Transcript Highlights:

• But every time I'd ride that booger, why, he'd kept me sitting tight.
• It's all I can do to ride him.
• But darn it, I hate to see you ride that blue bugger, son.
• But the ride I saw that day just plum defied description.
• Sorry, I misjudged your riding skill,' he said.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• having a not too different debate right now about automated vehicles and what that will do to our ride-share
• drivers and our ride-share economy here in Minnesota.
• <00:23:01.840> share<00:23:02.159> drivers that will do to our ride share drivers that
• will do to our ride share drivers and<00:23:03.039> our<00:23:03.280> ride<00:23:03.520
• ride share economy here in and our ride share economy here in Minnesota.<00:23:05.520> Just<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting focused on proposed Minnesota legislation to ban surveillance pricing and restrict AI-powered electronic shelf labels in grocery stores. Speakers from UFCW 1189 and UFCW Local 663, along with Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura and Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, argued that these technologies could enable real-time price increases based on consumer data, undermine budgeting and privacy, and worsen affordability for families. They also said the technology could reduce hours or eliminate jobs for grocery workers who currently handle pricing and store knowledge, with UFCW Local 663 estimating about 500 affected jobs among its members alone. Testimony emphasized examples such as baby formula, diapers, bananas, and milk to illustrate how fluctuating prices could hurt families, seniors on fixed incomes, and people in food deserts. Speakers also argued that grocery workers provide essential customer service and that automation should be introduced responsibly, not at the expense of workers or consumers. Murphy and Sencer-Mura framed the bill as a response to corporate greed and big tech surveillance, saying Minnesota should act proactively before the practices become widespread. During questions, lawmakers and advocates discussed whether the issue was proactive or reactive, whether disclosure requirements like those used in New York would be sufficient, and how surveillance pricing differs from loyalty programs or coupons. Speakers said disclosure alone would not prevent tracking or price manipulation and that the goal was to stop the practice altogether. The transcript ended with the advocates saying they would continue meeting with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle; no vote or final committee action was recorded in the excerpt, though one question referenced a related bill stalling in committee earlier that morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, just the two existing light rail lines serve one-third of all transit rides in the metro.
• in the Metro a successful transit rides in the Metro a successful transit<00:15:46.480> system
• I just want to start by echoing the sentiments that Council Member Ellison shared.
• Ward 5 in Minneapolis and Robinsdale share a border, and I can assure you that our constituencies are
• I just want to start by echoing the sentiments that Council Member Ellison shared.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not to connect major riding areas like Ride the Wilds was.
• It's not to connect major riding areas like Ride the Wilds was.
• It's not to connect major riding areas like Ride the Wilds was.
• It's not to connect major riding areas like Ride the Wilds was.
• was part of ride the Wilds ride the was part of ride the Wilds ride the Wilds<03:47:18.840> um

