Transcript Highlights:

• It allows Minnesota competitiveness.
• </c> affairs director for the Minnesota affairs director for the Minnesota Department<00:15:24.639><c
• Yes, that thing in the public ledger. That's that thing in the public ledger.
• :46:39.280><c> the</c><00:46:39.440><c> best</c> Minnesota has some of the best Minnesota has some of
• </c> appraiser, past chair of the Minnesota appraiser, past chair of the Minnesota Real<00:47:21.200>

Bills: HF3604 , HF2236 , HF3709 , HF3766 , HF2400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to be directing my comments to the issue of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission,
• My series of bills will ensure the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission has, number one, public
• made Minnesota left less commission have made Minnesota left less safe<00:04:47.080><c> by</c><00:04:
• My series of bills will ensure the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission has, number one, public
• Safety in Minnesota impact on Public Safety in Minnesota while<00:08:49.279><c> Fanning</c><00:08:50.200

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, to act as a be durable uh will ensure a public uh be durable uh will ensure a public uh support
• And regardless of whether Commission.
• </c><00:48:21.599><c> House</c> murder as well as the Minnesota House murder as well as the Minnesota
• So laws uh governing public officials.
• Um that are were Commission.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the rule of law with U.S. Representative Ed Case. Chair Carl Rhodes opened by explaining the purpose of the briefing, noting it was being livestreamed and that public testimony would not be taken in the usual way. He described the rule of law as central to democracy and introduced Case, who was invited to discuss the concept and its relevance to recent federal actions affecting Hawaii. Case framed the rule of law as a durable system grounded in the Constitution, federal laws, separation of powers, and checks and balances, with each branch of government and the public itself playing a role. He emphasized that Congress makes the laws, the president executes them, and the courts decide whether the Constitution and laws are being followed. He also stressed that elected officials swear to uphold this structure and that the rule of law is distinct from ordinary policy disagreements. Case then argued that the Trump administration has undermined the rule of law through actions such as dismantling or weakening agencies created and funded by law, withholding appropriated funds, removing inspectors general and other independent officials, ignoring or challenging court orders, weakening the independence of agencies like the Department of Justice and the Federal Reserve, and intimidating dissenting voices, the press, and other opponents. He said these actions have harmed Hawaii and reflect a coordinated effort to concentrate power in the executive branch. He noted that Congress has not been serving as an effective check, while federal courts have been the main remaining check through more than 46 lawsuits, and he identified voters as the ultimate check and balance, briefly correcting the timing of the next midterm election to 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• investment in public, in art, Which was the largest public investment in art since the Great Depression
• I will say that public funding, we would not be able to get public funding into our rural communities
• But we also know that public funding, public cultural infrastructure reaches people where they are, and
• They can expand into public goods, historic preservation, cultural... ...expand into public goods, historic
• So we're going to go to public comment.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on how recent federal actions are affecting arts, culture, humanities, libraries, museums, and the creative economy in California. Chair Ben Allen and Vice Chair Chris Ward opened by describing the hearing as a response to proposed and ongoing federal cuts to the NEA, NEH, IMLS, and public broadcasting, as well as grant terminations and leadership changes at cultural institutions. Several members emphasized the economic and civic importance of the arts, while one Republican member argued for greater ideological diversity in the arts and noted the loss of music programs in small schools. Testimony from Aaron Harky of Americans for the Arts and Jolie Fisher of SAG-AFTRA described the impact of federal policy on grants, jobs, and production. Harky said executive orders and the FY 2026 budget proposal threaten arts agencies and arts education, and that rescinded grants are causing hiring freezes, shutdowns, and losses for small organizations, especially in rural and underserved communities. Fisher focused on runaway film and television production, outdated tax rules, and the need for federal incentives, intellectual property protections, and action on AI and digital replicas. Members also discussed bipartisan support, the role of business and tourism partners, and the need to include more diverse voices in arts advocacy. The second panel featured Rick Noguchi of California Humanities, Greg Lucas of the State Library, and Danielle Purcell of the California Arts Council. Noguchi said NEH funding was cut immediately, putting California Humanities’ grantmaking and documentary programs at risk and prompting consideration of litigation and possible state support. Lucas reported that IMLS funding for California libraries was briefly canceled but partly restored, though a budget gap remains. Purcell said the California Arts Council is still awaiting federal award language for state partnership funds, but NEA grant terminations and the proposed elimination of federal cultural agencies create major uncertainty; she also said the council is assessing the damage and tracking impacts on grantees. Members asked about measuring outcomes, AI’s threat to creative work, documentary funding losses, and possible state and national strategies to protect cultural institutions and jobs.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> industry here in the state of Minnesota. industry here in the state of Minnesota.
• I'm proud to be from Minnesota, proud to be a farmer here in Minnesota.
• I'm proud to be from Minnesota, proud to be a farmer here in Minnesota.
• I'm proud to be from Minnesota, proud to be a farmer here in Minnesota.
• I'm proud to be from Minnesota, proud to be a farmer here in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• It came before the Uniform Law Commission before we were on the commission.
• It came before the Uniform Law Commission before we were on the commission.
• </c> Now we'll move into general public Now we'll move into general public comment.
• policy and public non-profit uh public policy and public interest<01:20:37.920><c> litigation</c><01
• </c> And do we have any public comment? And do we have any public comment?

