Transcript Highlights:

• Government: HB 2352, appropriation ... Appropriations: HB 2352, appropriation ... HB 2353 ...
• appropriations.
• HB 2620, appropriation.
• 2890, appropriations; Education and Appropriations: HB 2892, appropriations; HB 2893, appropriations
• HB 2894, appropriations; HB 2897, appropriations; Education and Appropriations: HB 2898, appropriations

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Paul Sorensen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal from January 15, 2026. Members also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, and several guests in the gallery, including education leaders and representatives from Republic Services. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business was the reading of communications and a very large slate of bills. The clerk listed numerous House bills for first reading and referral to committees, covering topics such as veterans, natural resources and water, financial services, minimum wage, commerce, education, housing, child care, health and human services, public safety, artificial intelligence, taxation, transportation, agriculture, and appropriations. The House also moved through second reading of another extensive group of bills on subjects including health care, criminal justice, transportation, education, firearms, housing, and state budget matters. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were recorded in the transcript beyond the procedural referral and reading of measures. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee meetings, birthday wishes for Representative Aaron Márquez, and notices that some committees would not meet. The chamber adjourned on a motion until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your line of questioning is appropriate.
• They feel is appropriate for each area.
• I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
• I think we had a robust conversation two sessions ago about what is appropriate, what's an appropriate
• So I think that the existing statutory language was appropriate two years ago and is appropriate today

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• agency, you'll see the air appropriation agency, you'll see the air appropriation increase<00:04
• see a cliff continuing appropriation. see a cliff continuing appropriation.
• Thank you very much. appropriation lines in a bill. Uh I just appropriation lines in a bill.
• Appropriations from this fund are not just appropriate; they're routine.
• These appropriations are common, expected, and essential to meet both the legislative intent of the ATV

Bills: HF2439

Keywords: environmental protection, pollution reduction, waste management, climate change, funding allocations, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee.
• Here, in this legislation, this is a wonderful proposal.
• This important piece of legislation empowers a small-scale housing...
• . ...amended and re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
• Committee on Appropriations. Wilson? Aye. The measure is out 8-2.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Summary: The committee hearing covered a large slate of local government and housing-related bills, with several authors presenting measures aimed at streamlining development, updating local government procedures, and addressing infrastructure and resource issues. Early bills included AB 2639 on Merced County flood control coordination, AB 1786 allowing certain local agencies to use best-value contracting, AB 2058 reducing duplicative permitting and inspection costs for factory-built housing, AB 2576 clarifying historic resource protections in housing law, AB 2568 increasing the number of compensated days for water district board members, AB 2224 updating county recorder fees and electronic recording requirements, AB 2469 requiring data-center water supply assessments and cost responsibility, and AB 2397 limiting local vetoes over housing infrastructure financing districts. Most of these measures drew support from local governments, housing advocates, or special districts, while some also drew opposition from business, county, or labor groups depending on the bill. The most extensive debate centered on AB 1751, which would create ministerial approval for qualifying townhome projects and establish a $28 hourly minimum wage floor for construction workers on covered projects, while expressly preserving prevailing wage law. Supporters, including the author, the California Conference of Carpenters, and housing advocates, argued the bill would expand homeownership opportunities, raise wages for largely non-union workers, and improve accountability through direct developer liability and enforcement provisions. Opponents, including several building trades organizations and some local government groups, argued the bill would undercut prevailing wage standards, reduce benefits, and could create broader wage pressure in the construction market. Committee members raised questions about land-use barriers, the wage floor, and the bill’s interaction with prevailing wage and federal law, and the author emphasized that the measure was intended as a wage floor rather than a replacement for prevailing wage. AB 2469 on data centers also drew a sharp split. Supporters said the bill would give local governments better information before approving water-intensive projects, protect overdrafted groundwater basins, and ensure data centers pay for needed infrastructure rather than shifting costs to ratepayers. Opponents from the Chamber of Commerce, the Data Center Coalition, and others argued the bill imposed unnecessary and potentially unconstitutional burdens, singled out one industry, and could create security and competitiveness concerns. Across the hearing, several authors asked for aye votes, and committee members repeatedly noted that the committee was still operating without a quorum, so no final votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm Thomas Calvan with the Texas Legislative Budget Board.
• It also includes a new rider that specifies that the racetrack reimbursements are appropriated as appropriate
• appropriations request.
• Uh, to general revenue on $9.4 million in appropriated funds.
• Our appropriations request is $1.1,424,070.

