Transcript Highlights:

• We know we're going to have supplementals. We know we're going to have fire.
• $62,700 from the Rehabilitation and Refunds Fund, and $65,000 one time for vehicles from the Adaptive Aids
• The first page in your packet is for a fiscal year 2026 supplemental.
• This supplemental funding request from the Tax Commission is for federal tax conformity implementation
• The total amount for the supplemental request before the committee is $765,300 from the general fund.

Summary: The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee began with recognition of two outgoing pages, who described their experiences working at the Capitol and their plans for college and law school. The committee then received a general fund budget update from Legislative Services analyst Christopher LaHosette, who explained the green sheet, noted that the governor’s enhancement requests are effectively larger because of prior cuts, and highlighted policy bills tied to budget reductions, including House Bill 622 for IDLA and Senate Bill 1312 for Medicaid. Senator Wintrow asked about how agencies already filled out on the budget sheet could still be adjusted, and LaHosette said an agency would need to be added to the agenda before a motion could be made. The committee then acted on several budgets. It approved a $17,800 reimbursement to the Military Division for hazardous materials costs, but rejected a larger Military Division enhancement package after debate over restoring the State Education Assistance Program for guardsmen and concerns about budget process and ending balances. The committee approved Percy’s $2.6 million dedicated-funds request for pension software, continuity planning, and replacement items. It also approved the Division of Veterans Services budget, including new equipment, replacement items, federal IT hardware, and reappropriation authority for veterans’ home construction and renovation funds. A proposed intent language item for the Division of Veterans Services, directing the legislature to add $36,200 ongoing in fiscal year 2028 for cemetery maintenance, failed after members said it could not bind a future legislature and that the intent was only to signal future attention. The committee then approved the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired enhancement request and accepted language directing the agency to prioritize site restoration services. It also approved a small Vocational Rehabilitation lease increase for the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and later approved the State Tax Commission’s $765,300 supplemental for federal tax conformity implementation, along with a larger enhancement package for property tax education, GenTax automation, personnel, replacement items, seasonal employees, and OITS hardware. The committee accepted language restricting one Tax Commission item to fast tax collection vendor payments and requiring any unused amount to revert to the general fund. Finally, the committee adopted technical corrections to previously approved maintenance bill language for the Legislature and the State Board of Education, including fixes to transfer authority and year references. The chair announced that the committee would hear budget presentations for the Department of Water Resources and the Soil and Water Conservation Commission on Monday, with no votes scheduled, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• housing, stability, utility assistance, food access, employment pathways, and connecting safety net aid
• Through CSBG, we partner with Bay Area Legal Aid, Greater Richmond Interfaith Project, Hope Solutions
• We utilize CSBG funding to supplement those services.
• And then we also use a lot of our money to supplement our CDE.
• And we also use a lot of our money for to supplement our CDE Department of Education and do our ESL and

Summary: The Senate and Assembly Human Services Committees held a special oversight hearing on California’s 2026-27 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state plan, a federal anti-poverty funding stream. Committee members opened by citing statewide poverty and homelessness data and said the hearing was meant to review how CSBG dollars are used, how local agencies respond to community needs, and how the state is preparing for possible federal funding cuts. Jason Wimbley of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) explained that California’s CSBG network works through 60 organizations in 58 counties, serving about 1.5 million low-income Californians in 2023, and that the state received $68.4 million in federal CSBG funds in fiscal year 2025. He described the program as flexible funding used for housing, employment, education, food, health, transportation, and emergency response, and noted that the federal administration had proposed eliminating CSBG, though the Senate Appropriations Committee had voted to fully fund it for the coming year. Representatives from the California Community Action Partnership Association and several CSBG-funded agencies described how the program supports local anti-poverty work and leverages other funding. CalCAPA emphasized local flexibility, workforce development, partnerships, and data systems such as ROMA, while also warning that agencies are preparing for possible reductions by tightening budgets, planning staffing contingencies, and seeking private foundation support. Agency witnesses from Contra Costa County, Northern California Indian Development Council, Proteus, and Sacred Heart Community Service described services including housing assistance, food distribution, utility help, employment training, youth programs, and culturally specific services for Native communities and migrant farmworkers. They repeatedly said CSBG is essential because it funds staffing and infrastructure that allow them to braid other grants and serve people who do not qualify for standard safety-net programs. Members also asked about the impact of federal staffing changes and the Los Angeles fires. Wimbley said federal layoffs had affected some CSD programs but not CSBG administration, and that the department coordinated disaster response with state agencies and used CSBG-funded supply distribution, food, water, clothing, and documentation support during the fires. Witnesses said they were preparing for possible future cuts by diversifying funding, reducing expenses, and considering service changes, while county officials warned that state and federal reductions could not be backfilled locally. During public comment, one speaker urged stronger oversight of community action agencies and raised concerns about transparency and compliance with state law. The chair then thanked the witnesses, emphasized the importance of CSBG for low-income seniors, youth, and people with disabilities, and adjourned the hearing without any votes or formal action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 2, original section 71-812, Revised Statutes Supplement, is repealed.
• Introduced by Senator Brad Von Gillern, relating to aid to municipalities.
• , with references to non-bond tax aid and related certification procedures.
• I think foundation aid works well.
• or aid per student.