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• I believe this publication was provided to you with your agendas.
• The public submitted written comments.
• public entities.
• Seeing none at this time, now we'll entertain public comment.
• See no further public comments? All right, it's your... Okay, we just have the public comment.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s new Career Education Master Plan and related budget items. Labor Secretary Knox described the plan as an effort to reduce fragmentation across K-12, community colleges, workforce boards, and other systems by improving statewide and regional coordination, data sharing, skills-based hiring, career pathways, and wraparound supports such as child care, housing, food, and transportation. Members asked how success would be measured, how the plan would serve disconnected youth and adults, and whether the proposed data integration would rely on Cradle to Career; the secretary said it would. The Department of Finance said it was available to answer questions on the education side. The committee then reviewed existing CTE funding and oversight. The LAO, CDE, and Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office described the major ongoing programs, including CTIG, Perkins, K-12 Strong Workforce, and Community College Strong Workforce, and noted that many programs overlap in purpose and administration. Members repeatedly raised concerns about duplication, annual applications and reporting burdens, lack of clear outcome metrics, and whether funding incentives should be better aligned to regional collaboration. CDE and the Chancellor’s Office said they support alignment and dual enrollment, and Finance and CDE said LCFF/local match dollars are part of the funding structure. The committee also discussed child care as a barrier to participation and the need for better tracking of enrollment, completion, and job outcomes. On the consolidated application proposal, Finance proposed a study directing CDE to examine whether three long-standing CTE grant programs—Specialized Secondary Programs, CTIG, and California Partnership Academies—could be streamlined into a single application and reporting process. The LAO supported reducing administrative burden but noted that the largest programs, CTIG and K-12 Strong Workforce, were excluded from the proposal even though districts most often cite them as burdensome. CDE said it did not oppose the study but warned that statutory differences may limit consolidation. Members said the proposal should better address regional coordination, multi-year funding stability, and outcome measures rather than only simplifying paperwork. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a $5 million ongoing California Education Interagency Council. GovOps said the council would provide a neutral venue for statewide coordination across education and workforce systems. The LAO opposed the proposal, arguing that existing bodies already provide coordination, the proposal does not change agency incentives, and the council would lack authority to implement decisions. Members expressed mixed views, with some supporting a coordinating body and others questioning whether it would differ from past efforts. No votes were taken during the portions summarized here, and the committee indicated it would hold some items open for further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, we will close the public hearing on House Bill 2483 and open the public hearing on House Bill
• We’ve talked to the Uniform Law Commission.
• With that, we will close the public hearing on House Bill 2400 and open the public hearing on House Bill
• public.
• The vapor tax was doing some good work, funding public health for foundational public health services

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2483, which would create an annual data broker registry at the Department of Licensing beginning in 2027. Staff explained that data brokers would have to register, pay a fee, and disclose information about the types of data collected, security measures, opt-out options, and whether precise geolocation or consumer health data is involved. Prime sponsor Rep. Kloba said the bill is intended to make data collection and resale more visible to consumers and to address harms such as scams, tracking, and surveillance pricing. Testimony was mixed: TechNet, the Association of Washington Business, and the Washington Retail Association opposed the bill as drafted, saying the definition of data broker is too broad and could sweep in businesses that are not true data brokers, while the sponsor and committee members discussed possible clarifying amendments and public-data carve-outs. The committee then heard House Bill 2400, which would regulate monetized social media content featuring children. Staff described provisions requiring vloggers above certain revenue thresholds to register with the Department of Revenue, creating trust accounts for minor children appearing in monetized videos, allowing young adults to request deletion of monetized childhood content, requiring reporting by social media services, and establishing civil penalties and statutory damages. Rep. Reeves said the bill is meant to draw a line between ordinary family posting and monetizing children online, citing concerns about child labor protections and exploitation. TechNet and AWB opposed the bill, arguing that social media platforms should not be made the middleman for trust accounts and that the private right of action and enforcement structure should be revisited; they urged further work during the interim. Finally, the committee took testimony on House Bill 2439, an omnibus tobacco and vapor product bill. Staff said it would create a responsible vendor program, raise license fees and penalties, require retailers to buy from licensed wholesalers or distributors, add certification requirements for vapor manufacturers, study extended producer responsibility for vapor waste, expand lab testing authority, tighten age-verification rules, prohibit certain imitation or entertainment vapor products, remove state preemption so local governments could adopt stricter rules, and redirect portions of tobacco tax revenue to public health accounts. Supporters, including public health groups, King County, the American Heart Association, and pediatricians, backed the youth-prevention, local-control, and funding provisions. Industry and retail witnesses opposed the bill, focusing on the loss of preemption, higher fees, compliance burdens, and the risk of pushing sales to the illicit market; some also argued the bill should rely more on state-level uniform regulation and stronger enforcement rather than new restrictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, let's go back to public comment.
• Yes, we're ready for your public comment. Oh, hello.
• We're ready for your public comment.
• I think Florida, Utah, Kentucky, California, and Minnesota.
• Because I know we said seven, we said three for California or Minnesota or something.