Transcript Highlights:

• and borrow from emergency appropriation and borrow from the<02:02:07.440> legislative<02:02:08.080
• appropriations. Senator Larson. appropriations. Senator Larson.
• I bring you section 325, legislative intent for future appropriation reductions. million available for
• I bring you section 325, legislative intent for future appropriation reductions.
• JAC added section 325, which states that the legislative intent is to reduce the appropriations of any

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These actions actually disrupted the legislative hearing.
• This legislation would give the region a viable GSA.
• The motion is due pass to the Appropriations Committee.
• Wilson will be due pass to Appropriations.
• AB 735, the motion is due pass to Appropriations. Ransom, aye.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• District legislative aides to come and go to the legislative session for 30 or 60 days.
• If a legislative staffer has to be somewhere on a regular basis, mileage and per diem is not appropriate
• legislative aides.
• by the legislators?
• Legislators, all right.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let's read the Appropriations Committee amendment. Mr.
• President, the Committee on Appropriations and Technology, having good association, SB 1517, Appropriation
• House Bill 2352, appropriation, Auditor General.
• House Bill 2352, appropriation, Auditor General.
• HB. 2352, Appropriation Auditor General. ATT.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and guest introductions for Pastor Caden Metcalf and later Doctor of the Day Jane Peterson. Members then approved the journal and took up a motion to reconsider Senate Bill 1827, which passed by division vote 13-12, bringing the bill back for further action. The chamber then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider several bills on the calendar. In Committee of the Whole, members adopted committee amendments and recommended do pass on SB 1041 (Arizona Trail Fund appropriation), SB 1131 (education-related appropriation and cardiac emergency response plan funding, with a floor amendment adding a placeholder amount), SB 1140 (misdemeanor record expungement/civil rights restoration), SB 1249 (Alzheimer’s disease/state brain appropriation and DHS reporting), SB 1275 (sentencing and imprisonment, with a floor amendment that drew criticism from Sen. Ortiz for limiting judicial discretion and expanding prosecutor control), SB 1517 (Barbering and Cosmetology Board appropriation), and SB 1673 (Crime Victim Notification Fund appropriation). Most committee and floor amendments were adopted on voice vote; SB 1275’s floor amendment was adopted by division, 15-13. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole report and moved to third-reading votes on a series of bills. SB 1161, SB 1209, SB 1598, SB 1118, SB 1399, SB 1563, SB 1564, SB 1629, SB 1754, SB 1041, SB 1131, SB 1140, SB 1249, SB 1517, and SB 1673 all passed, with recorded votes ranging from unanimous to divided; several members explained votes, especially on SB 1598 (community gardens in schools) and SB 1754 (special education parent support and FERPA concerns). The Senate then recessed, accepted a large batch of House bills for first reading and committee reference, heard committee meeting announcements, and adjourned until Monday, March 9, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's 500,000 left of that appropriation. appropriation. appropriation.
• This was part of 2024 appropriation legislation.
• This was part of 2024 appropriation legislation.
• the intent of the 2023 legislation. the intent of the 2023 legislation.
• <02:30:31.280> Uh legislators in a budget year. Uh legislators in a budget year.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• appropriations request.
• In Senate Bill 1, as introduced, Senate Bill 1 is nearly identical to TxDOT's legislative appropriations
• So when we submitted our legislative Appropriations request it wasn't in the base.
• In its legislative appropriations request, TxDMV has include an exceptional request of $175 million for
• This is a number of legislators.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We should vote this legislation out.
• do that to my knowledge is to do it through a supplemental appropriations bill. appropriations bill
• The University of Houston's legislative appropriations request associated with The writer states that
• and reductions in appropriations and giving direction and adjustment authority. appropriations.
• Thank you Appropriations Committee.

