Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to what I hope will be the last Judiciary interim committee, especially with special session
• Okay, committee. Questions? I want to bring up, if you don't mind, when we're talking hope, right?
• Okay, committee. Questions? I want to bring up, if you don't mind, when we're talking hope, right?
• So can you give people hope?
• And I hope I'm less.

Summary: The Judiciary interim committee met with a full quorum and approved the June 17 minutes. The main discussion centered on a detailed Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presentation about prison population, placement authority, classification, recidivism, and the role of transitional facilities. Director Colby Braun emphasized that DOCR’s job includes incarceration, supervision, victim services, and reentry, and said the department is operating over capacity, with people waiting in county jails and deferred placements. He described current and planned bed expansions, including added beds at MRCC, a proposed 600-bed minimum-custody men’s facility, and broader campus studies, while stressing that minimum, medium, and maximum custody are different security levels and that transitional facilities are tightly controlled placements, not releases. Committee members questioned the meaning of “release” versus “placement,” the use of terms like inmate and resident, and whether state law should be clarified to distinguish incarceration from supervision or placement in community-based settings. Braun said the parole board controls release authority, while DOCR controls placement, and explained that people who reoffend while in community placement are generally returned to prison after due process. He also reviewed data showing lower one-year recidivism in recent years, the impact of GPS monitoring, and statistics indicating that most people released never get a transitional-facility placement, while those who do generally have better outcomes. Members also discussed whether transitional facilities and work-release programs should be considered halfway houses and how much freedom and security they involve. The committee then heard a report from the Attorney General’s office on House Bill 1193 funding for law enforcement retention bonuses and tuition assistance. The office said all funds had been distributed, 73 of 101 recipients had reported back, 1,490 officers had received bonuses, and the average bonus amounts differed by agency size. Members generally viewed the program positively. Representative Steve Vetter also presented a pretrial services report, describing constitutional and statutory limits on pretrial detention, the use of risk assessment tools, court reminders, victim-notification practices, and North Dakota’s pilot pretrial programs. He suggested possible future legislation to expand detention authority for certain serious offenses and to require the Judiciary Committee to receive updated jail-population data before sessions. Finally, Megan Gordon from Legislative Council began her annual technical corrections bill presentation, outlining a series of non-substantive Century Code fixes such as cross-reference corrections, punctuation changes, and obsolete-reference removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• To the extent the Joint Committee would ever want to do those sorts of things in the future, would hope
• , joint committee, but also as this appropriations committee, to make sure that the data that they are
• The members of the committee aren't employees of the joint committee.
• The members of the committee aren't employees of the joint committee.
• , that's the job of the committee.

Committee: House Budget

Summary: The Budget Committee met in executive session and considered Senate Bill 1470, with a House Committee Substitute offered and adopted. The bill updates statutes governing the Joint Committee on Legislative Research and its oversight functions. The sponsor and Chairman Deaton described the measure as modernizing LR operations, including reducing the committee from 20 members to 12, adding legislative leadership and minority representation, allowing electronic delivery of reports, and changing references to public colleges and universities. They also explained that the bill would create post-implementation fiscal notes to compare projected and actual fiscal impacts after enactment. A major point of discussion was the bill’s provision allowing legislative oversight staff to access certain Department of Revenue tax-return information under confidentiality rules so they can independently verify data used in fiscal notes, especially for tax policy bills. Several members supported the goal of improving accuracy and checks and balances, while also raising concerns about protecting taxpayer privacy and ensuring the committee does not improperly access confidential information. The sponsor and chairman said the committee would not see individual returns, that staff would remain bound by confidentiality, and that they would follow up on any legal concerns before floor action if needed. Members also discussed a section striking language that had prohibited committee employees from opposing or urging legislation. The sponsor said this was cleanup because LR no longer drafts ordinary bills, only revision bills, and the remaining drafting role is limited and noncontroversial. Representative Mayhew said he would not offer a planned amendment at the meeting but still wanted clarification on the tax-information language. Representative Fogle asked how post-implementation fiscal notes would be shared, and the sponsor said the committee would likely determine the process. After adopting the substitute, the committee voted the bill do pass by a roll call of 25 yes and 1 no.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I hope you don't bring that back The can kind of idea.
• But I would hope that we continue the conversation with that.
• This as we all know is the first committee stop.
• I hope I pronounced your name somewhat correct. It's Inglema.
• Serving on Agriculture Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• For Senate Bill 142, the Speaker appoints Delegates Hope, Mehta, and Pence.
• So I hope it would be the pleasure of the body to...
• For House Bill 308, the Speaker appoints Delegates Hope, Carol, and Fowler.
• For Senate Bill 536, the Speaker appoints Delegates Hope, Simon, and Ballard.
• For House Bill 489, the Speaker appoints Delegates Hope, Keys-Gamarra, and Kilgore.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, members of the committee.
• Chair and committee.
• So I'm super hopeful, and I'm just hopeful we've got good studies backing that up as well.
• So I'm super hopeful. And I'm just hopeful we've got good studies backing that up as well.
• Good morning, Chair and committee. Good morning, Chair and committee.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment

