Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to build a brighter future for all.
• And that’s how these conversations impact us.
• I don't want this to be a hell-weighted conversation. It needs to be not a conversation at all.
• , and many of the buildings are historical buildings that make it more difficult to do this.
• We accept the department's gesture to continue the conversation.

Summary: The hearing began with opening remarks on the Governor’s May Revision for child care and human services, with committee members and advocates stressing that the budget should not be balanced on the backs of low-income families, children, and providers. Legislative members and public witnesses strongly opposed the proposed suspension of the child care COLA, reductions to the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program, and the lack of codified rate reform tied to the alternative methodology. Several speakers also urged more support for providers affected by the Eaton fire and other disasters, and called for child care to be funded at the true cost of care and for additional slots to be restored. Administration, LAO, and Department of Education staff described the child care proposal as maintaining existing funding levels while adding administrative resources to prepare for federally required prospective payment changes and single-rate reform. The administration said the May Revision would suspend the 2025–26 COLA and reduce Bridge Program funding to align with utilization, while the LAO raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed rate-reform and prospective-payment funding and recommended rejecting a Department of Technology exemption. CDE supported continued early education investments but said it would need additional resources if prospective pay were extended to state preschool, and it objected to a proposed reallocation of preschool funds for inclusive education grants. The committee then moved to the IHSS portion of the May Revision. DSS outlined five major proposals: capping provider work hours at 50 per week, eliminating IHSS for undocumented adults age 19 and older, shifting certain Community First Choice reassessment penalties to counties, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test as a conforming IHSS reduction, and automating the termination of IHSS when Medi-Cal eligibility ends. DSS also discussed funding to implement a federal HCBS access rule and a separate reassessment of IHSS administrative methodology that found counties would need additional administrative funding. Finance said the proposals were intended to slow program growth and improve sustainability, while the LAO said it was still analyzing the package and raised concerns about implementation, county workload, and the potential loss of services. Committee members and public commenters criticized the IHSS cuts, especially the overtime cap and the elimination of services for undocumented adults and people affected by the asset test. Advocates argued that IHSS workers and recipients depend on these services, that county administration is already underfunded, and that the proposals could destabilize vulnerable consumers. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue to fight for child care and would not pause on child care, and the meeting recessed before moving on to the remaining May Revision items.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, if you would turn to page 4, that building, the CCAT building from UNM, you could see the design
• So you're going to build this big building and it's going to follow the Western campus calendar probably
• You're maybe a little longer than the time frame it took you to build the building, but here's your next
• institutions one building at a time or five buildings at a time, but we're going to build them within
• Chair, if we get an architect that gets an award after he builds a building, we ought to penalize him

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this conversation would have been a better conversation in January to give a little bit more
• , community building collaboration. ...regard that they have a long history of this consensus building
• , community building collaboration.
• We also have Version 2 that will build upon this.
• Thank you. ongoing conversations. Thank you. Thank you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• building confidence these students are building is<00:03:50.080> translating<00:03:50.680>
• <00:15:20.800> those school and high school building those school and high school building
• <01:23:23.360> and not have any aeds in the building and not have any aeds in the building
• <01:23:37.400> um secured us one AED in the building um secured us one AED in the building
• continues to be a topic conversation continues to be a topic conversation when<01:24:48.440>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But my response to them was always, "I can build drainage without roads, but I don't think you can build
• They create new watersheds by building up these expressways.
• We have a planned build-out goal of 225 stations by 2034.
• And then you have the incentive issue of who builds, who's...
• So that would be a good starting place for this conversation.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've done a lot of conversations around federally supported programs and all that are A lot of conversations
• And so I think that's part of the conversation.
• I think the conversation is to the... ...to the state.
• I think the conversation is, to the point that Ms.
• I think that's been part of the conversation. I think it's a healthy part of the conversation.

