Transcript Highlights:

• urge<01:42:03.040> you<01:42:03.159> to<01:42:03.320> support<01:42:03.719>
• 42:09.480> denied<01:42:10.239> thank<01:42:10.400> you<01:42:10.480> for
• <01:42:24.719> and<01:42:24.920> execution<01:42:25.320> of<01:42:25.480>
• or or or execution<01:42:31.880> uh<01:42:32.040> we<01:42:32.360> first<01:42:
• <01:42:45.840> that<01:42:46.080> this<01:42:46.599> bill<01:42:46.920> does<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees heard HB 756 HD1, a measure on flavored tobacco products. Supporters included the Attorney General, Department of Health, Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, youth advocates, public health groups, and Kaiser Permanente. They argued flavored tobacco and menthol are used to attract and addict young people, cited rising youth and young adult vaping rates, and pointed to public health harms and evidence from other states that flavor restrictions reduced e-cigarette sales. The Attorney General requested oral amendments to correct a statutory reference, repeal a county preemption provision so counties could enact stricter flavor bans, and restore appropriations, positions, and the original effective date. Opponents, including retail and wholesale businesses, argued the bill would hurt small businesses and state tax revenue, push sales to the black market, and remove a harm-reduction option for adult smokers; they urged stronger enforcement instead of a ban. After testimony, the committees took up amendments and recommendations. The chair proposed correcting the statutory citation to HRS 26-38, adopting a Department of Health amendment on disposal of electronic smoking devices and e-liquids as hazardous waste, and noting the appropriations, FTE, and effective date in the committee report. Members then voted to pass HB 756 HD1 with amendments in both committees, with the Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee recording one member as supporting with reservations. The transcript then moved to HB 806, relating to fireworks, which would appropriate funds for the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct sting operations on Oʻahu to enforce fireworks laws. The Department of Law Enforcement and Honolulu Police Department supported the bill, saying undercover enforcement is costly and additional funding is needed. A community testifier also supported stronger enforcement, citing illegal aerial fireworks, noise, and impacts on pets and kupuna. No final vote on HB 806 was shown in the excerpt. The Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committee also heard HB 438, which would create a Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation in immigration court for income-qualified individuals. Support came from civil rights, legal aid, ACLU, and law school clinic representatives, who said counsel is needed to ensure due process and fair access to justice, especially because immigration proceedings can lead to deportation and family separation. Opposition testifiers argued taxpayer-funded counsel for people in immigration proceedings is inappropriate, unlawful, or unfair to citizens and legal residents. One law school representative suggested a technical amendment to broaden language about training and education. The excerpt ends before a final vote on HB 438 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:01.920> section.
• <00:42:02.319> Thank<00:42:02.400> you our offered amendment section.
• Thank you and<00:42:02.720> I'm<00:42:02.960> available<00:42:03.280> for<00:42:
• <00:42:38.400> Um<00:42:38.720> Blair<00:42:39.119> God<00:42:39.599> Goto
• <00:42:48.880> Uh<00:42:49.200> Blair<00:42:49.599> Gooto,<00:42:50.079>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on bills addressing tobacco/vape enforcement, psychology licensure, hospital price transparency, prior authorization, and medical cannabis. The chair opened by explaining the one-minute testimony limit and that written testimony had been reviewed. For SB 2175 on disposable electronic smoking devices, the Department of Health said the bill’s placement in litter-control law was not a good fit because disposable e-cigarettes contain hazardous materials like lithium and nicotine, but it supported the intent and pointed to a related measure. Public health and tobacco-control advocates strongly supported the bill, citing youth use, toxic waste, battery fires, and the need to tighten definitions and remove exemptions; a long list of organizations and individuals were noted in support, with no opposition mentioned. For SB 2410, which would create a state directory and enforcement tools for authorized e-cigarette products, the Attorney General’s office strongly supported the measure and said it would help enforce the FDA-authorized list of products through certification, inspections, and civil penalties. The Department of Health said thousands of illegal products remain on the market and cited youth usage rates, while public health groups also supported the bill. One tobacco industry-related witness was noted in opposition. SB 2080, the psychology interjurisdictional compact, drew support from the Department of Corrections, which said it had severe staffing shortages and that the compact would help fill gaps, especially for forensic psychology and neighbor island facilities. Some committee members raised concerns about whether the compact would loosen licensure standards and reduce licensing revenue, and the Board of Psychology was said to be meeting and had not taken a formal position; testimony also noted the need for resources if the compact were adopted. The committee also heard SB 2276 on surgical assistance, with DCCA in opposition and a supporter from the field, but little discussion followed. SB 2277 on hospital price transparency drew support from consumer and patient advocates, who argued that clearer pricing would reduce medical debt and help patients shop for care; DCCA and the Department of Health offered comments, with the department suggesting an alternative enforcement model using outside review entities and noting that implementation would require significant staffing and funding. The Healthcare Association of Hawaii opposed the bill, saying federal transparency rules already cover the issue and state law could create duplication. SB 2282 on prior authorization received comments from insurers and providers; HMSA asked that the bill be set aside pending the report of the prior authorization working group created by Act 151, while the Hawaii Medical Association said prior authorization is a major burden but deferred to regulators on resources. Finally, SB 2413 on medical cannabis was supported by the Office of Medical Cannabis and others, who said the bill would close a patient-access gap by allowing viable seed sales; one witness suggested clarifying jurisdictional language and allowing dispensaries to sell seeds to each other. The committee then began SB 2425 on health insurance, where an addiction treatment provider testified that insurers’ refusal to honor assignment-of-benefits payments can delay reimbursement and create relapse risk for patients, but the transcript cuts off before further action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.240> able<01:42:00.400> to<01:42:00.680> to<01:42:01.200> retain<01:42
• So it's not<01:42:06.680> just<01:42:06.880> a<01:42:06.920> blanket<01:42:07.520
• ><01:42:09.320> at<01:42:09.400> any<01:42:09.560> time<01:42:09.800> because
• > Not<01:42:19.480> to<01:42:19.560> say<01:42:19.720> that<01:42:19.880>
• . section. section.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• :00.079> uh<00:42:00.240> that's<00:42:00.359> all<00:42:00.480> I<00:42:
• <00:42:03.119> namaki<00:42:03.599> Roberts<00:42:03.920> on<00:42:04.079>
• Niki Roberts<00:42:08.880> um<00:42:09.040> I<00:42:09.119> am<00:42:09.280>
• > it's<00:42:11.960> nice<00:42:12.160> to<00:42:12.319> see<00:42:12.599
• > have<00:42:22.880> the<00:42:23.000> same<00:42:23.280> problems<00:42:

