Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:30.560> session haven't negotiated the special session haven't negotiated the special
• traditionally, the special session traditionally, the special session agreement<00:01:39.920> will
• the way that we need them to um, and do the way that we need them to um, and do it<00:03:20.480> with
• Well, we need um 68 votes in the House and 34 in the Senate to pass bills.
• And we are working toward getting the 68 votes we need to pass the bills and the 90 votes we need to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The meeting focused on delays in finalizing major budget bills, especially the health and human services bills, which speakers said are highly complex and require extensive review by the revisor, legislative chairs, and agency staff. Transportation was described as nearly complete, with technical language issues slowing its posting. Leaders said the special session agreement would not be negotiated until the bills are posted in final form, and that the agreement will likely specify the items of business for the session. Speakers emphasized that the extra time is being used to carefully review the legislation and avoid mistakes, noting the bills cover large portions of the state budget and affect vulnerable populations. They also said they want to preserve some previously agreed-to technical, non-money provisions from the tax bill. There was discussion of unresolved policy items, including a question about a non-compete rollback, which was said not to be under discussion. On timing, one speaker said the special session was unlikely to happen the next day, gave only a small chance of Thursday, and said Saturday was the most realistic target. The urgency was tied to avoiding additional layoff notices for state employees before June 10. Leaders said the special session would ideally last one day, with enough votes to pass bills and suspend rules in both chambers, and noted that the tied legislature has made cooperation more necessary than in the prior session, when a majority-minority conflict led to a long filibuster.

Transcript Highlights:

• needed to stay in in the housing. needed to stay in in the housing.
• need all across the state. need all across the state. Chair<00:17:24.880> Gomez.
• It's, I think, we need to, as members of this body, need to have special ed reimbursement as well. special
• that we need to pay close attention to. that we need to pay close attention to.
• And we need to do that.

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Toilets need to flush, bad guys need to be caught, and fires need to be put out.
• You try to plan accordingly and build what you need when you need it, right? You try to time that.
• This bill removes the flexibility that municipalities need to meet the needs of their residents.
• They need to spend their money carefully, and they need to adopt policies that grow their areas.
• They need to spend their money carefully, and they need to adopt policies that grow their areas.

Bills: HB2780, HB4029, HB4030, HCR2052

Keywords: judicial foreclosure, tax lien, redemption rights, excess proceeds, property auction, income tax, federal tax conformity, revenue analysis, legislative session, tax reporting, municipal fees, county fees, utility rates, moratorium, tax classification, local government, inflation, economic stability, tax increases, cost-of-living protection

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2780, a technical cleanup measure related to Arizona’s judicial tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds process. The sponsor and a witness said the bill clarifies when a court should order a public sale, standardizes distribution of sale proceeds, and corrects inconsistencies left from prior reforms. No opposition was raised, and the committee approved HB 2780 unanimously on a 9-0 do pass vote. The committee then took up House Bill 4029, which would require the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to evaluate the revenue impact of federal tax conformity changes earlier in the process, and would require the Department of Revenue to issue tax forms consistent with statute. An amendment was adopted to have OSPB and JLBC each make the evaluation and to require a governor’s report if the impact is $100 million or more, along with new reporting deadlines for DOR. Supporters argued the bill would force earlier action on conformity and prevent tax forms from diverging from statute; opponents said it added bureaucracy and could delay filing. The committee approved HB 4029 as amended by a 5-4 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 4030 and the related HCR 2052, both aimed at limiting local tax and fee increases. HB 4030 would bar municipalities and counties from adopting, imposing, or collecting increased fees, transaction privilege taxes, and utility rates from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030. The sponsor said the measure was intended to protect taxpayers from inflation and rising local costs. Cities, counties, and utility representatives opposed the bills, warning they would hinder infrastructure financing, water and wastewater projects, road improvements, and public safety services, and could force general fund subsidies or delayed maintenance. Supporters argued local governments have seen substantial revenue growth and should be restrained from further increases. The committee did not reach a final vote on HB 4030 or HCR 2052 in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is why this is a special session request.
• And for any need that should arise. Okay.
• We need water. And wildfire victims need help to rebuild, and we're on the way to doing that.
• Those funds, but it is there should departments need it.
• for litigation and no need for us to spend those funds.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Districts I don't collect Special Districts I don't collect special<00:27:07.080> district<00
• The Minnesota Constitution prohibits special legislation, with the exception of certain special legislation
• topic I'm going to talk about is special topic I'm going to talk about is special legislation<00
• <00:32:34.159> legislation there are two special legislation there are two special legislation
• special legislation that of certain special legislation that relates<00:32:47.559> to<00:32:47.720

