Transcript Highlights:

• to a national Pelby approved process to a national accredititor<00:09:41.920> process.
• open the formal rulemaking process. open the formal rulemaking process.
• <00:25:39.600> A multi-step process with them. A multi-step process with them.
• . process. process.
• These are non-refundable fees. notified. These are non-refundable fees.

Bills: HF3635, HF3638

Keywords: teacher mobility, interstate compact, licensure, military spouses, education, teacher regulation, teacher qualifications, state sovereignty, educator licensing, paraprofessional credentials, mental health, professional development, data sharing, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• really an open and transparent process really an open and transparent process in<00:23:55.039>
• <00:24:55.080> to little Breathing Room in that process to little Breathing Room in that process
• So the nine months for us is a happy medium that we could do and process this particular tariff.
• there's there needs to be that process there's there needs to be that process kind<00:51:44.480>
• medium um that we could do and process medium um that we could do and process this<00:51:55.760>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on March 19, 2025, and first heard SB 137 SD2 HD1 relating to electric utilities. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the Public Utilities Commission said they stood on their written comments, IBEW Local 1260 supported the bill, and Ulupono Initiative also supported it. Hawaiian Electric supported the intent but asked for an amendment, saying the bill’s definition of “acquiring entity” was too broad and could unintentionally cover purely local utility transactions. A later witness from Life of the Land supported the bill only if the merger/acquisition language were removed, arguing the PUC would not have a workable mechanism to let a cooperative intervene in a utility sale process. Committee members questioned whether the bill could still work without that section, and Ulupono said it was open to clarifying language but did not seek to remove the provision; the discussion ended without a vote in the excerpt provided. The committee then took up SB 1220 SD2 relating to a renewable gas tariff. The Division of Consumer Advocacy and the PUC again stood on written comments. HGas strongly supported the measure, saying it would create a faster, more cost-effective path for a voluntary renewable gas tariff without requiring a full rate case, while preserving PUC oversight and consumer protections. The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas also supported the bill, emphasizing that it would expand consumer choice and help Hawaii’s clean energy goals while keeping the program voluntary and shielding non-participating customers from costs. Henry Curtis of Life of the Land opposed the bill, arguing that HGas already had an active rate case and could have raised the issue there, and that the proposal did not increase renewable gas supply or speed up acquisition; he called it a gimmick. In response, HGas said the bill was mainly a mechanism to speed filing and that the details would be worked out in a PUC docket. Committee members pressed HGas on whether the measure would actually add renewable gas, what source would be used, and whether customers would simply be paying more for the same gas; HGas said it had two projects in development, including banagrass and hydrogen-related work, and that the tariff would be a voluntary opt-in rate for customers seeking renewable natural gas to meet sustainability goals. No vote was taken in the excerpt provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• We cannot enforce that provision, but I believe that there are other bills moving through the process
• the Deaf and Blind down in Tucson, they've closed that facility and they're getting, they're in the process
• the School for the Deaf and Blind down in Tucson, they've closed that facility and they're in the process
• production, residential solar energy devices, pollution control equipment, new equipment, and the refundable
• provide a question-and-answer period for bidders and interested parties outside of the procurement process

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The process for withdrawal is straightforward.
• law enforcement to help with training, investigations, and other needs, but we understand how that process
• These non-refundable fees range from $500 to $3000 depending on the permit time.
• important we manage where it goes, and this equates to a lot of permits for the railroad Commission to process
• Requiring permit fees is a sensible way to manage the costs associated associated with processing these

Transcript Highlights:

