Transcript Highlights:

• From the general fund for the commissioner's salary equity increase, we had removed that and we moved
• And then we added funding in from the general fund for the veteran service officer salary equity increases
• Chairman and members of the committee, we removed the commissioner's salary equity increase. Mr.
• Chairman and members of the committee, we removed the commissioner's salary equity increase.
• There's a constitutional mandate that the state fund education, and this bill would prohibit that.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up Senate Bill 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs appropriation. Representative O’Brien explained the House changes, including funding for a restored Veterans Benefits Specialist FTE, salary equity adjustments for the commissioner and veterans service officers, one-time funding for veteran homelessness services, carryover authority for the Fargo Fisher House, and a highly rural transportation grants program. Members also discussed the commissioner’s prior salary increase and the use of transportation grant funds for administrative costs, as well as the status of the Fisher House project. The committee adopted amendment 25.092.0203 and then gave SB 2025 a do pass recommendation as amended, with Representative O’Brien as carrier. The committee then considered Senate Bill 2307, the library bill. Members debated a proposed amendment that would have removed the fiscal note, but several members objected on policy and process grounds, citing constitutional concerns, potential costs to counties and state’s attorneys, and the fact that the bill had not been heard as a full policy hearing. The amendment failed 4-19. The committee then voted do not pass on SB 2307 as introduced, and Representative Murphy was named carrier. The committee also briefly discussed House Bill 2188 on the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority. Representative Bosch described the program’s grant and low-interest loan authority and the Senate’s reduced funding levels. The committee amended the bill to restore the Senate funding amounts in Section 3, then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Kempenich carrying it. Finally, the committee considered two rural development bills and chose Senate Bill 2097, the rural endowment fund bill, for do not pass while advancing House Bill 2390, which uses regional councils to distribute rural development grants. The committee amended HB 2390 to lower the population threshold from 4,500 to 3,000, kept the 50% set-aside for communities under 1,500, and then passed the bill as amended, with Representative Mitskog as carrier.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's all about education. You think you could convince them? >> I don't know that.
• I mean, as Commissioner Hasty would say, you know, education is key.
• If a partial does go to tax sale, we've had some Supreme Court cases already as far as equity on the
• We're not trying to make a profit on it. >> Well, there's no equity is the problem a lot of times in
• is the problem a >> Well, there's no equity is the problem a lot<00:29:37.200> of<00:29

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Motion is to be adopted and be referred to the Assembly Committee on Higher Education.
• Tristan Brown of CFT, Union of Educators and Classified Professionals.
• , along with the multitude of households that we educate.
• It's about equity, sustainability, and recognizing housing as a human right.
• AB 1296 is a practical, equity-driven solution.

Summary: The committee first heard AB 1157, the Affordable Rent Act, which would lower California’s annual rent cap, remove the single-family home exemption, and eliminate the sunset on existing tenant protections. The author and supporters argued that renters are facing severe affordability pressures, especially in single-family rentals, and that stronger statewide rent stabilization is needed to prevent displacement and homelessness. Opponents, including apartment, building, and property-owner groups, said the bill would discourage housing production, harm small landlords, and override a deal they said was intended to be temporary while the state focused on building more housing. Public testimony on AB 1157 was extensive, with many renters, tenant advocates, labor groups, and community organizations speaking in support, while many landlords, business groups, and property-owner representatives spoke in opposition. Committee members were split: some praised the bill as a necessary response to the rent crisis, while others warned it could reduce investment and worsen the housing shortage. The committee ultimately voted 7-5 to pass AB 1157 to the Assembly Judiciary Committee. The committee then approved the consent calendar, including AB 413, AB 1152, and AB 1275, on a 9-0 vote. It also heard ACA 3, which would require the University of California to make available a limited number of down payment loans for eligible long-term support staff who are first-time homebuyers. Supporters said the measure would help lower-wage UC workers afford homeownership and improve retention, while UC and other opponents argued the proposal was duplicative of existing state programs, unnecessary, and potentially harmful to UC finances. The discussion focused on financing mechanics and the relationship to CalHFA, but no final vote on ACA 3 was included in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• SICA supports these committees with various resources and educational opportunities.
• SICA supports these committees with various resources and educational opportunities.
• SICA supports these committees with various resources and educational opportunities.
• And last, but certainly not least, equity.
• They are educated. They are driven by the mission.

Summary: The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk. The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care. The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.

