Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:00:46.160><c> seeing</c> fact of the Minnesota Legislature seeing fact of the Minnesota Legislature
• It's not really a grant line; that's really the legislature identifying a specific organization.
• </c> Grant Line that's really the legislature Grant Line that's really the legislature identifying<01
• </c> as what was supplied by the legislature as what was supplied by the legislature in<01:20:10.360>
• We clearly could have awarded all over $150,000 had the Legislature decided all under $75,000.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• removed from funding recommendations that were originally approved by Senate Bill 30 in the 88th legislature
• In 2019, the 86th Legislature allowed for the system to cover paid and part-paid volunteers.
• Kristen Doyle: CPRIT was created by the legislature and ratified by a state vote in 2007.
• Kristen Doyle: CPRIT was created by the legislature and reauthorized with additional funding.
• It can no longer be said with any accuracy that the legislature is underfunding ERS.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Alternatively, we could look at developing an application vetting process within the legislature only
• And who overrides the policy options is the legislature.
• Policy is great, but the legislature is not good at policy because our constituents are going to come
• Providing formal requests by entities to the legislature.
• So the executive and the legislature are part of the problem too, but the reauthorization bill...

Transcript Highlights:

• So let me ask you this: Do you recall the legislature being called and asked to do this?
• So we were not involved in that decision process, the legislature. That is correct.
• So we were not involved in that decision process, the legislature. That is correct.
• It seemed like 100 years ago because I had just gotten to the legislature.
• But the legislature may still consider legitimate traditional principles. Okay?

Bills: SB116 , SB121 , SB130 , SB407

Committee: Senate Senate & Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, the Legislature passed a bill to...
• I think, yes, so there are effects by actions that the Legislature...
• In January of this year, it was a report that was released to the Legislature.
• In January of this year, it was a report that was released to the legislature.
• We are, if we are going to successfully launch... ...of the Legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, I mean, this Legislature passes policies. We say, hey, we want ADUs.
• And, you know, I mean, this legislature passes policies. We say, hey, we want ADUs.
• We're close friends in the legislature, but a similar thing has happened to me.
• We're close friends in the legislature, but a similar thing has happened to me.
• The Legislature capped HOA fines at $100.

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> Conference of State Legislatures, Conference of State Legislatures, NCSL,<00:07:41.760><c> a</c
• </c> represents all 50 state legislatures represents all 50 state legislatures across<00:07:46.400><c
• </c> legislature sees fit. legislature sees fit.
• legislatures legislatures and<00:20:06.840><c> regulators</c><00:20:07.400><c> are</c><00:20:07.520>
• . legislature. legislature.

Bills: SCR145 , SCR132 , SCR31 , SCR110

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> legislature and counties jointly invest. legislature and counties jointly invest.
• legislature? legislature?
• ><04:23:57.520><c> direct</c> recommends that the legislature direct recommends that the legislature
• </c><04:25:45.920><c> direct</c> recommends that the legislature direct recommends that the legislature
• </c> OSPD to assist the legislature OSPD to assist the legislature with<04:25:56.640><c> identifying<

Transcript Highlights:

• But I know that was an issue a few years ago, and the legislature did raise them, sure.
• What I am seeing now this year with the legislature is that there's a sort of... ...applications.
• But I think that's something that the legislature can always take a look at. Excellent. And...
• But I think that's something that the legislature can always take a look at. Excellent.
• I mean, I'm all for getting explicit direction from the legislature.

