Transcript Highlights:

• huge impact on. community and they're very excited to continue to work and I'm sure many of the congressional
• advocacy for quite a number of years after losing your parents. who I know are still very much in your memory

Bills: SB124 , SB201 , SB275 , SB410 , SB478 , SB607 , SB610 , SB611 , SB654 , SB702 , SB787 , SB831 , SB892

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: Department of Veterans Affairs, disciplinary procedures, accountability, personnel actions, whistleblower protection, cancer, military, aircrew, veterans, health study, toxins, morbidity, mortality, service members, mental health, community care, accessibility, treatment programs, substance abuse, appointments

Summary: During the meeting, various members engaged in extensive discussions surrounding 15 proposed bills related to veterans' affairs. Notably, concerns regarding recent VA workforce changes sparked debates, particularly about potential cuts and their implications for veterans' care and benefits. Chairman Moran emphasized the need for thoughtful reforms and coordination with stakeholders, urging responsible measures to prevent negatively impacting service delivery. The meeting highlighted a significant bipartisan effort to enhance veterans' access to essential health services, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the VA workforce. Senator Blumenthal's assertions about the urgent plight of veterans due to cuts in personnel drew strong reactions, showcasing the deep concern among committee members regarding the current state of veteran services.

Transcript Highlights:

• be a tirelessly devoted her life, would be a fitting<00:10:16.800><c> living</c><00:10:17.360><c> memorial
• </c><00:10:18.400><c> to</c><00:10:18.560><c> the</c> fitting living memorial to the fitting living memorial
• </c><00:10:29.040><c> are</c> than 8% of public memorials are than 8% of public memorials are dedicated
• She told us to read Getting to Yes. to honor Melissa and her memory. to honor Melissa and her memory.
• These claims arose after Meta claimed publicly and in congressional testimony that their services were

Bills: HF3455 , HF3936 , HF3860 , HF3656 , HF4060

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Keywords: public television, funding, Minnesota, operations, appropriation, cybersecurity, state government, legislative commission, extension, technology, civil law enforcement, attorney general, record custody, government transparency, legal services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you refresh my memory?
• So we had originally applied for Congressional delegated spending for this project.
• I was there a month ago and it was operational, so I'm going to go off my memory and recall at least
• That funding is tied up with other congressionally directed spending, and there is uncertainty about
• That funding is tied up with other congressionally directed spending, and there is uncertainty about

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented its capital budget process and priorities, explaining how agencies assess facility needs, rank projects, and submit requests to the governor’s office. DAS described its Plant and Property division, which maintains 96 state buildings, and Public Works, which develops detailed cost estimates for selected projects. Officials said the governor’s office has traditionally narrowed requests into priority tiers, but this year all projects were estimated, creating more work and less detail. They also emphasized that the capital budget book functions as legislative intent and can be binding on how approved funds are used. On the substance of the request, DAS highlighted several priorities: continued funding for the state ERP system upgrade to the cloud, with about $5 million requested for sustainability and related Treasury functions; emergency fund and annex renovation work; a sprinkler replacement at DMV; and elevator repairs at the main building. Karen Rocky also identified maintenance projects that rose in priority after a facility condition assessment, including HVAC work for Portsmouth Circuit Court and Coos County Courthouse, boilers and controls for Carroll County and Lebanon Circuit Court, brick repointing at the main building and annex, window replacement at Spalding, and Brown building elevator replacement. Officials noted that the governor’s proposed capital budget included fewer DAS projects than in past years and no projects for the Bureau of Court Facilities. The committee also discussed lapses and reprogramming of prior appropriations. DAS said the first eight projects approved in 2023 remain under construction and should be extended, while many 2021 projects are delayed because of ARPA-related workload and broader construction backlogs. Members reviewed a 2019 project list and agreed to lapse project number 49, the Spalding roof project, with about $81,000 remaining. DAS also said some small 2019 balances, including courthouse generators, a boiler, cooling and controls, roof and exterior repairs, and the State House Annex elevator, could be redirected through Capital Budget Overview toward the Hillsboro County South Cell Block project. The hearing ended with questions about project schedules, ARPA deadlines, and the division of authority between DoIT and DAS for the ERP system.

