Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um Melco tools out of anandale Minnesota um Melco tools out of anandale Minnesota I<00:32:47.120
• </c> them all right next turning to Minnesota them all right next turning to Minnesota occupational<00
• Apprenticeship Minnesota is the state's apprenticeship authority under the Minnesota Apprenticeship Act
• <00:37:34.480><c> in</c><00:37:34.640><c> August</c> Minnesota in August Minnesota in August 20123<00
• </c><00:58:37.760><c> what</c> what may make sense in Minnesota what what may make sense in Minnesota

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for the public. for the public.
• Public Safety.
• I am incredibly proud to be able to say that lead the Department of Public Safety in the state of Minnesota
• I am incredibly proud to be able to say that lead the Department of Public Safety in the state of Minnesota
• </c> Public Safety in the state of Minnesota Public Safety in the state of Minnesota and<00:37:27.040

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• We have four bills up for public hearing today.
• I'm here representing Seattle Public Utilities.
• Minnesota included cookware and their children's products. Do you know where Minnesota is at?
• Additionally, we also have no problem with the law in Minnesota.
• And finally, we've talked a lot about Minnesota.

Bills: SB5965 , SB6030 , SB5975 , SB5941

Committee: Senate Environment, Energy & Technology

Keywords: environment, retail bags, sustainability, pollution, customer impact, plastic bags, retail, waste reduction, cookware safety, lead regulation, consumer protection, interstate trade, health standards, SB 5941, Washington State Energy Code, State Building Code Council, renewable energy, solar panels, school district exemption, public school construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Our utilities should be able to purchase at a cheaper rate.
• Except, as you know, right, in 2022, a commission, a legislative commission with members of the administration
• That's funding for our public schools, public safety, jobs, public health, infrastructure.
• Now to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
• , and, most importantly, the public.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs and testimony from Governor Healey and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz. The chairs emphasized fiscal caution amid choppy revenue growth, rising health care and education costs, and federal uncertainty, while the governor framed House 2 as a $62.8 billion budget that grows spending by about 1% without new taxes or fees and aims to protect core services while advancing affordability. The administration said the budget uses efficiencies, program integrity, and Fair Share surtax revenue to support education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety, and it also filed a supplemental Fair Share bill using surplus FY25 funds. Much of the questioning focused on the federal “OB3” tax law and the administration’s separate proposal to delay or phase in certain corporate tax changes, especially research and experimental deductions, to avoid in-year budget shocks. Members also pressed the administration on Fair Share allocations, with the governor and secretary explaining that operating-budget surtax spending is weighted more toward education while supplemental spending is more transportation-focused, and that combined spending is roughly balanced overall. The administration highlighted Chapter 70 aid, special education circuit breaker funding, rural school aid, local aid, child care, the MBTA deficit, regional transit authorities, and a new HHS transportation line item as part of the broader transportation strategy. Several members raised concerns about Chapter 70 equity, rural districts, municipal overrides, out-migration, housing affordability, public housing repairs, and the MBTA Communities Act. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion on school funding formulas, PILOT, and municipal aid, and stressed housing production, energy affordability, and workforce development as key responses to out-migration. On energy, the governor defended an all-of-the-above approach, including renewables, gas, and exploration of nuclear, while saying she would continue pushing utilities and regulators to reduce ratepayer costs. The governor also said fire safety grants would not be withheld for noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Act, and members discussed public safety, housing, and local grant impacts in that context. Other topics included the Bright Act and higher education capital investments, with the administration saying it is preparing to support campus infrastructure across the public higher education system and that the bill is intended to strengthen Massachusetts’ competitiveness and retain graduates. Members also questioned cuts to the PCA program and EAEDC, and the governor responded that the state’s PCA program remains strong but is under pressure from large federal health care reductions. No votes were taken; the session was a hearing on the governor’s budget proposal and related policy bills, with the administration taking questions and offering explanations of its recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are other public safety concerns that law enforcement and the public have brought to us in the
• state of Minnesota.
• state of Minnesota.
• has damaged Public Safety in Minnesota<00:31:27.480><c> and</c><00:31:27.720><c> this</c><00:31:28.159
• transparency</c> to public data and public transparency to public data and public transparency but<00

Transcript Highlights:

• This work utilizes LinkedIn Learning modules that wouldn't be available without our fabulous Minnesota
• This work utilizes LinkedIn Learning modules that wouldn't be available without our fabulous Minnesota
• Professionally, when you ask members of the Minnesota Library Association, which represents public, academic
• For the past almost 60 years, Minnesota has invested in a vibrant economy by recognizing the public good
• and private institutions at both public and private institutions in<00:35:24.800><c> Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• ...public safety, both fire departments, EMS, and police.
• That's funding for our public schools, public safety, jobs, public health, infrastructure.
• Now to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
• We audited the State Ethics Commission recently.
• , and, most importantly, the public.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The joint budget hearing opened the FY27 budget process with remarks from the Senate and House Ways and Means chairs, who described the fiscal outlook as challenging because of slow revenue growth, rising health care and other costs, and uncertainty from federal policy changes. Governor Healey and Secretary of Administration and Finance Matthew Gorzkowicz then presented House 2, a $62.8 billion budget that they said grows by about 1% and does not raise taxes or fees. They emphasized affordability, fiscal discipline, protection of core services, and continued investment in education, transportation, housing, child care, health care, and public safety. The administration also discussed a separate bill to delay and phase in certain federal tax-code changes from the so-called OB3 law, especially research and experimental expense provisions, to reduce immediate budget impacts and preserve competitiveness. A major portion of the hearing focused on education and municipal aid. The administration said House 2 provides about $7.6 billion for Chapter 70 aid, fully funds the final year of the Student Opportunity Act, increases special education circuit breaker funding, and raises rural school aid. Senators and representatives from both parties raised concerns that Chapter 70 and other aid formulas are not equitable for small, rural, and low-wealth communities and are not keeping pace with inflation, and several called for broader review of the formula and related funding streams. The governor and secretary said they are open to further discussion, pointed to additional support through rural aid, special education, transportation reimbursements, and minimum aid, and said total Student Opportunity Act investment would reach about $2.1 billion over the life of the law. Transportation, housing, and fair share spending were also central topics. The administration said fair share revenues are being used holistically, with education-heavy spending in the operating budget and transportation-heavy spending in the supplemental budget, and estimated the overall split to date at roughly 57% education and 43% transportation. They highlighted MBTA stabilization, regional transit authority support, microtransit, fare-free regional transit, and bridge and commuter rail investments, while noting the MBTA remains a major fiscal concern. On housing, the governor stressed production, permitting reform, ADUs, down-payment assistance, and support for public housing authorities, while lawmakers pressed for more funding for local housing authorities and for ways to address out-migration, energy costs, and affordability. The governor also said the administration will not withhold fire safety grants from communities over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance and will handle such issues case by case. No votes were taken at the hearing; it was an informational presentation and question-and-answer session.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's right for Minnesota?
• What's right for Minnesota?
• What's right for Minnesota?
• high school in Minnesota.
• Minnesota citizens.

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, the legislature should modify the public charging excess tax such that public charging stations will
• charging excess tax such that public charging excess tax such that public<00:14:43.040><c> charging<
• </c><00:16:08.000><c> works</c> public library or outside a public works public library or outside a
• They're not a public entity, but they have a public charging station, but they don't charge a fee.
• They are retail in a public there.

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• ...public safety, both fire departments, EMS, and police.
• Our utilities should be able to purchase at a cheaper rate.
• That's funding for our public schools, public safety, jobs, public health, infrastructure.
• Now to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
• , and, most importantly, the public.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• Brandon Frye with the Public Service Commission.
• Brandon Frye, Executive Secretary with the Public Service Commission.
• Brandon Frye, Executive Secretary with the Public Service Commission. As Rep.
• Who created the Louisiana Public Service Commission?
• Who created the Louisiana Public Service Commission?