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I will discuss further when presenting the conforming bill, the Legislature has approved $50 million
• Last year, the Legislature provided this adjustment to the public defenders in the 11th, 13th, and 20th
• How are we accommodating for that here in the budget since that bill did not pass the full legislature
• I know a few years ago we asked the legislature asked KPMG to make recommendations to the legislature
• Declining birth rates, which is something the legislature doesn't have any control over.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved to the conference report on House Bill 501E, the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2026-27. Budget chairs presented the major spending areas, describing a $114.5 billion overall budget that they said was fiscally responsible and below the prior year’s spending. Highlights included pay increases and retirement adjustments for public safety employees, education funding for K-12, higher education, health and human services, criminal justice, transportation, environmental programs, and agriculture/regulatory agencies. Members then questioned chairs on several items. In education, senators discussed K-12 declining enrollment funding, teacher salary set-asides, private school scholarship spending, mental health funding, preeminence funding for universities, the Hamilton Center at UF, and charter school PICO funding. In health and human services, questions focused on the iBudget waiver waitlist, provider rates, ADAP/HIV funding and the return of Biktarvy to the formulary, KidCare, rural health funding, SNAP-related IT and error reduction efforts, and the IDD managed care program. In criminal justice, senators asked about correctional officer pay, prison staffing and infrastructure, air conditioning in prisons, juvenile justice facilities, law enforcement recruitment, and court system funding. Environmental and transportation questions covered Florida Forever, water quality, state parks, water projects, housing, elections funding, and emergency management. Several specific actions and explanations were given during debate: the budget includes $8.8 million for state attorney competitive area differentials but no funding for public defender CAD requests; assistant state attorneys will start at $70,000 and assistant public defenders at $65,000; the battery disposal issue was described as a temporary study/preemption approach; and the Senate said the budget does not fund Medicaid expansion, preeminence funding, or the SunBucks Summer EBT state share. Senators also noted that some proposals discussed in committee did not make it into the final budget. The transcript ends with debate statements from members praising the budget process and Chair Hooper, while also expressing concerns about public schools, health care access, affordability, and the lack of funding for certain priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, for nearly 100 years, the Minnesota Legislature has supported 299D.03.
• the Minnesota legislature has supported 299D.03.
• </c> take here in the legislature. Uh and Mr. take here in the legislature. Uh and Mr.
• no reports submitted to the legislature.
• , legislature, legislature, the<00:44:51.839><c> commander</c><00:44:52.800><c> task</c><00:44:53.119

Transcript Highlights:

• It is ordered to the Legislature. Senator McMath moves adoption of the committee amendments.
• The plaintiffs claimed in the courts below have held that the map enacted by the state legislature in
• I started with the 2022 map that was passed by this legislature.
• Senators, is not simply whether the legislature has the legal authority to draw maps.
• Courts have repeatedly had to intervene every time this legislature has drawn congressional maps.

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

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

Transcript Highlights:

• And I guess the question is, you know, taking back to the Legislature is: why not?
• And with yourselves and the legislature backing us up in that, we really appreciate that.
• Senator, I think this is a new frontier for us, and this is why I think you’re seeing the legislature
• And this is only the second hearing of the state legislature on tribal lands.
• I mean, we work on bills and we work in the state legislature.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, EQ heard, and the Legislature passed SB 237, Last year, EQ heard, and the Legislature passed
• But to do right by our constituents, we in the Legislature can't afford to be caught flat-footed.
• This Legislature has really sent a clear message to the oil and gas producers and refineries.
• to thank the Legislature for your leadership.
• Do you think the legislature should provide more tools or more obligations?

Committee: Senate Environmental Quality

Summary: The Senate Environmental Quality Committee held an informational hearing on the environmental impacts and planning considerations associated with refinery closures. In opening remarks, the chair framed refinery shutdowns as a complex part of California’s decarbonization transition and said the committee would focus on environmental and land-use issues, while Vice Chair Gunda argued closures reflect years of policy-driven disinvestment and warned that supply disruptions and higher prices could harm working families. State agency witnesses from the Energy Commission, CARB, and the Water Boards described the state as being in a “mid-transition,” with declining gasoline demand, growing zero-emission vehicle adoption, and increasing conversion of some refinery assets to renewable fuels, but also with abrupt capacity losses that can force greater reliance on imports and storage. They emphasized the need for proactive planning, transparency, and coordination across agencies, and noted that refinery closures can stress pipelines, terminals, and other linked infrastructure, with potential liabilities falling to the state if those assets are not financially supported. The Water Boards explained their cleanup authorities and tools for refinery decommissioning, including investigation, monitoring, remediation, and enforcement under the Water Code, and said site-specific cleanup plans depend on contamination, groundwater conditions, and future land use. They noted that decommissioning can reveal previously inaccessible areas and require additional sampling or wells, and that cleanup costs can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars. Committee members pressed the witnesses on whether the state has enough information to plan for land transitions, whether current tools are adequate, and whether more standardized procedures or financial assurances are needed. The witnesses generally said existing tools are useful but that more transparency and better data sharing would help communities and policymakers understand liabilities and long-term redevelopment opportunities. Members also questioned the relationship between California policy, refinery closures, imports, and global emissions. CARB said its programs apply to transportation fuel suppliers whether fuel is refined in-state or imported, and that its climate and air-quality rules are designed to reduce emissions and avoid leakage. Some senators argued that California’s policies have accelerated closures and that demand has not fallen fast enough to offset lost refining capacity, while agency witnesses responded that closures are also driven by global market forces, aging infrastructure, crude quality, and changing fuel demand. The committee then heard from outside experts, including a Notre Dame professor who said closure costs are often underestimated and that stronger financial assurance requirements can shift company behavior, a Stanford/SLAC researcher who outlined five drivers of refinery closures, and an environmental attorney who discussed community impacts and lessons from the Phillips 66 Los Angeles refinery closure. No votes or formal actions were taken; the hearing was informational and focused on testimony and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that, when does the legislature ever see that budgeted request, Mr. Chair?
• You know, what we know is that not all of this was authorized by the legislature.
• You know, what we know is that not all of this was authorized by the legislature.
• Account is the historic investments that you as the legislature have been making.
• And the legislature didn't have any purview of the settlement, didn't do anything.