• So this will be the process.
• And just as an aside, during this process, Senator- Creighton I sent out a letter to university systems
• money but I can promise you every line is looked at several times through a long long long tedious process
• number two was for eight FTEs for additional staff resources to improve increased water permit processing
• That was substituting general revenue for the unclaimed refunds of motorists. to vote fuel tax.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was an interesting process for me.
• as a freshman in order to learn the budget process.
• For the first time in seven years, my husband and I got a tax refund.
• This process, like we've seen especially in the past few years, wasn't pretty.
• She had already gone through a permit process and everything like that.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so please reach out through the process so please reach out to<00:09:40.680> us<00:09:41.279>
• <00:21:55.120> uh continue to engage in that process uh continue to engage in that process
• it's a consent type process so it's a transparent<00:47:13.680> process<00:47:14.440> cities
• To top it off, they described the outrageous costs for them to endure this process.
• They have a very strict permitting regulation process.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate File 285, a bill to shift MnDOT highway project cost participation away from local governments and onto MnDOT. The bill’s author and several city representatives said current cost-share policies force cities to spend local aid, property taxes, or debt on state highway projects they do not control, leaving less money for local streets and maintenance. Testifiers from Richfield, Elk River, Faribault, Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Association of Small Cities all supported the bill, describing the policy as one-size-fits-all, financially burdensome, and especially harmful to smaller cities and cities with major state highways running through them. Witnesses gave examples of large and sometimes changing local cost-share obligations, including Richfield’s spending of most of its MSA funds on projects it does not own and a small-city project where the estimated local share rose from about $2.3 million to over $3 million. Several testifiers said cities often have little practical ability to refuse MnDOT projects because the projects are valuable and MnDOT can move on if a city declines. One witness also raised concerns about money being paid upfront and held in an account during construction, causing cities to lose interest earnings while funds sit unused. Members asked whether cities truly have a say in these projects and whether there are limits on how much the local share can increase. Testifiers said MnDOT does engage cities, but the cost participation policy largely dictates the outcome, and they described the municipal consent statute as too narrow in practice. Senators expressed concern about fairness and the burden on local budgets, while one member noted the bill may not fully address the broader consent issue. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:54:03.319> has<00:54:03.559> the the process has the the process has the necessary
• I think it's a corruption of our process.
• The speaker thinks it's a corruption of our process.
• think it's a Corruption of our process think it's a Corruption of our process so<01:30:07.840>
• substantially more access to the process substantially more access to the process that's<01:31:09.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Elections Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first considered the reappointment of Steven Swanson to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board. Swanson described his background in legal aid, lobbying, judging, and international rule-of-law work, and said he wanted to continue serving the public. Committee members praised his experience and discussed the importance of campaign finance oversight, including preventing corporate participation in Minnesota elections. Senator Wosinski moved to recommend Swanson’s confirmation, and the motion was adopted. The committee then heard Senate File 529, a proposed constitutional amendment to state that elections shall be free, fair, and equal, and that no civil or military power may interfere with the free exercise of the right to vote. Senator Dibble presented the bill as a way to strengthen voting rights and provide a constitutional basis to challenge voter suppression, gerrymandering, and unfair campaign practices. Testimony in support came from David Fischer of Clean Elections Minnesota and Jean Massie of Fair Vote Minnesota, both of whom argued the amendment would protect access to voting, increase confidence in elections, and align Minnesota with other states that have similar language. Members discussed whether the amendment’s broad language could invite judicial interpretation or affect future election laws. Senator Koran questioned how the proposal would improve Minnesota’s already high turnout, while Senator Grant raised concerns that the terms “free, fair, and equal” were undefined and could shift power to the courts. Senator Lucero proposed an oral amendment to add “ensuring one eligible citizen, one vote” after the word “equal,” saying it would address concerns about future voter ID laws. The amendment was restated by counsel and discussed, with Senator Dibble saying it did not significantly harm the bill but suggesting it might imply a requirement he did not intend. The transcript ends during discussion of that oral amendment, and no final vote on the bill itself is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:47.240> so they have a very simplified process so they have a very simplified process
• It's a year-long process.
• the DNR through the allocation process the DNR through the allocation process we<00:32:01.639>
• They process all those payments.
• or they can go through a whole process or they can go through a whole process and<00:46:33.480><

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee held its first meeting of the session, with members and staff introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing the committee’s role in overseeing Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment funds. The committee then received an overview of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund from Mary Davis. She explained that the fund receives 19.75% of the 1% sales tax, is constitutionally limited to arts education, arts access, and preserving Minnesota history and cultural heritage, and is not a guaranteed base for prior recipients. She reviewed major recipients and statutory requirements, including the Minnesota State Arts Board’s 47% share, funding for the Historical Society, libraries, humanities and cultural organizations, public media, and the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council. She also noted the 5% reserve requirement, reporting obligations, and a 2023 legislative directive to improve access through free or reduced admission and outreach to households regardless of income. The committee next heard from Janelle Taylor on the natural resources funds, focusing on the Clean Water Fund and Parks and Trails Fund. She said the Clean Water Fund receives 33% of Legacy revenues and must be used to protect, enhance, and restore water quality and protect groundwater, with at least 5% dedicated to drinking water sources. She described the Clean Water Council’s recommendation process and said most of the money goes to Board of Water and Soil Resources projects, with additional funding for PCA and DNR monitoring. In response to a question about Hastings and PFAS contamination, she said the legislature could appropriate clean water money if the project fits the constitutional criteria and protects drinking water sources. For the Parks and Trails Fund, she explained it receives 14.25% of Legacy revenues and is allocated under the long-standing 40-40-20 split: 40% to state parks and trails, 40% to metropolitan regional parks and trails, and 20% to Greater Minnesota regional parks and trails. House Fiscal Analysis staff then reviewed the reserve requirement and available balances, noting that each Legacy fund must keep a 5% reserve to protect against forecast changes. For the upcoming biennium, they cited approximately $327.229 million available for the Outdoor Heritage Fund, $184.73 million for the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, and $133.13 million for the Parks and Trails Fund, with the Clean Water Fund total discussed earlier at about $311 million. Members briefly discussed the importance of the reserve and the zero-base nature of the funds. The committee then moved on to an overview of the Outdoor Heritage Fund and Outdoor Heritage Council from Mark Johnson and Joe Pelco, who explained that the fund was approved by voters in 2008, lasts 25 years, receives about one-third of the 3/8 of 1% sales tax, and is used to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands, prairies, forests, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife. They described the council’s statutory role, the small grants program for projects from $5,000 to $500,000, and the annual recommendation process, but no votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was an interesting process for me. Please.
• as a freshman in order to learn the budget process.
• For the first time in seven years, my husband and I got a tax refund.
• This process, like we've seen especially in the past few years, wasn't pretty.
• She had already gone through a permit process and everything like that.

