Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we're looking to split out to 10 to put the five back to the Good Life. Okay.
• Chairman, you split the money? So, Mr. Chairman, you split the money? And, Mr. Chairman? You may.

Bills: SB2018

Keywords: funding, commerce, autonomous technology, workforce development, economic growth, grant programs, 908, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate Bill 2018, the Department of Commerce budget, and walked through the long sheet and a series of proposed changes. Members discussed restoring a vacant workforce FTE that Commerce said it could fill soon, monitoring federal funding delays but reporting no known cuts, and adjusting several one-time items including Operation Intern, the North Dakota Development Fund, the Global Talent Office, and tourism-related funding. The chair also proposed separating tourism marketing and Good Life funding again, rather than combining them, and members raised concerns about ensuring tourism dollars are used only for tourism purposes. A number of program amounts were reviewed or adjusted in discussion, including UAS grants, Vantus/Beyond Visual Line of Sight funding, Grand Sky, Grand Farm autonomous agriculture grants, base enhancement grants, Native American small business grants, regional workforce impact grants, technical skills training grants, and tribal college workforce grants. Commerce officials explained that some grant language would be changed to require competitive RFP processes, and they clarified that the housing opportunity and community property improvement items were handled in other bills or programs. The committee also discussed apprenticeship efforts across state agencies and Commerce’s role in workforce development. The committee reviewed carryover and exemption language for prior appropriations, including federal weatherization and energy funds, and Commerce said three one-time FTE tied to those federal programs should become ongoing because the federal dollars continue over several years. A motion to add $1.5 million for the North Dakota Safety Council failed for lack of a second. The committee then planned to return the next day to continue work on Commerce and take up the CTE budget, including a pending amendment related to CTE’s possible move from the 15th floor of the Capitol.

Transcript Highlights:

• We were able to give out, it has the 95% split with a 5% match by the entity.
• There's several, and of course this one has a 75-25% split.
• LGRF funding, and we were able to award a total of $5.4 million, almost $5.5 million with that 75-25% split

Transcript Highlights:

• Communities are silenced, neighborhoods like mine are split and diluted, and our trust in government
• Communities of interest like ours should be kept together, not split apart for political convenience.
• So if you want to divide any district, or split any congressional district, District 23 would be at the
• received any feedback from residents or any stakeholders indicating that their community has been split
• Do you believe potentially splitting El Paso, as it's been done into multiple congressional districts

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, now I’ll try to review the— when they make that payment.
• So, in the when they make that payment.
• to make the payments under this formula. formula. formula.
• Is the payment made on a particular date of the year? Is that the way it works?
• <01:15:12.840> would<01:15:13.000> be of the payment would be of the payment would

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee took up HB 1563, a special education aid formula bill, after a brief recess. Members reviewed a replace-all amendment that would keep the current reimbursement lag structure but make the bill effective July 1, 2028, with districts beginning to collect the new data in the next biennium. The amendment changes the reimbursement tiers from a dollar-based system to one tied to average per-pupil spending: districts would pay 100% below 2.5 times average per-pupil spending, 85% from 2.5 to 3.5 times, 20% from 3.5 to 10 times, and 10% above 10 times, with the state covering the remainder. Speakers emphasized that the bill is intended as an incremental step to gather better data before any larger expansion of state participation. A major new section would create a risk-based monitoring program for reimbursement claims. Instead of reviewing every claim individually, the department would review at least 20% of districts each year so every district is reviewed at least once every five years, with additional random or targeted reviews based on risk indicators, anomalies, prior findings, or other department criteria. Members discussed whether the audit sample should be district-based or student-based, and whether the bill should more specifically define the type of audit and the meaning of “other” criteria. Department witnesses said the current process already involves confidential information and that the new approach would not worsen privacy concerns; they also said the department would follow federal and state privacy laws and adopt rules to implement the process. Several members supported the bill as a practical first step to improve data collection and eventually expand aid, noting that districts currently do not track lower-cost special education students well. Others raised concerns about the lack of a fiscal note, possible local costs, and whether the new monitoring language gives the department too much discretion. The discussion ended with no vote taken in the excerpt, and members indicated they may need more time to review the final amendment before proceeding.