Transcript Highlights:

• But we appreciate you looking at this through the lens of fairness and equity, about the original charter
• But we appreciate you looking at this through the lens of fairness and equity, about the original charter
• ><00:13:42.160> of<00:13:42.720> fairness<00:13:43.200> and<00:13:43.519> equity
• through the lens of fairness and equity through the lens of fairness and equity about<00:13:44.480
• , state from boards of education, state from boards of education, volunteer<00:22:01.039> fire

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I became acquainted with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie in 2019 when serving on an education task force with
• workshops, strengthening Minnesota's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.
• The majority of these soldiers came with little or no educational background.
• ACER is the African Career Education and Resources, Inc., and we're an issue-based organization.
• Let us move forward Together, rooted in equity, history, and hope, that we are in this together.

Transcript Highlights:

• Referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• Referred to the Committee on Higher Education.
• Referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• Referred to the Committee on Public Education.
• Refer to the Committee on Public Education.

Summary: The House met for first reading and referral of a large number of bills and joint resolutions, with no substantive debate on the measures themselves. The filings covered a broad range of topics, including agency rulemaking and regulatory deference, occupational licensing reciprocity, business entities, eviction procedures, higher education, public education, health care, elections and voting procedures, criminal justice, property tax and appraisal issues, transportation, agriculture, energy, and local government authority. Several proposals also addressed constitutional amendments on matters such as Medicaid expansion, property tax limits, quorum and special-session rules, voting citizenship proof, parental rights, reproductive autonomy, and state funding allocations. Many of the measures focused on education, public health, and election administration. Examples included bills on financial literacy in schools, school nurses and librarians, student meal debt policies, suicide prevention notices, menstrual products, and community-based learning programs, as well as election-related bills on voter registration, disability access, ballot corrections, political advertising, and voting equipment or procedures. Other notable bills dealt with housing and property issues, including evictions, homestead tax exemptions, and land ownership, along with criminal justice measures involving sentencing, juror challenges, trafficking-related nondisclosure, and firearm reporting or transfer restrictions. The House also referred a set of resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee. At the end of the proceedings, Mr. Bell moved that the House adjourn until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in memory of James Edward Cook of Eustace, Texas. There was no objection, and the House adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the classroom to the courtroom, from our health care system to our economy, we prioritize equity
• And we've led with equity and how real opportunities in the new marketplace.
• From the classroom to the courtroom, from our health care system to our economy, we prioritize equity
• And we've led with equity and how real opportunities in the new marketplace.
• And we've led with equity and how real opportunities in the new marketplace.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Lawmakers and advocates from the POCI Caucus held a news conference focused on protecting recent DFL-enacted policies in a newly divided Legislature. They highlighted accomplishments from the last biennium, including earned sick and safe time, ethnic studies, unemployment insurance changes, environmental protections, and MinnesotaCare coverage for undocumented immigrants, and argued these measures should not be rolled back in budget negotiations. Speakers said Republicans were pushing cuts or carveouts that would disproportionately harm Black, brown, immigrant, women, and low-income communities, and they urged the House and Governor Walz to reject those changes. A major theme was opposition to proposed carveouts to earned sick and safe time. Amanda Otero of TakeAction Minnesota said the proposed changes would remove benefits from more than 100,000 workers based on employer size, and lawmakers said sick leave should be universal. Another major topic was MinnesotaCare for undocumented immigrants. Representative María Isa Pérez Vega, Council Member Jason Chavez, and others argued the program is affordable, reduces uncompensated emergency care, and improves public health by expanding preventive care. Chavez and Emilia Gonzalez Avalos shared personal stories about family members who benefited from health coverage and said cutting access would worsen disparities and hurt families and communities. The event also included remarks on ethnic studies and historical memory. Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura connected the Ethnic Studies for All Act to her family’s experience with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, and Sally Sudo described her family’s removal and imprisonment under Executive Order 9066. Speakers framed these stories as warnings against scapegoating and exclusion. In the question-and-answer portion, lawmakers said they were still in negotiations but emphasized that certain protections were non-negotiable and that any compromises should be distributed equitably rather than targeting specific groups.

