Transcript Highlights:

• > greater Minnesota workforce housing greater Minnesota workforce housing development<00:03:24.480><c
• </c><00:04:21.199><c> Housing</c> line 19, the Greater Minnesota Housing line 19, the Greater Minnesota
• </c><00:13:20.160><c> Greater</c><00:13:20.480><c> Minnesota</c> Greater Minnesota Workforce Development
• </c> communities across Minnesota. communities across Minnesota.
• </c><00:31:53.600><c> I</c> Minnesota residents. So, thank you. I Minnesota residents.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> the NRA and Rob Door from the Minnesota the NRA and Rob Door from the Minnesota Gun<00:05:03.560
• of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.
• I urge this committee to Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> on behalf of the residents of Minnesota. on behalf of the residents of Minnesota.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard Chair Bliss present HF 13, a bill to change Minnesota self-defense law so that a person using reasonable force in resisting an offense against the person would not be required to consider retreat. Bliss tied the proposal to a recent Minnesota Supreme Court case involving a man at a light rail station and argued the court had effectively created a duty to retreat that the legislature had never enacted. He said the bill would codify the right to stand one’s ground while still leaving reasonableness to judges and juries. Supporters Bryan Gosh of the NRA and Rob Door of the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus testified that Minnesota’s duty-to-retreat rules are confusing, judicially created, and out of step with other states. They argued the bill would clarify self-defense law and protect people who defend themselves or others, citing examples from other states and a Texas church shooting to argue that a retreat requirement can endanger victims and bystanders. Opponents Maggie Emery of Protect Minnesota, Sarah Erickson of Giffords, and Don Einwalter of Moms Demand Action argued the bill would function as a “shoot-first” law, increase homicides, worsen racial disparities, and make communities and law enforcement less safe. They cited studies linking stand-your-ground laws to higher homicide rates and pointed to incidents in Florida and Minnesota involving firearms and children. The committee also took up two amendments. Representative Hollins offered an amendment on safe and secure firearm storage, saying it was intended to reduce child access to guns and suicides; she requested a roll call. Chair Bliss opposed it, saying current law already covers negligent storage and that the amendment was too broad, including for a rural constituent who keeps a shotgun by his door. Representative Hudson and Representative Pinto argued over whether current law is sufficient and whether the amendment would remove needed flexibility. The transcript ends during discussion of the amendments, with no final vote or disposition recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• From and the common good of Minnesota.
• May our great state of Minnesota.
• </c><00:10:25.200><c> I</c> state of Minnesota and Taiwan. I state of Minnesota and Taiwan.
• Whereas in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister-state relationship with Taiwan, and Minnesota
• Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan Minnesota businesses to refer to Taiwan as as as Taiwan<00:13

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to park in the parking lot. ...health in Minnesota.
• You ask how many North Dakota speed in Minnesota? And you go, oh, I don't speed in Minnesota.
• So would we be putting a Band-Aid on this that we couldn't continue in the future?
• And so this is a Band-Aid that's focused on this.
• We could not send money out to the schools for the foundation aid payment.

Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings and then filled a vacancy on Legislative Management by appointing Senator Braunberger after a caucus recommendation. Members then took up an unusual appeal from the North Dakota Gaming Commission after the Administrative Rules Committee voided a rule that would have raised the poker tournament entry fee from $300 to $1,500. Legislative Council explained the administrative rules process and the grounds for voiding a rule, while Gaming Commission representatives argued the commission had statutory authority and that the issue should be left to the full Legislature. Several members raised concerns about legislative intent, precedent, and whether the matter should wait for the regular session. On a motion to disapprove the Administrative Rules Committee’s finding and restore the rule, the committee voted no, so the voiding of the rule remained in place. The committee then reviewed the fiscal impact statement for Constitutional Measure No. 1 on congressional age limits. Staff reported no current fiscal impact because no litigation had been filed, though members noted the possibility of future legal challenges if the measure were enforced. After that, the committee began hearing proposed bills for the upcoming special session, starting with several kratom-related measures. Representative Wolff withdrew her bill, saying it was redundant, while Representative Heinert presented a bill to legalize and regulate natural kratom for adults 21 and over under the Attorney General, with licensing, labeling, penalties, and a public health campaign. Senator Axtman presented a companion bill targeting synthetic kratom derivatives, placing them on the controlled substances list with penalties similar to marijuana. Legislative Council later outlined Representative Johnston’s separate kratom bill, which would regulate kratom under the Department of Agriculture with product registration, licensing, and enforcement provisions. The committee also heard Senator Hogue’s bill to address funding for the State Historical Society’s military museum project. He argued the state was in breach of contract and that delaying action would increase costs, so his bill would authorize a $35 million line of credit to keep construction moving while fundraising continued. Members questioned the relationship between the proposed line of credit, existing SIF funding, and the private fundraising requirement, but no vote was taken before the meeting moved on. Finally, Representative Sue Ann Olson began presenting a bill requiring the Class D driver’s license test to be administered in English, arguing it was a safety measure because road signs are in English and law enforcement encounters can be complicated by language barriers. The transcript cuts off before her testimony concluded or any action was taken on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• So with regard to the use of funds on a supplemental basis, how would this Representative Harris, thank
• And when you hit zero, the only option that we have is to go up for supplemental levies and raise property
• school districts then decided, well, we're going to give it to janitors or we're going to give it to aides
• Others made decisions from the board to either add aides, add a teacher, and so some got a little bit
• Others made decisions from the board to either add aides, add a teacher, and so some got a little bit