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> available to assist Greater Minnesota available to assist Greater Minnesota County<00:07:50.800>
• </c> temporary commissioner for the Minnesota temporary commissioner for the Minnesota Department<00:
• officer for the state of Minnesota.
• officer for the state of Minnesota.
• </c> funding for software advancements to Aid funding for software advancements to Aid the<00:21:35.520

Transcript Highlights:

• That are applied and offered to workers, things such as supplemental retirement plans and accompanying
• California is an example of a state that is not 100% funded that uses it to fund supplemental contributions
• We were working with the state of Minnesota, their teacher system, and they made this change last year
• that higher funding number, I think I could also speak a little bit to how California uses it for supplemental
• We're publishing about how they approached it in the Minnesota teacher system that we worked with, and

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We are in room 1100 of the Minnesota Senate Building. A quorum is present.
• following members will be participating remotely in today's hearing: Senator McEwen from Duluth, Minnesota
• can't get it done resident of Minnesota can't get it done and<00:43:20.200><c> go</c><00:43:20.359><
• I'm listed on the testifier as a member of the Minnesota Deputy Registrar Association.
• We just, as Senator Jin said, we do need some fee sharing, something to help supplement some of these

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So does the program also help with remedial aid and financial aid and the whole thing, the whole gamut
• So does the program also help with remedial aid and financial aid and the whole thing, the whole gamut
• Justin Hurst with the California Student Aid Commission.
• I am Justin Hearst with the California Student Aid Commission.
• And undocumented folks may not be eligible for federal aid, but there is state aid available.

