Transcript Highlights:

• For African-American students.
• Actually, our town is named after an African-American man. St.
• And as you know, there's a bill for an African American Museum in Eatonville.
• American history, about Black history. ...our children about African American history, about Black history
• And not very many kids can go back that far and understand what African American history is.

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met and considered a series of bills on trust law, homestead property assessments, emergency preparedness, utility service restrictions, Black history museum planning, historic preservation, firefighter benefits, and community redevelopment agencies. Several measures were presented as technical or policy updates, including CS/SB 262 on trust code clarifications, SJR 174 and SB 176 on limiting homestead assessment increases for flood-mitigation elevations, SB 608 renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Florida statutes, SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, SB 582 increasing penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings, SB 1202 extending health insurance premium benefits to firefighters permanently disabled during training, and SB 1242 phasing out CRAs and restricting new projects. SB 180 on emergency preparedness and response also advanced after a strike-all amendment that added FEMA reimbursement streamlining, mutual aid coordination, and other disaster-response provisions. SB 1128 on building permits for single-family dwellings was amended to clarify local review authority and professional liability protections before passage. The committee heard substantial testimony on SB 466, which implements the Black History Task Force’s recommendation to locate the Florida Museum of Black History in St. Johns County/St. Augustine. Supporters emphasized the area’s civil rights and Black history significance, the task force process, and the backing of Florida Memorial University and local leaders; one witness opposed the bill and urged a feasibility study and consideration of other sites. SB 1242 drew the most sustained debate, with supporters arguing many CRAs have outlived their purpose and opponents warning the bill would eliminate a valuable local economic development tool, harm affordable housing projects, and create uncertainty for phased developments and existing projects. SB 1002 also drew opposition testimony from advocates who warned of broad unintended consequences for municipal utilities and local energy choices, while the sponsor said the bill was intended to resolve a specific legal misunderstanding. Votes were taken on each measure, and all of the bills considered were reported favorably by the committee. The committee adopted the amendment to CS/SB 262, the strike-all amendment to SB 180, and the amendment to SB 1128 before final passage. Several senators requested to be recorded on specific tabs after the meeting, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• lived in Minnesota and African-Americans lived in Minnesota and contributed<00:35:15.440><c> to</c><
• </c> This history demonstrates the intertwined experiences between America, the African-American, and
• They brought enslaved African-Americans African-Americans African-Americans uh<00:36:32.480><c> with<
• , and the Native the African-American, and the Native American,<00:37:11.599><c> shaping</c><00:37:12.160
• moved to the moved African-Americans moved to the moved from<00:38:22.240><c> the</c><00:38:22.400><

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• African countries migrated to the United States, settling in my district, including the great people
• had the opportunity to celebrate in the streets when the Senegalese national soccer team won the African
• [Applause] AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS IN BOTH 2022 AND YES, AGAIN, IN 2026.
• A pillar of the American dream is the pillar of equality of opportunity. Equality of opportunity.
• President, in my opinion, are the greatest American art forms. Argue with me if you wish.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and adopted a resolution calendar with several exceptions before taking up a series of ceremonial resolutions and bills. Members welcomed student visitors from the YWCA of White Plains’ Voices Unfiltered Policy Program, then adopted resolutions honoring Senegalese independence and the Senegalese community, MWBE Advocacy Day, John Coltrane’s 100th birthday, the Sing Sing Prison Museum, I Love My Park Day, Animal Advocacy Day, Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month, and Denim Day. Speakers emphasized cultural recognition, public service, environmental stewardship, animal welfare, rare disease awareness, and support for survivors of sexual violence; each resolution was adopted. The chamber then moved through the regular calendar, passing a number of bills on broad roll-call votes. Among the measures approved were bills amending the Penal Law, Executive Law, Public Housing Law, Retirement and Social Security Law, Social Services Law, Environmental Conservation Law, General Municipal Law, Railroad Law, Election Law, Labor Law, and Public Service Law. Several bills passed unanimously or nearly so, while a few drew notable opposition, including a public health measure that passed 39-19 and the labor-related bill on ghost job postings that passed 39-19 after extended debate. The most detailed floor debate centered on the Labor Law bill addressing “ghost jobs,” requiring employers with 100 or more employees to disclose whether postings are for current vacancies, expected future openings, or general resume collection, with Department of Labor enforcement and civil penalties. Supporters argued it would protect job seekers from deceptive postings; opponents said it was unnecessary, burdensome, and could invite litigation or penalties disproportionate to the problem. The Senate also debated and passed a bill expanding election-language assistance under the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act to Haitian Creole and Middle Eastern and North African communities, with supporters citing growing language-access needs and opponents raising concerns about scope and local costs. The Senate then adjourned until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to support the African American history.
• And I think that not only should African Americans learn about the history of our people, but everyone
• So African American history is the history of America, and it is incumbent upon all of us to make sure
• African American courses have been denied as an opportunity for children to learn.
• African American courses have been denied as an opportunity for children to learn.