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill only regulates New Mexico public bodies.
• If public bodies are not able to use public property to detain immigrants for federal civil immigration
• policy when it comes to issues here to do with public safety and public health.
• These are matters of public policy when it comes to issues here to do with public safety and public health
• of traditional state authorities that go to police powers, public health, and public safety, including

Committee: House House Consumer & Public Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> have across the state here in Minnesota have across the state here in Minnesota and<00:14:47.639
• </c><00:54:15.000><c> laws</c> enacted would be um in Minnesota laws enacted would be um in Minnesota
• like utilization, but current law.
• </c> positive support staff across Minnesota positive support staff across Minnesota particularly<01:
• </c><01:46:17.480><c> and</c> particularly in Greater Minnesota and particularly in Greater Minnesota

Bills: HF2367 , HF2319 , HF2523 , HF1742 , HF671 , HF2331 , HF2722 , HF2406 , HF1674

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislature also passed SB 1440, which authorized the California Public Utilities Commission... .
• ..also passed SB 1440, which authorized the California Public Utilities Commission to develop a procurement
• And there's an extensive process that's sort of been set up by the Public Utilities Commission and the
• In its 2025 report to the Legislature, the Public Utilities Commission forecasted annual average rate
• SB 1366 requires both the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission

Committee: Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications

Transcript Highlights:

• that's supporting public schools, we could take care of that Blue Ribbon Commission.
• that's supporting public schools, we could take care of that Blue Ribbon Commission.
• that's supporting public schools, we could take care of that Blue Ribbon Commission.
• So two things to keep in mind. 90% of the kids in Minnesota go to public schools.
• So two things to keep in mind. 90% of the kids in Minnesota go to public schools.

Summary: House Republican leaders and Speaker Melissa Hortman held a press event promoting House File 3490, which would opt Minnesota into a federal education tax credit program. They argued the bill has no state cost and would keep donations made by Minnesotans benefiting Minnesota students and schools rather than out-of-state scholarship organizations. Supporters said the funds could help with tutoring, extracurriculars, school supplies, special education-related services, learning loss, and other school needs, and they repeatedly urged Governor Tim Walz to opt in or publicly explain why he would not. Rep. Andrew Myers, the bill’s chief author, said the proposal is personal to him as a parent and legislator and described recent school budget pressures, including staff and resource cuts and larger class sizes. Rep. Ben Bakeberg, a middle school principal, said the bill could generate significant funding if many taxpayers participate and argued it could help offset school district shortfalls and the Blue Ribbon Commission. Rep. Griesbach also backed the bill, calling it a “no-brainer” and saying he would not work with the governor on other budget items unless the governor opted in. In response to questions, supporters said scholarship-granting organizations could be created by a variety of entities, including education foundations, and could support both private-school tuition and public-school-related costs such as extracurricular fees, field trips, and transportation for summer learning. They rejected the idea that the bill pits public and nonpublic schools against each other, saying it is meant to expand educational opportunity for all students. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the event; it ended with questions from reporters on the bill and other Republican priorities such as rental assistance, gas taxes, and energy costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• we ever had in this state was brought by the public to create the public utility districts so that they
• sure that the PUD districts would be able to deliver broadband as a public utility.
• Thank you. ...make sure that the PUD districts would be able to deliver broadband as a public utility
• Confirmed as a member of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.
• Barton, is confirmed as a member of the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission.

Bills: SCR8410 , SCR8410

Keywords: returning bills to house of origin, sine die, end of session, legislative procedure, Rules Committee, third reading, unfinished business, pending bills, joint resolutions, concurrent resolutions, joint memorials, special session, bill numbering, legislative records, House of Representatives, Washington Legislature, session adjournment, procedural resolution

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid, from Sotomay from Minnesota Springs. I'm the finance director for Eda Foss County.
• I'm with the Idaho Potato Commission, and I'd like to introduce Sam Eaton.
• So the commission was established in 1937.
• Our industry, our commission, is an industry commission.
• The Potato Commission and our family farms have done such a good job over the years.