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee took up several bills in executive session, beginning with HB 568 on subdivision regulations concerning water supply. Representative Donnelly moved ITL, arguing the bill would create costly studies, that towns already have jurisdiction over needed studies, and that the issue was not widespread. The committee voted ITL 9-7. HB 582, dealing with safety requirements for personal watercraft, was also moved ITL on the grounds that existing law already covers the issue and the bill was unnecessary after recent action on personal flotation devices. Representative Derby opposed the ITL, saying the bill was a common-sense safety measure and would restore a misdemeanor penalty, but the committee voted ITL 9-7. The committee then retained HB 595, relative to coastal resilience zones, after members said the bill was important but needed more work and time because of its complexity. Members noted it should be revisited later, and the motion to retain passed 16-0. HB 607, funding the Hampton Beach Area Commission and making appropriations, received an ought-to-pass recommendation 15-1, with support from members who described Hampton Beach as an important economic driver and one dissenting member saying the state should not bear the full cost. The committee also adopted Amendment 2025-3 on HB 624, establishing a local river management advisory committee grant program, by a 16-0 vote; the amendment shifted funding decisions to the Department of Environmental Services based on demonstrated need and a first-come, first-served process. The bill as amended then received an ought-to-pass recommendation 16-0 and was placed on consent. Later, the committee retained HB 629, funding the operation, maintenance, and repair of state dams, after members said the dams need attention but the bill required more work because suggested amendments had just been received. That motion passed 16-0. HB 644, concerning drones in state parks, was ITL’d because the Department of Parks and Recreation is already working through rulemaking on UAS use in remote areas, and the committee voted 16-0 for ITL. HB 657, the short notice booking act access for New Hampshire residents to state parks, was also ITL’d at the request of the prime sponsor, passing 16-0. The committee then adjourned and announced a later hearing on HB 663, which would allow the Division of Historical Resources to use a portion of Moose plate funds for administering its grant program; testimony from the sponsor and the division supported the bill as clarifying existing authority, and no final vote on HB 663 was included in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to go ride the rides. We're going to go look at all the animals.
• We're going to go ride the rides. We're going to go look at all the animals.
• We're going to go ride the rides. We're going to go look at all the animals.
• And the other side is the country kids get to come to town and ride the rides.
• And as I thought about that, Mr.... ...get to come to town and ride the rides.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:05:20.560> their conversation with class to share their conversation with class to share
• <00:14:40.440> one Minnesota and then I'll just share one Minnesota and then I'll just share
• We're still not giving what 10,000 rides a month the people need, something like that.
• but it's like that's over 100,000 rides but it's like that's over 100,000 rides a<01:13:57.800><
• called on to um uh give someone a ride called on to um uh give someone a ride from<01:15:17.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• cost for your share?
• share local cost share preliminary cost share local cost share analysis<00:27:18.440> and<00:
• ago uh I found out that our local share ago uh I found out that our local share for<00:31:41.840
• <00:32:11.639> our<00:32:11.880> cost our local share our cost our local share our
• their their share the cost share<00:37:43.640> program<00:37:44.400> and<00:37:44.599><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate File 285, a bill to shift MnDOT highway project cost participation away from local governments and onto MnDOT. The bill’s author and several city representatives said current cost-share policies force cities to spend local aid, property taxes, or debt on state highway projects they do not control, leaving less money for local streets and maintenance. Testifiers from Richfield, Elk River, Faribault, Minneapolis, and the Minnesota Association of Small Cities all supported the bill, describing the policy as one-size-fits-all, financially burdensome, and especially harmful to smaller cities and cities with major state highways running through them. Witnesses gave examples of large and sometimes changing local cost-share obligations, including Richfield’s spending of most of its MSA funds on projects it does not own and a small-city project where the estimated local share rose from about $2.3 million to over $3 million. Several testifiers said cities often have little practical ability to refuse MnDOT projects because the projects are valuable and MnDOT can move on if a city declines. One witness also raised concerns about money being paid upfront and held in an account during construction, causing cities to lose interest earnings while funds sit unused. Members asked whether cities truly have a say in these projects and whether there are limits on how much the local share can increase. Testifiers said MnDOT does engage cities, but the cost participation policy largely dictates the outcome, and they described the municipal consent statute as too narrow in practice. Senators expressed concern about fairness and the burden on local budgets, while one member noted the bill may not fully address the broader consent issue. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• and counties to coordinate share and counties to coordinate share microchip<00:12:03.680> scanners
• behavior for electric bicycles, banning exhibition non-standard safe riding and reckless maneuvers.
• behavior for electric bicycles uh riding behavior for electric bicycles uh banning<00:25:23.279>
• riding on the reckless maneuvers. riding on the reckless maneuvers.
• Establishes age and riding requirements.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The conference committee first took up HB 496 HD2 SD1 on mamaki tea. Members described the agreed conference draft as prohibiting misleading use of Hawaiian words, imagery, place names, and motifs on tea packaging unless all tea or dried leaves were grown, harvested, and dried in Hawaii. The bill also included an appropriation for a measurement standards inspector position at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, with $65,000 in each of FY 2026 and FY 2027. The House and Senate managers recommended passage with amendments, and the measure was adopted by unanimous votes from the members present, with some members excused. The committee then recessed and reconvened several times to manage a larger agenda of conference bills, moving some items to later times and rooms. Among the measures adopted were HB 862, addressing school transportation shortages by allowing certain nontraditional vehicles under safety conditions; HB 667, retitled the Microchip Identification Act, requiring DOT and counties to scan deceased cats and dogs for microchips and notify animal services; HB 958, regulating electric bicycles and other micromobility devices with safety, labeling, registration, and age requirements; HB 934, relating to broadband and the digital equity office, with appropriations and positions; HB 960, raising DOT capital advancement contract thresholds and annual caps; HB 697, updating automated speed enforcement rules and appropriating $2 million; and SB 26, creating an affordable housing land inventory task force with a $250,000 appropriation. Each of these measures was adopted with amendments by conference vote, with some members excused and several brief recesses taken for quorum or agenda management. Not all bills were resolved. HB 732, relating to the film industry tax credit cap, was deferred after conferees said they had not reached agreement, despite comments supporting the industry and local workers. HB 437, concerning an office in the Philippines under DBED, was also deferred for lack of agreement. The committee adjourned after stating that the remaining measures on the agenda would be deferred indefinitely.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I share that hope.
• My first bus ride was on a bus uh to an orphanage in Bogota, and my first airplane ride was from Bogota
• My first bus ride was on a bus uh to an orphanage in Bogota, and my first airplane ride was from Bogota
• My first bus ride was on a bus uh to an orphanage in Bogota, and my first airplane ride was from Bogota
• My first bus ride was on a bus uh to an orphanage in Bogota, and my first airplane ride was from Bogota