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee first took up SB 547 on water conservation, a deferred agenda item that had already been considered by the other joint committees and received no public testimony. The chair recommended adopting Department of Taxation and Department of Health amendments, passing the bill, and adding a defective date of July 1, 2050. The committee voted to adopt the recommendation; the vice chair voted yes, two senators were excused, and the recommendation was adopted. The main hearing focused on SB 1030, which would define election fraud intimidation to include carrying any firearm or weapon at or near a voter service center, place of deposit, or polling place. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill duplicated existing sensitive-places law, raised Second Amendment concerns, and could create confusion for lawful concealed carry holders using ballot drop boxes. A smaller number of supporters, including gun violence prevention advocates and labor representatives, argued the measure would improve voter safety. The committee heard more than 1,560 total testimonies for the hearing overall, and for SB 1030 staff noted over 10 in support and over 80 in opposition; no vote on SB 1030 was taken in the portion provided. The committee then heard SB 38, which would extend Hawaii’s ban on high-capacity magazines from pistols to any firearm with a detachable magazine over 10 rounds. Supporters, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady, and other gun violence prevention advocates, said the bill would close a loophole, improve consistency in the law, and reduce the harm caused by mass shootings. Opponents, including gun owners, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates, argued the bill would criminalize lawful owners, be difficult to enforce, and would not reduce crime. The committee reported receiving over 40 testimonies in support and over 400 in opposition. Finally, the committee began SB 401, which would add rifles capable of firing .50 caliber or higher ammunition to the list of prohibited weapons, excluding antiques and muzzle loaders. HPD and Everytown testified in support, describing the weapons as military-grade and dangerous, while Jerry Yuan and others opposed the bill, saying it was overbroad and would sweep in firearms and ammunition types that are not used in crime. The transcript ends during testimony on SB 401, before any committee action or vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> fail<00:42:04.880> as<00:42:05.119> a<00:42:05.280> system<00:42:05.440><
• c> and<00:42:05.680> as<00:42:05.839> a<00:42:05.920> group<00:42:06.079>
• :07.040> Uh<00:42:07.280> when<00:42:07.520> you<00:42:07.760> see<00:42:
• :42:18.240> doesn't<00:42:18.560> have<00:42:18.640> the<00:42:18.880> same
• /c><00:42:19.680> right<00:42:19.760> now<00:42:19.920> about<00:42:20.160> 1

