authority; opponents said it would eliminate important remedies and that no Texas abuse had been shown. The author indicated he would revise the bill, and it was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2, subdivision 5, charges the MPCA with a major rulemaking, which will have a significant cost
• Uh section 2 subdivision 5 charges MPCA.
• In subdivision five in article two, it talks about section B.
• So, thank you. in<00:39:28.240> um<00:39:28.880> subdivision<00:39:29.599> five<
• five in article two um in um subdivision five in article two um it<00:39:32.400> talks<00:39:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 6 describes the commissioner's requirements for the PACE program.
• <00:05:27.520> 6<00:05:27.880> describes<00:05:28.319> the older subdivision
• 6 describes the older subdivision 6 describes the commissioner's<00:05:29.080> requirements<00
• <00:05:32.160> 7<00:05:32.600> describes<00:05:33.039> the program subdivision
• 7 describes the program subdivision 7 describes the contract<00:05:33.639> requirements<00:05

Bills: HF1937, HF2407, HF1678, HF1477, HF2040, HF1840, HF257

Keywords: PACE, elderly, Medicaid, health services, long-term care, community-based services, support person, healthcare, patient rights, assisted living, community support, caregiver respite, financial eligibility, Minnesota Statutes, HF1477, residential program licensing, community residential setting, small group home, licensed capacity six or fewer, rental licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• If I am correct on the A2 amendment, the big part is about subdivision four.
• Even though it says it's a delete-all, I think it's just working on subdivision four, and counsel can
• four even though it says subdivision four even though it says it's<01:40:48.320> a<01:40:48.480
• <01:40:51.080> four<01:40:51.400> and just working on subdivision four and just working
• on subdivision four and Council<01:40:51.920> can<01:40:52.080> correct<01:40:52.400><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This slide pulls the writer language found on page 22, subdivision 5 of the bill language included in
• <00:31:08.080> on<00:31:08.279> page<00:31:08.559> 22<00:31:09.320> subdivision
• <00:31:10.080> 5 language found on page 22 subdivision 5 language found on page 22 subdivision
• /c><00:36:56.960> which<00:36:57.160> is<00:36:57.599> in<00:36:57.720> subdivision
• <00:36:58.319> 5 would adopt which is in subdivision 5 would adopt which is in subdivision

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Ridge, um—they're putting in these trees, and then before you know it, the subdivision is not even done
• c><01:21:27.280> the<01:21:27.480> new<01:21:27.840> new<01:21:28.120> subdivisions
• for not only the new new subdivisions for not only the new new subdivisions cor<01:21:29.440>
• /c><01:21:35.440> know<01:21:35.600> it<01:21:35.719> the<01:21:35.840> subdivision
• <01:21:36.360> is before you know it the subdivision is before you know it the subdivision

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill restricts political subdivisions. I understand how that's going to get calculated.

Bills: SJR81

Keywords: tax exemption, ad valorem, tangible personal property, income production, constitutional amendment, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• specific corridors for intercity passenger rail federal funding applications in Article 1, Section 11, Subdivision
• specific corridors for intercity passenger rail federal funding applications in Article 1, Section 11, Subdivision
• Not being the attorney of record here, uh, um, the beginning of subdivision three, any person who violates
• 01:15:19.800> the<01:15:19.880> beginning<01:15:20.360> of<01:15:20.480> subdivision
• <01:15:21.080> three, um, the beginning of subdivision three, um, the beginning of subdivision

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• nonpartisan, um, or for Chair Davids, I uh, to your question earlier, I believe is the repeal on subdivision
• is<00:54:20.640> the<00:54:20.840> repeal<00:54:21.240> on<00:54:21.680> subdivision
• is the repeal on subdivision 38. is the repeal on subdivision 38.
• just say in the interest of a good bill going forward with that, knowing that 10% is only on that subdivision
• Subdivision 38, potentially striking that provision, Chair Davids, I'm sure we can talk about this so

Bills: HF4234, HF3697, HF1183, HF4738

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, tax refund, Minnesota Statutes, time limit, claims, tax overpayment, taxation