Summary: The Committee on Rules met and first approved several open-government sunset repeal bills and related measures. SB 7024 and SB 7026, both sponsored by Senator Mayfield, were explained as consolidating and extending public records/public meetings exemptions for cybersecurity information and trade secrets held by agencies; both were reported favorably. SB 7020, sponsored by Senator Trumbull, reenacted an aquaculture records exemption for records held by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and was also reported favorably. Later, the committee approved SB 14 and SB 24, claims bills for relief involving Miami-Dade County, and SB 16, a claims bill for Heriberto Sanchez Mayan against the City of St. Petersburg; all were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also approved CS for SB 806, a consumer right-to-repair bill creating portable wireless device and agricultural equipment repair acts, despite opposition from several industry groups, and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the African American community has played a central role in the movements of justice, civil rights
• History Month was established to recognize and honor the profound impact of African Americans in fields
• As Minnesota's African American community has a deep-rooted history with historical contributions in
• Whereas despite progress, African Americans continue to face disparities in economic opportunity, health
• American history.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dorchester-Oxbury Matapan or someone in the African-American community in Boston.
• There needs to be an office for American Freedmen, not Black Americans, not African Americans, because
• American Freedmen, not Black Americans, not African Americans, because right now Elon Musk could qualify
• He's South African and he's American. So we have to be specific about why.
• Not Caribbean Americans, not Africans, not Black people, because Black people is not a country.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills related to open meeting law, municipal meetings, town meetings, and remote participation. Senator Rausch supported S. 2205 and S. 2206, and House companion H. 3382, saying they would make remote participation in public bodies permanent and streamline open meeting law and public records complaint processes to reduce burdens on local officials. Committee members and the senator discussed concerns about complaints being weaponized, the role of the Attorney General, and whether public testimony should be presumed allowed unless a chair limits it with justification. The senator said the bills do not change public records fees and are meant to improve process and transparency. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 3342 and S. 2197, which would modernize municipal meetings, town meetings, and local elections by allowing permanent remote or hybrid participation. Supporters included Wayland officials, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, MAPC, MACC, and others, who argued that hybrid and remote options increase participation, help parents, caregivers, people with disabilities, and residents with travel or work constraints, and have worked well during the pandemic-era extensions. Municipal officials emphasized that a mandate would be costly and difficult for smaller communities because of staffing, technology, room design, cybersecurity, and uneven internet access, especially in western Massachusetts. Committee members asked about equal access, funding, and whether local discretion should remain; the chair said the committee wants a permanent solution beyond emergency rules but must balance access with local capacity. The committee also heard testimony on H. 3328, which would allow remote participation to count toward quorum for statewide appointed bodies such as commissions on women and LGBTQ issues. Supporters argued this would improve regional equity and make it easier for people outside Greater Boston to serve, while committee members noted it is a separate issue from municipal meetings and may be easier to address than broader local-government changes. Another bill, H. 4351, was supported by Rep. Brandy Fluker Reed, who described it as creating an Office of Freedmen Affairs to address longstanding racial wealth disparities affecting descendants of enslaved Americans. The hearing also included testimony on H. 3299 from Common Cause and MASSPIRG in favor of guaranteed hybrid access for public meetings with public participation components, with advocates saying it would improve transparency, accessibility, and civic engagement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And let me add my voice to my colleagues who are honoring this really important figure, not just in African-American
• life but in American life.
• where people like Tisch, James, and Carl Heastie, our own Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and an African-American
• lieutenant governor, African-American chief judge in the State of New York, right.
• In this moment, we have more African-American women elected to our state legislature than any other place

