Transcript Highlights:

• We collaborated with the Public Education Department and the public schools in Albuquerque, Las Cruces
• Is it being publicized?
• And I guess Minnesota and Texas argue about who's one or two. Absolutely.
• And I guess Minnesota and Texas argue about who's one or two. Absolutely.
• The commission is made up of commissioners from all over the state. Dr.

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The people of Minnesota.
• Just imagine what we're still missing in Minnesota agriculture.
• Paul includes sitting on the Legislative Audit Commission.
• I'm proud to be from Minnesota, proud to be a farmer here in Minnesota.
• We support over 10% of all the jobs in Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota public shaming of gun owners.
• In Minnesota, children public efforts.
• , Minnesota Public Schools, the Twin Cities Security Partnership, HCMC, the Minnesota Association of
• Public Schools, um the Twin Minnesota Public Schools, um the Twin Cities<02:19:52.240><c> Security</
• </c> Public Safety to provide a Minnesota Public Safety to provide a Minnesota based<02:32:16.240><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 327 by Senator McNerney and an act relating to public utilities.
• using ratepayer money to lobby against efforts to create a public utility, and it strengthens oversight
• of the IOUs. ...public utility, and it strengthens oversight of the IOUs by providing the Public Advocate's
• The top 60 CEOs in Minnesota.
• Utilities Commission to amend the bill to apply the spacing requirements only to hot wheel-bearing detectors

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:04:58.120><c> policy</c> me Michael D I'm the public policy me Michael D I'm the public policy
• </c><00:08:13.199><c> will</c> landlords and tenants Minnesota will landlords and tenants Minnesota will
• Is there anyone in the public who'd like to speak on this bill?
• Is there any member of the public who wishes to speak on this bill?
• </c><00:25:17.440><c> what's</c> city is it the charter commission what's city is it the charter commission

Committee: House Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, I have always worked in some sort of public hospital or public setting.
• To trial, even after a negative verdict from the Medical Review Commission.
• In 2012, Minnesota was the first state to enact a tax break for data centers.
• I'm in the legislature, not on the county commission.
• So while our local rural electric co-ops and our public utilities have to get to net zero, these folks

Committee: Joint Revenue Stabilization & Tax Policy Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Instead, it looks like a better utilization of our existing resources.
• So they were all, um, utility driven.
• Uh, we do now share those with the Public Utility commission and the railroad Commission so that they
• and railroad commission.
• Crews wait, fires grow, and public confidence erodes.

Committee: House State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a public safety crisis.
• The goal is improving public access to physical therapy services while enhancing public protections.
• Commission for the United States.
• This is a huge way to ensure that you advance public protection and public safety in your state.
• There's other states who are utilizing this.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Health

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing to take testimony on a wide range of bills involving professional licensure, clinical practice, and public health-related workforce issues. The chair explained that no votes would be taken at the hearing and that the purpose was to gather public input. Early testimony focused on Marnie’s Law, with supporters describing the bill as a no-cost, preventive measure to require nursing education on inflammatory breast cancer after a family tragedy and arguing it could reduce misdiagnosis and save lives. A major portion of the hearing centered on bills affecting clinical decision-making and licensure compacts. Supporters of the physician ownership/clinical autonomy bills argued they would protect independent practices from corporate interference after the Steward collapse, while supporters of EMS, dental, psychology, physical therapy, and physician assistant compacts said the measures would improve workforce mobility, reduce delays, and expand access to care, especially for rural patients, military families, and telehealth users. Several witnesses emphasized that the compacts would not reduce standards and would strengthen public protection through shared disciplinary databases and streamlined credentialing. There was also testimony on bills to ensure safe medication administration and to protect the independence of complementary and alternative health care practitioners. Nursing representatives urged that only licensed professionals administer medications in hospitals, hospices, and home care settings, warning that delegation to unlicensed staff could endanger patients and nurses’ licenses. A complementary and alternative care witness supported consumer access with mandatory disclosures and limits on reserved medical acts. On the dental compact, witnesses were split: some supported portability and workforce flexibility, while others warned the compact lacked a hands-on skills exam and could weaken Massachusetts’ regulatory authority and patient safety. The hearing concluded with continued testimony on the psychology compact, physical therapy compact, and physician assistant bills, with most speakers favoring expanded interstate practice and reduced administrative barriers.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:47.200><c> public</c><00:01:47.560><c> school</c> other programs, Minnesota public school
• other programs, Minnesota public school districts<00:01:48.400><c> hire</c><00:01:48.680><c> teachers
• Chair and members of the Commission. My name is Caitlyn Snyder, representing Education Minnesota.
• Chair and members of the Commission. My name is Caitlyn Snyder, representing Education Minnesota.
• So, on behalf of the Minnesota APCO-NENA chapter, I respectfully ask for support, and I thank the commission

Transcript Highlights:

• to support public transportation.
• to support public transportation.
• I was part of that rezoning public hearing.
• We must commit to setting deadlines for public school bus and public fleet electrification.
• To setting deadlines for public school bus and public fleet electrification, as S. 2358 lays out, transitioning

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of transportation bills focused on rural microtransit, commuter rail fares and service, rail electrification, climate alignment, and safety. Several speakers supported H. 4054 and related microtransit proposals, arguing that rural communities need stable, permanent funding for services like the Tri-Town Connector and Quaboag Connector, which have strong ridership, high satisfaction, and measurable economic and health benefits. Testimony also supported a commission bill to study microtransit funding and definitions, with witnesses emphasizing that current grant programs are helpful but short-term and insufficient for long-term service planning. A major theme was commuter rail equity and expansion. Boston-area officials and advocates backed bills to make all Boston commuter rail stations Zone 1A, citing large fare disparities between nearby stations in Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Readville. Related testimony supported studying an Orange Line extension from Forest Hills to Roslindale Square and expanding The Ride to Foxborough, as well as restoring commuter rail service to Cape Cod via Middleborough to Buzzards Bay and beyond. Speakers said these projects would improve access, reduce car dependence, and better serve neighborhoods and regions that currently face limited rapid transit options. Multiple panels urged action on electrification and climate-focused transportation planning, including H. 3726, the Freedom to Move Act, and bills to electrify commuter rail, buses, school buses, and public fleets. Advocates from environmental, transit, and public health groups said transportation is the state’s largest emissions source and argued that statutory goals, coordinated planning, and streamlined permitting are needed to speed decarbonization while improving safety, affordability, and reliability. The committee also heard support for a bill to streamline rail electrification permitting, a bill to exempt certain transit projects from MEPA review, and a bill to improve commuter rail pedestrian safety with gates, fencing, and warning devices at at-grade crossings. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• the committee has already held public hearings on.
• So we will hold in suspension the hearing public hearing on House Bill 2558 and receive public testimony
• And that will conclude the public testimony and the public hearing on House Bill 2217.
• Public trust depends on consistent professional conduct.
• Public trust depends on consistent professional conduct.

Summary: The House Community Safety Committee met on January 29, 2026, and announced it would not hold executive session that day because of the large number of public hearing sign-ups; those executive sessions were pushed to the following Monday. The committee first heard House Bill 2558, relating to the mental health sentencing alternative (MHSA). Staff explained that the bill narrows eligibility to people diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, adds restrictions for certain domestic violence and prior violent offense cases, requires more detailed DOC reports, lengthens some community custody terms, mandates regular progress hearings, and shifts assessment work to contracted providers. The sponsor said the bill is intended to refocus the program on people whose offenses are tied to serious mental illness and to reduce misuse in domestic violence and other violent cases. No public testimony was taken on HB 2558 that day, and the hearing was held open for later testimony. The committee then heard House Bill 2217, which would replace the current first-time offender waiver with a pretrial deferral option and a suspended sentence option for eligible first-time felony defendants. Supporters, including public defense, immigration advocates, judges, economists, and the Sentencing Guidelines Commission, argued the bill would create a meaningful rehabilitation pathway, reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and avoid the long-term harm of an immediate felony conviction. They also said the deferred-adjudication structure could help immigrants avoid immigration consequences and would better incentivize restitution and compliance. Opponents, including sheriffs, prosecutors, and victim advocates, raised concerns about expanding eligibility to offenses such as assault 2 and robbery 2, the meaning of “violent offense,” the possibility of judicial diversion without prosecutor consent, and the impact on victims and public safety. After testimony, the sponsor said she would remove the bill’s strong presumption in favor of relief, and the committee closed the public hearing on HB 2217. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2641, the “ICE Out Act of 2026,” which would bar Washington law enforcement agencies from hiring people who were sworn ICE officers after January 20, 2025, with the restriction applying prospectively beginning October 1, 2026. The sponsor said the bill was meant to protect communities and prevent hiring officers associated with federal immigration enforcement practices she described as harmful. The committee then heard House Bill 2648, which would require state and local officers who encounter suspected ICE employees conducting immigration enforcement to activate body and dash cameras, report the encounter, and document it, while providing state indemnification for officers acting in good faith. Supporters said the bill would improve transparency and protect communities and officers; the Washington State Patrol said many of the practices already align with its policies. The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs expressed concerns about added reporting requirements, possible effects on federal-local cooperation, and asked for changes to soften mandatory language and strengthen indemnification. The committee ended the hearing without further testimony and adjourned, noting executive sessions on about a dozen bills would occur the following week.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> will</c><00:36:55.599><c> continue</c> Minnesota among Minnesota will continue Minnesota among Minnesota
• Paul, Minnesota to Minnesota St.
• Minnesota voting from 2014 to 2024. Minnesota voting from 2014 to 2024.
• </c> savings for Minnesota management budget. savings for Minnesota management budget.
• ,</c><02:20:01.760><c> fire</c> public pension plans of Minnesota, fire public pension plans of Minnesota