Summary: The Commerce Committee met in executive session and unanimously voted do pass on House Bill 1707, House Bill 2927, and House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2057. The committee then moved into public hearing on House Bill 1664, which would extend the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims from age 26 to age 41. Representative Brian Sites presented the bill as a needed step for survivors, and multiple witnesses and organizations testified in support, including survivors and advocacy, tort reform, chamber, and insurance groups. No opposition was heard, and the hearing concluded without a vote. The committee also heard House Bill 1845, a startup and angel investor tax credit proposal sponsored by Representative Gallick. The bill would create incentives for Missouri-based startups under $5 million in revenue, with higher credits for rural investment, annual caps, oversight by the Missouri Technology Corporation, and a sunset in 2033. Members questioned what taxes the credit would apply to, how it would work if Missouri changes its income tax structure, and what safeguards would prevent businesses from leaving after receiving credits. Business and economic development groups testified in support, saying the bill would help fill an early-stage capital gap and keep investment in Missouri. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 3231, a broad economic development and “Missouri Innovation Zone” proposal sponsored by Representative Brad Christ. The bill would let cities opt in to create innovation zones with local permitting and governance changes, tax incentives, office-to-residential conversion tools, and reinvestment of net new revenues into public safety, infrastructure, and a rural development fund. Members and witnesses discussed local control, prevailing wage, revenue diversion, and implementation concerns, especially from the City of St. Louis and labor groups, while chambers, developers, municipal groups, and historic revitalization advocates generally supported the concept. The hearing ended with no opposition testimony and no committee vote on the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• Congress Financial Services Committee.
• On the committees of Judiciary and Foreign Affairs.
• I will never forget. ...to lift us all up and give us hope.
• Keep hope alive. I am somebody. Thank you. Keep hope alive. I am somebody.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, approval of corrected journals, and a brief recognition of guests. The body then considered four gubernatorial appointments to the Seismic Safety Commission: Deborah Garns, David Rabbit, Cindy Silva, and Vincent Wells. Senators spoke in support of the appointees, especially highlighting Garns’ leadership during the Rio Dell earthquake response and the commission experience of the others. All four confirmations were approved unanimously, with 37 ayes and 0 noes each. The Senate next adopted SR 69 designating February as Montessori Month. Senator Niello described Montessori education’s history, California ties, and current teacher shortages, while a group of Montessori educators and students from the California Montessori Project was recognized in the gallery. The Senate then took up SCR 122 honoring Black History Month and the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week. Senator Weber Pearson and many others from both parties spoke about Black history as American history, the legacy of Carter G. Woodson, ongoing civil rights and education issues, and the importance of recognizing Black contributions in public life, culture, and policy. The resolution was adopted unanimously, 37-0. The remainder of the session focused on Black History Month observances, including the California Legislative Black Caucus’s “Unsung Heroes” honorees, who were introduced and recognized for community service, arts, public safety, health care, and youth support. The Senate also heard several adjournment-in-memory tributes for San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Sergeant Grant Ward, who died after a battle with cancer, and for civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, with members recalling his advocacy, charisma, and personal impact. The Senate adjourned after announcing its next meeting for February 26, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> down the pike, this bill gives me hope down the pike, this bill gives me hope that<00:07:52.479>
• They owe it today, and I hope you'll be asking them. common sense."
• owe it today and I hope you'll be asking<00:09:36.959><c> them.
• I'm the DFL chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the House.
• ,</c> every person has sat through committee, every person has sat through committee, I'm<00:20:02.559

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> committee jurisdictions. committee jurisdictions.
• </c><00:32:45.640><c> to</c> committee to I ask the committee to committee to I ask the committee to
• </c> the committee. the committee.
• committee stop.
• </c> Rules Committee hearing. Rules Committee hearing.

Committee: Senate Rules and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• She said the bill does not address these immediate needs and hoped that moving forward the committee
• showing up on that committee.
• showing up on that committee.
• back then to 50/50, everything, every committee, and so on.
• I appreciate all your other committees.