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior Journal, and began with ceremonial recognitions before moving to legislative business. Members honored the Schenectady Belmont Pop Warner football team for winning the Eastern Regional Championship and being a top-ranked national team, with Senators Parker and Tedisco praising the players, coaches, and volunteers. The chamber then adopted Senate Resolution 1636, mourning the death of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson and recognizing his lifetime of civil rights, labor, voting rights, and social justice advocacy. Multiple senators spoke in support, reflecting on his influence on politics, the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, and the message that “I am somebody.” After the resolution, the Senate took up the calendar and passed a series of bills, largely focused on health care, insurance, and public health. These included measures on municipal law, mental hygiene, correction law, executive law, and several insurance and public health bills addressing prescription drug pricing, pharmacy benefit managers, rebates, and anti-competitive drug practices. Senators Myrie, Borrello, Jackson, Fernandez, and others explained votes in support of transparency, patient access, and lowering drug costs; some members noted concerns about pharmacy deserts and corporate consolidation. Most bills passed with broad margins, though a few drew more opposition, including Calendar 304 on anti-competitive drug agreements. On Calendar 289, an amendment concerning domestic violence was ruled non-germane by the chair. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick appealed, arguing the amendment would create a public registry for persistent domestic violence offenders to help protect potential victims. The Senate voted on the appeal, the ruling of the chair stood, and the bill was then restored to the non-controversial calendar and passed. The Senate then completed the calendar, had no further business, and adjourned until Wednesday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• But my question—I'd be remiss to ask—are there any African-Americans who are in line to be elevated to
• We had a female African-American and a male African-American who were part of the... ...that were part
• that are minorities right now, and today, we have a female minority who was the first black female African-American
• promoted in the Air Guard. ...black female African-American promoted into the Air Guard.
• He'll be retiring soon, but he is also a black African-American. Yes, sir. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Committee: Senate Confirmations

Transcript Highlights:

• Disparities faced by African-American veterans are not new; I've lived them.
• Despite these challenges, African-American veterans have continued to push for justice and equality.
• When African-Americans go into a facility, they don't see anyone that looks like themselves.
• Where I work right now, I am the only African-American male psychologist there.
• suicide rates of African-American males specifically, but males...

Committee: House Veterans and Military Affairs Division

Transcript Highlights:

• THERE IS NO BETTER WAY FOR THIS MUSEUM THEN SAINT AUGUSTINE, THE CRADLE OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN
• OUR TOWN IS NAMED ON PRINTER AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN. SAINT AUGUSTINE IS NAMED AFTER A BLACK MAN.
• THERE WAS A BILL FOR AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM AND THERE WAS A BILL FOR AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN
• YEARS REGARDING EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY, ABOUT BLACK HISTORY.
• NOT VERY MANY KIDS CAN GO BACK THAT FAR AND UNDERSTAND WHAT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IS MY FAMILY TAUGHT

Transcript Highlights:

• These milestones and civil rights empower not just African Americans, but also Latino Americans and other
• And myself, I'm told that I'm the first African American woman to hold the position of Assistant Senate
• American history is American history.
• American history is American history.
• Really, African American history is American history.

Transcript Highlights:

• She says the African-American community has played a central role in the movements for justice, civil
• She says African-American history month was established to recognize and honor the profound impact of
• African Americans in fields such as government, law, education, science, business, the arts, sports,
• </c><02:14:29.400><c> history</c> appreciation of African-American history appreciation of African-American
• African-American history his month thank African-American history his month thank you<02:14:52.599><c

Transcript Highlights:

• organizations committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African-Americans
• survival</c><00:04:43.520><c> of</c> culture and economic survival of culture and economic survival of African-Americans
• 44.639><c> and</c><00:04:44.960><c> other</c><00:04:45.120><c> people</c><00:04:45.440><c> of</c> African-Americans
• and other people of African-Americans and other people of African<00:04:46.160><c> ancestry.
• Americans and other people of African ancestry.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we want to be for African-American students.
• Actually, our town is named after an African American man. St.
• And as you know, there's a bill for an African American Museum in Eatonville.
• And not very many kids can go back that far and understand what African American history is.
• And that motivated me at the age of 20 years old to start collecting African American memorabilia.

