Transcript Highlights:

• So we're honored to be a part of this task force. Thank you.
• So the I mean, I know we've talked about this in the previous task force.
• Yeah, so we have another task force that hits home.
• And there is a parallel on the hazing task force.
• I think that that Hazing Task Force, we spent six tough months on that one.

Summary: The task force met to review the prior minutes, hear introductions from members and stakeholders, and receive an update on the HCR 86 study on African American suicide in Louisiana. Dr. Williams summarized survey findings from 94 university respondents and said the work focused on college students as a key risk group, with financial stress and other early triggers identified. He said universities had resisted participation because of stigma and concerns about enrollment and reputation, and he recommended stronger statewide reporting requirements, better data collection, and more targeted prevention efforts. Members discussed possible policy responses, including mandatory suicide prevention training, gatekeeper training for faculty and staff, student awareness materials, and adding 988 information to student IDs and campus outreach. Dr. Thomas described existing LDH efforts, including 988 partnerships, a university toolkit, and training through the Louisiana Center for Prevention Resources. Senator Boudreaux and others said the issue should be addressed through legislation rather than voluntary action alone, while Dr. McKee noted that occupational licensing rules and statutes could support required training and reporting. The task force agreed to revise the report language to say reporting would be confidential unless otherwise required by law, and to circulate additional state examples and recommendations before February 1 for use as a legislative template. Members also asked that the Office of Public Health be included in discussions about a centralized suicide data hub, since it already tracks real-time suicide data. The chair thanked the participants, said the final recommendations would guide possible legislation, and adjourned the meeting without setting another date unless further action is needed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the duties of the task force and I just the duties of the task force and I just went<00:02:20.480
• </c><00:18:01.039><c> force</c> include a reminder of the task force include a reminder of the task force
• </c> of uh this task force. of uh this task force.
• task force determines if and as the the task force determines if that's<00:38:41.200><c> in</c><00:38
• </c> task force. task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're honored to be a part of this task force. Thank you.
• So the I mean, I know we've talked about this in the previous task force.
• Yeah, so we have another task force that hits home.
• And there is a parallel on the hazing task force.
• I think we need to put this task force in the same.

Summary: The task force met to review work under HCR 86 on African American suicide prevention, with members introducing themselves and approving the prior meeting minutes. Dr. Williams summarized survey-based findings from 94 university student respondents, explaining that the study focused on warning signs and triggers rather than suicide behaviors themselves. He said financial stress, stigma, and lack of institutional ownership were major themes, and argued that Louisiana needs mandatory reporting and broader suicide data collection because universities and other institutions often avoid reporting incidents, especially those occurring off campus. Dr. Thomas described current and potential prevention strategies, including gatekeeper trainings, 988 outreach, postvention policies, student-facing information on mental health resources, and adding 988 to student IDs. She also noted that the Office of Public Health already serves as a suicide data hub with real-time and death data, and should be included in any centralized reporting discussion. Members discussed how to balance new mandates with university concerns, with several agreeing that legislation is needed but should be developed with input from the Board of Regents and university leadership. The task force reviewed recommendations in the report, including a Louisiana Suicide Prevention Data Act, a centralized data hub, incentive-based reporting for colleges, modernization of the 2018 suicide prevention law, and possible tax credits or other incentives. Dr. McKee suggested that any reporting requirement should be framed to fit existing professional obligations and that training requirements for licensees could be added. The chair asked that revised recommendations and examples from other states be circulated before February 1, with the final report updated to say “confidential unless otherwise required by law.” No public comments were offered, and the meeting adjourned after the chair said he and Senator Boudreaux would consider legislation and, if needed, a resolution to extend the task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• The task force must be made within 15 days of this bill becoming law.
• The task force will end by October 1, 2026.
• The task force will end by October 1st of 26.
• And I see that the task force... ...nationally.
• Something that the task force will look at. Absolutely.

