Transcript Highlights:

• Would you please rise and join me this afternoon for the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag at this time
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands

Keywords: HB 66 – discussion began at 00:03:37, 958, all

Summary: The House State Government Committee met and established a quorum after opening with the Pledge of Allegiance and introductions of several guests and interns. Representatives introduced their interns and other visitors, who were welcomed by the chair before the committee turned to its only agenda item, House Bill 66, sponsored by Representative Hodgson. The committee adopted a committee substitute for HB 66. Hodgson explained that the bill concerns the use of video meetings by public agencies, boards, and commissions. The substitute would require agencies to post members’ names, term dates, and contact information; allow routine, informational, or advisory meetings to be conducted entirely by video conference to reduce travel costs; require a physical quorum for meetings involving policy, taxation, regulation, or large grants; and require agencies to adopt procedures for remote participation. He emphasized that the bill would not affect legislative committee meetings. Members asked whether the bill would apply to local boards, whether board members are compensated for attendance and travel, and whether it would affect legislative committees. Hodgson said it would apply broadly to public agencies, including local boards such as library boards, but not to legislative committees. He also said compensation for attendance would remain unchanged, while travel expenses would not be paid when no travel occurs. The committee then voted HB 66 favorably with 18 yes votes and one pass, and later adopted a title amendment by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Please join me in pledge of allegiance to our flag. All right.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal of January 16, 2026, and then moved through committee reports and floor business. The State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee reported the appointment of Robert Davis of Boulder as executive director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and adjutant general, recommending it be placed on the consent calendar and confirmed. The chamber also considered House Joint Resolution 102, commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which was adopted by a vote of 32 ayes, 0 noes, with 3 excused. Several announcements were made about upcoming committee hearings, including SMART Act hearings for judiciary and transportation committees, as well as a blood drive and a fundraiser for the junior livestock sale. The Majority Leader announced that governor appointments would be read across the desk before adjournment and that members did not need to return later that day. The remainder of the meeting consisted of reading a long series of gubernatorial appointments to various boards and commissions, including the Colorado Coal Mine Board of Examiners, the Institute of Cannabis Research Governing Board, the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority, College Invest, the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, Colorado Mesa University, the Charter School Institute Board, the Private Occupational School Board, the Advisory Committee on Governmental Accounting, and the Colorado Banking Board. After the appointments were read, the Senate adopted a motion to adjourn and recessed until 9:00 a.m. on January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing and to join us in the flag salute.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We ask our guests and visitors to remain standing to join us in the flag salute.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• safely... parents and young people how to safely navigate the internet, making sure they know red flags
• So that is my one flag.

Bills: HB235, HB276, HB285

Keywords: social media, age verification, minors, under 16, children online safety, online privacy, platform regulation, deceptive trade practice, Attorney General, civil penalties, punitive damages, consumer protection, account creation, algorithmic feeds, internet safety, youth social media, minor safety, child online safety, teen accounts, parental controls

Transcript Highlights:

• We don't have a flag. I've done that one time before without a flag, and it was horribly awkward.

Bills: HB25, HB108, HB109, HB111, HB112, HB113, HB117, HB118, HB119, HB120, HB121, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB127, HB128, HB129, HB130, HB131, HB25

Keywords: emergency services, 911, local districts, joint operations, contracting, HB108, Alabama Sunset Law, sunset reauthorization, board continuation, speech-language pathology, audiology, licensing board, professional regulation, healthcare regulation, occupational licensing, speech therapist, speech pathologist, audiologist, Sunset Committee, Code of Alabama 1975

Transcript Highlights:

• There were a number of benefits around, for example, an honor and remember flag is a flag that's meant
• There were a number of benefits around, for example, an honor and remember flag is a flag that's meant
• There were a number of benefits around, for example, an honor and remember flag is a flag that's meant
• So, I think this would actually flag more people without tabs than it would, you know, just allowing
• So, I think this<01:26:35.880> would<01:26:36.000> actually<01:26:36.480> flag<01