Summary: The House convened, opened with prayer and the Pledge, approved the journal, and welcomed several guests in the gallery, including a high school student and an advocate connected to the domestic violence bill HB 2995. The chamber then moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, first advancing HB 4155, HB 4156, and HB 4157, then HB 4164, HB 4165, and HB 4166, all with do-pass recommendations and no substantive amendments on those calendars. Later, the House also considered SB 1326, a victims’ rights measure, adopted a floor amendment, and reported it out as amended. The House corrected an earlier clerical error regarding HB 4155-4157 being referred to engrossing rather than third reading. The House then took up a long series of final passage votes on Senate bills. SB 2174, SB 2611, SB 1011, SB 1012, SB 1016, SB 1018, SB 1038, SB 1039, SB 1040, SB 1053, SB 1055, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1061, SB 1068, SB 1069, SB 1075, SB 1100, SB 1113 on reconsideration, SB 1160, and SB 1170 all passed. SB 2873, SB 1004, SB 1009, SB 1042, SB 1043, SB 1049, SB 1093, and SB 1143 failed. SB 2995, the emergency family-law/domestic-violence bill known as the Alec and Lydia Act, passed with the required two-thirds vote after extensive debate; supporters said it would better protect children and clarify judicial standards, while opponents argued its definitions were overly broad and could harm families. SB 1018 on foreign laws also drew extended debate over Sharia law, with supporters framing it as a defense of American values and opponents calling it unnecessary and discriminatory. Several votes included explanations focused on policy concerns. SB 1004 on sex-offender registration and monitoring drew debate over whether electronic monitoring is effective. SB 1040 on voter registration transparency prompted arguments over public access to voter rolls versus privacy and security. SB 1118 on municipal zoning and historical homes was debated as a property-rights and local-control issue, with supporters saying it could help preserve affordable housing and opponents warning it would override local decisions. The House also adopted motions to reconsider prior actions on SB 1043 and SB 1100, and it requested the Senate return SB 1552 for reconsideration. The session ended with the House still processing additional Committee of the Whole business, including HB 4158, HB 4159, HB 4160, HB 4161, HB 4162, and HB 4163, with HB 4162 and HB 4163 receiving floor amendments and do-pass recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They get that refunded back, and that's kind of always been. But if you could increase theirs by...

Bills: SB45, SB73, SB169, HB243, SB177

Keywords: athlete agents, commission, state regulation, Alabama, higher education, athletics, membership diversity, catastrophe savings account, catastrophe fund, storm savings, disaster savings, hurricane, windstorm, floodwaters, hail, tornado, property insurance, homeowners insurance, insurance deductible, FORTIFIED

Transcript Highlights:

• We want them to stay here and be processed here in Minnesota.
• <00:14:12.000> and values, supports more processing and values, supports more processing and
• , additional jobs tied to processing, additional jobs tied to processing, transportation,<00:14:37.600
• in<00:53:32.240> Minnesota established a process in Minnesota established a process in Minnesota
• <01:15:37.760> were during the process, modifications were during the process, modifications

Bills: HF1669, HF4709, HF3531, HF4048

Keywords: tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers

Transcript Highlights:

• First process of bills on introduction.
• 21.199> for Wyoming's budget process allows for Wyoming's budget process allows for amendment<
• And the second rest of this uh, process.
• <02:03:54.159> Then going to have budget process. Then going to have budget process.
• So the the governor's budget JC process.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• under statute, and allows the paralysis practice to go into being able to be eligible for the tire refund
• does not appropriate any funds; the investment will still have to come through the regular budget process
• law governing first-party motor vehicle damages and claims by establishing a standardized appraisal process
• We've been through that process before. Recognized for follow-up Follow-up, thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB4420, HB3974, HB3016, HB3062, HB3021, HB3145, HB4128, HB3131, HB3015, HB3472, HB3453, HB1638, HB4126, HB2696, HB2710, HB3552, HB3031, HB3544, HB3521, HB4490, HB4488, HB1746, HJR1069, HB4428, HB4429, HB1170, HB3538, HB4124, HB3904, HB4106, HB2999, HB3982, HJR1077, HB3464, HB2588, HB3462, HB4440, HB3674, HB3345, HJR1067, HB4326, HB4331, HB4337, HB4338, HB4359, HB4392, HB3557, HJR1076, HB4003, HB3495, HB3497, HB3501, HB3505, HB3749, HB3011, HB4336, HB4346, HJR1087, HB3240, HB3647, HB3796, HB3969, HB3972, HB3983, HB3984, HB3989, HB3383, HB3130, HB4358, HB3327, HJR1055, HB3386, HJR1089, HB3087, HB2970, HB3314, HB4129, HB4199

Keywords: reading, intervention, literacy, education, third grade retention, teacher training, funding, Strong Readers Act, tort claims, inmate housing, government immunity, public trust, private prison, emergency legislation, vision screening, binocular vision, kindergarten, elementary education, health, firearm rights

Transcript Highlights:

• I truly appreciate your involvement in this process.
• Senator Davis: which covers psychological care was omitted from the change and has had the longer refund
• compensation, and creates an alternative option for judicial notarization and moves an administrative process
• Similar to the process adopted by the Appropriations Committee, amendments cannot be balanced by drawing

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in the midst of that process right now.
• How do we work through that process? So it's not a one-size-fits-all, if I can just be honest.
• What is the process that the department goes through to determine...
• What is the process that the department goes through to determine which areas across our state have,
• Our work program can be a very complex process. And so we will get back with you on that.

Summary: The committee heard two informational presentations: one from the Department of Commerce and one from the Florida Department of Transportation. Jason Mahon of Commerce outlined the state’s economic development strategy and tools, emphasizing Florida’s GDP growth, business formation, and strengths in manufacturing, high-tech, defense, life sciences, and international trade. He described programs such as the State Small Business Credit Initiative, the Rural Community Investment Program, the Florida Opportunity Fund, the Rural Infrastructure Fund, the Job Growth Grant Fund, performance-based tax credits, and disaster recovery loans, and cited examples including ServiceNow, Williams International, NeoCity, and Point Blank Enterprises. Members asked about small-business grants, foreign investment interest, workforce needs, and whether additional tools are needed; Mahon said most Commerce programs are loan-focused and noted ongoing workforce and site-readiness challenges. Jennifer Marshall of FDOT then reviewed major transportation projects and the Moving Florida Forward initiative, highlighting congestion relief, express lanes, bridge and interchange work, and accelerated delivery methods. She cited projects such as Golden Glades, I-95 improvements, the NASA Causeway Bridge, the DuPont Bridge, I-4 corridor work, the First Coast Expressway, the Howard Frankland Bridge, A1A seawall work, and Turnpike projects, along with examples of cost savings and schedule acceleration. Senators asked about how express lane locations are chosen, toll revenue use in South Florida, the status and cost of the I-395 downtown Miami project, and whether EV and rideshare access to express lanes should be preserved. FDOT said it would follow up on several of those questions, and the committee adjourned without taking any legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The people went and got a ballot title, went through the process.
• I don't know how many of you have ever been to that process, Many of you have ever been to that process
• And it's a long process. There's a lot you have to go through.
• , but don't get to happen through the ballot initiative process.
• I don't think any of us would agree with that process.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really the cash flow process. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Secretary.
• For an IRB to make sense financially in New Mexico, it's a fairly complicated process.
• I don't know how to do it properly So it's an expensive process.
• So if you can provide a list as this process moves forward of where we would actually be bringing this
• I had a few questions about the IRB process for getting an IRB.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to say that you'll be pleased once again that the driver of this whole budget process is our
• The driver of this whole budget process is our six-year budget plan, and you all will have that in front
• First item is our budget process. We started to. First item is our budget process.
• So that process started in September and then led into October with the typical rating agency, a Russian
• Corrections, we feel, with these improvements, if they make it through the legislative process, should

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• certificates or ammonia certificates and then retire those certificates, and the amount would be refunded
• :07.600> right<00:14:07.759> there<00:14:07.880> on<00:14:08.000> the refund
• that are involved in um uh in processes that are involved in um uh in uh<00:17:47.240> producing<
• In the case of community solar gardens, that review is not part of the process in the original program
• <01:04:10.640> in<01:04:10.760> the is not part of the process in the is not part of

Bills: HF2103, HF2793

Keywords: energy, renewable energy, ammonia, hydrogen, certificate tracking, funding, environment, community solar, energy policy, sustainability, solar garden program, regulation sunset, 1183, house