Summary: The committee first adopted the April 14, 2026 minutes as amended, correcting a misspelling in the reference to Chair Davids. It then heard House File 4234, a tax-exempt bonding/affordable housing bill from Representative Rey Rower, and adopted a technical A1 amendment before laying the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. The bill would conform Minnesota law to recent federal changes to low-income housing tax credit rules by lowering the amount of tax-exempt bonds needed for projects to qualify, with the stated goal of spreading bond allocations across more projects and increasing affordable housing production without additional state funds. Testimony in support came from the bill author, the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, and Mary Tingerthal, who said the change would increase efficiency in the use of federal bond authority and could raise the number of funded housing projects from about 16 to 25 per year, bringing in roughly $120 million more annually for housing. Members discussed where the benefits would be felt statewide, including greater Minnesota and larger metro areas, and the author said the bill would help address shortages in affordable and senior housing. The committee took no final vote on the bill, instead laying it over. The committee next heard House File 3697 from Vice Chair Norris, which would change Minnesota’s tax refund claim timelines to better align with federal law and most other states. The author and a tax attorney testifier said the bill would reduce confusion and help taxpayers, especially vulnerable individuals who may overpay or be overassessed and then miss the current deadline to seek refunds. The Department of Revenue said it had no concerns with the language and did not oppose the bill, and the committee laid the bill over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Finally, the committee began hearing House File 4738 from Representative Keeler, a Safe Harbor funding proposal for victims of sex trafficking and sexually exploited youth. The author described Safe Harbor as a statewide program serving youth across Minnesota and said the committee should consider creative funding options, but Chair Davids stated the proposed funding source would not work because it would take money from women’s sports scholarships. Testifiers from Lake House in Duluth and a former Safe Harbor youth described the program’s impact on homeless and trafficked youth, including shelter, mental health services, education, and transition to adulthood. The hearing continued with testimony, but no action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The exception in HF 3919 is in section 1, subdivision 15, the veteran designation under section 3, SGU
• And if you look at the law that we passed, subdivision 9, line 2.11 to 2.15, it says the commissioner
• 9 the law that we passed uh subdivision 9 line<00:27:36.799> 2.11<00:27:37.440> to<00:
• The spouse and eligible dependent fee in subdivision 9 is something that we adjust following the CPI,
• We're not creating a separate fee schedule for the SGU veterans; we added them into subdivision 9. uh

Bills: HF3919, HF3467, HF3741

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, veterans affairs, food insecurity, homelessness, suicide prevention, state resources, reporting requirements, agency initiatives, veterans, educational assistance, tuition waiver, spouses, children, military service, benefits

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes, then heard an update from Metro Meals on Wheels on a veterans home-delivered meals grant funded by the committee in 2023. Testifiers said the program has served more than 82,000 meals to over 500 veterans, but funding is running short; enrollment was stopped in July 2025 and meal service was reduced to five per week to stretch dollars. They said the program is serving 168 veterans as of January 31 and will likely run out of funds in July unless additional money is provided. Members asked about eligibility and how the program ensures the grant is used only for veterans who do not qualify for other services; the organization said referrals come through county veteran service officers, MACV, hospitals, and other partners, and that it can provide confidential tracking information. No vote was taken on funding, but members expressed support and interest in more documentation. The committee then took up House File 3919, which implements recommendations from a task force on benefits for SGU veterans and irregular forces who served in the secret war in Laos from 1961 to 1975. The Department of Veterans Affairs said the bill largely reflects the task force report and technical recommendations, including adding SGU veterans to the burial fee statute so burial costs in state cemeteries can be covered, while noting there is still an unresolved issue about headstone costs for spouses and dependents. A testifier from the task force supported the bill but objected to creating a separate SGU veteran designation on driver’s licenses, arguing it could create two classes of veterans and add administrative costs; he urged using a single veteran designation instead. Other public testimony emphasized the service of Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, Vietnamese, and other allies in Laos and urged the legislature to adopt the recommendations broadly. The committee discussed the burial fee language and the purpose of the designation, but no final action or vote on HF 3919 was taken in the portion provided.