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up a series of “same and similar” provisions between the House and Senate higher education bills and adopted them one by one, with brief explanations from members and staff. The items included a cybersecurity addition for a doctoral degree program, Northstar Promise definitions and eligibility limits, self-loan provisions on institution eligibility and data disclosure, and dual training language requiring certificates, diplomas, or degrees to come from accredited postsecondary institutions. The committee also adopted an amendment to the private career school provisions that clarified exempt institutions remain within the act, and removed certain limited-license and renewal fees for institutions participating in dual training grants or the eligible training provider list. Each of these motions prevailed by voice vote. The committee then moved into policy differences between the House and Senate bills, beginning with emergency grants and hunger-free campus grants. Members discussed shifting funding from OHE-administered competitive grants to direct appropriations for the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State, while the Senate retained competitive grant access for private and tribal colleges and added reporting requirements. OHE Commissioner Dennis Olson said the added reporting would be an extra administrative task but raised no significant concerns. Testifiers from the University of Minnesota, Minnesota State, and the private college sector supported faster, more direct funding and described the grants as important for emergency housing, transportation, food insecurity, and other student basic needs. A LeadMN representative also supported the changes, saying campus staff and students wanted funds delivered more quickly. The committee also discussed direct admissions on R31. The Senate proposal would require public and charter high schools to participate in the direct admissions program by the 2029-2030 school year. Assistant Commissioner Wendy Robinson said OHE supports statewide expansion and that the program has improved FAFSA completion, college enrollment, and student retention in Minnesota. Members noted the bill had bipartisan support and heard from advocates such as Ed Allies and Students United. No votes were taken on the policy-difference items during this portion of the meeting, and the chair said further discussion of state grant and sexual misconduct policy differences would be held at a later hearing with additional OHE staff present.

Transcript Highlights:

• :25.040> um<03:42:25.200> that<03:42:25.439> type<03:42:25.600> of<03:42:
• :42:30.239> because<03:42:30.479> I<03:42:30.720> think<03:42:31.120> every
• child has<03:42:32.160> their<03:42:32.399> own<03:42:33.600> set<03:42:33.840>
• um<03:42:36.720> for<03:42:36.960> whatever<03:42:37.200> reason<03:42:37.439>
• > I<03:42:38.800> don't<03:42:39.439> I<03:42:39.760> don't<03:42:39.920>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1331, which would allow the town of Derry to incorporate the Derry Cooperative School District as a department of the town through a charter amendment. The prime sponsor and several supporters argued the change would increase local control, streamline overlapping town and school functions, and potentially help align school spending with Derry’s tax cap. Supporters also said Derry is large enough to warrant a structure more like Manchester or Nashua, and one witness cited a 2018 nonbinding Derry ballot question that passed 597 to 547 in favor of seeking authorization for this change. Opposition came from NEA New Hampshire President Megan Tuttle, who said the association and the Derry Education Association opposed the bill because schools are not simply another municipal department and because Derry voters had already rejected merging the district into town government. She argued the state should respect local control and the community’s prior decision. Committee members asked about the scope of the proposed charter change, the role of the school board, and the reported prior vote, and the sponsor clarified that the amendment would be limited to this specific purpose rather than opening the entire charter. The hearing then moved to House Bill 1374, which would change the procedures for withdrawing from a cooperative school district. Representative Mary Murphy said current law gives other cooperative towns too much control over a withdrawing town’s decision, and her bill would remove the requirement for approval by the other towns while raising the withdrawing town’s approval threshold to a supermajority. She pointed to Francis Town’s 2024 withdrawal vote and said the bill was intended to protect students and local decision-making. The sponsor asked for an ought to pass recommendation, and committee members asked follow-up questions about the prior withdrawal vote and the number of voters involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• $25,000 a year<01:42:07.840> is<01:42:08.000> a<01:42:08.080> fat<01:42:08.320>
• I<01:42:09.920> think<01:42:10.000> they'll<01:42:10.239> want<01:42:10.400
• <01:42:11.760> The<01:42:12.000> second<01:42:12.159> point<01:42:12.400>
• <01:42:16.080> to<01:42:16.239> what<01:42:16.960> the<01:42:17.199> lady
• <01:42:22.480> That<01:42:22.719> is<01:42:22.880> not<01:42:23.040> the<