Transcript Highlights:

• It split the fishing lanes and split the territory. It did not establish what's up the river.
• It split the fishing lanes and split the territory. It did not establish what's up the river.
• It split the fishing lanes and split the territory. It did not establish what's up the river.
• the fishing lanes of the shos it split the fishing lanes and<04:44:18.878> split<04:44:19.200
• concern that we close that split. concern that we close that split.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• largest DHS county office in the state, and we're the fifth-biggest county, but other counties are split
• largest DHS county office in the state, and we're the fifth biggest county, but other counties are split
• up, so we serve a lot of people. the biggest county, but other counties are split up, so we serve a
• Now, how will that be set up in a way that someone can split that situation into who would be disabled

Summary: The committee met to hear an update from consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie on Arkansas’s “one door” or “no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. The discussion focused on moving the state toward a work-first system that better connects job seekers, employers, education, and public assistance programs, with goals of increasing upward mobility, improving labor force attachment, reducing inefficiencies, and adapting to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. The consultants argued that Arkansas’s current system is fragmented across multiple offices, portals, agencies, and funding streams, and that people often have to navigate separate doors for workforce services, TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and related supports. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as the model, describing how that state integrated workforce and human services into a single department, used cost allocation to blend funding behind the scenes, and saw improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said TANF should be treated as a workforce program, not just a benefits program, and suggested that Arkansas could use TANF and other tools to cross-train DHS staff, co-locate services, and create a more unified service delivery model. Members asked about federal flexibility, waivers, and whether the state could use one large waiver or a broader restructuring to simplify the system. Bishop explained that a federal pilot authority proposal failed in Congress, so the current approach relies on waivers, cost allocation plans, and possible state-level changes. The committee also discussed the relationship between DHS and workforce offices, the role of local workforce boards, how disability and vocational rehabilitation cases would be handled, and how the governor’s Restore Hope/Hope Hub and faith- and community-based initiatives might fit into the broader plan. Bishop said Arkansas already has rehabilitation services within the workforce department and emphasized that case managers should focus on people rather than programs. No votes were taken. The chair said the committee would revisit case management at its August meeting and adjourned the meeting after thanking the consultants.

Transcript Highlights:

• what we can do here in the state, you know, given our current political climate, we're pretty evenly split
• political climate, we're we're pretty political climate, we're we're pretty evenly<00:10:24.959> split
• <00:10:25.519> with<00:10:25.760> the<00:10:25.920> different evenly split with
• the different evenly split with the different caucuses. caucuses. caucuses.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on fraud in Minnesota public assistance and human services programs, with an emphasis on the harm done to vulnerable recipients rather than just the dollar amounts. The senator described cases involving childcare, PCA, adult daycare, autism, housing support, and food programs, arguing that fraud and poor oversight leave children, disabled people, nursing home residents, and others in neglect or unsafe conditions. He said many of the programs are Medicaid-related or state-funded entitlements intended to address social needs, and that stolen funds directly worsen outcomes for those they are meant to help. He traced the problem to weak state oversight and agency inaction, citing the creation of the DHS Office of Inspector General after earlier childcare fraud concerns, whistleblower reports, and alleged failures by agency leadership to pursue larger, organized schemes. He pointed to the Feeding Our Future case as a major example, saying federal investigators uncovered broader fraud patterns across multiple programs and that state agencies failed to act despite warning signs. He also said recent audits, including one involving DHS Behavioral Health Administration, showed inadequate site visits and other serious deficiencies. The senator said he recently met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., because a large share of Minnesota spending includes federal dollars and federal partners have a stake in preventing misuse. He argued that federal action is necessary but not sufficient, and that Minnesota also needs stronger internal controls, standardized eligibility verification, identity and residency checks, site visits, and better use of data tools. He supported creating an independent Office of Inspector General passed last session, but said it is only a partial solution and that agencies themselves must be retrained and held accountable. No formal votes were taken in the exchange, but the senator described ongoing legislative efforts and said he was pessimistic about the governor’s willingness to act.

Transcript Highlights:

• A split-second misjudgment could be punished the same as a planned death.
• A split-second misjudgment could be punished the same as a planned, pre-planned death.
• A split-second misjudgment could be punished the same as a planned in.
• A split-second misjudgment could be punished the same as a planned, pre-planned death.