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 267, which would change the membership rules for the Louisiana State Board of Home Inspectors by adjusting appointment qualifications, term limits, and nomination procedures. Vice Chair Thomas explained the bill was meant to address the lack of nominations from existing entities and to allow the governor more flexibility, especially in smaller districts. After adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported HB 267 favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 478 on utility overcharge reimbursements. The bill, as amended, requires utilities to clearly label reimbursements on customer bills and sets a deadline for issuing refunds. After discussion with the Public Service Commission and utility representatives, the committee changed the reimbursement timeline from 45 days to 90 days and clarified that the bill would not interfere with larger settlement or regulatory credits. HB 478 was then reported favorably as amended. The longest discussion centered on House Bill 924, a consumer protection measure aimed at contractors who solicit residential property owners after declared disasters. The author said the bill was intended to curb predatory storm-chasing and fraudulent insurance-related practices, while still allowing emergency mitigation work. The committee adopted technical amendments and then a conceptual amendment shortening the catastrophe response period from six months to 30 days. Testimony was split: the Insurance Commissioner and some roofing industry witnesses supported the bill as a way to deter fraud, while other contractors argued it would hurt small businesses, limit legitimate door-to-door work, and not solve enforcement problems. The bill remained under consideration after extensive testimony and public comment.

Transcript Highlights:

• 25.360><c> seek</c> gentleoman from Minnesota seek gentleoman from Minnesota seek recognition?
• </c> public health, and local infrastructure. public health, and local infrastructure.
• existing utility corridors.
• existing utility corridors.
• existing utility corridors.

Transcript Highlights:

• Line 10 is the Minnesota Indian base.
• </c> start with Minnesota start with Minnesota [Music] [Music] [Music] state.<00:14:21.279><c> So</c>
• </c><00:20:14.640><c> Mayo</c> entire University of Minnesota Mayo entire University of Minnesota Mayo
• </c> the private and outofstate public the private and outofstate public post-secary<00:36:12.560><c>
• </c> potentially go up by 18% at Minnesota potentially go up by 18% at Minnesota State<00:59:51.920><

Summary: The committee took up House File 2312 and first adopted the DE1 amendment, after which the amended bill was discussed. Nonpartisan fiscal staff walked through the spreadsheet and explained the bill’s higher education budget changes, including increases for state grants and tribal college assistance, unchanged funding for several existing programs, and reductions or eliminations for items such as state work study, summer academic enrichment, student loan counseling, concurrent enrollment, and the student parent support initiative. Staff also noted transfers to special revenue funds, the cancellation and reappropriation of ALS research funding, and a new licensing/registration revenue item. The committee was told the bill met the committee’s zero target overall, with a net general fund change of zero relative to the February forecast, while also adding some non-general fund expenditures for program licensing and registration. Members asked several questions about the transfers and specific line items, including whether any new special revenue accounts were being created, the foster care wraparound services line, and the treatment of the University of Minnesota and Centric Care partnership. Staff explained that the transfers generally did not create new accounts, that some items were not in the base, and that the U of M/Centric Care partnership was a one-time appropriation in the prior bill but was now being built into the base at a different amount. The University of Minnesota section also included new or continued funding for medical school development, health training restoration, emergency assistance grants, ALS research, and a weather resiliency program, while the Mayo Foundation section eliminated funding for Mayo Medical School and the Mayo family medicine residency program. The policy portion of the DE1 was then introduced. It included a maximum tuition and fee amount for state grants, direct appropriation of emergency assistance grants to Minnesota State, a juvenile justice appropriation for Metropolitan State University, and the ALS research reappropriation to the University of Minnesota. It also contained repealers for unfunded programs, including a delayed repealer for the student parent support initiative. In the higher education policy article, the bill would allow Minnesota State to offer applied doctoral degrees in cybersecurity, make technical changes to hunger-free campus and sexual misconduct procedures, extend pregnant and parenting student protections to private institutions, allow OHE to retain up to 10% of certain competitive grants for administration, consolidate reports, change the state grant formula so negative FAFSA contributions count as zero, and reduce the state grant lifetime credit cap from 180 to 120 credits. The Northstar Promise provisions would limit tuition and fees to resident rates and require MnState, and request the University of Minnesota, to ensure eligible students receive the benefit.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. who call Minnesota their home. And so who call Minnesota their home.
• Minnesota. Um and what this does is Minnesota.
• care from Minnesota takes away Minnesota care from Minnesota residents,<01:08:15.839><c> it</c><01:08
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• </c> public health programs? public health programs?

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure exactly how to couch this, but we are all public servants and in Minnesota, public servants
• were And in Minnesota, public servants were tragically murdered and injured.
• You're now a public servant.
• Public service ain't being big. And we found that out. Public service ain't being big.
• We adjourn the public portion. Okay. Let's adjourn the public portion of it.