Bills: S0382 , S0654 , S0684 , S0880 , S1080

Committee: Senate Transportation

Keywords: traffic enforcement, speed detection systems, school safety, traffic violations, reporting requirements, local authority, electronic signatures, vehicle titles, insurance regulations, auditing, total loss vehicles, specialty license plate, specialty plates, Florida DMV, DHSMV, Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, Miami Northwestern Senior High School, alumni association, commemorative plate, license plate fees

Summary: The Transportation Committee heard and advanced several measures. SB 654 on traffic infraction enforcement was presented as a comprehensive cleanup of camera-based enforcement for red lights, school zones, and school bus violations. The sponsor said the bill aims to improve consistency, transparency, privacy limits, and due process, including clerk fee retention, virtual hearings, recordkeeping, limits on data use, school district approval for bus cameras, and reporting requirements. An amendment clarifying reporting and liability-transfer procedures was adopted without objection. Members raised questions about information sharing, facial recognition, school-zone flashing lights, private school buses, and bus stop safety; the sponsor said those issues were either already covered in statute or outside the bill’s scope, though he was open to future clarification. The committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1080, which received a delete-all amendment concerning FDOT direct payments to first-tier subcontractors and takeover agreements with sureties. The amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. A block of appointments to various boards was then considered together and reported favorably after a single confirmation vote. Later, SB 382 on electric bicycles and scooters was substantially revised with a strike-all amendment. The new version keeps pedestrian-yield and audible-signal rules, adds a 10-mph limit when pedestrians are within 50 feet, creates an e-bike task force, and requires crash data collection and reporting. Members discussed whether the speed rule applies to shared-use paths, how it would be enforced, whether licensing or speedometers should be required, and whether the bill could create barriers for seniors or others who rely on e-bikes. Supporters emphasized safety, data collection, and the need for stakeholder input; the bill was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 684, which allows electronic signatures in connection with total-loss vehicles and vessels, and SB 880, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate. The meeting ended after all bills and appointments were approved and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, task force charter.
• So, uh task force charter. Um business. So, uh task force charter.
• </c> been using with LCC task forces. been using with LCC task forces.
• </c> sure are echoed for the entire task sure are echoed for the entire task force. force. force.
• So, well done, task force members.

Transcript Highlights:

• force instead and said that they'd had previous successes with task forces.
• force instead and said that they'd had previous successes with task forces.
• force instead and said that they'd had previous successes with task forces.
• It's a task force, task force led by the Department of Safety. Okay.
• ><c> the</c><01:00:48.400><c> wishes</c> the task force and understand the wishes the task force and

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:44:32.800><c> force</c> Lawrence and I sat on a task force Lawrence and I sat on a task force
• </c><00:56:03.040><c> force,</c> for the committee, the task force, for the committee, the task force
• </c> the task force. Thank you, Madam Chair. the task force. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• task force.
• force a task force I've been on a task force a task force I've been on a couple<01:16:11.120><c> of<

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• The task force. scope of this committee? The task force.
• Senator this study or this task force?
• </c><00:07:27.520><c> to</c> are on the task force, uh we wanted to are on the task force, uh we wanted
• I think we think we need a task force.
• on</c> the t for the task force task force on the t for the task force task force on homeowners<00:14

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The task force is expanded to include three additional state agencies.
• force priorities and policy options that the task force should consider proposing to the governor and
• The task force is expanded to include three. Well-being Task Force.
• force priorities and policy options that the task force should consider proposing to the governor and
• It renames the task force.

Bills: SB5979 , SB6308 , SB6319

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: opioids, substance abuse, dependent children, child welfare, caregiver substance use, court orders, shelter care, judicial discretion, family law, early childhood, family services, diversion programs, court-ordered assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you know how much this task force is going to cost? No, ma'am, I don't.
• This is one task force that I think are created.
• Is there another way to study it other than a task force that's going to cost us money?
• This is a task force that you all are creating? Yes, ma'am. Correct.
• That is the task force. Rep. Schlegel moves final adoption of the resolution.

Bills: HB410 , HR310 , HR314 , HR316 , HR317 , HR321 , HR275 , HR276 , HR279 , HR282 , HR286 , HR289 , HR292 , HR295 , HR302 , HR319 , HR307 , HR273 , SCR59 , SCR61 , SCR62 , SCR68 , SCR69 , SCR70 , SCR54 , SCR55 , SCR64 , SCR75 , HCR32 , HB776 , HB42 , HB119 , HB159 , HB302 , HB1017 , HB1028 , SB217 , SB283 , HB953 , SB208 , HR74 , HB998 , HB901 , HR20 , HCR65 , HCR71 , HCR98 , HB284 , HB306 , HB341 , HB366 , HB393 , HB458 , HB577 , HB603 , HB605 , HB614 , HB625 , HB646 , HB733 , HB752 , HB773 , HB798 , HB911 , HB955 , HB996 , HB1035 , HB1069 , HB1113 , HB1140 , HB1180 , HB1191 , HB1240 , HB1255 , SB82 , SB89 , SB97 , SB123 , SB237 , HB36 , HB74 , HB75 , HB258 , HB259 , HB414 , HB459 , HB784 , HB848 , HB956 , HB1095 , HB1220 , HB1252 , SB469 , SB479