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs met and took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with SB 262 on trust law technical changes. Senator Berman explained four clarifications involving trust decanting, successor trustee actions, ademption by satisfaction, and homestead/community trust definitions; a technical amendment was adopted and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved SJR 174 and SB 176, which together would prevent certain homestead tax assessment increases when owners elevate flood-prone homes, and SB 180, a hurricane preparedness and response bill that included a strike-all amendment addressing FEMA reimbursement, mutual aid, hazard mitigation, and post-disaster rebuilding issues. Supporters from emergency management, beaches, counties, and local business groups testified in favor of SB 180, and it was reported favorably. Members then approved SB 608, which renames the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in Florida statutes, despite questions about cost and an appearance in opposition. SB 1002, dealing with utility service restrictions and local government limits on energy-related policies, drew opposition from Earthjustice and Florida for All over possible unintended consequences and fossil-fuel favoritism, but was still reported favorably. SB 466 on the Florida Museum of Black History generated extensive testimony, with strong support from St. Augustine, Florida Memorial University, pastors, local officials, and the museum foundation for locating the museum in St. Johns County; one witness argued for Eatonville instead, but the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 1128 on building permits for single-family dwellings after an amendment clarified local zoning review and added insurance and liability protections for design professionals. SB 582, increasing penalties for unlawful demolition of historic buildings and structures, was reported favorably with support from preservation advocates. SB 1202, extending family health insurance premium benefits to firefighters permanently disabled during training exercises, also passed without opposition. Finally, SB 1242 on community redevelopment agencies prompted the most debate: supporters argued CRAs can be valuable tools for affordable housing and redevelopment, while opponents warned the bill would effectively end all CRAs by 2045 and block new projects; after extensive discussion, the bill was reported favorably. At the end, senators recorded additional votes on several tabs, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I mean, a Black, an African American Republican can win any one of these districts.
• An African American Republican can win any one of these districts.
• Just like African-American.
• I don't know about African American or Black voters, but 6% Democrats, correct?
• But as far as an African-American candidate, I think they could get elected to any district.