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the prior minutes and then shifted to an update from Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva and Deputy Commissioner Stacey Smith on early childhood education, especially the state-funded Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program. They said Arkansas had received a federal Preschool Development Grant and described ABC as a large state program with about 23,800 funded slots and roughly $114 million in annual appropriations. Department officials said they are reviewing slot allocations because about 1,000 seats are funded but unfilled, while more than 2,000 families are on waiting lists, and they plan to reduce or reallocate slots from providers that have not filled them over several years. They also said they are examining whether income thresholds, curriculum expectations, daily rates, and summer programming should be updated, and members raised concerns about access, local control, transportation, and whether the program should better align with K-12 choice and school readiness goals. The committee agreed to form an early childhood subcommittee and asked the Bureau of Legislative Research to help gather historical data and other information for future discussion. The committee then received a legal presentation from BLR attorney Taylor Lloyd on the constitutional and statutory framework for education adequacy in Arkansas. She reviewed the Dupree and Lake View cases, explaining that the state must maintain a general, suitable, and efficient system of free public schools, and that adequacy and equity are distinct but related concepts. She emphasized that the General Assembly is responsible for defining adequacy, studying whether the system meets that standard, and reacting to the evidence, while the courts ultimately decide constitutional compliance. Lloyd also explained the current adequacy definition, the role of the matrix as a funding tool rather than a spending mandate, and the distinction between unrestricted foundation funding and restricted categorical funding. BLR’s Elizabeth Bynum followed with a historical overview of how Arkansas responded to the court cases and developed the current adequacy process. She traced major legislative actions from the 1980s through the Lake View litigation, including the creation of funding formulas, categorical aid, isolated funding, declining enrollment funding, and the 2003-2004 adequacy study that led to the Continuing Adequacy Evaluation Act and the matrix used to set foundation funding. She also described later changes to the adequacy statute, the financial reporting requirements for districts, and the ongoing use of surveys, stakeholder testimony, and consultant studies in the biennial adequacy process. Members asked questions about whether private or homeschool programs could use public funds for expenses like utilities, whether stakeholders should include those groups, the difference between average daily membership and attendance, and whether school board members are surveyed; staff said those issues would need further research or were outside the scope of the presenters’ role.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we build them? >> Mr. Chairman, that is a very good question. I don't know.
• Um, how we build all this, it's going to take a team effort for sure.
• Um, how we build all this, it's going to take a team effort for sure.
• Um, how we build all this, it's going to take a team effort for sure. Mr.
• Um, how we build all this, it's going to take a team effort for sure.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, one of the things that we really work to do at the Business Council is build local capacity
• it's a conversation I... ...it's a conversation I think we need to continue to have, is if we're not
• When those building blocks are in place, Wyoming wins.
• Think of building a strong economy like baking a cake.
• And I really appreciate that this is a conversation that you're having here.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I may have missed that in conversation with the chief.
• So I really appreciate today's conversation.
• So I really appreciate today's conversation.
• He also recognized that building lasting change demands building bridges across communities.
• The most important thing that we can do is build faster where we know it is safe to build, and infill

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber. Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12. The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you want to model yourself after anyone in this building, that would be the person. ...in this building
• this building that frustrates us.
• We're state winners in the Custom Pit Build Smoker Division.
• We've had a bunch of good conversations this year. Yep.
• We’re there to build relationships with the students.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen law enforcement officers with a moment of silence, and several members gave farewell remarks for departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including student groups, interns, a former representative, and the University of Missouri wheelchair basketball team. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports before acting on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015. The sponsor explained the Senate amendment was a technical correction to an online age-verification provision related to pornography; the House concurred 104-30 and then finally passed the package 112-25. The chamber also considered the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health plan measure that modernizes pooled-plan language and adds a 12-month contraception coverage provision while removing a Senate-added blood pressure cuff requirement. After debate on the conference report and a severability clause, the House adopted the report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. Finally, the House debated Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program allowing schools to optionally place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement authority on campus. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, training standards, liability, funding, and whether the proposal would improve protection or instead increase the presence of guns in schools. Supporters argued it would give districts another optional safety tool, especially where school resource officers are unavailable, while opponents said schools need more mental health and educational resources rather than armed personnel and raised concerns about training, child development, and unintended harm. The House adopted an amendment clarifying the program after a 96-46 vote, but the transcript cuts off before final passage of the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• . buildings. buildings.
• rate recover for those builds.
• conversations with stakeholders. conversations with stakeholders.
• or conversations afterward as needed. or conversations afterward as needed.
• want to be part of this conversation." want to be part of this conversation."