Keywords: This version of the House chambers was retrieved from back up and uploaded. The original live stream contained issues where audio and video got out of sync., 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee reports on several bills. Reported measures included House Bills 1 and 2 from Appropriations and Revenue, along with bills on animal control officers, emergency services revenue, postsecondary education, proactive postsecondary admission, vehicle lights, motor vehicle operation, motor vehicle dealers, and machine gun conversion devices. The chamber also took up Senate Bills 52 and 124 for concurrence, and House Bill 1 was moved from rules to the orders of the day for immediate action. The House then considered House Bill 568, which would regulate public adjusters by prohibiting new licenses, allowing renewals for current licensees, imposing conflict-of-interest and contract requirements, capping fees at 5%, and barring adjusters from negotiating claims. Supporters described it as a consumer-protection measure responding to complaints and investigations, especially after recent storm-related exploitation. The bill passed overwhelmingly, 95-1. The House next debated House Bill 1, which would opt Kentucky into the federal education freedom tax credit program and authorize the Secretary of State to administer the state’s participation without using state general funds. Supporters argued it would bring federal scholarship dollars into Kentucky for K-12 students, including public school students, and could generate significant private donations for scholarship-granting organizations. Opponents raised concerns about shifting resources away from public education, the speed of the process, and a proposed waiver of Eleventh Amendment immunity. A motion to table the bill failed by a wide margin, and members continued debating the bill and its implications for public schools and state sovereignty.

Transcript Highlights:

• of you<00:42:37.160> know,<00:42:37.680> there<00:42:37.880> are<00:42:38.200><
• :40.160> and<00:42:40.360> areas<00:42:40.760> in<00:42:40.880> our<00:42
• ><00:42:47.040> costs<00:42:47.440> that<00:42:47.640> you<00:42:47.760> can<
• <00:42:49.720> So,<00:42:49.880> I<00:42:49.920> think<00:42:50.120> this
• So, I think this is going<00:42:50.520> to<00:42:50.600> be<00:42:51.120> a<00:42

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 02:25 SB 100 Discussion 02:59 SB 100 Roll Call Vote 31:10 SJR 134 Discussion 32:41 SJR 134 Roll Call Vote 33:43 SB 222 Discussion 34:43 SB 222 Roll Call Vote 39:55, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean<00:42:00.720> there<00:42:00.960> are<00:42:01.119> statutes<00:42:01.680
• 00:42:03.599> the<00:42:03.920> date<00:42:04.640> that<00:42:05.200> um
• :42:12.240> particular<00:42:12.720> one<00:42:12.960> that<00:42:13.200> I'm
• <00:42:20.319> I<00:42:20.560> have<00:42:21.280> print<00:42:21.599> out
• <00:42:21.839> here<00:42:22.480> you<00:42:22.560> know<00:42:22.880> four