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think for sharing with your lived experience and the work that you do.
• I think for sharing with your lived experience and the work that you do.
• um, taking us for the ride. um, taking us for the ride.
• Hope everyone's having<00:14:55.279> a<00:14:55.440> good<00:14:55.600> ride.
• having a good ride. having a good ride.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 2037, which would replace the current executive board model for Direct Care and Treatment with a commissioner-led structure. Representative Frederick moved the DE1 amendment, which was adopted, to conform the bill with Senate language and place the CEO under the commissioner. Frederick said the change was intended to preserve some continuity while increasing accountability and insulating direct health care services from politics. Frederick argued that the existing executive board, which meets only a few times a year and hires the CEO, would leave the legislature and governor with limited ability to respond quickly to serious problems in a billion-dollar agency. He said the bill is about accountability to Minnesota taxpayers and creating a structure more like other state agencies. Public testimony was closed without any outside witnesses. Members discussed the tradeoffs between board governance and a commissioner model. Chair Schumacher noted Frederick would become chief author of the bill, and several members said they appreciated the effort to balance accountability, continuity of care, and operational expertise. Questions focused on the role of the advisory council; Frederick said it would remain in place so stakeholders could advise the commissioner and CEO, and that legislators are included among its members. The committee then laid over House File 2037, as amended, for possible inclusion in a later bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• also is no cost sharing.
• Cost sharing is also is no cost sharing.
• shouldering a large share of the losses. shouldering a large share of the losses.
• the back, we give them a ride up. the back, we give them a ride up.
• It's a ride. ride. ride.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first thing that it does is it requires an initial background check before activating a ride-share
• bill because it reflects a thoughtful compromise and it enhances safety for everyone who utilizes ride-sharing
• The bill improves the background check system for ride-sharing drivers so those with a history of reckless
• The bill improves the background check system for ride-sharing drivers so those with a history of reckless
• the rights of those injured to recover the damages necessary to help them recover while protecting ride-share

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Specific to the county cost share that you spoke to, it is quite significant.
• I hope everyone's having a good ride. Representative Curran: Thank you, Chair.
• I hope everyone's having a good ride. Representative Curran: Thank you, Chair.
• I hope everyone's having a good ride. Representative Curran: Thank you, Chair.
• I hope everyone's having a good ride. Representative Curran: Thank you, Chair.

Bills: HF2196, HF2586, HF2187, HF2037

Keywords: mental health, emotional disturbance, terminology update, statutory cleanup, conforming amendments, children's mental health, serious mental illness, severe emotional disturbance, case management, residential treatment, outpatient services, crisis services, health plan coverage, antipsychotic drugs, medical assistance, Medicaid, foster care, juvenile court, school discipline, county board

Transcript Highlights:

• so therefore the residents cannot ride so therefore the residents cannot ride their<00:09:02.399
• They cannot ride on it.
• They cannot ride on it.
• They cannot ride on it.
• They cannot ride on it.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm worried about my wife every time she rides a bike.
• she was riding her bike because they thought she couldn't drive because of a violation.
• I'm sharing. Nice to see you. Nice to see you again. Nice to see you too.
• I'm happy to share that with you, have DOT share that with you, and anyone who wants to know what's going
• He did give me permission to share it.