Transcript Highlights:

• um swept the state wide education um swept the state wide education property<00:06:01.039> tax
• it recognizes the additional educational it recognizes the additional educational cost<00:06:09.919
• still be greater than special education still be greater than special education as<00:17:48.960>
• <00:32:53.039> among Education among Education among districts<00:32:55.240> yeah<00:32
• Matters and by I believe the education Matters and by I believe the education Law<00:36:35.680><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 651, a school-funding bill that would raise the base cost of an adequate education and increase differentiated aid for students in poverty, English language learners, and special education. The chair opened with housekeeping notices about parking and eating in committee spaces, and noted a revised fiscal note would be distributed. Representative David Luneau presented the bill as part of a broader package of public school funding measures, explaining that HB 651 builds on HB 550 and is intended to respond to court rulings and the ongoing school-funding litigation by adjusting both the base adequacy amount and equity-based funding factors. Luneau said the bill would raise the state’s adequacy grant from about $4,100 to $7,351 per student and increase differentiated aid, while also updating statutory language so future recalculations include the court-identified resource elements. He argued the measure is about fairness and shifting more of the burden from local property taxpayers to the state, not about increasing overall education spending. He reviewed fiscal-note figures indicating the bill would add roughly $576 million to the state share of school funding, bringing the total state share to about $1.65 billion, and said the note also mentions possible effects on charter schools and vouchers. Committee members asked about the evidence supporting higher costs for low-income and English learner students, how long ESL funding should continue, why free-and-reduced-lunch aid remains higher than special education aid, whether the formula is based on enrollment or average daily membership, and whether the bill is truly equitable across districts of different sizes and needs. Luneau and later witness Zach Shen of the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project said the bill is supported by research and court findings, that the current formula relies heavily on local property taxes, and that shifting more funding to the state would reduce property-tax pressure and help address disparities among districts. Shen also cited broad public support for the related HB 550 testimony and said HB 651 is intended as a step toward a more equitable funding system. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes state agencies, higher education institutions, and public schools.
• And the low-income housing equity pricing tax credit equity pricing is down.
• we can see it's only 1, that 1 means a lot to K-12 employees, to state employees, and to higher education
• That’s really kind of equity, that quick buildup of equity, but we're not going to be able to take advantage
• Chair, we talk about equity.

Bills: SB240

Keywords: capital outlay, capital projects, severance tax bonds, general fund appropriations, supplemental severance tax bonds, UNM School of Medicine, University of New Mexico, infrastructure, state buildings, courts, schools, higher education, road improvements, water and wastewater, tribal infrastructure, tribal projects, public safety, housing, emergency services, bonding

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to Senate Education.
• best in education.
• best in education.
• Mathematics education is not merely a pedagogical concern, but a central driver of economic equity and
• Mathematics education is not merely a pedagogical concern, but a central driver of economic equity and

Bills: SB29, SB64

Keywords: SB29, math requirements for teaching license, teacher licensure, teacher endorsement, mathematics methods, elementary education, secondary education, special education, early childhood education, reciprocity, Public Education Department, Mathematics and Science Education Act, mathematics instructional leadership framework, professional learning plan, K-3 screening, mathematics screening assessment, mathematics difficulty, support plan, multilevel support, intervention

Transcript Highlights:

• We're options in education, but because I believe in equity in this bill doesn't seem to reflect that
• largest education companies.
• It just continues to train the public schools where educators are one of the lowest paid educators in
• If I'm going to be serious about education, have we're finding education.
• in the state of Florida is quality educated, quality education where we have low performing kids and