Bills: HF1704 , HF2052

Committee: House Agriculture Finance and Policy

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of Standing Committees. Reports of Select Committees.
• Specifically, well, I hope the voters make better decisions in their elections and I hope they tune in
• That is what I hope New Yorkers choose.
• I hope they flip that over and vote no.
• AND I HOPE THEY FLIP THAT OVER AND VOTE NO AND I REST HOPE THEY RESTORE THE INTEGRITY OF THIS BODY EVEN

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the journal, and then moved through a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate bills for third reading. The chamber also received and accepted a Finance Committee report on nominations for Kathleen Mosier as Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Terrence O’Leary as Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, and John Kagia as Executive Director of the Office of Cannabis Management. All three nominees were confirmed, with Mosier and O’Leary confirmed unanimously and Kagia confirmed 57-1, with Senator Walczyk voting no. The Senate adopted previously approved resolutions recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and mourning the death of Susan Irene Wright of Harlem. Senators Brisport and Bottcher spoke at length in support of Pride Month, emphasizing LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and ongoing threats to the trans community. On the Susan Wright resolution, Senators Cleare, Bailey, and Bottcher praised her community leadership, philanthropy, and family legacy, and Assembly Member Jordan Wright was recognized in the chamber. The body then considered and passed many bills on the calendar, including measures on insurance, environmental conservation, public health, education, business law, labor, social services, highway law, and local tax exemptions. Several bills drew brief explanations of vote, including a measure to end higher insurance premiums for widows, a bill to prohibit correctional facilities from denying visitation because of menstrual products or IUDs, and a Medicaid-related bill to expand access to blood pressure monitors for pregnant people. Most bills passed with broad support, though some had notable opposition from a small group of senators. Late in the session, the Senate took up a proposed constitutional amendment on redistricting. Senator Stewart-Cousins sponsored the measure, and Senator Walczyk questioned it extensively, arguing voters had previously approved an independent redistricting process and objecting to changes that would remove the Legislature’s two-thirds map-approval requirement and alter the commission’s role. The sponsor said the changes were needed in response to aggressive partisan redistricting in other states and would still require voter ratification in future sessions. The transcript ends during that debate, with no final vote on the amendment shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a custom of this committee, and I think all committees.
• To House and Senate colleagues, it's a custom of this committee, and I think all committees, to take
• Thank you for your time, and I hope you report out the Super Act favorably out of your committee.
• For those reasons, I hope you will support the bill and move it from your committee quickly, providing
• Hope you can hear me. Okay, great.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Higher Education heard testimony on a broad set of bills focused on making public higher education more affordable and accessible, protecting student information, and changing social work licensure rules. Chair Rogers and Senator Comerford opened by emphasizing the committee’s focus on financial aid, tuition and fee waivers, scholarships, admissions, and institutional changes, and they reminded witnesses about the three-minute testimony limit. No votes were taken during the hearing. A large portion of the hearing centered on the “Super Act” (H. 1423/S. 218), which would eliminate the master’s-level social work licensing exam and create grant support for social work internships. Supporters—including students, practitioners, educators, and advocates—argued that unpaid internships and the exam create financial barriers, worsen workforce shortages, and disproportionately affect Black, brown, older, ESL, and other marginalized candidates. Opponents from the Association of Social Work Boards argued the exam is a necessary public-protection standard, helps maintain uniform licensure, and is important to the social work licensure compact; they said workforce shortages should be addressed through pay, working conditions, and caseloads instead. Committee members asked detailed questions about compact participation, exam accommodations, and how other states such as Rhode Island and Connecticut have handled similar changes. The committee also heard extensive testimony in favor of debt-free public higher education bills (H. 1436/S. 929). Witnesses, including students, faculty, advocates, and Senator Eldridge, said Massachusetts should expand on free community college by covering tuition and mandatory fees at public colleges and universities, with additional aid for living costs for lower-income students. Supporters said student debt delays homeownership, family formation, and career entry, and that the state should use Fair Share revenue to invest in public higher education. Some committee members voiced support but also raised concerns about prioritizing K-12 funding and the cost of expanding free college further. Several witnesses also supported bills to extend tuition and fee waivers to young adults raised by grandparents or other kinship guardians outside the DCF system, arguing that these students face the same trauma and financial barriers as foster youth but do not receive the same benefits. Representative Donato, Joseph O’Leary, Shauna Manning, Sandra Vecchio, Karen Gardner, Judy Walter, Elaine Arsenault, and others described the financial strain on grandparents raising grandchildren and urged parity with DCF-related waivers. In addition, Senator Jake Oliveira testified for a bill to protect public higher education student directory information from data mining and unauthorized sharing, and Deirdre Cummings testified for an open educational resources bill to reduce textbook costs. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on kinship care and college access, with committee members thanking witnesses and indicating follow-up on some bill language issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do you have a committee substitute Senator Middleton sends up committee substitute for Senate Bill 569
• Committee.
• Chairman, committee members, thank you, sir.
• Are you Hope Wiggins? Yes. Go ahead, Miss Wiggins.
• Let me tell you, I hope that not only that this bill passes, but I hope that teachers that have faith

Bills: SB 10 , SB 11

Committees: Senate Education K-16 , Senate Education

Transcript Highlights:

• I hope I am wrong, but I believe that my Republican colleagues will quickly.
• So instead of having five bills out of this committee, we can have one bill? Yeah. I hope. See?
• I agree that we should address Section 230, but I hope, Mr.
• But I hope that we will look to this work in the future.
• And I would hope.