Transcript Highlights:

• This amendment just includes congressional members to it. That's the amendment. Okay.
• some actual teeth in an affidavit or an oath that's signed, where, I mean, it's different for congressional
• ...of the white powdery substance that President Barack Obama received as well and many of the congressional
• We wish you well on your congressional run. We're in debate. Maybe I withdraw the bill?
• last year continues to suck the air out of the room is unnecessary and we wish you will on your congressional

Committee: Senate Community Affairs

Summary: The committee took up several claims bills and tax-related measures. It reported favorably SB 20, providing $400,000 in relief to J.N., a minor injured on a Hillsborough County sidewalk, and SB 14, providing $1.7 million to the estate of Pineal Januier after a drowning at a Miami Beach youth center pool. It also approved SB 674, which would let property appraisers, like tax collectors, budget for hiring and retention bonuses with Department of Revenue approval. In each claims bill, the sponsor described the underlying incident, the settlement amount, and the remaining payment sought under sovereign immunity limits; there was no opposition on the claims bills. The bonus bill drew support from property appraisers who said it would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new appropriations. The committee then considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill, which would create a new homestead-like property tax benefit for owners who lease a non-homestead property for more than six months as residential rental housing. Supporters said it was intended to encourage more affordable rental housing by extending a $50,000 exemption and Save Our Homes-style assessment cap to qualifying properties. County and city representatives, the Florida League of Cities, and the Florida Association of Counties opposed the proposal, warning of major revenue losses, reduced public safety funding, and tax shifts to other property owners and businesses. Several senators also raised concerns about density, parking, and whether landlords would actually pass savings on to renters. Despite the opposition, both the constitutional amendment and the implementing bill were reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS SB 268, as amended to include congressional members, creating a public-records exemption related to certain residential information for elected officials. The First Amendment Foundation opposed it, arguing the bill lacked a sufficient public purpose and could hinder transparency, while senators supporting it cited real threats and harassment against themselves and their families. SB 100, which bans government display of flags representing political viewpoints and allows active or retired military members to use reasonable force to stop desecration of the U.S. flag, also passed after extensive debate. Opponents argued it was vague, unconstitutional, and aimed at pride and other identity-related flags; supporters said government buildings should not display political messages and that the bill protects neutrality. Finally, the committee approved CS/SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval every eight years for local discretionary taxes such as tourist development taxes and local option taxes, with exceptions for pledged bond revenues. Cities, counties, tourism groups, and the restaurant/lodging industry opposed it, saying it would create uncertainty, threaten tourism and infrastructure funding, and complicate long-term planning; Senator Sharief and others said the measure would disrupt existing surtax-backed projects and revenue streams.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Joint Tax Committee and the designation of the Congressional Trade Advisors en bloc.
• Do you think that the proper use of the congressionally extended authority to the President in national
• people to understand what might be coming, especially when the President is going to use his congressionally
• President Trump and congressional Republicans have bragged about...
• And the necessity of congressional approval for binding market access deals, do you believe USTR would

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota Youth Council is a council of 36 young people from across the state, from every congressional
• </c> the state uh from every congressional the state uh from every congressional district<00:16:10.800
• </c><00:18:03.120><c> districts</c><00:18:03.840><c> and</c><00:18:04.000><c> four</c> eight congressional
• districts and four eight congressional districts and four selected<00:18:04.720><c> at</c><00:18:05.039
• If the members from your congressional district should have reached out to you about different issues

Bills: HF1966 , HF54 , HF2043 , HF1171 , HF2741

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: HF1966, Minnesota Association of Alternative Programs, STARS program, alternative education, alternative programs, education finance, general fund appropriation, student support services, career readiness, employment skills, academic skills, social skills, student conferences, training grants, Minnesota Department of Education, specialized education, at-risk students, nontraditional education, HF54, Silver Lake

Transcript Highlights:

• sure that we are doing everything we can as legislators to reach out to those who are part of our congressional
• c><00:18:43.520><c> part</c><00:18:43.720><c> of</c><00:18:43.800><c> our</c><00:18:43.880><c> congressional
• </c> those who are part of our congressional those who are part of our congressional delegation delegation
• Um, refresh my memory.