Summary: The Criminal Justice Subcommittee met to consider three bills. HB 199, relating to Veterans Court, was presented as a repeat measure aligning Veterans Court procedures with mental health and drug court laws and allowing post-adjudicatory referrals. A technical amendment was adopted, numerous witnesses waived in support, and the bill passed unanimously 17-0. The committee then took up HB 45, which would add public swimming pools and public bathing places to existing sex offender residency, work, volunteer, and visitation restrictions. The sponsor argued it would protect children and apply only to specified sex offenses. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns that the bill’s definitions were overly broad, could effectively ban registrants from much of Florida, and could increase homelessness and make offenders harder to track. An amendment narrowing the bill’s scope and definitions was adopted after debate, and the bill passed 11-5 as amended. Finally, HB 17, the Jason Rayner Act, was heard to clarify that force may not be used to resist an arrest by an officer acting in the performance of official duties, retain good-faith language, add manslaughter to offenses requiring a life sentence when reclassified, and increase the severity level for battery on a law enforcement officer. The sponsor said the bill was intended to strengthen protections for officers; opponents argued it could sweep in accidental or less culpable conduct, while supporters said existing law already covered serious cases. A clarifying amendment was adopted, and the bill passed 16-0 as amended. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• marketplace, certainly for a lot of companies that offer these tax holidays, we wanted to make sure that we split
• marketplace, certainly for a lot of companies that offer these tax holidays, we wanted to make sure that we split
• We wanted to make sure that we split them up accordingly.
• We wanted to make sure that we split them up accordingly.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• They both came from the same author, but because of the nature of those, they were split out into two
• because of the nature of those,<00:03:08.239> they<00:03:08.400> were<00:03:08.560> split
• <00:03:08.879> out<00:03:09.120> into<00:03:09.519> two those, they were split
• out into two those, they were split out into two different<00:03:10.000> items<00:03:10.480><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• going to be a part of history as a legislator, but I'm also going to be a part of history back in this split
• All of us. part of history back in this split part of history back in this split house." house." house

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Tim O’Driscoll delivered a farewell floor speech marking his retirement from the Minnesota House and requested a roll call at the start. He reflected on his 16 years in the chamber, his first election after serving as mayor of Sartell, and the importance of relationships, bipartisanship, and learning how the Legislature works. Much of the speech was personal, including stories about his parents, his father’s service as a police chief, and how those experiences shaped his commitment to public service. He also highlighted several policy and institutional accomplishments, including work on school trust lands and the School Trust Fund Commission, which he said helped double the fund for Minnesota children, as well as pension work and restoring earlier pension cuts. He thanked colleagues from both parties, former and current co-chairs, and House staff for helping him get work done, especially during difficult periods such as the split House and the COVID-era remote meetings. O’Driscoll closed by thanking members’ families and House staff, offering a special shout-out to Representative Paul Thorkelson for support during his freshman year, and saying he hoped his career would be remembered for the relationships built and the future being created for Minnesota. The speech ended with applause; no formal vote on legislation was taken in the excerpt beyond the requested roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cultural Commission, and since they don't have the ability to have expertise with the medical, we kind of split
• We kind of split those duties, left some of it with the Department of Education, some of the new Indiana
• Representative Bartels, you have mentioned with regard to the Minority Health Council that the duties were split

Keywords: 964, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the agreed-upon split of funds that would go both to the Children's Fund and to the Clerk's Filing
• The reason why it gets really convoluted, and you know this, is because the Navajo Nation is split across
• It is also split across two FEMA areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• So 4, it'll be 4.6 million on the top one split equally between fiscal year, I, I assume.
• And then the bottom it'd be $15.4 million split, split the way the rider indicates with $7.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• of projects in the seven-county metro and the seven-county metropolitan area, so it is not a 50-50 split
• of the money; it is a 50-50 split of the projects.
• The chair thanked the testifiers and Representative Holland. money it's a 50-50 split of the projects
• money it's a 50-50 split of the projects the<00:34:23.399> number<00:34:23.599> of<00:
• /c><00:37:06.720> and<00:37:07.160> as<00:37:08.040> um U more um egalitarian split

Bills: HF1013, HF1598, HF1656, HF2162

Keywords: energy, economic development, funding, renewable resources, Clean Energy Economy Minnesota, air ventilation, geothermal, school financing, Minnesota Climate Innovative Finance Authority, geothermal energy, renewable energy, construction funding, Como Zoo, energy efficiency, HF2162, Minnesota, planning grants, renewable development account, clean energy, Department of Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:57:48.160> in um years between the rollover payment in um years between the rollover payment
• So different payment models.
• So different payment care providers.
• would then be available, that payment would then be available, that payment per<01:26:16.920>
• January 1st, '27 on changes to payment January 1st, '27 on changes to payment amounts<01:27:44.600

