Transcript Highlights:

• recognized the Majority Leader, who calls up Senate Bill 146, Printer's Number 1888, page 4 of Supplemental
• The Majority Leader calls up Senate Bill 146, Printer's Number 1888, page 4 of Supplemental Calendar
• It is Printer's Number 1649 on page 1 of Supplemental Calendar A. Will the House agree?
• grants, $20.7 million in targeted safety grants for non-public schools, and maintains critical state aid
• grants, $20.7 million in targeted safety grants for non-public schools, and maintains critical state aid

Summary: The House met in extended session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, and a series of journal, committee, and Senate bill reports. Members also received several referrals and Senate messages, and the Speaker signed multiple bills already prepared for the Governor. The chamber then took up a long slate of measures, largely budget-related and conference/concurrence items, with repeated roll-call votes and several brief floor remarks for and against the bills. Among the major actions, the House passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills addressing fiscal code and budget implementation, abusive towing practices, telemarketing robocalls and caller ID spoofing, prostitution penalty changes, veteran notification procedures, the cosmetology licensure compact, solar decommissioning, Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, E85 flex fuel definitions, local road transfers, civil penalties for unlicensed commercial driving schools, and trailer sales. The House also adopted House Resolution 580 designating July 18, 2026, as Piping Plover Day. Most of these measures passed overwhelmingly, many by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The most significant debate centered on House Bill 2400, the General Appropriations budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, and House Bill 1505, the education-related budget implementation bill. Supporters described the budget as a bipartisan compromise that funds adequacy and tax equity for schools, public safety, mental health, roads and bridges, veterans, seniors, and workforce programs while avoiding broad-based tax increases. Opponents argued the budget used accounting maneuvers, deferred spending, and was structurally unbalanced. After extended debate, the House concurred in the Senate amendments to HB 2400 by a 167-35 vote and to HB 1505 by a 172-30 vote. The House also considered House Bill 2559, which included Commonwealth property conveyances and a controversial provision affecting Penn State branch campus properties. A motion to recommit the bill failed, and the House ultimately concurred in the Senate amendments by a 105-97 vote after members debated property rights, labor effects, and the future use of the campuses. The session concluded with the Senate later concurring in several House amendments, the Speaker signing the final bills, and the House adjourning until September 9, 2026, unless recalled sooner.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Northwest Minnesota. Northwest Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• So I Minnesota should be proud So, Minnesota should be proud of what we're doing.
• These are two both Minnesota.
• </c><01:10:42.480><c> Habitat,</c><01:10:42.960><c> Minnesota</c> letter Z, Minnesota Habitat, Minnesota

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:00:54.360><c> even</c> coming to the state of Minnesota, even coming to the state of Minnesota
• </c> fiscally of the state of Minnesota." fiscally of the state of Minnesota."
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> pertains to the people of Minnesota. pertains to the people of Minnesota.
• </c> the aid to get it. the aid to get it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:36.400><c> Association</c> Minnesota School Counselors Association Minnesota School Counselors Association
• Minnesota should be leading very bottom.
• </c> Through my work with the Minnesota Through my work with the Minnesota School<00:05:24.960><c> Counselor
• So our school has become a front line for mutual aid.
• I'm the advocacy chair at the Minnesota School Counselor Association.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Legislators and school counselors discussed a bill aimed at strengthening school counseling services in Minnesota. Supporters said the proposal would clarify counselors’ roles in state policy, require at least one school counselor in every school, and ensure counselors spend 80% of their time in direct services to students rather than being assigned to duties like hall monitoring or substitute teaching. The bill was described as building on prior efforts to expand student mental health supports after COVID and responding to Minnesota’s low student-to-counselor ratio, which speakers said ranks 48th nationally. Several counselors testified about the pressures facing students and schools, especially in communities affected by ICE enforcement and broader trauma. A St. Paul counselor described students displaced by enforcement actions, a child whose father was detained, and schools serving as food distribution centers. Another counselor from Minneapolis said students were experiencing chronic stress, fear, and difficulty focusing on school, with staff organizing mutual aid, delivering supplies, and helping students continue learning from home. Speakers said these conditions are statewide and that counselors are providing trauma support, family crisis navigation, and basic needs assistance. In response to questions, a Minnesota School Counselor Association advocate said the bill is intended to give counselors a clearer state framework and support their professional training and responsibilities. No vote or formal committee action was described in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• On page 61, supplemental appropriations.
• </c> regarding supplemental appropriations. regarding supplemental appropriations.
• </c><00:55:19.200><c> We</c> from the supplemental to the budget.
• We from the supplemental to the budget.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Keywords: 920, all