Bills: HF3919, HF1335, HF3864, HF3916, HF3728

Keywords: veterans benefits, Secret War, Laos veterans, eligibility process, burial fees, veteran designation, electronic license, driver's license, digital credential, transportation, data privacy, authentication, license plates, vehicle registration, validation stickers, Minnesota statutes, transportation policy, aeronautics, transponder, aircraft safety

Transcript Highlights:

• So just flagging that. I'm not so sure I support that one.
• So just flagging that. I'm not so sure I support that one.
• So just flagging I'm thinking about.
• an internal uh we are able to flag an internal uh we are able to flag potential<01:25:00.320>
• So I just want to flag that this is a serious problem. Chair Scott and I have talked about it.

Bills: HF3874, HF3875, HF3378

Keywords: judicial funding, Chief Justice security, fiscal year 2028, court system, judicial branch, judiciary, court notices, restitution, child protection, publication process, human services, Optum reports, data privacy, transparency, legislative oversight, 1183, house

Summary: The committee approved the March 3 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on House File 3874, which was laid over for possible inclusion in a finance bill. State Court Administrator Jeff Shorba and Chief Judge Michael Fritz testified in support of a supplemental funding request focused on judicial branch safety and security, along with funding to cover the employer share of Minnesota Paid Leave costs. Shorba said the branch is seeking help because it did not receive funding for paid leave in the last session and is having to hold positions open to absorb the cost. The safety and security request included five parts: personal data protection for judges and court administrators, home security, two additional staff positions for threat assessment and coordination, security for the chief justice at public events, and a revived courthouse security grant program for counties. Testimony emphasized rising threats and incidents involving judges and court staff, including examples of doxing, home surveillance, and threats involving litigants, and cited increases in reported incidents, threats, and disturbances. Fritz said the branch’s current response system is stretched and that more law-enforcement-trained staff would improve coordination and response. Members questioned why the judicial branch should receive state funding for paid leave when private employers must absorb the cost, and Shorba responded that the branch was excluded from end-of-session funding decisions and that the mandate should be funded for all branches of government. Members also asked about the threat-response process and whether local law enforcement should be used more directly. Another concern raised was whether State Patrol troopers assigned to judicial security would have the training needed for criminal-code enforcement, and Shorba said the branch is discussing that issue with the State Patrol. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, you can let folks know or flag us down if you want us to meet you out there.
• Um, you can let folks know or flag us down if you want us to meet you out there.
• Um, you can let folks know<00:01:31.840> or<00:01:32.320> flag<00:01:32.640> us<
• us down uh if you want us know or flag us down uh if you want us to<00:01:34.479> meet<00:01:
• and uh participants uh want to just flag and uh participants uh want to just flag a<00:17:36.240

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enforcement fly the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia's flag
• southeast missing um and missing in the southeast Asia<00:18:36.600> Asia's<00:18:37.240> flag
• round<00:18:39.480> at<00:18:39.640> the<00:18:39.760> state Asia Asia's flag
• year round at the state Asia Asia's flag year round at the state capital<00:18:42.039> um<00:
• HEO doesn't have any line management, maintenance, or observations where they can flag something that