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, opened with prayer, the pledge, and a national anthem performance, then moved through several personal privileges and recognitions. Members welcomed a student cancer survivor and entrepreneur, Bella of Brave Bella Bead Company, and also recognized a new legislative assistant, a page leaving for college, and a resolution honoring National Mississippi River Day. The chamber also received conference committee reports and enrollment reports, and returned some previously failed measures to the calendar, including H.R. 119 and H.B. 410. The main floor action centered on a series of Senate concurrent resolutions, most of which were adopted overwhelmingly. These included SCR 59 on re-evaluating flood maps and insurance rates tied to the Comite River Diversion Canal, SCR 61 urging higher reimbursement for behavioral health crisis centers, SCR 62 calling for review of school-zone safety and speed limits, SCR 68 creating a blockchain and digital innovation task force, SCR 69 encouraging continued research to reduce sugarcane burning, SCR 70 supporting the Major Richard Star Act for medically retired combat-wounded veterans, SCR 54 supporting the Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act, SCR 55 designating the Peggy Martin Rose as the official state rose, SCR 64 creating a construction manager-at-risk task force, SCR 75 studying a Louisiana maneuvers museum and trail, and SCR 80 creating a task force on the minimum foundation program and long-term teacher pay funding. Most passed with little or no opposition, with SCR 84 on earthquake seismic activity in several parishes amended to adjust task force membership before final adoption. The House also heard a personal privilege statement honoring the late Ponder P.C. Clinton Jr., a noted Black farmer, cattleman, and community leader in Shreveport’s Cedar Grove neighborhood, and expressed condolences to his family. Later, members received a hurricane-season reminder from Rep. Jay Galle about disaster response procedures and the need to work through parish emergency offices. The transcript ends as the House moves into additional concurrent resolutions returned from the Senate with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• > looking</c><00:50:31.119><c> at</c> this task force where we're looking at this task force where we're
• </c><01:15:40.000><c> into</c><01:15:40.239><c> an</c> task force and then moved into an task force and
• So again, that's the task force.
• </c><01:19:11.440><c> The</c> um that would fund a task force. The um that would fund a task force.
• </c><01:20:35.440><c> force</c> as as I look through the task force as as I look through the task force

Bills: HB0150

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:25.720><c> and</c><00:38:25.880><c> what</c> Task Force is so important and what Task Force
• Task Force been meeting the Commander's Task Force been meeting for<00:39:13.240><c> a</c><00:39:13.280
• </c> to formalize the Commander's Task Force. to formalize the Commander's Task Force.
• </c> will come to the Commanders Task Force. will come to the Commanders Task Force.
• So, sorry, it Commander's Task Force.