Bills: SB1, HB500, SB1, HB1400, HB 1094, HB365, HB 1109, HB647, HB500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• ability to adjust it appropriately ability to adjust it appropriately [clears throat] [clears throat
• . appropriation. appropriation.
• And now that the amendment has been appropriately moved, it's appropriate to get into what's actually
• for the legislative auditor.
• The legislature has all related and appropriate information so that we could take legislative action

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• . appropriations. appropriations.
• Senate file two, legislative budget. Senate file two, legislative budget.
• We had wildfire legislation.
• That's appropriate.
• That's appropriate.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Unanimous consent we go to our business introduction of legislation.
• Business introduction of legislation, the reader will read.
• former legislators as lobbyists for a period of two years after service as a legislator.
• I have a list: Legislative Council, Legislative Finance Committee, Legislative Education Study Committee
• , and Legislative Building Services.

Transcript Highlights:

• named direct appropriation then, uh, employs or contracts with a legislator.
• Just because it specifically targets special direct appropriations that end up benefiting legislators
• Just because it specifically targets special direct appropriations that end up benefiting legislators
• Just because it specifically targets special direct appropriations that end up benefiting legislators
• Just because it specifically targets special direct appropriations that end up benefiting legislators

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 3679, which would allow mandatory reports to legislative committees to be submitted electronically instead of on paper, was presented as a bipartisan efficiency measure by Representative Nash. The bill also carried an A1 amendment, adopted by voice vote, that addressed interim administrative authority for the Chief Clerk during a gap in caucus leadership and was described as a procedural fix worked out with caucus leaders. A second amendment, A2, offered by Representative Engen, sought to prohibit legislators from participating in appropriations to named nonprofit recipients that later employ or contract with them, arguing this created conflicts of interest and self-serving governance. Supporters said the amendment was needed for institutional integrity and taxpayer trust, while opponents argued it was too narrow, not well defined, and would unfairly single out certain jobs or industries; the debate included references to direct appropriations, conflict-of-interest rules, and examples involving nonprofits, law firms, farmers, teachers, and other outside employment. The A2 amendment was put to a roll call and failed on a 66-66 tie. After the amendment vote, the bill was read a third time and received broad support. Representatives Nash and Cleborne urged a green vote, and the House passed House File 3679 as amended by a vote of 132-0, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• sources and an appropriate dollar amount.
• I'm John Bjornson, legislative counsel.
• I've been asked to give you a little update on legislative staff needs and the legislative branch building
• But the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council are likely going to have to grow because this constant
• Much of the work that we have done was completed actually last legislative session, the 69th Legislative