Bills: SB8

Committee: Joint Natural Resources & Energy

Keywords: utilities, public service commission, energy regulation, appointment, emergency declaration, tax increases, consumer protection, Meeting Start 00:00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:00:51 Approval of Minutes 00:02:07 Legislator Comments 00:02:18 LIHEAP Public Hearing 00:04:19 PSC Update on RS 26 SB 8 00:32:18 WaterStep Presentation 01:04:08, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is all tied to a congressional investigation, and the results of today will be sent up to the
• willingness to comply or even provide a little bit of transparency, we're just going to file the congressional
• You know, I think there was a letter, a congressional letter, the Treasury Department of years ago, saying
• not only did they send you that cease-and-desist letter in 2019, the United States Congress, the congressional
• I don't disagree on the premise, but if memory serves me right, UCMJ 125, the crime of sodomy, is still

Bills: SB1003 , SB1060 , SB1134 , SB1275 , SB1327 , SB1429 , SB1618 , SB1634 , SB1654 , SB1803 , SCR1002 , SCR1005 , SCR1023 , SCR1027

Committee: House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Keywords: election, canvass, certification, ballot tabulation, write-in candidates, registration, voting procedures, voter registration, temporary absence, absentee voting, residency, military voters, overseas voters, election law, Arizona Revised Statutes, political signs, campaign materials, public safety, municipal regulation, veterans

Transcript Highlights:

• And I noticed in the original, well, I think my memory serves the original congressional letter that
• And I was looking at this letter in response to some of the congressional investigations that have been
• want to ask one more question, too, and I was looking at this letter in response to some of the congressional

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health began with a hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California health programs, focusing first on reproductive health state investments. HCAI outlined five state-funded reproductive health programs created after Dobbs, including uncompensated care, practical support, capital and clinical infrastructure, and workforce programs. Essential Access Health and Planned Parenthood testified that these funds have served hundreds of thousands of patients, but warned that the uncompensated care program is fully awarded and needs renewal, and that Title X and Medicaid-related federal uncertainty continues to threaten access. Members questioned who the uncompensated care program serves, why Medi-Cal covers a large share of abortions, and whether Planned Parenthood could expand prenatal services; public commenters urged continued support for reproductive health access. The committee then took up long-term care services and supports, starting with the HCBA and Assisted Living Waiver programs. DHCS reported large wait lists for both programs and said enrollment is limited by workforce and provider capacity, while LAO noted that increasing slots alone may not increase access without additional programmatic changes. Members pressed the department on whether more slots should be added given the lower cost of home- and community-based care compared with skilled nursing facilities, and public testimony argued that the wait lists should be reduced and that staffing concerns do not fully explain unused capacity. The committee also heard testimony on congregate living health facilities, where providers and a patient family described the homes as critical, lower-cost alternatives to nursing facilities for younger, medically complex people. Witnesses requested short-term bridge funding, while DHCS said it is proposing to transition CLFs into a managed care benefit by January 1, 2028, which would remove caps and expand access statewide. The final long-term care topic was PACE. DHCS explained that it has paused new PACE applications and service expansions for at least two years to reassess oversight capacity and develop a statewide strategic growth framework, while existing programs continue operating. CalPACE supported the pause as a planning measure but asked for four additional state nurse positions to reduce delays in level-of-care determinations and speed enrollment for frail older adults. Members shared personal stories about how PACE has helped family members and asked how the state will meet growing demand; DHCS said stakeholder engagement will begin later in the year and that some existing applications already in process will continue. Public commenters broadly supported PACE, HCBA, and CLF funding requests. The hearing then moved to the Department of Health Care Services’ 2026-27 Medi-Cal budget and related trailer bills. DHCS said Medi-Cal spending has grown due to coverage expansions, higher acuity, rising utilization, and especially pharmacy costs, and it described proposals to extend the current skilled nursing facility financing framework for one year while the state develops a new value-based payment strategy. LAO said most recent Medi-Cal spending growth has been driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload growth, with pharmacy spending growing especially quickly, and recommended better and more timely data to analyze the drivers. Members expressed concern about the rapid rise in Medi-Cal spending and asked for more detail on the largest cost increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I noticed in the original, well, I think my memory serves the original congressional letter that
• And I was looking at this letter in response to some of the congressional investigations that have been
• want to ask one more question, too, and I was looking at this letter in response to some of the congressional

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Immediate jobs creation will generate... congressionally directed spending from congressionally directed
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.
• I asked about the CDS funding, the congressionally designated funding.