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:29:58.080><c> House</c> to the Minnesota Constitution. House to the Minnesota Constitution.
• </c> amendment to modernize how Minnesota amendment to modernize how Minnesota manages<00:30:38.240><
• </c> must be, shall the Minnesota must be, shall the Minnesota Constitution<00:31:18.000><c> be</c><00
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> to all of Minnesota. to all of Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Legislature also passed SB 1440, which authorized the California Public Utilities Commission... .
• ..also passed SB 1440, which authorized the California Public Utilities Commission to develop a procurement
• And there's an extensive process that's sort of been set up by the Public Utilities Commission and the
• Public Utilities Commission, 84 of us, which represents about 15% of the state.
• SB 1366 requires both the California Public Utilities Commission and the California Energy Commission

Summary: The committee heard several energy, water, and utility bills, with extensive testimony on cost, ratepayer impacts, and climate or reliability goals. SB 919 by Senator Grayson would extend the biomethane monetary incentive program through 2030 and support renewable natural gas development by reducing interconnection cost barriers. Supporters said RNG helps methane reduction and organic waste diversion, while opponents, including TURN and environmental groups, argued the bill could shift costs to ratepayers and subsidize combustion-based fuels, especially dairy digesters. The author said committee amendments removed the rate-basing provisions and instead urged the CPUC to act quickly on its pending decision; the bill was left for a later vote. SB 931 by Senator Laird would reauthorize the Diablo Canyon Community Impact Mitigation Program through 2030. Supporters said San Luis Obispo County and local schools rely on the funding for emergency preparedness and public safety, while TURN argued the extension would add about $47 million in statewide ratepayer costs and should instead be paid from existing PG&E deal revenues. Members discussed the bill as a continuation of the 2022 Diablo Canyon agreement, and the author said the measure simply restores the five years omitted from that deal. The committee also heard SB 1215 by Senator Cortese, which would direct the CPUC to set deployment targets for EV charging in multifamily housing. Supporters said renters and apartment residents are largely shut out of home charging, and that prior utility programs showed the model can be cost-effective and beneficial to ratepayers. The bill was amended to address affordability, ratepayer benefits, and limits on major system upgrades. SB 1295 by Senator Stern would create a framework for using distributed batteries and other local resources to solve grid constraints more cheaply than traditional infrastructure. Supporters said it could improve reliability and reduce costs by targeting batteries where they provide the most grid value, while utilities said they were open to continued discussion. SB 1359, also by Senator Stern, would require the CPUC to more carefully evaluate major gas infrastructure investments and alternatives such as electrification before approving new spending. Environmental groups supported the bill as a guardrail against stranded assets, while gas utilities opposed it, warning it could undermine the obligation to serve, create safety and reliability risks, and retroactively change the rules for approved investments. On water policy, SB 1125 by Senator Menjivar would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program upon appropriation. Supporters said about 1.6 million households have water debt and that affordability is a statewide issue, not just a problem for disadvantaged communities. Some members raised concerns that the bill lacked a funding source and that state mandates, such as chromium-6 treatment requirements, already strain local water agencies; the author and supporters responded that the bill includes administrative caps and transparency measures and is intended to work alongside future funding. The committee then heard SB 1098 by Senator Pérez, which would restrict the use of utility memorandum and balancing accounts by requiring exceptional circumstances, adding sunset dates, and creating cost-sharing or lower-return rules for certain spending. TURN and other supporters said the accounts allow utilities to recover costs after the fact with too little discipline, while Edison and PG&E opposed the bill, arguing that some costs are unpredictable and that the CPUC already has a formal review process. SB 1125 was moved to Appropriations with a roll call, and the roll was left open for additional votes; the other measures were discussed with no final committee actions announced in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota comes out ahead economically. Minnesota comes out ahead economically.
• Minnesota has a very robust utility rebate program. It is what's driving efficiency.
• Minnesota has a very robust utility rebate program. It is what's driving efficiency.
• </c> We're not talking about utility costs. We're not talking about utility costs.
• </c> long term about those utilities costs. long term about those utilities costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It caps the state grant to match tuition increases at Minnesota State and the University of Minnesota
• Treats the of Minnesota schools at 1%.
• So this is a other public systems.
• to utilize that space.
• , and protects the public coffers.

Bills: HF2431 , HF2438 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We want people to get out in Minnesota and utilize these.
• We want people to get out in Minnesota and utilize these.
• We want people to get out in Minnesota and utilize these.
• </c><01:10:41.679><c> There</c><01:10:41.840><c> are</c> Minnesota and utilize these.
• There are Minnesota and utilize these.