Committee: House Education

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all the hard work on behalf of Minnesota all the hard work on behalf of Minnesota students.<00:15
• </c> lot and and we need this in Minnesota. lot and and we need this in Minnesota.
• </c> bill for the state of Minnesota. bill for the state of Minnesota.
• </c><01:09:23.359><c> to</c> to be brought forward in Minnesota to to be brought forward in Minnesota
• ,</c><01:10:46.880><c> and</c> than ever before in Minnesota, and than ever before in Minnesota, and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.
• , the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.
• , the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Explore Minnesota Tourism.
• </c><00:28:03.799><c> in</c> region and I think across Minnesota in region and I think across Minnesota
• </c><00:44:55.400><c> gun</c> Rob door from the uh Minnesota gun Rob door from the uh Minnesota gun owners

Committee: Senate Taxes

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Spotlight is produced by the Minnesota Senate and Senate Media Services.
• Some legislators in Minnesota have only ever served in a trifecta circumstance, and so this might be
• Just head to our Minnesota State Legislature website, that's leg.mn.gov.
• </c><00:13:20.880><c> first</c> race horses helping Minnesota first race horses helping Minnesota first
• You can find the application on our Minnesota Senate Careers page.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: This episode of Senate Spotlight focused on several nonpartisan Senate offices and programs that help lawmakers and the public understand the legislative process. It highlighted the Civility Caucus, where Republican Sen. Zach Duckworth and DFL Sen. Grant Hauschild work to build relationships across party lines, especially important in a closely divided Senate and during a bonding year that requires a two-thirds vote for infrastructure spending. Speakers emphasized that the caucus is about civility, empathy, and laying groundwork for future bipartisan work rather than guaranteeing agreement on specific bills. The program also explained how Minnesotans can track legislative activity through the Senate Journal and the fiscal review. Staff described the Journal as a public record of votes, amendments, roll calls, and other actions, useful for checking how senators voted on bills that passed or failed. The fiscal review was presented as a nonpartisan, award-winning summary of the enacted budget, with examples of how readers can find spending details by page and a discussion of plans to make the document more interactive and web-based. Viewers were also directed to the Senate website to look up senators’ contact information and to the Legislature’s bill-tracking system. Another segment covered Senate File 901, a bipartisan bill by Sen. Eric Pratt that funded an equine-assisted therapy program for first responders dealing with trauma. Testimony described how the program has helped police, firefighters, dispatchers, and correctional officers stay on the job and recover mentally, with lawmakers noting its strong support and practical benefits. The episode also featured Senate pages and interns, who described their behind-the-scenes work supporting committee meetings and learning the legislative process, and concluded with a segment on Capitol art and a new public gallery meant to inspire good government and showcase Minnesota artists.

Transcript Highlights:

• that like we're throwing a Band-Aid on a that like we're throwing a Band-Aid on a bullet<00:28:48.760
• </c><00:35:33.280><c> in</c> that dime to the state of Minnesota in that dime to the state of Minnesota
• Landscape</c> of the Minnesota nursery and Landscape of the Minnesota nursery and Landscape Association
• Minnesota are not for profit often and Minnesota are not for profit often and like<01:07:10.760><c> mine
• </c><01:15:26.480><c> are</c> ch heare centers across Minnesota are ch heare centers across Minnesota