Bills: HF2928 , HF2912 , HF2297

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: water appropriation, data centers, environmental review, energy conservation, permit application, carbon-free energy, geothermal energy, renewable energy, Macalester College, appropriation, sustainability, solar energy, pollinator programs, license plates, agrivoltaics, environmental sustainability, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> limit it and because congressionally limit it and because congressionally approved<00:36:59.400>
• It happened to be global transient amnesia, so you lose the ability to create short-term memory for a
• 01:53.400><c> short-term</c> ability to to uh create short-term ability to to uh create short-term memory
• :01:55.640><c> B</c><01:01:56.160><c> when</c><01:01:56.240><c> you</c><01:01:56.319><c> lose</c> memory
• for a day kind of B when you lose memory for a day kind of B when you lose a<01:01:56.640><c> day</c

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• General's authority to investigate and prosecute state election crimes, legislation that provides a congressional
• of the United States House of Representatives from the state of Texas, for to the Committee on Congressional

Transcript Highlights:

• There is all of the diversity language in there, addressing all of the different congressional district
• We used to work together, so we came up with the congressional districts and how these and the diversity

Bills: SB5 , SB142 , SB158 , SB171 , SB5

Committee: Senate County and Municipal Government

Keywords: archives, history, board of trustees, vacancies, government control, SB142, Alabama, voting, voter registration, election law, Secretary of State, board of registrars, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, National Change of Address, NCOA, voter roll maintenance, address change, voter list cleanup, inactive voter

Transcript Highlights:

• of this is of dubious legality and constitutional authority and certainly flies in the face of congressional
• In their congressional majority.

Committee: Senate Finance Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• committee uh with the uh congressional committee uh with the uh have<00:10:45.120><c> a</c><00:10:45.279
• Uh, again, working with our congressional delegation, we were able to unsuspend that and get that money
• Uh, again, working with our congressional delegation, we were able to unsuspend that and get that money
• Congressional delegation and the money has been able to keep flowing to the agencies.
• </c> happy to run maps by congressional happy to run maps by congressional districts<00:52:29.520><c>

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

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not congressional. It's set as a rule by the congressional.
• It's set as a rule by the congressional. It's set as a rule by the egg department.
• which is not processes to federal law which is not processes to federal law which is not even congressional
• It's it's ruled even congressional law. It's it's ruled even congressional law.

Bills: SB199 , HB142 , SB86 , HB152 , HB297 , SB1 , SB1

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: parental leave, state employees, local education agencies, adoption, work-life balance, family support, portable benefits, portable benefit account, independent contractor, gig worker, 1099 worker, freelancer, app-based worker, rideshare, delivery driver, worker benefits, health insurance, retirement benefits, life insurance, income replacement insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• administration, and there are many key details we don't know yet, including the impact of any future congressional
• This forecast assumes no reduction in federal Medicaid funding at this time because the actual congressional
• </c><00:32:14.519><c> action</c><00:32:14.840><c> is</c><00:32:15.000><c> unknown</c> actual congressional
• action is unknown actual congressional action is unknown however<00:32:16.679><c> it</c><00:32:16.919
• This forecast assumes no reduction in federal Medicaid funding at this time because the actual congressional