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on March 21, 2025, and heard several resolutions related to corrections, emergency preparedness, and wildfire risk. Early items included HCR 62/HR 57 on flying the National League of Families POW/MIA flag year-round at the state Capitol, for which no one testified, and HCR 154/HR 49, which would request a comprehensive forensic audit of DCR and DAGS spending tied to planning and building a new jail to replace the Ahu Community Correctional Center. The ACLU strongly supported the audit, arguing that the state has spent millions on jail planning over many years without clear accounting, that a new jail is unnecessary and fiscally irresponsible, and that public-private partnership arrangements could reduce transparency. Committee members questioned the use of the term “forensic,” the age of some cited allegations, and whether the auditor could instead conduct another type of audit; the ACLU said it was open to other audit language and offered to help compile background materials. No vote was taken in the portion provided. The committee also heard HCR 63, asking DCR to provide separate clinical counseling services for correctional staff, with one supporter, and HCR 23, which asks DCR to include circuit and district court facilities in planning the new Ahu Community Correctional Center and to establish a release procedure that avoids releasing detainees into residential communities or public spaces. DCR Director Johnson said the department supported the intent of HCR 23 and had discussed it with the Chief Justice and court administrator, adding that one multi-purpose courtroom could handle both district and circuit proceedings. The chair then moved on without further discussion. A major portion of the meeting focused on HCR 37, which asks HEMA to work with other agencies on outreach and preparedness for kūpuna. Testifiers from the Pearl City Neighborhood Board, AARP Hawaii, and the Hawaii Council of Community Associations supported the measure, citing the vulnerability of older adults and people with disabilities during disasters, lessons from the Lahaina fires, and the need for clear evacuation plans, siren reliability, and better coordination with care homes and condominium associations. Several speakers described local preparedness efforts and concerns about gaps in communication and implementation. The committee also discussed HCR 69/HR 62 on creating a vegetation management working group to reduce wildfire risk; the Division of Consumer Advocacy supported it, with testimony describing dangerous incidents involving vines and bamboo contacting electrical lines and causing sparking and a utility pole fire. The meeting ended with testimony and questions continuing on that topic, and no final committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• They had flags on them saying that they were from Israel. They had their Israel flags on them.
• Could you tell me approximately how big that flag was?
• It was the regular flag, not the holiday one yet, probably a 5 by 7.
• Bangladesh's national anthem and flag Bangladesh's national anthem and flag they<04:10:47.279>
• The national flag should be removed.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we had flagged this as a program integrity issue in the department that we had seen just this influx
• So, we had flagged this as a program integrity issue in the department that we had seen just this influx
• So, we had flagged this as a program integrity issue in the department that we had seen just this influx
• Vice Chair Gilman: You'll get to work to get us the direction we're going with the tomorrow. flags for
• me flags for me and<01:36:47.280> then<01:36:47.400> when<01:36:47.560> Mr.

Bills: HF4207, HF4338

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• communication and transparency from DHS, system glitches, delays caused by Optum's algorithm and error flags
• communication and transparency from DHS, system glitches, delays caused by Optum's algorithm and error flags
• communication and transparency from DHS, system glitches, delays caused by Optum's algorithm and error flags
• communication and transparency from DHS, system glitches, delays caused by Optum's algorithm and error flags
• By Optum's algorithm and error flags, and the DHS enrollment delays of 30, 60, 90, and beyond days where

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Potentially a checkbox on MDE complaints to kind of red flag them for restraint and seclusion allegations
• Potentially a checkbox on MDE complaints to kind of red flag them for restraint and seclusion allegations
• Potentially a checkbox on MDE complaints to kind of red flag them for restraint and seclusion allegations
• Potentially a checkbox on MDE complaints to kind of red flag them for restraint and seclusion allegations
• Potentially a checkbox on MDE complaints to kind of red flag them for restraint and seclusion allegations