Summary: The committee began with roll call, introductions of a new fiscal analyst and a new member, and approval of the March 19 minutes. The first major presentation was from the Office of Management and Budget on the state’s general fund and special fund status through May. OMB reported general fund revenues were running below the legislative forecast by about $76 million, driven largely by weaker individual income tax and sales tax collections, though the projected ending balance remained positive and above the budgeted level. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap and would transfer excess earnings to the general fund, and the legacy fund balance continued to grow. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing revenue variability. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analyses, followed by discussion of a bill draft for the fixed-route city transportation network study. The draft would create a $15 million general fund grant program with a formula-based distribution to eligible fixed-route transit cities, intended to support operating and capital needs and help match federal transit funds. Transit officials from Minot and Fargo testified in support, explaining local fare and match structures and the difficulty of replacing aging buses and securing federal matching dollars. Several members questioned whether the program should be limited to the current four cities or broadened to future eligible urban areas, and whether local funding sources should be explored further. The committee did not finalize the bill draft at that point and planned to continue discussion at a later meeting. The committee also approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to approval of a bi-state authority with South Dakota, after staff explained that no agreements had ever been implemented and the provision appeared outdated. A roll call vote was taken and the motion carried. Later, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site presented updates on uncrewed aircraft systems initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and efforts to build a revenue model for Vantis. Test site officials said FAA approval had been secured for the radar data program, replacement of noncompliant drones was underway, and future revenue could come from state and external users once pricing and intellectual property arrangements are finalized. Members asked about Chinese-made drones, supply chain issues, automation, and how the system would manage beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation then presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and a reentry housing study. Officials said the proposed facility would relocate the minimum-security prison to the penitentiary campus, reduce costs from an earlier estimate, and provide more beds and programming space, with construction potentially beginning in 2027 and opening around 2031. They also described staffing needs, the planned move of women to the New England facility, and possible expansion of men’s housing there. The parole and probation chief described a reentry housing task force studying housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with a goal of developing data-driven recommendations for subsidies and support services; a representative from Protection and Advocacy closed by expressing general support for fixed-route and paratransit funding.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's known as an estimated appropriation, an E appropriation.
• Do they have to have this appropriation with that staying appropriated language?
• clearly says, without legislative action, this sure looks like legislative action to me.
• I think also part of it is looking at legislation on what is appropriate and not appropriate for drones
• Obviously, I'm the budget guy, not the legislative guy. But we, I mean, we're appropriating.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fu, legislative assistant Michael Fu, legislative assistant senator<00:04:43.120> Fogar.
• <00:10:49.920> for<00:10:50.240> resilient appropriation for resilient appropriation for
• So that's extends that appropriation.
• amount that goes to the legislative amount that goes to the legislative coordinating<00:26:17.120
• repealing this statutory appropriation repealing this statutory appropriation as<00:34:16.399>

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:

• titled legislative titled legislative accounts<00:08:47.240> if<00:08:47.360> you<
• Yeah, the committee had a larger target for the 2023 legislative session.
• Yeah, the committee had a larger target for the 2023 legislative session.
• Yeah, the committee had a larger target for the 2023 legislative session.
• appropriated appropriated s<00:15:58.639> Mr<00:15:59.120> chair<00:15:59.440> and<

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Committee on Energy Finance and Policy met for an informational session and quorum was present, but the chair stated no action would be taken. Members and staff introduced themselves, and Chair Chris Swedzinski outlined the committee’s broad goals of improving Minnesota’s energy system for families and businesses, with an emphasis on affordability, reliability, and development. Several members echoed those priorities, especially concerns about electric reliability, base-load generation, and the needs of rural communities, co-ops, munis, farms, and small businesses. House fiscal analyst Ashley presented a budget overview for the committee’s jurisdiction. She reviewed spending and base amounts for the Energy Resources Division, the Renewable Development Fund, the Petroleum Tank Release Cleanup Fund, and the Public Utilities Commission, and explained that the committee also oversees special revenue and other accounts. She noted that the Renewable Development Fund is supported by utility payments for spent nuclear fuel storage, the cleanup fund by a petroleum distribution fee, and that the Commerce Department receives significant federal LIHEAP and weatherization funds. Members asked about the large increase in the Climate and Economic Development Fund and the status of recent appropriations; staff explained that the 2023 session set a larger target, that about $79 million had been spent from the relevant budget, and that some funds may carry forward. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on community solar gardens. Representative Dave Baker asked for an update on the program, and staff explained that Minnesota has about 1,600 megawatts of solar, with more than 900 megawatts in community solar. Staff said 2023 legislative changes capped annual additions and created new incentives for low- and middle-income participation. Members also discussed concerns about program cost, local siting opposition, and a large interconnection queue; staff said there is a backlog of projects, including a reported 56 gigawatts in the MISO queue, and that utilities need distribution upgrades to handle new capacity. No votes or formal actions were taken.