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and reviewed several previously heard bills, but focused its discussion on SB 586 and SB 580. The chair explained that SB 586 would require school districts and school administrative units to publish audit reports after the fiscal year, and that an amendment, 1472H, had been prepared to replace the relevant audit/reporting section. The amendment would add SAUs to the reporting entities, expand the contents of audits to include items such as employee lists, pay, benefits, and pension liabilities, and change the timing so audits are submitted nine months after the fiscal year end, followed by a three-month Department of Education review and then a further correction period before any grant funding could be withheld. The amendment would also require the reports to be posted in searchable electronic form on the web. Committee members discussed whether the bill’s “non-compliance” language referred only to incomplete submissions or also to audit findings, and several members raised concerns about whether the Department of Education had the staff and authority to take on this role, whether the existing DOE25 process would be displaced, and whether the bill should instead remain with the Department of Revenue Administration. One member noted that the fiscal note anticipated the need for additional auditors and significant staffing costs. The committee also reviewed SB 580, described as a school cooperative purchasing program bill that also contains policy provisions for charter school trustees, school board members, and receivership-related language tied to Claremont. The chair said the committee had previously heard comments from Charlie Arlinghouse on the cooperative purchasing portion and would use a side-by-side comparison prepared by staff when it reached that bill. Other bills on the docket were briefly described but not taken up that day: SB 491, which has committee-requested amendments and a separate non-germane amendment related to curriculum frameworks and academic standards; SB 513, an owner’s project manager bill held as a possible vehicle for future non-germane language; and SB 531, concerning a cosmetology program in Coös County and a possible task force. The chair said the committee would not address 491, 513, or 531 that day and would return to 580 and 586.

Transcript Highlights:

• 42:01.599> pristine<00:42:02.599> and<00:42:02.760> we<00:42:02.920> have
• <00:42:04.319> will<00:42:04.520> stop<00:42:04.960> coming<00:42:05.960>
• communities<00:42:28.319> to<00:42:28.520> make<00:42:28.640> sure<00:42:28.960>
• 00:42:30.960> go<00:42:31.160> out<00:42:32.119> uh<00:42:32.559> to<00:42
• > have<00:42:45.400> care<00:42:45.640> for<00:42:45.800> AA<00:42:46.160

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:42:03.319> to<00:42:03.520> do<00:42:03.800> that<00:42:04.800> but
• > now<00:42:07.400> to<00:42:07.599> fight<00:42:08.400> uh<00:42:08.520>
• so<01:42:03.800> just<01:42:03.920> to<01:42:04.080> point<01:42:04.280>
• :42:07.840> making<01:42:08.119> it<01:42:08.320> harder<01:42:08.679> to
• c> and<01:42:10.239> I'm<01:42:10.360> not<01:42:10.520> sure<01:42:10.800><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a couple of<00:42:38.800> comments<00:42:39.440> um<00:42:39.599> to<00:42:
• Number one,<00:42:40.640> I<00:42:40.720> do<00:42:40.880> want<00:42:40.960>
• to<00:42:41.040> make<00:42:41.200> sure<00:42:41.440> to<00:42:41.680>
• Harris<00:42:48.079> from<00:42:48.240> ADOT<00:42:48.800> was<00:42:48.960>
• ,<00:42:54.640> I<00:42:54.800> would<00:42:54.960> like<00:42:55.040> to

Bills: SB222, HB560, HB475, HB484, HB583, HB542, HB566

Keywords: medical clinic board, clinic board, hospital bankruptcy, Chapter 11, bankruptcy, debt restructuring, municipal indebtedness, municipal bankruptcy, health care provider, acute care hospital, lease property, board immunity, director liability, civil liability, healthcare finance, insolvency, debt readjustment, federal bankruptcy law, Alabama Code 11-58-5.2, library materials

Transcript Highlights:

• > sure<00:42:09.440> that<00:42:09.560> we<00:42:09.640> would<00:42:10.000>
• quite be able<00:42:10.560> to<00:42:10.920> do<00:42:11.240> that<00:42:11.400
• 42:12.599> even<00:42:12.760> be<00:42:12.880> something<00:42:13.160> that
• uh<00:42:16.640> so<00:42:16.800> really<00:42:17.000> just<00:42:17.119
• 42:18.680> already<00:42:19.079> exist<00:42:19.720> here<00:42:20.720> um