Summary: The Alabama Senate convened with prayer and the pledge, confirmed a quorum, excused absent senators, and adopted the previous day’s journal. The chamber then received House messages referring House Bill 614 on supplemental appropriations and House Bill 224 on the distribution and use of tax funds to the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee. Committee reports followed on several bills, including favorable reports for House Bills 169, 542, 593, and 13, with HB 542 amended in committee. The Senate also referred Senator Orr’s proposed rules change to the Rules Committee. A series of resolutions were taken up and adopted, including Senate Resolution 109 creating the Alabama Boating Safety Task Force, Senate Joint Resolutions 102 and 103, House Joint Resolutions 237, 215, 216, 218, and 235, Senate Joint Resolution 88 supporting the U.S. Department of Energy’s nuclear life cycle innovation effort, Senate Joint Resolution 93 creating a rural EMS and volunteer fire department study commission, Senate Joint Resolution 94 commending Exchange Club of Tuscaloosa Officer of the Year honorees, and Senate Joint Resolution 110 commending William Riley Hawkins Jr. on his retirement from AARP Alabama. The Senate also recognized several guests in the gallery, including local school superintendents and a student visitor. The chamber then moved through local legislation, adopting BRs and passing numerous local bills and constitutional amendments, including measures for Mobile, Prichard, Class 2 municipalities, Mingo County, Talladega County, Perry County, Wilcox County, Clay County, Washington County, and Madison County. Senate Bill 376 on Mobile County and Senate Bill 379 on Madison County were both passed and transmitted. Most local bills passed on unanimous or near-unanimous votes using the previous roll. The Senate also adopted Special Order Calendar Resolution 111, setting a special order calendar for the 27th legislative day that prioritized a long list of appropriations, education, retirement, dam safety, and higher education bills. On that calendar, House Bills 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 565, and Senate Bill 380 were taken up. HB 235’s committee substitute was tabled, a floor substitute was adopted restoring funding to the McQuain Center and removing some arts grants, and the bill passed. HB 236 passed after a language amendment. HB 237 passed as the Education Opportunities Reserve Fund bill. HB 238 passed after a floor substitute that shifted arts grants, added Voices for Alabama’s Children, adjusted RAISE Act weights, and increased funding for poverty, special education, and gifted students, along with a small amendment. HB 239 passed as the public education employee pay raise bill, with a substitute adding a retiree bonus and members discussing that the bonus would also be carried through SB 380. HB 240, HB 241, HB 242, and HB 565 all passed. SB 380 on the teachers retirement system received committee amendments and was being advanced as the vehicle for the retiree bonus, with Senator Orr explaining the bonus would be about $33 million and based on $1 per month of service for eligible retirees with at least 10 years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• to expand and protect financial aid to make college affordable.
• It's to maintain their financial aid package.
• provided by the Student Aid Commission, or CSAC, in April.
• Thank you, California Student Aid Commission. Welcome.
• Catalina Missel, the Chief Deputy Director of the Student Aid Commission.