Bills: SB331

Committee: Senate Senate Judiciary

Keywords: fentanyl, controlled substances, drug trafficking, public health, research regulations, law enforcement, S-331, Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, fentanyl crisis, public testimony, drug legislation, bipartisan support

Summary: In this committee meeting, the focus was primarily on S-331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking and Fentanyl Act, aimed at addressing the fentanyl crisis. The bill's key components include making permanent the class scheduling of fentanyl-related substances, confirming existing sentencing penalties, and easing registration requirements for scientific research on Schedule I substances. Numerous parents shared heartbreaking testimonies about their losses due to fentanyl, which fueled an urgent call to pass the legislation without alterations. The committee members engaged in passionate discussions highlighting the urgency of the situation as overdoses continue to claim American lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• . committee. committee.
• committee? committee? &gt;&gt; Yes,<00:30:29.279><c> sir.
• </c> committee report. committee report.
• </c> committee had to work. committee had to work.
• . committee. committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every other committee did the work that this committee could have.
• for real work coming out of the hoped for real work coming out of the committee<00:13:40.560><c> and
• </c> committee in the legislature. committee in the legislature.
• And I hope that sits with all of us as we continue this work, because that is the purpose of this committee
• > way</c><00:55:04.640><c> and</c> committee this committee in that way and committee this committee

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So I hope the amendment is adopted, and I do hope, Mr.
• And I do hope, Mr.
• I hope the amendment is adopted, Mr. President.
• I hope the amendment is adopted, Mr. President.
• Report of a committee.

Summary: The Senate opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and adopted a resolution congratulating Douglas Fire Chief John J. Perna on his retirement. It then took up several local and personnel-related bills on third reading, including sick leave banks for Shannon Manning of the Trial Court and Stephanie Rivera of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office; both were amended to add emergency preambles and passed to be engrossed. The Senate also passed to be engrossed bills concerning special meetings of the Holyoke City Council, the Reading town charter, and a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption for North Attleboro, and ordered a Fall River land conveyance bill to third reading. The chamber also paused for a personal privilege recognition honoring Canton High School’s state champion teams. Senators and guests celebrated the school’s 2025 Division II golf champions, Division II boys hockey champions, and Division III girls track and field champions, along with coaches and school officials, with remarks praising their accomplishments and community support. Later, the Senate considered a House bill creating a temporary summer 2026 pilot allowing municipalities to extend liquor license hours and permit public consumption in designated districts. A reporting requirement amendment offered by Senator Tarr was adopted, the bill was ordered to third reading, and it was passed to be engrossed. The House then returned the bill with a further amendment, which the Senate concurred in. The Senate also suspended rules and referred a Newton pension obligation bonds bill to the committees on municipalities and regional government. Finally, the Senate adopted the emergency preamble for the liquor-license pilot bill, passed it to be enacted, and adjourned to meet again on Thursday at 11 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the committee.
• Welcome to the committee. of testimony. Welcome to the committee.
• </c> what will that get this committee? what will that get this committee?
• And welcome to the<00:25:50.400><c> committee.</c> the committee. the committee.
• </c> welcome back to the committee. welcome back to the committee.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve as the Chair of the committee.
• I serve as the Chair of the committee.
• I expect my committee members to equally be involved in the decisions that this committee makes.
• undertake as a committee bill?
• AB 2289 and ACA 9 that I hope will help us address some of these problems, and I hope to talk to all

Committee: House Communications and Conveyance

Transcript Highlights:

• . committee. committee.
• The joint committee then committee.
• > for</c><00:48:09.080><c> a</c> committee, a campaign committee for a committee, a campaign committee
• That was my hope. As a whole package. That was my hope.
• . committee. committee.

Bills: HF4252

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: higher education, student aid, financial aid, grant programs, scholarships, Office of Higher Education, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, community college, technical college, postsecondary institution, college affordability, student fees, athletic facilities, competitive athletics, developmental education, remedial courses, pregnant students, parenting students, priority registration

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a beacon of hope.
• Thank you. bill is a beacon of hope. This bill is a bill is a beacon of hope.
• We would hope so.
• We would hope so.
• We would hope so.

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.