Summary: The meeting opened with attendance and brief remarks acknowledging recent violence against public servants in Minnesota and the risks of public service. The committee then approved the prior minutes and noted there were no employment disclosure forms to report. An update followed on digitizing committee files: the vendor’s estimate had been reduced after reviewing the files, the contract would be sent via DocuSign for the chair’s signature, and staff discussed whether the work could be completed before the end of the biennium and how it would be paid for. The main business was a review of remaining advisory opinions for possible retention or retirement. Staff walked through several opinions, recommending retention of some that still aligned with current law or practice, and retirement of others that were outdated, duplicative, or no longer useful because the underlying statutes had changed or the supporting materials could not be found. The committee voted to accept staff’s recommendations on the set of previously reviewed advisory opinions. A separate question was raised about an older opinion on outreach/newsletters and whether its factors should still apply outside the election-year context. Members generally agreed that the same factors should continue to guide analysis, with their weight varying depending on timing and circumstances. Staff was asked to review the opinion further and bring back a recommendation on whether to unretire or otherwise clarify it. The public portion of the meeting then adjourned, with the committee preparing to move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not sure exactly how to couch this, but we are all public servants and in Minnesota, public servants
• were, And in Minnesota, public servants were tragically murdered and injured.
• You're now a public servant.
• Public service ain't being big. And we found that out. Public service ain't being big.
• We adjourn the public portion. Okay. Let's adjourn the public portion of it.

Summary: The meeting opened with attendance and technical setup, including bringing a remote member into the session. The chair also made brief remarks about public service in light of recent violence against public officials, and a member shared condolences related to a colleague’s death. The committee then approved the minutes and noted no employment disclosure forms were filed. The main business was an update on digitizing committee files. Staff reported that the archival scanning estimate had been reduced and that a DocuSign contract would be sent for the chair’s signature. Members also discussed whether the work could be completed before the end of the biennium and whether existing funds could be used or prepaid. The committee then reviewed a long list of remaining advisory opinions and, on motion, approved staff recommendations to retain some opinions and retire or partially retire others based on changes in law or usefulness of the opinions. Topics included special privileges, frequent flyer miles, state contracts involving legislators, tours sponsored by lobbying entities, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of drafting requests, election-year brochures, and recusal/firewall issues. After a separate discussion about an older election-related outreach opinion, members agreed they likely still intended to apply the same factors outside the election-year context and asked staff to revisit whether that opinion should be unretired or revised. The public portion of the meeting was then adjourned, with the committee preparing to move into executive session.

Transcript Highlights:

• The program would provide students the state’s public universities, the University of Minnesota system
• public universities University<00:32:30.080><c> of</c><00:32:30.200><c> Minnesota</c><00:32:30.760><c
• > system</c><00:32:31.440><c> Minnesota</c> University of Minnesota system Minnesota University of Minnesota
• So, the bill is supported by the Minnesota Nurses Association, Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents
• So, the bill is supported by the Minnesota Nurses Association, Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• The Minnesota cannabis industry was sold to the public as a craft industry for Minnesota entrepreneurs
• The Minnesota cannabis industry was sold to the public as a craft industry for Minnesota entrepreneurs
• The Minnesota cannabis industry was sold to the public as a craft industry for Minnesota entrepreneurs
• very few of them will be utilizing Minnesota hemp. laid over and would like to give laid over and would
• ><c> be</c><01:37:54.239><c> utilizing</c><01:37:54.719><c> Minnesota</c><01:37:55.400><c> hemp.

Bills: HF1545 , HF2426 , HF1615 , HF2403

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in one public school and not in another. in one public school and not in another.
• </c> strong believer in public schools. strong believer in public schools.
• > heart</c><00:42:35.760><c> of</c><00:42:35.920><c> our</c> Public schools are the heart of our Public
• Most notably, Minnesota students.
• We'll miss all Minnesota students.

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Tom Mo, a distinguished University of Minnesota
• The gentleman from Minnesota seeks recognition.
• </c><02:24:46.960><c> broadcasting</c> dollars from public broadcasting dollars from public broadcasting
• </c><02:37:58.080><c> bill</c> they cannot afford the utility bill they cannot afford the utility bill
• </c><02:46:01.359><c> bills,</c> including their utility bills, including their utility bills, showerheads