Summary: The committee heard the May Revision presentation for the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance, with public comment focused heavily on K-12 priorities such as universal school meals, kitchen infrastructure, food service and custodial support, youth leadership grants, Special Olympics funding, English learner support, universal pre-K, literacy investments, and concerns about community college funding shifts. Speakers also urged support for expanded learning, teacher recruitment and training, and maintaining or increasing funding for community colleges and student support programs. Finance and the LAO then reviewed the Proposition 98 outlook. Finance said the May Revision lowers the 2025-26 Prop. 98 guarantee to $114.6 billion, about $4.3 billion below January, due mainly to lower revenue estimates, with smaller effects from attendance and property tax changes. The administration also described rebenching for universal transitional kindergarten and a one-time rebench tied to Los Angeles fire-related property tax losses, along with changes to the Public School System Stabilization Account, deferrals, and updated COLA assumptions. The LAO said the budget relies too much on deferrals and one-time funds, creates a structural shortfall, and should instead align ongoing spending with the guarantee and preserve a reserve buffer. Members questioned the TK rebench and the shift of funding from community colleges to K-12, asking why it was being applied retroactively and how colleges would be held harmless. Finance said the changes align funding with where TK costs are being incurred and that reappropriation funding and other adjustments would offset impacts on community colleges. The LAO argued the historical split formula is outdated and should be abandoned in favor of budgeting around current priorities rather than fixed percentages. Members also raised concerns about draining the rainy day reserve and using deferrals, while the LAO said preserving reserves would better protect against future volatility. The committee then moved to specific K-12 and education proposals. Finance outlined May Revision changes including state operations adjustments for the Department of Education, technical trailer bill changes, a $100 million student teacher stipend program administered by Kern County, and updates to the charter school facility grant program. The LAO recommended rejecting the proposed increases for expanded learning, literacy coaches, and the student teacher stipend as currently structured, while supporting the minimum grant increase for expanded learning. Members expressed support for teacher recruitment efforts but questioned whether one-time funding can sustain ongoing programs and whether the student teacher stipend should be targeted to shortage areas or low-income communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's in northern Minnesota, surrounding the Bemidji area. Thank you for coming.
• House File 13 was created in response to a Minnesota Supreme Court decision regarding the duty to retreat
• Nowhere in the Minnesota statute does it call for the duty to retreat.
• Nowhere in the Minnesota statute does it call for the duty to retreat.
• So in Minnesota we do have a stand your ground for the house.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:31.919><c> OCM</c> non-compliant products by Minnesota OCM non-compliant products by Minnesota
• </c> aids, housekeeper, nursing assistants. aids, housekeeper, nursing assistants.
• Medicaid is the single Minnesota?
• </c> Minnesota sex offender program, St. Minnesota sex offender program, St.
• We've worked greater Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So basically if you're Aiding, abetting, if you're allowing this type of sex trafficking to exist, and
• Next, we'll take up Tab 29, CS for SB 1156, on home health aid for medically fragile children program
• Next, we'll take up Tab 29, CS for SB 1156, on home health aid for medically fragile children program
• and compare hospitalization rates of children cared for by aides and nurses versus parents.
• It also provides for home health aides... The shifts consistent with private duty nursing shifts.

Committee: Senate Fiscal Policy

Summary: The committee took up a series of criminal justice, health, and public safety bills, with several measures reported favorably after brief sponsor presentations and mostly no opposition. CS for SB 1782 on dangerous excessive speeding, CS for SB 306 on Medicaid provider network access, CS for SB 716 on mandatory minimums for certain sexual offenses by registered offenders, CS for SB 1084 on intimate image dissemination and digitally forged images, and CS for CS for SB 1604 on corrections-related litigation and sentencing changes all passed the committee. Members also approved CS for SB 1838, which increases protections for court officials from tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for SB 1252, which directs FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database. CS for SB 468 on fleeing or eluding, CS for SB 490 on off-duty concealed carry for certain officers, and CS for SB 890 on blood clot screening and treatment also received favorable votes, with SB 890 drawing supportive testimony from the bill sponsor, medical and patient advocates, and family members affected by blood clots. The most extensive debate centered on CS for CS for SB 1804, which would create a capital offense for adults trafficking children under 12 or mentally incapacitated persons for sexual exploitation. Senator Martin defended the bill as a response to especially heinous crimes and argued it fit within constitutional punishment principles, while several members raised concerns about the Eighth Amendment, the risk of lengthy and costly litigation, and the possibility of retraumatizing victims. The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers testified in opposition, citing moral objections, due process concerns, and constitutional precedent; the bill nevertheless was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS for CS for SB 572, the “Pam Rock Act,” which tightens dangerous-dog rules, adds enclosure, microchip, insurance, and penalty requirements, and allows stronger enforcement actions after serious attacks. The Rock family and animal control supporters testified in favor, describing the bill as a response to fatal dog attacks and urging stronger accountability for owners. For SB 572, members discussed insurance requirements, the role of local authorities in classifying dangerous dogs, and whether the bill would affect ordinary pet insurance or only liability coverage after a serious attack. The sponsor said the measure is not breed-specific and is aimed at dogs that have already caused significant harm. The committee also heard testimony from family members of Pam Rock and other victims, along with supporters from animal control and sheriff’s offices. All of the bills taken up in the meeting that were voted on were reported favorably, and no roll-call votes failed.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> jurisdiction over the Minnesota jurisdiction over the Minnesota Department<00:01:16.840><c> of</
• </c> specifically we focused on the Minnesota specifically we focused on the Minnesota Department<00:
• </c> Child Nutrition programs in Minnesota Child Nutrition programs in Minnesota and<00:04:50.199><c>
• </c> entity that's responsible in Minnesota entity that's responsible in Minnesota for<00:41:25.400><
• Minnesota Minnesota Youth<01:24:38.719><c> commissioner</c><01:24:39.679><c> Madam</c><01:24:39.960>