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs. Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up. House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it. The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• of special ed in Lakeville, and I've served charter schools as a director of special ed as well.
• I'm also a parent of children with special needs, and I serve on the school board in Lakeville schools
• needs<00:17:00.639> and<00:17:00.880> I<00:17:01.040> serve children with special
• needs and I serve children with special needs and I serve on<00:17:01.360> the<00:17:01.440><
• Do we need to change legal definitions? Do we need to change the<01:16:37.679> law?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:10:40.440> to not underfunding this so we need to not underfunding this so we need to
• extra and special extra and special Duty<00:12:05.560> right<00:12:06.000> correct
• it would only allow... special special duty pay as special special duty pay as um um um um<00:13:21.399
• um if you're working say 10% special um if you're working say 10% special Duty<00:13:41.000>
• I don't see that we need it.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee reviewed selected House Bill 2 provisions, focusing first on the group two pension reform language and whether it matched prior legislation and the fiscal note. Members discussed two main issues: the treatment of extra and special duty pay in the pension calculation for employees hired before 2011, and the annuity multiplier after 15 years of creditable service. Several members said the HB 2 language was intended to restore prior law and protect against pension “spiking,” while others worried the draft and fiscal note may not have fully reflected current law, potentially affecting the cost estimate. The discussion repeatedly emphasized the need to avoid underfunding or double counting and to make sure Finance had the correct actuarial assumptions. No vote was taken; the committee agreed to flag the issues for Finance and to clarify the fiscal note. Members also discussed the vested-rights language, which was described as an explicit definition of vesting and a restriction on future legislative changes to compensation calculations after three years of service. Some viewed it as a policy protection with no immediate fiscal impact, while others noted it had been included in prior legislation and should be clearly understood before the bill moved forward. The committee also briefly referenced prior pension legislation, including House Bill 436 and House Bill 727, and noted that HB 2 was being used to carry forward related pension repair provisions. The committee then turned to an OPLC-related section transferring building, plumbing, electrical, and fuel gas inspector positions from OPLC to the Department of Safety’s Fire Marshal’s office. Testimony explained that the nine inspector positions are funded from the licensing fund, and that the move was justified as a public-safety function better aligned with the Fire Marshal’s mission because the inspections are statewide code-enforcement work rather than facility-specific licensing work. The discussion ended with a note that the remaining HB 2 changes run through 2034 and a brief announcement about memorial arrangements for C.J. Gerard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Lord, they need your wisdom and your guidance.
• And debate in this special session are complex and difficult.
• And we need to do whatever we can to do that.
• And we need to do whatever we can to do that.
• I further move the rules be waived to establish the special order calendar for the remainder of the special