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Seclusion Working Group approved the minutes from its November 5, 2025 meeting and then heard presentations from Jessica Heiser and Aaron Sansmark of Solutions Not Suspensions and the Minnesota Disability Law Center on the misuse and illegal use of seclusion in schools. They described illegal seclusion as including use outside emergencies, for discipline or noncompliance, beyond the emergency period, in unregistered rooms, without parent notice, without required observation or documentation, for students outside the grade-limit rules, when meals/restroom/water are withheld, or when staff are not properly trained. They emphasized that Minnesota lacks a single reliable data source for identifying illegal seclusion and that families often learn about incidents late, if at all, making complaints and legal action difficult because of barriers such as time, cost, language, and access to advocates. The presenters summarized Minnesota Disability Law Center records, saying they receive about one seclusion-related case per month during the school year, statewide, and that in the cases reviewed over the last year the children were all boys with disabilities, including autism, ADHD, developmental delay, or emotional disabilities; three were white and two were children of color, and four of the five were age 10 or younger. They said all of those families pulled their children from school afterward, and that five of five cases potentially had valid illegal-seclusion claims, though only three pursued legal action. They also noted PACER reports many discipline and behavior calls involving seclusion but does not keep hard records. The presenters proposed better statewide data collection, including identifying school buildings, staff, or students involved, reporting incident duration, and adding a checkbox on MDE complaints to flag restraint/seclusion allegations. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on disproportionality. The presenters cited national research showing students with disabilities and students of color, especially Black boys, are disproportionately restrained or secluded, while acknowledging Minnesota does not have a single statewide racial aggregate for seclusion. Members discussed whether banning seclusion would reduce misuse and disproportionality, whether it could increase physical holds or injuries, and whether the issue should be viewed in the broader context of emergency interventions. Heiser argued Minnesota is moving in the same direction as federal actions and other states that have restricted or banned seclusion, and noted that the current birth-through-third-grade ban has reportedly reduced seclusion by 40%. Other members agreed disproportionality is a serious systemwide problem, but emphasized the need to keep the conversation focused on seclusion and emergency use. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think this is really significant when they determine that, um, that there's a flag.
• /c><01:17:34.480> that<01:17:34.719> there's<01:17:34.880> a<01:17:35.040> flag
• that there's that there's a flag. that there's that there's a flag.
• Oregon uh recommends<01:18:30.480> shifting<01:18:30.960> Paris<01:18:31.280> flag
• c> recommends shifting Paris flag recommends shifting Paris flag beneficiaries<01:18:32.159> from<

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I also just wanted to flag a separation of powers issue on the A15 amendment, line 2.22.
• <01:19:50.280> this points um we have been flagging this points um we have been flagging this
• I helped put a data request together and got a lot of correspondence back, and I want to flag that as
• and<01:20:56.600> I<01:20:56.679> want<01:20:56.800> to<01:20:57.159> flag
• correspondents back and I want to flag correspondents back and I want to flag that<01:20:57.960>

Bills: HF25, HF1, HF428

Keywords: pregnancy support, women's health, maternity homes, nonprofit organizations, grant funding, abortion, family services, Office of Inspector General, inspector general, legislative audit, fraud prevention, waste and abuse, public funds, grant oversight, state grants, grant management, whistleblower protection, retaliation, subpoena power, data practices