Bills: SB251, SB150, SB154, SB73, SB111, SB172, SB76, SB181, SB235

Keywords: horse racing, program training, program owning, state licensing, racehorses, regulation, local news, newspaper printing, journalism, media tax credit, print media, digital news, news publisher, newsprint, press operator, printing industry, local journalism, tax credit, income tax, corporate income tax

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:41.120> today reflects how um many people ride today reflects how um many people ride
• tend to take it on vacation and ride tend to take it on vacation and ride some<00:47:17.640>
• > very some early morning rides along very some early morning rides along very rural<00:47:19.920
• um when I when I was younger and riding um when I when I was younger and riding in<01:31:15.840>
• close this hearing just want to share close this hearing just want to share numbers<01:53:39.480

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Transportation Committee opened its public hearing with HB 249, sponsored by Representative Seth Miller, which would allow bicycles, human-powered vehicles, and electric bicycles to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs in certain situations. Miller argued the bill would improve cyclist safety and traffic flow at no cost to the state, citing Idaho and Delaware as examples where similar laws were associated with fewer injuries and crashes. He emphasized that the proposal would remain optional for cyclists, who would still be required to yield to cross traffic and obey right-of-way rules, and said the bill is intended to help riders maintain momentum and avoid the instability that comes from repeatedly starting from a full stop. Committee members raised concerns about uncertainty for drivers and pedestrians, liability, and whether the bill would create a special class of road users with different rules. Representative Crawford asked about the red-light left turn language, and Miller explained it was included because bicycles may not trigger some traffic signals. Representative Hill questioned how other road users would know what a cyclist intended to do at an intersection, and Representative Gon noted the bill did not appear to address liability the way some motorcycle-related laws do. Miller responded that cyclists would still be expected to yield appropriately and said he would be open to an amendment if liability language was needed. Representative Emble also questioned whether the bill would create a special vehicle class, and Miller replied that bicycles already have different roadway rules and that the bill was meant to improve safety and flow. Several supporters testified in favor of the bill. Michael Frank, a cyclist and League cycling instructor from Spofford, said he regularly rides a cargo bike for errands and that stopping fully at intersections leaves him exposed longer and makes it harder to restart on hills. He said the bill would let cyclists slow, assess traffic, and proceed safely while maintaining momentum, and noted that he had not personally received a ticket for rolling through a stop sign, though he had been warned by police. Tim Blagden, former head of the Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, said the bill reflects how many people already ride, saves energy, and helps bicycles move through intersections faster and more safely. No vote or committee action was taken during the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then I need a start riding at 11:00.
• <00:04:11.120> And<00:04:11.360> so there for for us all to ride in.
• And so there for for us all to ride in.
• <00:04:21.680> Uh all have that information to share.
• Uh all have that information to share.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 01:58 Approval of Minutes 03:05 Member Comments 03:18 Nanotechnologies in Energy 06:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee met and approved the minutes, then heard announcements and introductions from members and guests, including an invitation to an East Kentucky trail ride opening and welcomes for new EPIC and Kentucky Coal Association representatives and several constituents. After the opening business, the committee turned to a presentation on nanotechnology and energy applications by Rodney Andrews of the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research. Andrews explained how nanoscale materials behave differently because of their size and surface area, and described uses in consumer products, batteries, solar panels, catalysts, coatings, sensors, and energy storage. Members asked about the relationship between nanomaterials and coal, and Andrews said carbon nanotubes can be made from coal-derived hydrocarbons, which members noted as an opportunity for Kentucky’s coal and manufacturing sectors. He also discussed work on improved solar coatings, more stable perovskites, fuel-processing catalysts, hydrogen storage, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, electromagnetic shielding, and conductive yarns and fabrics. The presentation also covered more advanced applications such as thermoelectric textiles, power transmission materials, thermal transport composites for aerospace, nanofluids for cooling, and fusion reactor shielding. In the final discussion, members raised questions about electromagnetic pulse protection and quantum computing; Andrews said the materials discussed could absorb and spread energy and that shielding applications may help with EMPs, while quantum computing remains limited by extremely low operating temperatures. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate 1247 would criminalize sexual assault of a passenger by a ride-share driver if consent was procured
• during the course of the ride.
• share operator.
• Yes, people are pretending to be licensed ride-share operators. of a ride share operator.
• Yes, people are pretending to be licensed ride share operators making up vulnerable passengers.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary held a lengthy hearing on a wide range of bills involving domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, trafficking, victim compensation, and related criminal justice reforms. Testimony focused on measures to support survivors and close perceived legal gaps, including bills to protect domestic violence survivors in child welfare proceedings, expand victim compensation for homicide families and trafficking survivors, create a DNA exception to the rape statute of limitations, eliminate or extend statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse, and strengthen laws on upskirting, sexual abuse by adults in positions of authority, and sexual assault by rideshare drivers. Several speakers also addressed bills concerning vulnerable adults, harassment and custody-related abuse, and early evidence kits. Witnesses included legislators, prosecutors, advocates, and many survivors who described personal experiences with abuse and barriers to justice. Supporters argued that current laws often leave survivors without meaningful remedies, especially where consent, reporting requirements, evidentiary rules, or statutes of limitations prevent prosecution or compensation. Prosecutors and advocates said the bills would clarify vague statutes, increase penalties in some cases, and better reflect the realities of coercion, grooming, trafficking, and delayed reporting. Some testimony also urged amendments, including changes to victim compensation reporting rules and clarifications to avoid unintended conflicts with other wage-recovery laws. No committee votes or final actions were taken in the hearing itself. The chairs emphasized strict time limits, respectful conduct, and the submission of written testimony, and several witnesses were called out of order to accommodate the large number of speakers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Really embracing the idea that humans make mistakes, humans are vulnerable, responsibility is shared,
• So I think we try to kind of step back from judging why they're riding.
• Ride Free program, which is really the transit support grant program from there.
• There's a lot of opportunities around shared support on behavioral health.
• And if they feel safe, then they're going to stick on riding our vehicles. Other questions?