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, there's been many conversations conversations conversations about<00:19:25.880> how<00:19
• So, we should build a that here.
• 00:25:17.440> and welcome any continuing conversation and welcome any continuing conversation
• . conversations. conversations.
• > stability<01:14:48.560> with you're building this stability with you're building this

Bills: HF495, HF4321, HF3902, HF4161, HF3755

Keywords: day care, tax subtraction, child care costs, licensed child care, dependent care assistance, HF4321, dependent care assistance programs, gross income exclusion, federal conformity, Internal Revenue Code, individual income tax, Minnesota tax law, tax conformity, child care assistance, employer-provided dependent care, taxable income, state income tax, retroactive tax change, family care benefits, housing tax credit

Transcript Highlights:

• Happy to keep in conversation question. Happy to keep in conversation with<00:17:33.840> you.
• Thank just a conversation to continue.
• important to get this conversation important to get this conversation going.<00:51:48.320> As
• um thank you for the conversation. um thank you for the conversation.
• <01:26:28.320> with<01:26:28.440> counties, conversation with counties, conversation with

Bills: HF3426, HF3896, HF1426, HF3793, HF4061, HF4246

Keywords: natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, wild rice, watercraft regulation, environmental protection, aquatic ecosystems, HF1426, product stewardship, extended producer responsibility, EPR, electronics recycling, e-waste, battery recycling, circuit boards, printed circuit boards, electrical products, covered products

Transcript Highlights:

• So this conversation is very difficult.
• But I do appreciate the conversation.
• We're building a rescue ship right here. We're building search... my heart.
• We're building a rescue ship right here. We're building search.
• We're building a rescue ship right here.

Bills: HB2665, HB2904, HB2917

Keywords: manslaughter, suicide encouragement, assisted suicide, online harassment, social media, text messaging, directed communication, minor suicide, youth suicide prevention, criminal liability for speech, online bullying, free speech, homicide, class 2 felony, Cade's Law, Arizona criminal law, sovereignty, border security, health crisis, drug cartels

Transcript Highlights:

• And so by pushing that out to year 20, it brought the building closer to that age that buildings are
• Then, once they're ready to build, they will submit a building application for that site-specific lot
• To build, they will submit a building application for that site-specific lot, and we will do more of
• So we essentially don't review the building itself; it's more of the lot.
• I think that I'm beginning a conversation of trying to build a $6 million... ...startup fund that would

Summary: The Senate Housing Committee heard presentations on a range of housing finance, permitting, and affordability tools. Chattanooga described its affordable housing PILOT program, which uses a per-unit property tax abatement tied to the rent loss from providing affordable units, with a 15-year term and annual compliance monitoring. Committee members asked about the program’s structure, whether it had been used elsewhere, and who was participating; the presenter said the first mixed-income project would bring 278 units with 42 affordable units and that the model was attracting private market-rate developers. Shoreline then described its MFTE and inclusionary zoning approach, emphasizing that longer tax exemption periods and station-area zoning changes had helped spur development, with most current pipeline projects concentrated near light rail stations. The committee also heard from the Municipal Research Services Center and the Department of Commerce on tax increment financing, proportional impact fees, and permit timelines. Commerce explained that TIF can fund public improvements such as roads, utilities, broadband, and some affordable housing or child care facilities, while proportional impact fee guidance is intended to help jurisdictions charge fees more closely aligned with actual project impacts. On permit timelines, Commerce presented its first annual report under recent law changes, using 2024 as a baseline year and noting that reported timelines were generally longer than statutory goals; members asked about outliers, paper versus electronic processing, and whether back-and-forth between applicants and staff was driving delays. Commerce said it would follow up with more data, including on CHIP funding and permit reform practices. Several local governments then shared permitting process improvements. Auburn reported relatively short review cycles and described its move to fully electronic permitting, internal performance standards, and a stock plan program that speeds review for repeated home designs. Bellevue described an AI permitting pilot with a local startup to help with pre-application questions, document triage, and plan review, aiming to reduce incomplete applications and revision cycles. Seattle presented a pilot for accessory dwelling unit co-development in which a mission-driven partner would help homeowners split lots, finance, build, and manage ADUs, with the homeowner eventually buying out the partner and retaining ownership; committee members asked about rent setting, management fees, and default risk, and staff said they would follow up. The committee also heard brief overviews of community land trusts and limited equity cooperatives as permanent affordability models, with presenters urging continued state and local funding support and policy recognition for these approaches.

Transcript Highlights:

• continuing conversations continually continuing conversations with<00:34:03.679> um,<00:34:04.000
• :46:03.680> a<00:46:03.920> collaborative conversation and it was a collaborative conversation
• at<01:06:56.400> the<01:06:56.559> school conversations at the at the school conversations
• <01:20:02.719> here want to offer to the conversation here want to offer to the conversation
• difficult decisions and conversations. difficult decisions and conversations.