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our last investment was on the Fair Share supplemental budget last year.
• I rise in support of $1 million for the METCO program to supplement the cost for student transportation
• Given the confines of this bill before us, the Fair Share debate in this supplemental budget, it's not
• Now, one of the things, Madam President, that was originally in this supplemental spending document,
• It's in this supplemental budget that is quite concerning.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate considered a supplemental appropriations bill and a series of amendments focused on education, health, transportation, tax administration, and oversight. Senator Kennedy spoke in support of increasing funding for DTA caseworkers to improve SNAP access and reduce delays, but then withdrew the amendment by unanimous consent. Senator O’Connor’s amendment adding $500,000 for Free Period to provide free menstrual products in public schools was adopted, as was Senator Miranda’s $1 million METCO transportation and student support amendment. Senator Collins briefly proposed extending paid family and medical leave and unemployment insurance coverage to graduate student workers, but withdrew that amendment for later discussion. Several amendments were debated and either adopted or rejected. Senator Tarr’s proposal to create oversight of the Group Insurance Commission and fund an Inspector General review was defeated after opposition argued existing oversight was sufficient. Tarr also offered amendments on MBTA deficiency fund withdrawals and on requiring 90 days’ notice before state tax code decoupling changes; both were rejected after standing votes. Senator Driscoll’s amendment for Randolph Public Schools restroom improvements was adopted, while his veterans student loan forgiveness amendment was withdrawn. Additional amendments were adopted for Bridgewater Middle School water filtration, Uffum’s Corner Health Center, and NeighborHealth’s pharmacy technician training program for local high school students. A major discussion centered on school funding and enrollment declines. Senator DiDomenico withdrew an amendment that would have provided $100 million to address Chapter 70 funding losses tied to enrollment drops, but he and Senator Collins used the floor to argue that districts facing declining enrollment and rising costs need a broader state response. The Senate also adopted a new draft of the supplemental budget and then passed the bill to be engrossed by a roll call vote, with 35 members in the affirmative and 4 in the negative. The chamber then adjourned to meet again Monday, and did so in memory of Arthur H. Tobin, a former Quincy mayor, state legislator, and clerk magistrate.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1191, Medicare supplement insurance ALS ESRD. SB 1192, license exemption basic first aid.
• SB 1195, appropriation legal assistance services aid.
• SB 1270, correctional officers supplemental contributions.
• B. 1270 correctional officers, supplemental contributions. Finance.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Third reading of the bill, an act making appropriations for fiscal year 2026 to provide for supplementing
• I rise in support of House Bill 5264, an act making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2026.
• Unfortunately, when it comes to the distribution of supplemental fair share money, we're following a
• I want to bring your attention back to April of 2025 when we had before us the supplemental at the time
• free school meals, I do, free tuition, and fares, but these funds could have gone directly to local aid

Summary: The House convened with the Pledge of Allegiance, received and placed on file the resignation letter of Rep. Vanna Howard of Lowell, and adopted several routine committee reports. These included extensions of reporting deadlines for the Healthcare Financing and Public Health committees, concurrence with Senate petitions sent to Housing and Public Safety and Homeland Security, and suspension of Joint Rule 12 for a petition concerning children involved with DCF. The chamber also adopted a resolution commending the Admetek Foundation on Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. The main business was House No. 5264, a fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill totaling about $1.8 billion. House leaders described the bill as using Fair Share surtax surplus funds for transportation and education, addressing MBTA reserves, safety and infrastructure, special education circuit breaker costs, early education and childcare, and other deficiencies such as GIC costs, sheriff deficiencies, heating assistance, and World Cup-related expenses. Members also discussed the bill’s tax conformity provisions responding to federal tax changes, with supporters arguing the bill would reduce a projected revenue shortfall and preserve competitiveness while delaying some conformity changes. The House considered several amendments to the supplemental bill. Amendment 43, which would have redirected $100 million of Fair Share funds to a per-capita municipal distribution for roads and schools, drew debate over equity and rural road needs but was rejected on a roll call, 25-128. A consolidated amendment was then adopted on a roll call, 148-0, and the bill itself was passed to be engrossed on a roll call, 150-3. The House also adopted an amendment setting the next day’s meeting time and then adjourned to meet the following day at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• on the committee substitute for Senate Bill 1, I intend to lay out House Bill 500, which is the Supplemental
• It's for state-aid school districts and charter schools, which is an increase of $16 billion in all funds
• I want to again call attention to the significant funding of $364.2 million. ...in financial aid by the
• Members, House Bill 500 is the supplemental appropriation.
• TEA only plays a supplemental role in terms of school districts, obviously being the target audience