Summary: The committee heard an introductory presentation from Sam Daily of Believe It Canine Service Partners, a nonprofit that trains service dogs free of charge for disabled veterans. Daily described the organization’s work with veterans, including placements with MACV and a service dog at Veteran Village in Eagan, and said the group has placed 80 teams so far. Senator Howe asked whether the organization had pursued Support Our Troops grants, and Daily said it had received two SOS grants. The first bill taken up was Senate File 4172, as amended, which would expand eligibility for burial in Minnesota state veterans cemeteries to honorably discharged reservists, National Guard members, and Air National Guard members, and would allow some honor guard use for eligible people. Senator Howe said the bill corrects an inequity for Guard and reserve members who served honorably but are not currently eligible. Glenn Pence testified in support, saying the bill recognizes National Guard service and should allow those veterans to be buried with others they served alongside. MDVA’s David Swantek supported the concept but warned that expanded eligibility would increase demand, especially at Little Falls, and could shorten its projected capacity timeline from about 48 years to about 30 years. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then laid the bill over for inclusion in the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance Omnibus Bill. The committee then heard Senate File 4026, which sets standards for MDVA competitive grants and adds accountability and residency requirements. Senator Koran said the bill would help the department review grants and ensure funds serve Minnesota veterans and families. MDVA chief of staff Dave Belfi supported the bill, saying it reflects agency feedback, aligns with existing residency rules, and does not affect CVSO, VSO, or Support Our Troops grants. The A1 amendment was adopted, and the bill was laid over for inclusion in the omnibus bill. Next, Senate File 4807 was heard, a bill to update pay for National Guard soldiers and airmen called to state active duty. MDVA and National Guard officials said the bill would simplify statute language and raise the minimum base pay for lower ranks to the E5 level, with future adjustments tied to federal pay tables. Senator Kunesh asked about funding, and staff explained the cost would come through an open general-fund emergency appropriation, estimated at about $30,000 annually but varying with activations. The committee adopted amendments to incorporate SF 4172 and SF 4026 into SF 4807, made technical corrections, and then recommended SF 4807, as amended, to pass and be referred to the full committee. Finally, the committee heard Senate File 3603, which would create a program allowing school districts to issue high school diplomas to Minnesota veterans who left school to serve during the Korean conflict or Vietnam War. Senator Rasmussen said the bill recognizes veterans who interrupted their education for service. MDVA’s John Kelly supported the bill, noting it reflects input from MDVA and the Department of Education and that similar programs exist in other states. The committee voted to recommend the bill to pass and refer it to the full committee. The meeting also began discussion of Senate File 4560, which would formalize the Commander's Task Force, but the transcript cuts off before that bill was acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• task force: Mr.
• </c><00:00:53.280><c> force</c> to establish a SGU task force to establish a SGU task force to<00:00:
• </c> is a result of that task force. is a result of that task force.
• </c> Of this task force of 13 people, 10 of these task force members are veterans of the United States
• </c> deputy commissioner through that task deputy commissioner through that task force force force to

Transcript Highlights:

• Suggested the change to the Joint Oversight Task Force, and I think the task force did its due diligence
• Task force. Okay, go ahead. Thank you. Go ahead. Thank you.
• Julie Miller, on behalf of the task force, said that the task force has great respect for patient privacy
• The original rule was promulgated by the PDMP task force.
• It takes... promulgated by the PDMP task force.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Administrative Rules

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:21:13.680><c> Hennepin</c> for a task force to look at Hennepin for a task force to look at Hennepin
• ><c> to</c><00:21:23.120><c> be</c> is an a task force um that needed to be is an a task force um that
• <c> but</c><00:23:47.280><c> I</c> I know the task force is at 14, but I I know the task force is at
• Why is not 14 members of the task force.
• </c> say in who's on the task force? say in who's on the task force?

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Reginald King, SPEED Task Force coordinator, and I am from OPSD.
• I'm the token senator on this task force. Sorry, everyone.
• This was not what we are supposed to do for our task force.
• And what we had decided as this task force is we...
• uh, SPEED Task Force. >> Beg your pardon? >> What member are you as uh SPEED Task Force?

Transcript Highlights:

• We've accomplished many of those things, including setting up this task force.
• We shared that response and report with the Nuclear Task Force last week.
• We had our first meeting last week with that task force. task force with Governor Little.
• We shared that response and report with the Nuclear Task Force last week.
• The task force also directed our office to work on an RFI announced by The task force also directed our

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Department of Juvenile Corrections budget. Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson outlined the agency’s funding sources, staffing, recent expenditure patterns, and several FY 2026 and FY 2027 budget requests, including substance use disorder treatment, youth assessment center funding, replacement items, IT upgrades, and a clinician services transfer from the Department of Health and Welfare. Members asked about the governor’s holdback, public works projects, vehicle replacements, and staffing. Director Ashley Dowell said the department’s census has declined due to strong county partnerships, prevention and diversion efforts, and youth assessment centers, and she explained that a staffing analysis found the agency understaffed by 12 positions, with six vacancies converted to direct care roles. She also described the holdback impacts as coming from contract reductions, internal efficiencies, travel and training cuts, and substance use disorder funding adjustments. The committee adjourned after the department discussion. The committee then reviewed the Office of Energy and Mineral Resources budget. Peterson described the office’s mostly federal funding, small staff, dedicated funds, prior energy resilience appropriations, and FY 2027 requests for personnel realignment, Idaho Orchestrating Nuclear (ION) support, and home energy rebates. Administrator Callie Younger said the office is focused on energy resilience, permitting coordination, hydropower relicensing, geothermal and mining projects, and a growing nuclear policy portfolio. She highlighted the new nuclear task force, the office’s request for information to industry, and work on a federal request related to a nuclear lifecycle campus. Members asked about nuclear development, spent fuel, modular reactors, permitting efficiency, and whether the office might merge with the Office of Species Conservation. Younger said the office is exploring a merger because of overlapping permitting functions and could reduce positions and save some general funds, while also improving its ability to handle nuclear and mining work. The chair closed by noting the committee’s alignment with several governor’s office recommendations and adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:52.079><c> force</c> uh um and receive the SU uh task force uh um and receive the SU uh task
• in Laos task force.
• forces in Laos task Units and irregular forces in Laos task force.<00:09:33.440><c> We</c><00:09:33.680
• </c><00:20:20.960><c> force</c> effort and thank you to the task force effort and thank you to the task
• </c> discussions on the SCU task force? discussions on the SCU task force?