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What are some examples of the things that you need to cure?
• If it's something that needs to be done, I'm in support of it.
• The other six, while we think the need is there, it's less critical because...
• So I make special mention that my—it's not even my city anymore, but Rachel's here.
• It's a big deal. is created by a special act.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to consider several audit requests and enforcement items related to local government accountability. The committee heard requests for operational audits of the City of Miami Beach, the Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority, and the City of Daytona Beach. In each case, the requesting member cited concerns about transparency, financial management, or compliance with state law. Representatives from Delray Beach DDA testified that an internal audit had already been completed, that findings were limited, and that they were working to cure issues such as procurement, credit card, and disbursement policies; the DDA chair also said the organization was willing to cooperate and was considering transitioning out of operating Old School Square. For Daytona Beach, the sponsor pointed to excess building permit revenues, vehicle purchases, and reported P-card irregularities as reasons for a broader audit. The committee approved all three audit requests, directing the Auditor General to finalize the scope while considering the stated concerns. The committee also received a presentation on the statewide performance reviews of 21 neighborhood improvement districts. The reviewers reported that 15 districts were active and six inactive, with common issues including outdated or missing performance plans, weak web presence, inadequate meeting notices, and limited management mechanisms. They said staffing levels often correlated with the ability to meet statutory requirements, and recommended that several districts be reviewed to determine whether they were still needed. Members asked about staffing, inactivity criteria, and how the districts were administered, and staff explained that city or county liaisons often supplement district staffing. Later, staff reviewed enforcement actions for local governments that failed to file required financial reports or omitted required information from submitted audits. The committee discussed a list of noncompliant counties, municipalities, and special districts, including the town of Rayford, which staff said had long-standing reporting problems, no apparent municipal services, and no response to repeated outreach. The committee voted to send a letter to the Union County legislative delegation encouraging a local bill to dissolve Rayford. It also approved staff recommendations to proceed against entities still missing required filings or missing audit information, with authority for the chair and vice chair to delay action if additional information is later provided in good faith.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that needs to be revised.
• We need outcomes.
• Or do I need to use that money right here, right now, to pay for a special education EA teacher to go
• Those schools needed those funds.
• I am a special education teacher. I've been a special education director as well as a principal.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• on uh Grant standard issue on a special on uh Grant standard issue on a special fund<00:27:00.039
• ball security as a use for the special ball security as a use for the special fund<00:29:22.320>
• Okay, thank you. per Hub Farms per need the just need per Hub Farms per need the just need okay<00:43
• They don't need it.
• No, they no longer need this general excise tax credit. I do. They don't need it.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Agriculture and Environment hearing on January 27, 2025, took up multiple measures, beginning with a proposed constitutional amendment, HB 559, to recognize a right to clean water and air, a healthful environment, climate, native ecosystems, and beaches. The Attorney General’s Office testified with concerns that the amendment’s broad language could create challenges for future legislatures and environmental enforcement, while the Climate Commission and DLNR supported it. Environmental and advocacy groups, including Climate Protectors Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others, strongly supported the measure, arguing it would strengthen decision-making and protect Hawaii’s natural resources. Committee members raised questions about how the amendment would interact with existing constitutional protections and recent litigation, and the AG’s office said the proposal could lead to broad judicial interpretation and possible liability issues. The hearing then moved on without a recorded vote on this bill. The committee next heard SB 552, which would establish a healthy soils program in the Department of Agriculture and require annual reporting and funding. The Climate Change Commission supported the bill, and the Department of Agriculture said it stood on its submitted testimony but noted existing commissions and the greenhouse gas sequestration task force already address similar objectives, suggesting SB 552 may duplicate current efforts. Agricultural and environmental advocates, including the Hawaii Farmers Union, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and others, supported the concept of a consolidated healthy soils program, saying it would better organize existing efforts, improve access for producers, and support conservation practices. The Agribusiness Development Corporation said it would support either DOA or ADC administering the program, and committee discussion focused on implementation, program overlap, and whether the bill should better integrate existing compost reimbursement and related efforts. The final measure discussed in the excerpt was SB 678, which would create an Agricultural Development Food Security Special Fund, dedicate a portion of the environmental response, energy, and food security tax to it, and appropriate funds equal to 3% of the state budget for agriculture. The Department of Agriculture strongly supported the bill, saying the funding would align with its goals and help support farmers and ranchers. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Department of Budget and Finance raised concerns that the proposed special fund may not meet statutory criteria. Farm and industry groups generally supported the measure but suggested changes, including adding uses related to local food sourcing, distribution, and biosecurity. Committee members questioned the scale of the appropriation, noting it could amount to roughly $250 million and a major increase in DOA’s budget, and discussed whether the department could realistically implement such a large program. The hearing ended with testimony counts noted for the measures heard, and the chair indicated the committee would reconvene later for any unfinished business.

Transcript Highlights:

• You need two-thirds of each house.
• You need twothirds of these amendments. You need twothirds of each<00:13:06.880> house.
• There are no special interests.
• <00:56:29.680> special controls the whole thing. special controls the whole thing. special
• There are no special in a row.

Keywords: Concurrent meeting of the House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments, and Intergovernmental Affairs and the House Standing Committee on State Government. Title of video has been shortened due to YouTube length restrictions. Discussion of HCR 45: 00:04:14, 958, all