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> one-time increase to the grant and aid one-time increase to the grant and aid program.<00:20:28.799
• Uh the next agency is Minnesota side.
• The next agency is the Minnesota Zoo.
• Um, we director of the Minnesota Zoo.
• 00:49:03.839><c> Zoo</c> recommendation for the Minnesota Zoo recommendation for the Minnesota Zoo creates

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on the Environment budget for Senate File 2077 met to introduce members and staff, then walked through the Senate and House budget spreadsheets side by side. Nonpartisan staff explained that the Senate budget was built around a smaller general fund increase and more use of environmental and dedicated funds, while the House met its target through several reductions, including cuts to DNR, PCA, and Board of Water and Soil Resources appropriations. The committee reviewed major agency items for the Pollution Control Agency, DNR, the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Zoo, and other accounts, including operating adjustments, permit-related funding, and transfers between funds. Several major differences were highlighted. For the PCA, the Senate included operating adjustments, permitting efficiency funding, composting grants, outreach funding, and a closed landfill investment fund approach that repeals an expiring statutory appropriation, while the House instead extends that appropriation for four more years. For the DNR, the Senate included operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, aquatic invasive species funding, trail grants, outdoor schools for all, abandoned watercraft enforcement, and a sustainable foraging task force; the House had fewer of these fee and policy items and used reductions to meet its target. The committee also noted Senate-only policy provisions on outreach to diverse communities, field citations and mercury certification for skin-lightening products, disabled veteran license fee changes, and a moratorium on foraging rulemaking until July 1, 2027. Agency testimony followed. The MPCA commissioner praised both chambers for recognizing core agency work and urged adoption of operating adjustments, the closed landfill fund access, and the air appropriation increase. The DNR assistant commissioner supported operating adjustments, groundwater and AIS fee increases, and the veteran license proposal, but raised concerns about the Senate’s foraging task force language, saying it overweights consumptive users and could limit the agency’s ability to manage foraging without clear data. He also noted support for the land transfer funding and said the agency would continue working with the committee on unresolved issues. No votes were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That would return that sparsity aid that had been eliminated in the 2023 LGA formula.
• Did it eliminate that particular factor or sparsity aid?
• My name is Pete Haiduk, and I am the mayor of Hibbing, Minnesota.
• Is that in southeast Minnesota?
• </c> were changed excuse me when Minnesota were changed excuse me when Minnesota statutes statutes statutes

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and that is going to affect people all across the state of Minnesota.
• We had a trifecta and we understand that there are some bills like a bonding bill here in Minnesota that
• We had a trifecta and we understand that there are some bills like a bonding bill here in Minnesota that
• Senator, you mentioned a little bit about, you know, Minnesota being, I guess, maybe an example during
• Um, we already had problems that were too big for band-aids, and now they've been blown wide open with