Bills: HF8, HF1416

Keywords: wetlands, environmental review, permitting efficiency, Pollution Control Agency, construction permits, environmental impact statements, local government, business regulation, environmental assessments, HF1416, relocation grants, economic development, business relocation, site selection, business incentives, grant extension, appropriation extension, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, request for proposals

Transcript Highlights:

• > or<00:42:03.240> a<00:42:03.400> really<00:42:03.640> long<00:42:03.920
• :05.359> it<00:42:05.480> goes<00:42:05.800> back<00:42:05.920> to<00:42:
• 00:42:09.760> within<00:42:10.240> DCT<00:42:11.240> are<00:42:11.520> trying
• > Acuity<00:42:24.680> uh<00:42:25.559> maybe<00:42:25.920> end<00:42:26.079
• 00:42:32.520> and<00:42:32.680> I<00:42:32.800> think<00:42:33.000> that<

Bills: HF2196, HF2586, HF2187, HF2037

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Transcript Highlights:

• :42:11.760> to<00:42:12.000> address<00:42:12.319> the<00:42:12.560> whole
• person's needs.<00:42:14.400> This<00:42:14.720> pro<00:42:15.119> these<00:42:
• > who<00:42:18.079> are<00:42:18.319> most<00:42:18.640> in<00:42:18.880>
• > work<00:42:28.800> of<00:42:28.960> DHS<00:42:29.520> and<00:42:29.680>
• file 2955.<00:42:43.119> We<00:42:43.440> collectively<00:42:44.079> did<00:42:

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• covid and<00:42:05.280> I<00:42:05.359> think<00:42:05.560> the<00:42:05.760>
• they could<00:42:08.920> to<00:42:09.119> keep<00:42:09.440> kids<00:42:10.119>
• <00:42:15.000> welcome<00:42:15.400> it<00:42:15.680> being<00:42:16.280>
• Cornell<00:42:26.599> Thank<00:42:26.760> you<00:42:27.440> um<00:42:27.640>
• ><00:42:31.000> that<00:42:31.240> I<00:42:31.319> said<00:42:31.599> you