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee met on October 16, 2025, for a budget and revenue overview, a traffic safety presentation, and a discussion of potential transit and active transportation grant programs. Committee staff reviewed the adopted 2025-27 transportation budget, noting $15.5 billion in expenditures, the large share for WSDOT, and the mix of revenue sources including fuel tax, vehicle-related fees, federal funds, Climate Commitment Act revenue, and new 2025 revenues from SB 5801 and SB 5802. Staff said the 2025 session produced a balanced four-year plan, preserved major project schedules, maintained highway preservation funding, and added money for culverts, local preservation, and other priorities. They also described a September forecast showing lower motor fuel consumption than previously expected, but still enough revenue growth to keep the transportation plan balanced. For the 2026 supplemental, staff said agency requests were relatively modest overall, with most capital requests reflecting reappropriations and timing shifts rather than new projects, while WSDOT’s addendum identified much larger future needs for maintenance, preservation, paving, culverts, and safety work. Senators asked for more detail on how revenues are distributed by fund type and geography, how much of the maintenance and preservation request is actual maintenance versus equipment, whether paving needs could be supported through bonding, and how electric vehicle sales trends might affect forecasts. The committee then heard a remote presentation from Dr. Jessica Chikino of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on traffic safety trends and countermeasures. She said U.S. traffic fatalities have risen sharply over the past decade, with especially large increases for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and argued that the U.S. lags other high-income countries in roadway safety. Her presentation highlighted IIHS’s “30 by 30” goal to reduce fatalities 30% by 2030 through safer speeds, stronger impaired-driving countermeasures, better pedestrian protection, and safer commercial vehicles. She discussed research linking higher speed limits to higher fatality risk, the benefits of lower urban speed limits, speed safety cameras, traffic calming, lighting, pedestrian beacons, and safer intersection design. She also described ongoing work with Bellevue on smart signal technology and pedestrian safety pilots. Committee members thanked her for the presentation and said they would share the materials with others. In the final work session, the committee revisited transit and active transportation grant concepts that had been included in the Senate budget proposal but did not advance in 2025. Barb Chamberlain of WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division explained how grant programs need runway, staff capacity, applicant readiness, and clear criteria, and compared program design to getting a plane off the ground. She discussed the proposed Senior Transportation Emphasis Program and regional trails/cycle highways concepts, noting that some projects could be structured as funding-first programs while others would work better as project-line or project-first models. She said regional trail projects are already eligible under existing programs but often score lower because current criteria emphasize safety and population served. Justin Leighton of the Washington State Transit Association then reviewed transit grant programs and argued that transit safety and security needs remain underfunded, including operator barriers, lighting, shelters, behavioral health coordination, and non-uniformed security staff. He said many transit capital programs are oversubscribed, that operator barrier retrofits alone could cost $20 million to $30 million, and that agencies face uncertainty about how recent sales tax changes apply to security-related contracts. No votes were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• And judging by the lighting, their attire, and the times of the posts, these bipartisan shared drinks
• these bipartisan shared drinks occurred right<00:10:53.720> in<00:10:53.800> the<00:10
• <00:25:08.840> share,<00:25:09.120> sometimes sometimes through ride share, sometimes
• sometimes through ride share, sometimes riding<00:25:09.920> with<00:25:10.080> a<00:25
• This information will also be shared with the complainants. Signed by your two co-chairs.

Keywords: 1183, house