Bills: SR122 , SR123 , SR124 , SCR12 , HB940 , HB221 , HCR109 , HCR58 , HB27 , HB143 , HB205 , HB259 , HB267 , HB288 , HB308 , HB403 , HB405 , HB414 , HB417 , HB478 , HB546 , HB548 , HB555 , HB557 , HB609 , HB670 , HB672 , HB740 , HB779 , HB786 , HB796 , HB812 , HB848 , HB909 , HB915 , HB917 , HB921 , HB930 , HB933 , HB938 , HB971 , HB1095 , HB1096 , HB1103 , HB1129 , HB1154 , HB1166 , HB1187 , HB1195 , HB1230 , SB121 , SCR22 , SCR24 , SB29 , SB30 , SB32 , SB41 , SB42 , SB43 , SB47 , SB84 , SB93 , SB113 , SB192 , SB199 , SB219 , SB220 , SB221 , SB222 , SB241 , SB253 , SB255 , SB289 , SB292 , SB306 , SB314 , SB351 , SB399 , SB404 , SB14 , SB102 , SB133 , SB151 , SB165 , SB169 , SB170 , SB200 , SB217 , SB280 , SB291 , SB300 , SB303 , SB330 , SB449 , SB489 , SB521 , SB45 , SB156 , SB181 , SB203 , SB274 , SB304 , SB379 , SB396 , SB410 , SB425 , SB427 , SB436 , SB424 , SCR61 , SCR9 , SB35 , SB65 , SB215 , SB246 , SB249 , SB269 , SB282 , SB296 , SB323 , SB363 , SB369 , SB474 , SB490 , SB492 , SB500 , HCR31 , HB296 , HB299 , HB322 , HB364 , HB519 , HB535 , HB538 , HB568 , HB571 , HB622 , HB635 , HB676 , HB772 , HB784 , HB1006 , HB1018 , HB1043 , HB1070 , HB1134 , HB1239 , HB62 , HB193 , HB203 , HB210 , HB220 , HB228 , HB246 , HB420 , HB475 , HB486 , HB574 , HB584 , HB750 , HB813 , HB815 , HB826 , HB870 , HB949 , HB953 , HB1045 , HB1092 , HB1151 , HB1162 , HB1176 , HB1177 , HB1196 , HB1214 , HB1241 , HB22 , HB28 , HB33 , HB41 , HB47 , HB87 , HB115 , HB162 , HB195 , HB214 , HB217 , HB233 , HB283 , HB290 , HB319 , HB324 , HB345 , HB362 , HB363 , HB368 , HB377 , HB380 , HB382 , HB386 , HB392 , HB406 , HB431 , HB441 , HB466 , HB503 , HB533 , HB559 , HB575 , HB590 , HB593 , HB618 , HB636 , HB655 , HB664 , HB685 , HB692 , HB707 , HB715 , HB732 , HB738 , HB741 , HB748 , HB776 , HB807 , HB822 , HB856 , HB860 , HB868 , HB887 , HB888 , HB905 , HB908 , HB961 , HB980 , HB990 , HB992 , HB999 , HB1000 , HB1010 , HB1146 , HB1157 , HB1233 , HB1236 , HB1243 , HB17 , HB36 , HB73 , HB119 , HB126 , HB129 , HB133 , HB140 , HB159 , HB166 , HB211 , HB226 , HB245 , HB271 , HB280 , HB337 , HB351 , HB354 , HB399 , HB677 , HB712 , HB723 , HB726 , HB728 , HB759 , HB789 , HB844 , HB850 , HB966 , HB1036 , SB149 , SB382 , SB441 , HB134 , HB258 , HB359 , HB782

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard a guest minister’s prayer and the pledge, and dispensed with reading the journal. The chamber then received Legislative Bureau reports on numerous House bills, many of which were reported favorably or without amendments and ordered to third reading or to the Legislative Bureau. The Senate also adopted a House concurrent resolution commending Special Olympics Louisiana by a 35-0 vote, and it took up several Senate resolutions, including one urging the Navy to use a transparent and competitive acquisition strategy to protect jobs at Conrad Shipyard, one commending Metairie Park Country Day School, one designating Early Ed Day, and one offering condolences for Carolyn Ann Cherry Moore. The main floor debate centered on Senate Bill 121, the congressional redistricting bill. Senator Morris presented the bill as a response to the federal court’s Calais decision, arguing the current map was unconstitutional and that the new plan should avoid race as the predominant factor while using partisan advantage, incumbency protection, compactness, contiguity, and communities of interest. Senators questioned whether the proposal effectively created a 5-1 Republican map, whether it diluted Black and Democratic voting strength, and whether it split too many parishes. Morris said the map was drawn from the 2022 plan, tweaked in committee and again on the floor, and that litigation was likely regardless of the final version. Two competing amendments drew extended debate. Senator Morris’s amendment, which further refined his map, was adopted 26-10. Senator Price then offered an alternative map based on an amicus brief and algorithmic criteria, arguing it would create two opportunity districts, split fewer parishes, avoid using race, and better reflect the state’s partisan balance; supporters said it was fairer and more compact, but it failed 10-27. After the amendments, the Senate returned to SB 121 for further questions, with members continuing to debate whether the bill’s 5-1 structure was a lawful partisan gerrymander or an impermissible racial dilution of voting strength.

Transcript Highlights:

• College, African-American Studies, as well as a national organizer for H.R. 40 federal reparations.
• I'm a student of African American Studies at UCLA, and I am in support of the bill. Thank you.
• I'm a sociology and African American studies student at UCLA, and I support this bill. Thank you.
• I'm a sociology and African-American studies student at UCLA, and I support this bill. Thank you.
• I'm an African-American studies major at UCLA, and I support this bill. Thank you.