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• So since 2019, you all, as the legislature, have significantly invested in child care assistance, which
• We received a $12 million appropriation, thank you from the legislature for this fund.
• Investments that the legislature have made and the executive have implemented.
• What is it that I, as the legislature, am expected to see because of that investment? Mr.
• Chairman, I apologize for this, but I think that as a legislature, we need to take. Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• You can see, at the project level in the annual report they get submitted to the Legislature.
• And so I think we would encourage the Legislature to be very judicious about using those.
• I just think you've heard all the criticism from the Legislature over many, many years.
• We also ask the Legislature to reduce free allowances and offsets. There we go.
• We also ask the legislature to reduce free allowances and offsets.

Summary: The Budget Subcommittee No. 4 hearing focused on the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) and cap-and-trade reauthorization, with members and panelists discussing how to balance climate goals, affordability, and legislative oversight. The chair emphasized the hearing as a broad review of past GGRF spending and future options, while the LAO outlined how GGRF revenues are generated, how variable they have been, and the tradeoffs between continuous appropriations and annual budget control. Two academic panelists, Dr. Kyle Meng and Danny Cullen Ward, argued that cap-and-trade remains an effective climate policy, but stressed that future revenue will depend heavily on market design, allowance allocation, and price levels. They also raised the idea that GGRF could be used more directly for affordability, especially by lowering electricity costs, and for targeted investments in technologies that the market would not otherwise support. Committee members pressed the panelists on where revenues come from, how much has actually been spent, and whether continuous appropriations reduce oversight. CARB staff said more than $33 billion has been generated to date and a little over $11–12 billion has been spent, with the rest committed or in process, and noted that project timelines can be lengthy. Members also asked about ways to lower electricity rates, reduce wildfire-related utility liabilities, and support electrification. The panelists said transportation fuels are the largest source of GGRF revenue, that industrial emitters receive a smaller share of free allowances, and that reducing wildfire liability and investing in grid-scale batteries could help lower costs and speed decarbonization. Public commenters largely urged the Legislature to preserve or expand continuous appropriations for specific climate programs. Speakers supported funding for nature-based solutions, natural and working lands, urban greening, agricultural climate solutions, waste and composting programs, clean transportation, AB 617 community air protection, clean cars, transit, affordable housing near transit, and dairy digesters. Several groups argued these programs are cost-effective, provide public health and affordability benefits, and should receive dedicated shares of GGRF. Others urged reducing free allowances and using more GGRF revenue to directly lower energy costs for households. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every 10 years, the legislature determines the annual allocation of HEAF funds.
• We are at the beginning of that 10-year cycle, giving this legislature legislature the opportunity to
• Last session, the legislature invested significantly in better aligning higher education to workforce
• And I hope the legislature will respond accordingly. Thank you.
• I hope they're seeing how the legislature process works and that they're being here.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• So to your point about litigation and whatnot, if the legislature is a recipient of information that
• So to your point about litigation and whatnot, if the legislature is a recipient of information that
• Why wouldn't the legislature pursue a clarification that addresses the issues that were raised by the
• I'm not saying that the legislature doesn't have an obligation to clarify and fix issues.
• So at what point does the legislature provide the clarification to get to the point that all parties

Committee: House Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:

• But I'm certainly not opposed to them coming directly to the legislature.
• I mean, this is just brutally sad, but had the Legislature passed that bill last session, more than one
• But like Senator Braun said, it's going to affect regular people, and it's important the Legislature
• The legislature tried to do that a little bit.
• The legislature tried to do that a little bit.

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax. The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children. On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.