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Management and Budget presented the February 2025 budget and economic forecast, with Commissioner Aon Campbell, State Economist Anthony Becker, and Budget Director Anam Mingi outlining updated revenue, spending, and long-term balance projections. The state’s FY 2026-27 general fund outlook remains positive but weaker than in November, with an ending balance of $456 million, down $160 million from the prior forecast. Looking ahead, the planning years FY 2028-29 show a projected deficit of just under $6 billion, driven largely by spending growth outpacing revenues. Officials emphasized that discretionary inflation is a major factor in the forecast, but also noted that those amounts are not automatically appropriated and would require legislative action. Becker said the national outlook has changed since November, with higher expected inflation, higher interest rates for longer, and slower growth in later years. He highlighted uncertainty around tariffs, trade policy, immigration policy, federal spending, and possible changes to tax and debt-ceiling policy, all of which could affect Minnesota’s economy and revenues. Minnesota’s labor market remains tight, with low unemployment and rising wages, and the revenue forecast was revised upward overall for FY 2026-27, including higher income and sales tax receipts, though corporate tax revenue was slightly lower than previously projected. Mingi said projected general fund spending is up $79 million in FY 2026-27 and $960 million in FY 2028-29 compared with November. The largest increases are in education and health and human services, especially due to inflation, higher pupil counts, special education costs, long-term care, and higher Medical Assistance spending. She noted that higher utilization of weight-loss drugs also raises Medicaid costs, and that a smaller assumed bonding bill helps offset some debt service costs. The commissioner and staff repeatedly warned that federal policy changes, especially possible Medicaid reductions, pose a major risk; they said Minnesota could face billions in lost federal funding, including a potential $2.4 billion hit if the enhanced Medicaid match for adults without children were eliminated. No votes or legislative actions were taken in the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So order petitions, memorials, and other papers.
• It simply means they are here in violation of congressional laws voted on over decades of immigration
• more celebrated when he was elected as Maryland's first Black congressman, serving in the Seventh Congressional
• Congressman Mitchell was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
• chairman of the subcommittee on housing, minority enterprise, and economic development of the Congressional

Keywords: House streaming session for Thursday, February 12, 2026, 957, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But it is something that we talked about with our congressional delegation and others.
• We meet regularly with our terrific congressional delegation to ensure effective advocacy at the federal
• federal government level requires sort of a nuanced look at both executive actions, short-term congressional
• actions, and then likely middle-term congressional actions.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held an informational hearing with invited testimony from MassDOT leadership, the MBTA, Massport, and the state’s Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office. MassDOT officials outlined work across highways, rail and transit, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and aeronautics, emphasizing major capital spending, bridge and roadway programs, transit grants, rail expansion, airport safety, and modernization efforts. They highlighted Chapter 90 and municipal grant programs, the Compass Rail and West-East Rail efforts, RMV upgrades such as electronic titles and driver licensing systems, and aeronautics work on airport pavement, drones, and advanced air mobility. Committee members focused on safety, service access, and project implementation. Questions to MassDOT covered automated enforcement and rising roadway fatalities, the Allston multimodal project’s federal funding, Complete Streets access for rural communities, and South Coast Rail staffing and future electrification. The RMV was asked about the Work and Family Mobility Act, Real ID demand, and appointment access, especially in Metro West. Members also raised concerns about South Coast Rail operations, Keolis staffing, and whether the Stoughton route remains part of future plans; MassDOT and MBTA officials said they are working on staffing, service reliability, and long-term expansion, while noting that nothing is off the table for future rail improvements. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng reported progress including workforce growth, elimination of subway speed restrictions, expanded reduced-fare access, bus network redesign, South Coast Rail launch, and commuter rail signal upgrades. He said the agency is pursuing a new commuter rail operating contract designed to support future regional rail, electrification, and higher-frequency service, while maintaining service and workforce stability amid funding uncertainty. Members also asked about fare collection data privacy and the impact of state funding levels; Eng said the MBTA needs the governor’s proposed funding to preserve service and staffing, and that the fare system’s data are encrypted and handled through a secure vendor system. Massport CEO Rich Davey reported record activity at Logan, Worcester, and the cruise and maritime facilities, along with major capital and climate investments such as sustainable aviation fuel planning, shore power at Flynn Cruiseport, renewable diesel, and expanded ground transportation. He said Massport is planning for continued passenger growth and managing congestion through parking, HOV, and curbside changes, while monitoring federal policy, tariffs, and air traffic control staffing issues. Federal Funds Director Quentin Palfrey described the administration’s efforts to secure federal infrastructure dollars, citing about $9 billion in federal awards since the start of the administration, including major transportation grants for the Cape Cod Bridges, Allston, West-East Rail, North Station drawbridge replacement, roadway safety, and clean school buses. He warned that changing federal policies, grant delays, and possible future congressional actions create uncertainty, but said the office is working case-by-case with municipalities and agencies to protect awarded funds and find alternative financing where needed.