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first addressed House Bill 415, which would remove the requirement that schools provide menstrual products. Members supporting an ITL said the mandate was unfunded, had been in place since 2019, and was already working without complaints from districts. Other members opposed the bill, arguing menstrual products are essential and that the requirement helps students, especially those with fewer resources. The committee voted ITL on HB 415 by a roll call of 17 yeas, 0 nays. The committee then took up House Bill 388, concerning public reports on special education. Supporters of ITL said they agreed with the goal of transparency but were concerned about student privacy, especially in small districts, and thought the bill’s information requests went too far. They noted that related issues could potentially be addressed in another bill, HB 557. The committee voted ITL on HB 388, 17-0. House Bill 730, which would require schools and some colleges to provide information on adoption, was also moved ITL. The sponsor said adoption is personally important to him but that the bill was not the right vehicle and involved entities such as colleges and the Attorney General unnecessarily; he said related ideas might be folded into other bills later. The committee agreed and voted ITL, 17-0. The committee then discussed House Bill 671, a preschool/early literacy proposal involving a statewide nonprofit digital program, likely Waterford. Members raised questions about who would be covered, data privacy, prior use of federal ESSER funds, whether the program had measurable results, and whether the bill’s nonprofit requirement was too restrictive. Department of Education witness Melissa White said the state had spent $400,000 in FY22 and $600,000 in FY23 on a Waterford contract using ARP ESSER funds, but she did not have participant counts and said the department could not measure literacy gains for that population. She also said the bill’s funding level would likely require an RFP and that, if enacted as written, the program would probably still be Waterford-based. The discussion continued without a final vote in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > record<00:42:17.599> thank<00:42:17.760> you<00:42:17.880> Mr<00:42:18.079
• > that<00:42:22.319> section<00:42:22.640> is Nami Minnesota um that section is
• Nami Minnesota um that section is related<00:42:23.160> to<00:42:23.359> protected<00:42
• so<00:42:32.880> someone<00:42:33.240> can't<00:42:33.520> jump<00:42:33.800>
• > in<00:42:37.359> the<00:42:37.599> state<00:42:38.480> um<00:42:38.960>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > you<00:42:07.960> um<00:42:08.240> and<00:42:08.440> I'll<00:42:08.640>
• :24.599> thank<00:42:24.760> you<00:42:25.680> uh<00:42:25.760> let<00:42
• > it<00:42:36.880> took<00:42:37.319> to<00:42:37.720> deal<00:42:38.000>
• ><00:42:51.480> to<00:42:51.680> speak<00:42:52.079> in<00:42:52.319> favor
• of of<00:42:53.240> this<00:42:53.559> amendment<00:42:54.559> um<00:42:55.160>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 763, an early bill concerning AED access at athletic events and venues. Representative Morris offered amendment 0743H to clarify the bill by removing charter schools from the language and tying AED placement to American Heart Association guidance, emphasizing that AEDs should be readily accessible within a reasonable walking distance rather than mandated on every field. The amendment and then the bill as amended both passed 17-0, and the bill was reported out as Ought to Pass with Amendment. The committee then considered House Bill 781, requiring school districts to adopt cell phone-free education policies, and a related bill, House Bill 131. HB 781 was amended to include charter public school boards, cover other personal electronic communication devices, require at minimum restrictions on student personal cell phones during class instruction, allow superintendent-approved exceptions for medical or language needs, protect students with medical needs or disabilities under Section 504, and set an effective date of July 1, 2025. Some members argued the amendment was too prescriptive and limited local control, while supporters said it still left districts flexibility outside classroom instruction. The amendment passed 16-1, and the bill then passed Ought to Pass as Amended 16-1. HB 131, described as a mirror bill, was then retained by a 17-0 vote. House Bill 398, a title bill requiring Holocaust and genocide studies to include impacts on people with disabilities, was moved to ITL after Representative Selig reported the genocide commission believed the topic was already being covered. That motion passed 17-0. The committee also agreed to hold several bills for later consideration, including HB 754, HB 1221, HB 360, and HB 699, citing the need for more review or missing copies. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 361, prohibiting mandatory mask policies in schools. Supporters argued the bill would preserve individual choice while preventing statewide or districtwide mandates in future public health emergencies, and cited a Department of Health and Human Services letter saying masks remain effective but decisions should be based on individual choice and risk assessment. Opponents emphasized local control and the need for districts to respond to different public health conditions. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on HB 361 was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

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Bills: HF2601, HF2607, HF2027, HF2608

Keywords: financial institutions, insurance regulation, insurance holding company, group capital calculation, liquidity stress test, NAIC, National Association of Insurance Commissioners, insurer solvency, affiliate transactions, groupwide supervision, internationally active insurance group, lead state commissioner, policyholder protection, hazardous financial condition, deposit or bond, contract for deed, conventional loan, cooperative apartment loan, mortgage interest rate cap, average prime offer rate

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:42:03.680> loose<00:42:04.400> uh<00:42:04.640> I<00:42:05.120>
• Uh<00:42:06.960> that's<00:42:07.200> not<00:42:07.480> addressed<00:42:07.800><
• ask<00:42:12.120> the<00:42:12.320> author<00:42:12.640> kind<00:42:12.840>
• thank<00:42:16.320> you<00:42:16.400> very<00:42:16.600> much<00:42:17.120>
• > the<00:42:25.440> body<00:42:26.320> will<00:42:26.480> be<00:42:26.640

Bills: HF3643, HF4470, HF4462, HF4366, HF4172, HF3629, HF4356, HF3093

Keywords: Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, memorial park, state park, working group, Minnesota Historical Society, Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board, Saint Paul, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Administration, Legislative Coordinating Commission, general fund appropriation, park planning, interpretive services, public engagement, state memorial, land use, natural resources, commemorative legislation, HF4470