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• the</c> moves a task force from under the moves a task force from under the Department<01:21:06.840>
• </c> on the task force uh and then on the task force uh and then subdivision<01:21:48.800><c> five</c
• task force and I sustainable foraging task force and I just<01:41:59.159><c> want</c><01:41:59.320><c
• </c><01:43:49.760><c> force</c> hoping that through this task force hoping that through this task force
• force here. ...the task force here, and it sounded like Mr.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• He has formed a unified cannabis enforcement task force.
• The task force has been up and running almost two years.
• Force, and then any excess funds... ...and administer the Dungeness Crab Task Force, and then any excess
• And this is going to be on the California Dungeness Crab Task Force.
• has raised some concerns by task force members.

Committee: House Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture

Summary: The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Aquaculture held its annual State of the Fishery forum, focusing on salmon, Dungeness crab, kelp, ocean conditions, and related aquaculture and committee reports. Opening remarks from committee leadership emphasized climate impacts, reduced federal NOAA support, state investments through Proposition 4, coastal resilience funding, and the importance of fisheries to rural economies and tribal communities. Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot described a decade of drought and climate stress, highlighted progress such as Klamath River dam removal, wetland restoration, and the state’s salmon strategy, and warned that federal funding uncertainty and staffing cuts could undermine restoration and fishery recovery efforts. Senator Cortese raised concerns about illegal cannabis cultivation damaging riparian habitat and water flows, and both Crowfoot and Fish and Wildlife Director Bonham said enforcement against illicit grows remains a major environmental priority but is constrained by resources. Director Bonham provided a broad update on California fisheries, reporting encouraging signs for salmon after several difficult years, including improved ocean conditions, stronger returns in some runs, and successful short recreational openings in 2025. He also noted major challenges, including reduced federal hatchery production at Nimbus, ongoing uncertainty around winter-run and spring-run recovery, and the need for continued habitat restoration, monitoring, and hatchery investment. On Dungeness crab, Bonham said the fishery remained valuable but constrained by whale entanglement risk, warming ocean conditions, and domoic acid concerns; he described new marked-line distribution, ropeless and alternative gear trials, and ongoing aerial and vessel monitoring. He also said the department’s unified cannabis enforcement task force had served numerous warrants and seized large amounts of illegal cannabis, but more funding is needed for sustained operations. In the salmon panel, Yurok Tribe fisheries director McCovey said the Klamath still faces low run sizes, climate-driven warming, wildfire impacts, and federal uncertainty, but he pointed to dam removal, restoration work, and AB 263’s river-flow protections as major advances. PCFFA president Bradshaw stressed that the three consecutive salmon closures have devastated coastal communities and argued for major reinvestment in aging Central Valley hatchery infrastructure and better broodstock management at Fall Creek. CalTrout’s Schneider said salmon remain at risk statewide, but cited Prop 4, habitat reconnection, floodplain restoration, improved water management, and monitoring as the main tools for recovery. In the crab panel, CDFW’s Schumann reported that the 2024–25 season produced record prices per pound and about $55 million in value despite delays and trap reductions, but he warned that three confirmed whale entanglements and elevated whale presence could force a conservative opener for 2025–26. PCFFA’s Domrash supported marked line, alternative gear, and a new gear-recovery network, while also criticizing the current ramp system as a response to a problem not fully grounded in science.