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB 1

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota Counties, Minnesota County Attorneys Association, Minnesota Association of County Social Services
• , Legal Aid, as well as NAMI Minnesota, and many other organizations."
• , Legal Aid, NAMI Minnesota, and many other organizations. not mean that we're opposed to this.
• ,</c><00:18:15.520><c> Legal</c><00:18:15.880><c> Aid,</c> Liberties Union of Minnesota, Legal Aid, Liberties
• Union of Minnesota, Legal Aid, as<00:18:17.080><c> well</c><00:18:17.400><c> as</c><00:18:17.560><c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:15.879><c> comes</c><00:02:16.080><c> down</c><00:02:16.200><c> to</c> licenses in Minnesota
• comes down to licenses in Minnesota comes down to three<00:02:16.680><c> things</c><00:02:17.480><c>
• up with them thank you very Minnesota up with them thank you very much<00:03:36.319><c> we</c><00:03
• Does this mean Minnesota would be bound to whatever standards AAMVA decides now and in the future?
• </c> May one day replace or supplement May one day replace or supplement existing<00:13:16.160><c> identification

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• If the executive is correct, will we be coming back looking at a supplemental or something to fill in
• Madam Chair and members, SB 1798 establishes the Financial Aid Awareness Program within the Department
• of Education to recognize public schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support
• of Education to recognize public schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support
• of Education to recognize public schools that provide financial aid awareness activities and support

Summary: The meeting began with a JLBC presentation on the state budget proposal. Staff reviewed revenue changes from the April forecast, which lowered expected growth slightly, and then walked through major tax policy provisions. Those included full conformity with HR1 for the current tax year, a shift to the provisions of SB 1106 for future tax years, new deductions for retirement/pension distributions and Roth IRA contributions, an increase in the dependent credit, and a child and dependent care subtraction. Staff said the tax changes had an overall fiscal impact of about $1.4 billion over four years. They also described offsets from repealing several tax credits and exemptions, including solar-related tax breaks, a renewable energy production credit, a new employment tax credit, a refundable R&D credit for smaller employers, and a pollution-control device credit, totaling about $75 million in added revenue. Another budget item would redirect Arizona Commerce Authority Competes Fund lottery distributions to the general fund. Members asked questions about the budget’s effect on ACCESS eligibility checks, state employee health insurance funding, and cuts to one-time funding for area agencies on aging and Alzheimer’s programs. The committee then moved to caucus items on several bills. HB 2249, as amended by the Senate, would expand the parents’ bill of rights to include access to a child’s complete educational record and notice if school staff facilitate social transitioning, and would require investigation of prior violations; the sponsor concurred with the amendment. HB 2035 would require DCS and courts to identify and consider extended family for kinship foster care placement, with Senate changes shortening a reporting deadline and adding adopted family members to the definition. HB 2170 would bar state contracts for electronic or IT goods with PRC-controlled companies, with a certification requirement added in the Senate. HB 2573 would remove a waiting period for ignition interlock restricted licenses after DUI revocation and adjust psychotherapy language. HB 2415 on kratom would classify synthetic kratom as a narcotic drug and add advertising, packaging, and retail restrictions, but the sponsor intended to refuse the Senate changes. HB 2873 would let local petition sponsors withdraw municipal referendum petitions retroactively, which members noted could affect the Marana data center petition effort. The final bill discussed, SB 1798, would create a Financial Aid Awareness Program in the Department of Education to recognize schools that support FAFSA completion. Members questioned whether the department would need additional staff or resources, but no fiscal note had been provided. The meeting ended with recognition of interns and a brief photo opportunity before the caucus moved into closed session.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in the state of Minnesota. in the state of Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• Go, organize a food drive through our partners at Community Aid Network Minnesota, CAN MN.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• That's the Minnesota I know. That's the Minnesota I love.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, you know, we've seen a lot of public benefits scandals in the news — Minnesota, for instance
• Access has a number of these supplemental payment programs that it makes to providers when they meet
• A Minnesota example—I was in Minneapolis last week—we’re now over a little over $9 billion in the Medicaid
• We have to go to Summit, or we get a Band-Aid.
• SNAP exists to supplement a family's grocery budget so that you can afford the nutritious food essential