Summary: The joint meeting of the House Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the House State Government Committee was called to consider House Concurrent Resolution 45, sponsored by Representative Jason Petri. The resolution would support calling for a federal balanced budget amendment through the Article V process. Petri argued that Kentucky’s own constitutional balanced-budget requirement shows the value of fiscal restraint, and he said decades of federal deficit spending and rising debt make a constitutional amendment necessary. Governor Ron DeSantis and Lauren Ends of the National Campaign for a Balanced Budget Amendment also testified in support, emphasizing the growth of federal debt, the risk of a future debt crisis, and the view that Congress is unlikely to solve the problem on its own. Members asked about the mechanics and risks of an Article V convention, including whether the convention’s “sole purpose” language would be enforceable and whether a convention could become a “runaway” process. DeSantis and Ends said states can impose guardrails on delegates, including criminal penalties and delegate-limitation laws, and noted that any proposed amendment would still require ratification by 38 states. They also said that if Congress chose to draft the amendment itself in response to state pressure, that would be acceptable. One witness said 18 states have passed faithful-delegate or delegate-limitation laws. Representative Callaway asked what would happen if the debt issue is not addressed. Witnesses responded that continued borrowing could lead to economic dislocation, higher interest costs, and a debt crisis that would crowd out other federal spending. They said the current debt burden is already more than $100,000 per U.S. citizen and roughly $300,000 per taxpayer, and that a balanced budget amendment would be a first step toward stopping the growth of debt before any long-term paydown could occur. The transcript provided does not show a final vote or other committee action on the resolution.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is pretty special.
• can make him feel special today.
• We need to find a balance to make sure that our departments have the funds that they need, but also when
• So I need to renew my motion.
• We need that.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 129-0 vote. Members then spent considerable time on points of personal privilege and introductions, including remarks recognizing law enforcement wellness, personal health updates, legislative service and family sacrifices, interns, visiting students, and special guests such as a St. Louis entrepreneur honored with a House resolution and a visiting governor from Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The chamber then received Senate messages and committee reports before moving to conference requests on Senate Bills 835 and 1111 and Senate Bill 1020, both of which were approved for conference committees. The House also passed Senate Bills 977 and 1011, a measure barring international organizations or foreign law from exercising authority in Missouri or being used to deny “fundamental rights,” after debate over its scope and concerns about foreign-law venue rules and its practical effect; the final vote was 99-45. Senate Bill 1470, dealing with legislative research and statutory publication procedures, was amended and passed 148-1 after debate over reducing committee size, shifting publication to a primarily web-based format, and preserving printed archival copies. The House then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 1940, the public notices/newspaper bill, by 142-1, with discussion focused on modernizing notice publication rules and election-related deadlines. It also took up Senate Bill 1871, which included county clerk and election administration provisions and a Senate amendment incorporating campaign finance language; debate emphasized ballot testing timelines and election transparency. The transcript ends during discussion of that bill, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• They don't need an action besides moving them to special language, okay?
• Those will all go to special language without objection. All right, special language.
• need.
• With that, this is an item that needs a motion due pass. So I need a motion due pass.
• We don't need to lose that.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the special session, we funded those for two years, so this appropriation doesn't really need to happen
• I mean they don't really need the money.
• We need to be able to train them for those skills that these companies are going to need. Need.
• So do we need energy fields? Do we need to throw in the Spaceport? What are we missing?
• invest, and we need to have those returns, and we need to pay people what the best people can do to get

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• deliberative sessions and special deliberative sessions and special meetings. meetings. meetings
• The process of special special meeting.
• Can call special meetings. morning. Can call special meetings.
• So C, do we need to uh uh consider city So C, do we need to uh uh consider city elections?
• I need a second. 2025-2326H. Represent. I need a second.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Murphy to designate special orders. Murphy to designate special orders.
• They need to occur. We need to valuable. They need to occur.
• /c> need all hands on deck.
• We need to have need all hands on deck.
• It's time to say no to those special special special interests.<00:49:41.760> Adopt<00:49:42.319

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needs students.
• The Committee on Education adopted an amendment that would make the supplemental funds for special needs
• special education students count as 1.3 students.
• ed needs.
• So if there are children with special needs in a charter school, those students would get an enhanced

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But you said he worked with special needs children, was it your son? He's my oldest son.
• , their director... informed them that they needed to serve fewer special needs children.
• needs, even though they were.
• As these special ed numbers really go up, we're going to need to take care of those.
• We need to make, to y'all's point, we need to reward the good charter schools, and we need to get rid

Bills: HB1540, HB3837, HB5571, SB370, SB2425

Keywords: government review, Texas Sunset Act, regulatory oversight, agencies, sunset provisions, autonomous vehicles, regulation, safety, criminal offense, Autonomous Vehicle Commission, registration, regulations, Level 4 automation, Level 5 automation, self-driving technology, traffic laws, permit system, collision reporting, safety standards, Automated Vehicle Commission

Transcript Highlights:

• Perhaps a lot of these students have different special needs, special abilities, and so the EFA program
• you just made mention of special needs. you just made mention of special needs.
• c> into<01:34:25.520> an special education needs enters into an special education needs enters
• So, you don't have to really spend it on special needs.
• So, you don't have to really spend it on special needs.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all