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• as well, that is so harmful for our education system.
• They're just not publicly traded or large private equity-backed businesses.
• Mitch Steiger with CFT, a union of educators and classified professionals, in support.
• Mariko Yoshihara, on behalf of Tech Equity Action, in support.
• Mariko Yoshihara on behalf of Tech Equity Action in support.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee heard AB 1988, which would require companion chatbots to respond to credible crisis expressions with a 988 lifeline notice, human review after repeated crisis signals, and a pause in the chat. The author and supporters said AI chatbots are increasingly used for emotional support but are not equipped to handle suicidal or violent ideation safely; they cited cases of harmful chatbot responses and argued the bill is a limited safety measure, not a ban. Support came from crisis, family medicine, and child/family service organizations, and there was no formal opposition testimony. Members praised the bill’s intent and the author’s work, and the bill was held pending quorum before later discussion moved on to the next item. The committee then took up AB 1709, which would set a minimum age of 16 for accounts on social media platforms with harmful addictive features and create an e-safety advisory commission. The author argued that social media product design—such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and algorithmic feeds—drives compulsive use and mental health harms, especially for children, and said the bill would still allow safer, non-addictive platforms and online spaces. Supporters, including a psychologist and the Organization for Social Media Safety, described cyberbullying, predation, addiction, and mental health harms; several organizations and advocates also supported the measure. Opponents, including EFF, privacy groups, civil liberties organizations, and youth and LGBTQ advocates, argued the bill is overbroad, raises privacy and First Amendment concerns, and could cut off young people from community, news, and support. They pointed to Australia’s experience as evidence that age restrictions are easy to circumvent and may shift harms elsewhere, and urged feature-level regulation instead of age-based exclusion. Committee members debated whether the bill is a “ban” or a delay, how age assurance would work, and whether the commission could meaningfully define and update harmful features; several members said they would support the bill while acknowledging it needs further work and ongoing oversight.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mariko Yoshihara, on behalf of Tech Equity Action, in support. Thank you.
• Mariko Yoshihara on behalf of Tech Equity Action in support. Thank you.
• Chairman and members, I'm Brian Revis on behalf of the Education Trust West in support. Thank you.
• Thank you for your time and your commitment to equity in education. Thank you.
• Christopher Shank, animation artist and educator, in strong support. Thank you.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. AB 416 would allow emergency room physicians to initiate 5150 mental health holds, with supporters saying it would reduce emergency room bottlenecks and speed care for patients in crisis. County and behavioral health representatives opposed the bill, and some members raised broader concerns about the 5150 system and juvenile placements. The bill was ultimately approved on a do-pass as amended vote. AB 446, the Surveillance Pricing Act, drew extensive testimony. The author and supporters argued it would prohibit businesses from using personal data to charge different prices for the same product or service, describing the practice as discriminatory and exploitative. Business and industry groups opposed the bill, warning that its language was too broad, could affect discounts and loyalty programs, and would create litigation risk through a private right of action. After discussion about enforcement and possible amendments, the bill passed on a do-pass motion. AB 632 would give local governments a faster way to collect penalties for serious code violations, including unsafe housing, fire hazards, and illegal cannabis activity, by allowing certain fines to become money judgments and clarifying lien authority. It had support from county and city groups and no opposition was voiced in the hearing; the bill passed as amended. ACA 7, a constitutional amendment intended to clarify and limit misuse of Section 31A, also moved forward after brief support testimony. The committee then took up AB 649, which would extend protections for businesses that proactively obtain certified access specialist inspections and fix accessibility violations; the author, a small business owner, and others testified in support, while disability rights groups moved to neutral after amendments. Members discussed the balance between access enforcement and reducing predatory litigation, and the bill was still under consideration as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• As an educator I can attest that what our students eat is important to our students and their families
• We need to have that kind of equity and success that we hope to build on.
• amenable I think that we should talk about including some intent language to ensure that there is some equity
• and the equity that we know that obviously CD you guys are supportive of that so I don't see why there
• huge pay disparity. want to clarify that you moving to this new system does that help create more equity

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:04:48.400> Another of education daily layman. Another of education daily layman.
• as a lasting source of educational as a lasting source of educational funding. funding. funding.
• educational endowments. educational endowments.
• in education funding.
• in education funding.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome back to the Education Policy Committee.
• I have served in a variety of roles in K-12 public education.
• Taber Samuelson, veteran educator with 30 years' experience in public schools and a master's in education
• Taber Samuelson veteran educator with 30 years experience in public schools and a master's in education
• quickly later in one's education.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , constitutional literacy, and public engagement among young Americans through educational programming
• them on National Freedom Day in recognizing Charlie Kirk for his enduring contributions to civic education
• Chairman, your Committee on Education has under consideration HB 2008 and respectfully recommends the
• Ensuring equity of access to collections and services, regardless of a patron's identity or beliefs,
• Our Arizona Constitution requires that our public schools do not teach any sectarian education, and I

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:36.719> Um<00:08:37.120> with our educational protections.
• Um with our educational protections.
• because um the some of the educational because um the some of the educational funding<00:11:02.079
• educational funding is is also tied. educational funding is is also tied.
• I will also note anecdotally, we're talking about the education piece.

Bills: HF3540, HF3522, HF3544

Keywords: veterans rights, employment discrimination, human rights, Minnesota laws, protected classes, veterans, Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs, Secret War in Laos, SGU veteran, Hmong veterans, Laotian veterans, honor guard, military funeral honors, state veterans cemetery, burial eligibility, veterans home, temporary closure, state active service, National Guard

Transcript Highlights:

• Just yesterday, it became known that our private equity returns for the second year in a row have been
• I believe we're at 15. 7.92% in our private equity portfolio.
• So, I'm very, very proud of the team that does private equity for us, both currently and in the past.
• So we try to educate as much as we can. You probably remember coming out of college.
• We work with our actuaries, who have obviously many years of education in studying this, and they do