Summary: The subcommittee heard May Revision proposals for higher education, beginning with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Finance proposed a one-time $10 million General Fund backfill to repay a special fund loan used to cover litigation costs, plus provisional language to allow budget flexibility for a remaining legal expense and to repay the loan without interest. The LAO opposed shifting the litigation costs to the General Fund and raised legal concerns about waiving interest on the loan, noting that special fund loans have historically been repaid with interest. Members asked about the litigation amount and the estimated interest savings, which Finance said would be about $245,000. The committee then discussed University of California funding, including the Governor’s proposed compact funding and a $1.5 million one-time increase for the First Star foster youth program at UC campuses. UC said the program has strong outcomes at UCLA, including a 100% college-going rate and high college completion rates, and that the new funding would expand the program to additional campuses and eventually be self-supporting through fundraising. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposal, arguing that UC already has overlapping outreach programs, including the Early Academic Outreach Program, and that the new initiative would duplicate existing services. Several senators questioned whether the state should expand a new program instead of strengthening existing ones, while UC and Finance emphasized the program’s focus on foster youth and its high success rates. For the California Community Colleges, Finance outlined the May Revision’s increase to the Student-Centered Funding Formula COLA from 2.41% to 4.31%, along with enrollment growth funding, categorical COLAs, deferred maintenance, and other ongoing and one-time investments. The Chancellor’s Office supported the flexible “super COLA” approach and asked for more enrollment growth funding, arguing that many districts are already above current targets and that unfunded growth restricts access. The LAO recommended funding at least the statutory COLA, redirecting some ongoing funds to enrollment growth or one-time priorities, and rejecting the $9.7 million Adult Learner Demonstration Project because districts already have incentives to do similar work. Senators pressed Finance and the Chancellor’s Office on the use of COLA funds to cover the new paid pregnancy disability leave requirement, the impact on hold-harmless and basic-aid districts, and whether the state should fund actual enrollment growth rather than a flat COLA. The committee also reviewed California Student Aid Commission proposals, including adjustments to Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship funding, continued Golden State Teacher Grant funding, and implementation of the federal Workforce Pell program. Finance said the Middle Class Scholarship changes reflected updated caseload estimates and that the higher 35% unmet-need level had been one-time funding, while CSAC urged continued support and noted the importance of financial aid for student success. The LAO recommended rejecting additional Golden State Teacher Grant funding as not well-targeted and urged caution on Workforce Pell trailer bill language, citing uncertainty about federal rules, ongoing administrative workload, and the need for clearer implementation planning. Members also raised concerns about declining CADAA applications and the need to better promote state aid for undocumented and mixed-status students. No votes were taken during the transcripted portion, and the committee moved through the agenda items with questions and testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Amy worked with me for a while as an aide.
• I said it numerous times at Grant and Aid and at JFC.
• This is not the Grant-in-Aid bill. This is the Grant-in-Aid Committee bill.
• This is not the Grant and Aid bill. This is the Grant and Aid bill.
• This is the Grant and Aid Committee bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state and the common good of Minnesota.
• A commitment to justice, compassion, and the well-being of all who call Minnesota home.
• Brian DeMeritt from the Dakota Unitarian Universalist Church. and Eagan, Minnesota.
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, May 1st, 2025.
• Whereas in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister state relationship with Taiwan, and Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• In Minnesota, birth center is.
• Some of those were in Minnesota.
• Some of those were in Minnesota.
• </c><00:57:07.440><c> and</c> Minnesota. So that's what it does. and Minnesota.
• </c> supplement the current re reimbursement. supplement the current re reimbursement.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> fund</c><00:13:52.160><c> was</c> The Minnesota school trust fund was The Minnesota school trust
• And Minnesota does not manage it as you've heard before or already today.
• And Minnesota does not is eight billion.
• I've sat on the school trust Minnesota.
• ,</c> um, not just for the state of Minnesota, um, not just for the state of Minnesota, but<01:15:24.680

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to be hard to track all the band-aids we've put on the budget and understanding the need to
• What is typical in a sense of supplementals? Again, we're looking at Medicaid.
• We're looking at just the overall supplementals that we generally have come in in general.
• Because part of the problem also on supplementals is we can review those and see, are these supplementals
• Because part of the problem also on supplementals is we can review those and see, are these supplementals

Summary: The joint House Appropriations and Senate Finance committee met with a quorum and began by recognizing two pages, who each described their plans after serving and what they learned about the legislative process. The committee then turned to year-end cash transfer proposals presented by Keith Bybee, who explained that the packet contained 14 motions tied to balancing the current and upcoming budgets and managing fund balances. The proposals included transferring remaining legislative remodel funds back into the legislative account and reducing legislative transfers in fiscal years 2026 and 2027; moving unobligated money from the Idaho Broadband Fund and inactive school district building accounts to the general fund; and creating flexibility to use the 27th payroll fund only in an emergency. Other items would redirect interest earnings from several funds, including the budget stabilization fund, public education stabilization fund, water pollution control fund, permanent building fund, ARPA-related funds, and Strategic Initiatives funds, with some proceeds going to the general fund, fire suppression deficiency account, or transportation-related purposes. Members asked about balances, obligations, and the meaning of terms like “unobligated” versus “unawarded,” and Bybee said he would verify some figures before the noon meeting. Several members discussed the broader budget strategy, including the rationale for aiming for a $150 million ending balance and whether the committee should rely on reserve transfers versus other budget adjustments. Some members emphasized preserving legislative control over future supplemental spending and providing a roadmap for new committee members, while others noted that the state’s fiscal situation was partly the result of revenue decisions made by the legislature itself. The committee did not vote on the motions during this session and adjourned until noon, when it planned to take action after members had time to review the updated green sheet and follow up on questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• , including Minnesota Reading Corps and Minnesota Math Corps.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> in greater Minnesota. in greater Minnesota.
• </c> across Minnesota. across Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> sweepstakes in Minnesota. sweepstakes in Minnesota.
• </c> protects Minnesota consumers, and protects Minnesota consumers, and rightfully<01:10:23.160><c>
• </c> We all want what's best for Minnesota. We all want what's best for Minnesota.
• SGLA members comply with Minnesota sweepstakes laws and every facet of Minnesota consumer protection
• </c> uh violations with um the Minnesota uh violations with um the Minnesota Department<01:20:58.440>