Committee: House Higher Education

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several bills focused on student aid, affordability, and access. AB 587 would add a veteran representative to the California Student Aid Commission; the author said this would improve representation for veterans and Cal Guard members, and members discussed keeping the commission’s membership odd through a future amendment. AB 791 would revise cost-of-attendance calculations, especially housing costs, and require clearer notice to students about adjustment requests. Proponents said many schools underestimate living costs and leave students unaware of appeal options, while UC and independent colleges opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and costly, particularly the proposed housing methodology and 14-day turnaround. AB 850 would address institutional debt by giving students a one-term grace period to re-enroll while arranging payment, prohibiting credit reporting of that debt, and requiring public disclosure of collection policies. Supporters described debt as a major barrier to re-enrollment and graduation, while CSU, UC, AICCU, and others raised fiscal concerns and said campuses already use holds and payment plans; the bill passed with some members not voting and the roll left open for additional votes. The committee also heard AB 537, which would expand the California College Promise Program to part-time community college students. The author and supporters argued that most community college students attend part-time and should have access to tuition waivers, while opponents did not testify. The bill passed and the roll was left open. In addition, the committee took up AB 7, which would allow California universities to consider whether an applicant is a descendant of American chattel slavery as one factor in admissions. The author and supporters framed the measure as reparative justice and lineage-based rather than race-based, citing historical harms and the need for broader educational opportunity. Opponents argued it would function as a racial proxy and conflict with Proposition 209, and they urged the committee to instead focus on individual experiences of discrimination. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 7, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• American community.
• </c> African American women giving birth. African American women giving birth.
• </c> the African American community. the African American community.
• </c><00:54:43.200><c> American</c><00:54:43.560><c> birthing</c><00:54:43.920><c> parents</c> with African
• American birthing parents with African American birthing parents suspected<00:54:45.120><c> to</c><00

Transcript Highlights:

• African-Americans, Native Americans, and other ethnic groups that also happen to look white.
• ,</c><00:36:40.280><c> Liberian,</c> uh Benghazi, African-American, Liberian, uh Benghazi, African-American
• All of these German, French, Czech, Swiss, Chicano, Latino, African-American, American Indian, and Asian-American
• , American Indian, Asian African-American, American Indian, Asian writers<00:57:03.760><c> and</c><00
• ,</c><00:57:21.560><c> American</c> Latino, African-American, American Latino, African-American, American

Summary: House File 29 was heard in committee as a proposal to suspend adoption of the revised social studies standards, push implementation to 2030-31, repeal the requirement to embed ethnic studies across all standards, and cancel related appropriations. The bill sponsor argued Minnesota schools should focus on basic academic achievement and that ethnic studies requirements add burdens and distract from reading, math, and science. The chair moved the bill to the Committee on Education Finance after opening the hearing and then took extensive public testimony. Testimony was sharply divided. Supporters of HF 29, including Katherine Kersten, Deanna Moose, Kendall Qualls, Hillary Swanson, and Diane Smith, argued the ethnic studies framework is ideological, overly focused on race, insufficiently transparent, and costly in professional development time; several said it would divide students or burden teachers. Some supporters also claimed the standards or framework promote activism, critical race theory, or racial stratification. Opponents, including Mark Westfall, Crystal Johnson, Jim Grathwol, Marcus Penny, Claude Sigman, and Courtney Major, said the standards are inclusive, research-based, and designed to help students understand multiple perspectives, civic life, and the contributions of diverse Minnesotans. They emphasized that ethnic studies can improve engagement, critical thinking, and representation, and that teachers should be trusted to implement the standards. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The only formal action noted was the chair’s motion to re-refer House File 29 to the Committee on Education Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> new</c><00:04:12.480><c> Americans</c><00:04:13.000><c> move</c> services that help new Americans
• </c> past in fiscal year 2425 um African past in fiscal year 2425 um African Economic<00:47:12.119><c
• </c><00:47:35.880><c> Economic</c> bill provides African Economic bill provides African Economic Development
• </c> economic opportunities for African economic opportunities for African immigrants<00:47:42.200><c
• </c> 5163 in 2008 by Twin City African 5163 in 2008 by Twin City African immigrant<00:51:12.440><c> Community

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Americans.
• Americans in the history of our state and nation.
• Whereas the national commencement of African American and Black history in the United States dates back
• American history.
• American Day.