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, are we flagging anything at this time, or we're going to— Who from?
• Chair, are we flagging anything at this time, or we're going to— You can flag any item you want to flag
• I'd appreciate that being flagged. Thank you. All right, Senator Dismang, you're recognized.
• We'll put a flag on the budget, uh, I guess Representative Lady, but you're the last one on the list.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations and took executive recommendations on several Department of Human Services divisions, including Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health Services; Children and Family Services; County Operations; Developmental Disability Services; and Medical Services, with most divisions showing little or no significant change in total appropriations. Staff and agency witnesses repeatedly explained that many large appropriations are maintained for flexibility, federal matching requirements, or contingency needs, even when actual spending is much lower than the authorized amount. Members also raised concerns about staffing vacancies, long-vacant budgeted positions, and the use of excess appropriation authority across DHS. In Aging, Adult and Behavioral Health, members questioned federal funding levels for mental health and substance abuse grants, the status of senior centers and Meals on Wheels, the Medicaid tobacco settlement program, community alcohol safety grants, and the veterans mental health grant. Agency officials said federal block grants are largely committed, that senior center funding had been delayed by shutdown timing but was now back on track, that the tobacco settlement program had been moved internally within DHS, and that the veterans mental health appropriation remains unfunded. Senators also criticized the adequacy of support for seniors and asked for more detail on how transportation, meal services, and local contributions are funded. In Children and Family Services, members asked about rising appropriation levels, foster care and adoption subsidies, professional fees, the number of children in foster care, and the Children’s Trust Fund. DHS said increases reflect added flexibility for residential treatment, adoption subsidies, and prevention services, while the foster care population has remained fairly steady at about 3,400 children. The Children’s Trust Fund was described as supporting primary prevention programs such as Baby and Me and community schools, and members asked whether it could be administratively combined with other efforts. Questions also covered TANF subgrants, with DHS explaining that it had reduced outside subgrants after discovering over-obligation and was rebuilding reserves. In County Operations, members focused on the summer EBT program, SNAP employment and training, the farmer’s market program, and the state’s TANF reserve position. DHS said summer EBT is still being funded through temporary appropriations because it is a newer program, SNAP employment and training is largely federally funded and may expand under a pending policy change, and TANF reserves were drawn down after prior over-obligation but are now being stabilized. In Developmental Disability Services, members asked about vacancies, human development center staffing, facility construction funds, and the Booneville work program, and DHS said the program has reopened and staffing recruitment continues. In Medical Services, members asked about FMAP, the Our Kids B CHIP program, school-based Medicaid reimbursements, nursing home distress funds, and several large appropriation lines that far exceed actual spending; DHS said these are maintained for claims payment, nursing home receivership contingencies, and other flexibility needs. Each division reviewed was adopted by executive recommendation after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other gentleman from San Juan, Representative Hernandez, with the pledge to the New Mexico flag.
• And you know this because they're burning things down and they're waving the flag of another country.
• beginning, but who want to contribute to America, be part of America, pledge allegiance to the American flag
• , and not raise a different flag above our flag. burn the American flag.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pledge of Allegiance, please remain standing and recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United
• 02:23.000> the recite the pledge of allegiance to the recite the pledge of allegiance to the flag
• That, to me, is concerning and raises a red flag. We want to talk about unelected billionaires.
• and<00:47:47.400> raises<00:47:48.040> a<00:47:48.400> red<00:47:48.839> flag
• <00:47:49.720> we is concerning and raises a red flag we is concerning and raises a red flag

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I pledge allegiance to the flag... ...to the flag and to the republic for which it stands, one nation

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, attendance, and routine journal and communication actions, including a temporary committee replacement appointment and confirmation of Todd D. Haney to the State Board of Education. The chamber then moved into the Committee of the Whole to consider House Bill 4001, which concerns vaping/nicotine product regulation. Members debated a committee amendment and a floor amendment offered by Senator Bolick; supporters described the bill as a first step toward regulating harmful products and keeping them away from children, while opponents argued it was too weak, lacked retail licensing and enforcement, and did not adequately protect public health. The Committee of the Whole adopted the amendments and recommended the bill do pass, and the full Senate later passed HB 4001 on a 24-0-1 vote after additional debate on the same public health and enforcement concerns. The Senate then took up several other measures on final reading. House Bills 2720, 2078, 2501, 2686, and 2574 all passed, with votes ranging from 17-7 to 26-0. The chamber also concurred in House amendments to several Senate bills, including SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1214, and SB 1478. During debate on HB 2078 and other bills, members used points of personal privilege to recognize staff and explain votes, but no additional amendments were adopted on those measures. On final readings, SB 1566, dealing with residential construction and delay enforcement, passed 17-9 despite concerns that its definition of malicious delay was too broad and could invite litigation. SB 1067, SB 1172, SB 1232, SB 1426, and SB 1478 also passed, with some members speaking in support of homeowner protections, administrative changes, or liquor policy updates, while others opposed the liquor bill and raised public health concerns about alcohol access in border communities. The Senate concluded by announcing party caucuses and adjourning until June 1, 2026.