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> off-highway motorcycle grant-in-aid off-highway motorcycle grant-in-aid program<00:15:26.120><c>
• </c><00:42:16.880><c> process,</c> grant and aid process, grant and aid process, do<00:42:19.120><c>
• We had a really good year for taking lumber off in northern Minnesota.
• </c> lumber off in northern Minnesota. lumber off in northern Minnesota.
• It's a bill that we all could agree in some of them that will be better for Minnesota.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So they couldn't spend EFA funds or whether it's different agent aided aid or adequacy aid on, you know
• So they couldn't spend EFA funds or whether it's different agent aided aid or adequacy aid on, you know
• So they couldn't spend EFA funds or whether it's different agent aided aid or adequacy aid on, you know
• aid or adequacy different agent aided aid or adequacy aid<00:51:22.400><c> on</c><00:51:22.720><c> you
• They're not aid. for HAL. They're not aid.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The commission to study the cost of special education met, confirmed a quorum, introduced members and guests, and approved the minutes from the October 29 meeting. Members noted the commission’s mandate under Senate Bill 57 and emphasized the need to focus on recommendations and findings by July 1, 2026. The chair also distributed additional handouts, including materials related to the Education Freedom Account (EFA) program and administrative rules tied to differentiated aid and disability determinations. The main discussion centered on how students qualify for differentiated aid under the EFA program. Matt Sutherton of the Children’s Scholarship Fund explained that the organization, which contracts with the state to administer EFAs, accepts either school-district/IEP documentation or a medical certification of disability (MCD) from a licensed medical professional. Members questioned how this process relates to the state’s special education rules and whether the school-district examiner standards in ED 107/1107.04 apply to EFAs. Sutherton said the MCD form, created with the department, requires the medical professional to sign that they are qualified to make the determination and to identify the disability. Several members expressed concern that the EFA process is less rigorous than the school-district IEP process and may be inflating disability counts. One member argued that the administrative rules cited are primarily for school districts, not EFAs, and said the Department of Education may not know how many of the roughly 890 EFA students receiving differentiated aid came through school-district documentation versus the MCD pathway. Another member said the EFA system appears more generous than the school system and raised concerns about oversight, auditing, and whether the program’s data are accurate. Sutherton said the organization reviews signed documentation, credentials, and diagnosis information, and may request additional records to help adjudicate expenses. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the prior minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Minnesota.
• </c> attention to and keep in Minnesota. attention to and keep in Minnesota.
• county aid.
• . aid. aid.
• Minnesota. Minnesota. Uh<01:20:54.640><c> Senator</c><01:20:54.960><c> Dreheim.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Engrossed House Bill 5689, supplemental appropriation, Department of Homeland Security.
• Engrossed House Bill 5690, supplemental appropriation, Adjutant General.
• Engrossed House Bill 5691, supplemental appropriation, Department of Health.
• Engrossed House Bill 5692, supplemental appropriation, State Road Fund. Second reading of the bill.
• Engrossed House Bill 5693, supplemental appropriation, Department of Tourism, Revenue.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first grouping is the epidemiologic lab capacity, and this had included 14 individual supplemental
• are called Enhancing Detection and Expansion Supplements.
• These supplemental funds were provided to sustain and strengthen vaccine access.
• The CDPH is a sub-recipient of these ELC supplements.
• So the California AIDS Drug Assistance...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If you did not have the opportunity to testify today or wish to supplement your oral testimony, you may
• And I think the legislature has done such a great job of providing additional financial aid...
• And I think the legislature has done such a great job of providing additional financial aid offerings
• Now these refunds, these tax credits, are meant to supplement subsistence wages.
• And if we take it from... ...are meant to supplement subsistence wages.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing on bills related to income and estates, with Chairs James Eldridge and Adrian Madaro presiding and members participating in person and virtually. The committee explained hearing procedures, written testimony deadlines, and the new joint rules for acting on bills. No votes were taken during the hearing. The first major topic was increasing Massachusetts 529 college savings deductions, through House Bill 3151 and Senate Bill 2066. Brad Freeman of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts testified in support, saying the current deduction has encouraged more families to save for college and should be expanded to match other states. He argued the change would help middle-income families and noted the original deduction was designed with a revenue offset and later made permanent. The committee also heard support for House Bill 3010 and Senate Bill 1963, which would exclude the federal Segal AmeriCorps Education Award from Massachusetts taxable income. Beth McGuinness and Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance said the tax creates a burden for AmeriCorps members, many of whom have low incomes and use the award directly for tuition or student loans, and that removing the tax would aid recruitment and retention. Another bill, House Bill 3062 on settlements of tax liability, drew testimony from a taxpayer, a tax practitioner, and a legal aid attorney who described the current offer-in-settlement process as too restrictive and underused; they urged changes to make tax debt resolution more equitable and more consistent with federal practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to special education in Minnesota, the numbers are going up, from the number of students
• So we know that Minnesota things we're all, you know, we are the best of all.
• So we know that Minnesota things we're all, you know, we are the best of all.
• So we know that Minnesota things we're all, you know, we are the best of all.
• </c><00:04:00.280><c> is</c> of the other things that Minnesota is of the other things that Minnesota

Keywords: 1187, senate, all