Committee: House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee began with a presentation from the Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter and Dr. Anna Burke of Barrow Neurological Institute on the growing impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia in Arizona, the need for earlier diagnosis, better provider education, caregiver support, and continued research funding. They described current gaps in training and access to specialists, but also highlighted new therapies, lifestyle interventions, and Arizona-based research efforts. Members expressed support and optimism, but no action was taken on the presentation. The committee then heard HB 2202, which appropriates $300,000 from the general fund over fiscal years 2027 through 2029 for a dementia care tele-mentoring grant program through the Department of Health Services. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association, a dementia specialist, and a patient advocate, said the program would help primary care providers diagnose dementia earlier and improve care. The bill was passed out of committee on an 11-0 vote. Next, the committee took up HB 2251, the midwifery bill, which would authorize certain licensed midwives to dispense and administer specified medications and devices, require liability insurance disclosure and annual reporting, and create a Midwifery Advisory Committee. A committee amendment removed some medications and renamed the bill the Jordan and MacTerry Act. ACOG and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association opposed the bill as drafted, citing concerns about oversight, peer review, and the medication list, while licensed midwives and other supporters argued the bill would improve safety, transparency, and alignment with national standards. The bill was held for further stakeholder work, with members indicating more amendments were likely. The committee then heard HB 2252, which would allow certified nurse midwives, certified professional midwives, or licensed midwives to accompany a patient in a ground ambulance during an out-of-hospital birth if approved by medical direction. Supporters described cases where continued midwife involvement during transport helped newborns and mothers, while firefighters and EMS representatives opposed the bill as written, saying it created ambiguity about command and scene control and could raise safety concerns. The chair said the bill would be held for further stakeholder meetings and possible language changes. After a recess, the committee reconvened for presentations on federal Medicaid and rural health funding impacts, beginning with JLBC’s overview of H.R. 1’s Medicaid provisions and the rural health transformation grant program.

Transcript Highlights:

• The supplemental need last year... ...is quite a significant amount.
• There's not an ESA supplemental request, but Mr.... It's not an ESA supplemental request, but Mr.
• That's with a supplemental cost show... Hold on.
• Um, have you submitted those supplemental requests yet directly to me?
• submit that supplemental request to us.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee met to review the governor’s fiscal 2027 budget presentation, with the chair repeatedly asking members to keep questions brief and avoid speeches. The discussion focused first on the overall revenue and spending outlook, including concerns from members that the executive forecast was more optimistic than the JLBC baseline and that the budget appeared to front-load revenue and expenditure growth. The governor’s budget team said the forecast was close to JLBC’s, that the budget was structurally balanced, and that differences were roughly $100 million per year on ongoing revenue. Members asked for follow-up calculations in writing, including the total multi-year gap and the amount of revenue enhancements above base revenues. A major portion of the meeting centered on tax and fee proposals tied to data centers, water use, and sports betting. The governor’s team defended eliminating the existing data center tax incentive as the removal of a loophole rather than a new tax, arguing the incentive had already succeeded in attracting major investment. They also described a proposed Department of Water Resources fee-setting authority for data centers to support a new Colorado River Protection Fund, and said the proposal would apply to existing and future facilities without a grandfather clause. Members raised concerns about fairness, competitiveness, and whether the changes would require a supermajority vote. The team also discussed increased sports betting fees, saying the revenue forecast did not include dynamic behavioral effects. The committee then moved through major spending areas, including corrections, public safety, border security, cybersecurity, K-12 education, Medicaid, and developmental disabilities. The governor’s budget includes ongoing funding to prevent correctional officer pay cuts, money to comply with prison health care court orders, probation funding, body-worn cameras, law enforcement staffing, fentanyl task forces, and cyber readiness grants. Members questioned the lack of funding for a prison oversight committee and asked for corrections spending totals over the administration. On border security, the executive said it was seeking about $759.7 million in federal reimbursement for border-related costs and that the governor had met with federal officials, including Secretary Noem and Tom Homan, about the request. In education, the budget proposes renewing Prop. 123, adding K-12 base funding, and issuing $1.5 billion in school facilities bonds over three years; members debated whether the proposal was appropriate and whether Prop. 123 revenues could support the debt service. The meeting also covered AHCCCS cost growth and federal HR1 impacts, with the executive warning of major coverage losses and hospital funding reductions, and DDD funding, where the governor’s team said the budget fully funds services and includes about $120 million in supplemental needs. No votes were taken; the meeting was a presentation and question-and-answer session only.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> years we didn't say don't send Aid years we didn't say don't send Aid because<00:18:18.520><c> of
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before
• Thank you, Madam Speaker, and the gentleman from Minnesota has invited me to Minnesota to fish before

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 1012, house, all