Bills: HF630, HF1435, HF1607

Keywords: short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Members, please take your conversations >> Members, please take your conversations
• Um, delicate investigatory conversation.
• <00:28:12.960> a we have worked very hard to build a we have worked very hard to build a public
• build here in our state. build here in our state.
• that different conversation. Thank you. that different conversation. Thank you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, quorum call, approval of the prior journal, adoption of standing committee reports, second readings of House Files 3131, 3241, and 3436, and first readings of House Files 3814 through 3922. The chamber also referred House Resolution 6, calling for the impeachment of Governor Tim Walz, and House Resolution 7, calling for the impeachment of Attorney General Keith Ellison, to the Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The main floor debate centered on House File 3412, which would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty, including local, state, and federal agents, with stated exceptions. Representative Long moved to suspend the rules so the bill could be recalled from committee and brought to final passage. Supporters, led by Representative Finke, argued that masked, unidentified officers undermine public trust, intimidate communities, and should not be allowed to operate anonymously; they framed the bill as a public safety and transparency measure. Opponents, including Representative Noatne, said the bill was poorly written, unnecessary, and could interfere with legitimate law enforcement needs, urging a no vote. Other members spoke at length on both sides. Supporters described recent incidents involving masked federal agents, family separations, and fear in communities, arguing that Minnesota should require identification and accountability for anyone enforcing the law. Opponents emphasized the professionalism of peace officers, the need for masks in some situations, and the importance of not stripping humanity from law enforcement. Representative Pinto also supported the motion, saying transparency and accountability are essential and that masked officers resemble “secret police.” The transcript does not include the final roll-call result or final disposition of the motion/bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• A Minnesota uh builds its guidance. A Minnesota uh builds its energy<00:35:55.839> future.
• Building.
• Building.
• <01:16:19.679> the conversations, we also consider the conversations, we also consider the
• With that, we are adjourned." willing to have conversations about this willing to have conversations

Bills: HF3458, HF3777, HF3778, HF3912

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Summary: The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony. Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested. Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• Have you had conversations with the proponents about the bill?
• I started learning about how the students would be taught how to build bridges, how to build these giant
• I started learning about how the students would be taught how to build bridges, how to build these giant
• We have family liaisons in every school building, helping to build relationships with and increase family
• When we build a community around our schools, we build the foundation for every child's success.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education heard testimony on several bills centered on school accountability, receivership, graduation requirements, charter school access, community schools, school libraries, and student voting rights. Much of the discussion focused on the Thrive Act, S. 374, which would end state receivership and change the state’s accountability approach. Supporters, including educators, parents, advocacy groups, and students, argued that receivership has not improved outcomes in districts such as Lawrence, Holyoke, Southbridge, Boston, and the Dever, and that local communities should have more control, with greater emphasis on community schools, wraparound services, and broader measures of school quality. They also supported related bills on community schools and school library standards, and several witnesses backed a bill to expand student representative voting rights on school committees. Opponents of S. 374, especially charter school leaders, parents, students, and some education advocates, focused on Section 4 of the bill, which would change the charter school net school spending cap in the lowest-performing districts. They argued that the provision would reduce access to charter seats in communities where families are seeking more options, and that schools such as Roxbury Prep, Excel Academy, Brook, Veritas Prep, and Libertas Academy have produced strong results for students, including students of color, low-income students, and students with special needs. Several witnesses said the section would force schools to shrink or close and would remove opportunities for families in districts with long waitlists. Committee members questioned witnesses on both the effectiveness of receivership and the charter school cap language. Chair Lewis and Chair Gordon emphasized the need for a better accountability system and noted concerns about whether current measures, including MCAS-based designations, accurately reflect school quality. Some witnesses said they had discussed the possibility of removing Section 4 from the Thrive Act and suggested it might be addressed in separate charter reform legislation. No votes were taken during the hearing; testimony was received and the committee later closed testimony on S. 374 and several related bills before moving on to the student voting rights bill, S. 367.

Transcript Highlights:

• University on the former Ford Building University on the former Ford Building site.<00:04:47.440
• > when<00:08:36.960> uh Uh our conversation earlier when uh Uh our conversation earlier
• for the conversations. for the conversations.
• :46:13.640> the conversations with several on the conversations with several on the committee,
• They're going to be building there soon. They're going to be building there soon.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all