Bills: HF3794 , HF4472 , HF4410 , HF4347 , HF4412 , HF4398 , HF4397 , HF4201 , HF4199 , HF4203 , HF3706 , HF4071 , HF4120 , HF4175 , HF4188

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> is an important priority for Minnesota is an important priority for Minnesota these<00:10:42.959
• the Catholic Church in Minnesota.
• </c> in the previous session in the Minnesota in the previous session in the Minnesota Legislature<00
• </c><00:37:03.280><c> will</c> will help uh seniors in Minnesota will will help uh seniors in Minnesota
• The homestead credit refund has been around for over 40 years in Minnesota, and Minnesota has been kind

Bills: HF2254 , HF2302 , HF2502 , HF2315 , HF2475 , HF2086

Committee: House Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> changes in our formula federal aid changes in our formula federal aid funding.<00:35:23.440><c>
• And municipal road aid is 177.36.
• And municipal road aid is 177.36.
• state supplemental roads which are low volume<00:58:43.359><c> roads.
• ,</c><01:07:32.559><c> and</c> secondary, state supplemental, and secondary, state supplemental, and

Summary: The committee received an update from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on the FY 2025 road fund. Officials reported road fund revenues came in $38.5 million above the enacted estimate, but were down about $11 million from FY 2024, largely because a motor fuels tax rate reduction took effect at the start of FY 2025. Motor vehicle usage tax receipts were stronger than expected, and the cabinet said the road fund ended the year with a $61.6 million surplus, which the budget bill directs to state highway construction. Members also discussed how the motor fuels decline affects formula distributions to cities, counties, and rural/secondary roads, with officials saying about $122.8 million had been planned for revenue sharing but was not distributed because receipts were lower than forecast. Members asked about broader revenue trends, including fuel efficiency, electric vehicles, and the removal of a hybrid fee. Cabinet officials said improved fuel efficiency and CAFE standards reduce gasoline consumption and therefore fuel tax receipts, while EVs and plug-in hybrids are subject to a user fee. They also said toll revenues from the Louisville bridges are covering bills and commitments, though they did not have detailed figures at hand. On project delivery, officials said delays are often caused by right-of-way acquisition, utility relocation, and the large volume of projects in the highway plan, and that much of the work happens behind the scenes before construction begins. The committee also reviewed the cabinet’s cash management approach, which was adopted after 2000 to avoid setting aside full project costs all at once and to keep the road fund cash balance above a required minimum. Officials said the balance typically rises in winter and falls in summer as project bills come due, and that the current balance was about $166 million. They also reported that project awards for the year were nearing $998 million and expected to exceed last year’s total. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:18:29.120><c> nutrition</c><01:18:29.520><c> assistance</c> supplemental nutrition assistance supplemental
• </c> supplemental security income supplemental security income stabilization<01:24:22.400><c> fund</c
• </c> Food and Energy Assistance Supplemental Food and Energy Assistance Supplemental Nutrition<02:05:
• </c><05:47:44.718><c> tobacco</c> &gt;&gt; 12 from the supplemental tobacco &gt;&gt; 12 from the supplemental
• </c> amount shall be from the supplemental amount shall be from the supplemental tobacco<05:50:02.958

Transcript Highlights:

• It is very evident that Minnesota is in good hands.
• On line 272 is the Minnesota Historical Society.
• There's $9.5 million for Minnesota Public Television.
• The Minnesota Children's Museum is a statewide asset.
• I'm Sarah Fossen, Executive Director of Minnesota.

Bills: HF2563

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is 800,000. Nebraska is at a whopping 8 or 9 million.
• making sure that people that are working in these occupations understand some of the immediate first aid
• That grant requires a state match, and our state match is a $25,000 supplement that comes from the North
• So it's a very modest supplement, very modest. The North Dakota Department of Water Resources.
• So it's a very modest supplement, a very modest investment from the state.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is 800,000. Nebraska is at a whopping 9 or 8 million.
• making sure that people that are working in these occupations understand some of the immediate first aid
• That grant requires a state match, and our state match is a $25,000 supplement that comes from the North
• So it's a very modest supplement, very modest. The North Dakota Department of Water Resources.
• So it's a very modest supplement, a very modest investment from the state.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.