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Payments for the 2023 to 2025 biennium totaled $7,864,392 based on 9.573% of ticket sales.
• And it seems like I'm splitting hairs here, but there are some differences there.
• Like, as the companies have standards to actually accurately get into payments on... ...having some ways
• to actually act in payments on most of the things.
• Fund coding is now verified against the limit before payment approval, not discovered afterward.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• What's the split on the remaining $96 million? Do you have that?
• one of the recognitions that needs to be made there is, do we want to push that tax burden or that payment
• it's paid back and who has to curtail some other program funding at the state level to make these payments
• it's paid back and who has to curtail some other program funding at the state level to make these payments
• And those can be represented through debt service principal payments, through rate-funded capital projects

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to receive interim status updates on several water-related studies and Department of Water Resources projects. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and then heard updates on the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study. Staff reported that the committee had already received the testimony contemplated in the study plans, including input from state agencies, local governments, and out-of-state entities, and that any further action would be at the committee’s discretion. The Department of Water Resources then provided project and budget updates on NAWS and the Southwest Pipeline Project. Reese reported NAWS is expected to serve about 81,000 users, with a total projected cost of about $571 million and about $96 million remaining, while the Southwest Pipeline Project is estimated at $1.06 billion total with about $409 million remaining. Members asked about funding sources, capacity needs, and whether current and future construction is being designed for increased demand; department staff said current work is designed for ultimate capacity, but some future components may need redesign based on new requests. The committee also discussed local cost shares, Minot’s role in NAWS funding, and whether the system is adequate for peak demand. A major portion of the meeting focused on the department’s cash management, carryover, and long-term water funding outlook. The department said Resources Trust Fund revenues are tied to oil extraction taxes and are affected by stripper well exemptions and future oil price declines. Members expressed concern about large carryover balances and whether the state is obligating more money than can realistically be spent in a biennium. The department reported about $340.6 million in remaining carryover and said it is trying to reduce that through a two-tier pre-construction/construction process and closer project vetting. The department also summarized the Deloitte studies on regional governance and finance and on cost-share policy. Stakeholders generally favored keeping the current governance structures for NAWS and Southwest with improvements, while Red River stakeholders leaned toward a different option; the department said it will bring an implementation plan back in September. On cost share, Deloitte’s recommendations would reduce some percentages, prioritize projects differently, and use other measures to close a projected long-term funding gap. Members debated affordability, local burden, deferred maintenance, and whether statutory changes may be needed to allow the commission more flexibility in prioritizing and funding projects. No formal votes or final actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving the updates.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that buyer is going to say, oh, I don't know if I'm going to be able to make that payment two years
• Should we split it 50-50? That might seem fair.

Keywords: 905, all

Summary: The House met with a quorum, approved the journal, and received messages from the governor and Senate, including notice that the governor vetoed CSHB 16 and allowed HB 14 to become law without signature. The chamber then took up the conference committee report on HB 381, a major Alaska LNG-related bill that revises the project’s tax and regulatory structure. The conference report was explained as a compromise package that, among other things, changes required local contribution language, expands disclosure and notice requirements, adjusts foreign ownership reporting, extends the Phase 1 construction deadline, adds a $10 million workforce development/community impact fund, modifies project labor agreement provisions, and exempts the Alaska LNG project from the new pass-through entity tax while still requiring an informational tax return in 2027. The Speaker also announced the governor had issued a proclamation calling the legislature back into session on July 27, 2026, and said sine die would be moved after debate. Debate on HB 381 was sharply divided. Supporters argued the bill is necessary enabling legislation to improve the project’s financial viability, protect Alaska’s interests, and move the North Slope gas line toward final investment decision, while also adding transparency, foreign ownership safeguards, and labor and workforce provisions. Several members said the conference committee process was collaborative and that the bill reflects hard-fought compromise with the developer, AGDC, labor, and the administration. Opponents focused on the addition of the pass-through entity/S-corp income tax and related reporting requirements, arguing it is a separate tax policy issue that should have been considered in its own bill, creates uncertainty and litigation risk, could harm existing oil and gas and Cook Inlet production, and may discourage investment. Multiple members also criticized the process as rushed and insufficiently transparent, especially the limited opportunity for the minority and the absence of Department of Revenue testimony during conference. No final vote on the conference committee report is shown in the transcript excerpt. The debate continued with members alternating between support for the gas line project itself and opposition to the tax provisions and process used to advance HB 381.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when they did that, the only form of payment they accepted was a credit card or debit card,
• did some research—have actually argued that their applications are not products, and the courts are split

Keywords: 974, senate, all