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Iman Buzian Saidi, and I'm with the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• I'm the vice chair of the commission, one of the commissioners.
• I'm the new member of the commission.
• In the past life, I was the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. ...of the commission.
• Also, our commission is holding the Meeting the Moment series.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with SEED (the State Exchange on Employment and Disability) staff for a presentation on state disability employment policy options and possible collaboration with Massachusetts. After roll call, the committee approved prior meeting minutes and heard an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall emphasizing that every individual matters and can make a difference. Members then introduced themselves and described their roles in disability employment, accessibility, state government, and advocacy. SEED staff Katya Alpanis and Dina Klumkina explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy resources to help states advance disability employment. They outlined seven policy areas, including career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and retention, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and accommodation tools, disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer strategies. They shared examples from other states such as Kentucky, Virginia, Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, New York, and others. In response to questions, they clarified that PEAT has been refunded and is expected to return online, and that SEED’s role is policy support rather than implementation of accessibility requirements. Committee members discussed Massachusetts-specific interests, including digital accessibility, existing state efforts, and prior SEED engagement with Massachusetts agencies and legislators. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work requirements and the risk that people with disabilities could fall through the cracks, and asked whether SEED could help inform state policy responses. The group identified two likely project areas: a Massachusetts state-as-model-employer roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition supports and civic engagement. SEED agreed to follow up with briefs and a questionnaire, and the committee planned an offline follow-up discussion to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work. No formal votes beyond approving the minutes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Students from every part of Minnesota, every county, seek a degree from the University of Minnesota,
• Minnesota Minnesota KRON<00:07:05.360><c> as</c><00:07:05.520><c> we</c><00:07:05.720><c> look</c><00
• Crookston are from Minnesota.
• professionals in Minnesota.
• professionals in Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• To level set, this slide provides a very high overview of the grants landscape in Minnesota.
• </c><00:15:02.279><c> officials</c> none of the grantees public officials none of the grantees public
• So it’s all public information, easy for the public.
• information easy to breach for public information easy to breach for the<00:35:22.960><c> public</c>
• </c> Legacy grants some grants to public Legacy grants some grants to public ision<01:00:56.400><c> our

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Iman Buzian Saidi, and I'm with the Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
• I'm the vice chair of the commission, one of the commissioners.
• I'm the new member of the commission.
• In the past life, I was the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. ...of the commission.
• Also, our commission is holding the Meeting the Moment series.

Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee already has public.
• BLM provided a 90-day public comment period, two public meetings, a 30-day public period, and a 60-day
• ,</c><04:51:50.638><c> two</c><04:51:50.878><c> public</c> 90-day public comment period, two public 90
• </c> to Minnesota and everywhere in between. to Minnesota and everywhere in between.
• </c> banned mining in northeastern Minnesota? banned mining in northeastern Minnesota?

Bills: HB4553 , HJR105 , HJR106 , HJR104 , HR539 , HR672

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure, Bureau of Land Management, North Dakota, resource management plan, congression disapproval, public lands policy, HJR106, H.J.Res. 106, Congressional Review Act, CRA, BLM, Central Yukon, Alaska, public lands, land management

Transcript Highlights:

• It's based in Houston, Minnesota.
• And sometimes, you know, the public doesn't necessarily know. But I've noticed public TV...
• We had a strong relationship with public television early on when they were doing Minnesota Original.
• But we have always believed public funding has to benefit the public.
• Minnesota team at the center.

Committee: House Legacy Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> restore starter homes in Minnesota. restore starter homes in Minnesota.
• </c> to projects in greater Minnesota. to projects in greater Minnesota.
• </c> home homes in Minnesota. home homes in Minnesota.
• </c> but in every park in Minnesota. but in every park in Minnesota.
• </c> and public safety resources. and public safety resources.

Summary: The conference committee on the housing omnibus bill began with member introductions and a staff walk-through comparing House and Senate provisions. House Research staff reviewed major policy differences affecting Minnesota Housing Finance Agency operations, including limits on how much the agency may retain from state appropriations for administrative costs, new reporting requirements, restrictions on transfers between appropriated accounts, and House-only language requiring annual expenditure of investment income from state appropriations. Senate provisions were also summarized, including tighter rules on when appropriations may be placed into Housing Development Fund bookkeeping accounts, updated operating-cost reporting, and Senate-only changes to how investment earnings may be used. Staff also described shared and differing provisions on program-money transfers, a lived-experience earnings exemption, and a long list of Senate-only policy changes, including manufactured home park tenant protections, low-income housing tax credit and bond-related changes, a task force on housing taxes and fees, and repealers affecting Housing Development Fund authority and certain older programs. Fiscal staff then reviewed the budget impacts. The House side included one-time appropriations for workforce housing development, family homeless prevention and assistance, a Minnesota Nice Home Share pilot, and homebuyer education, along with debt service for $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds and transfers/cancellations that produced a net zero general fund impact across the budget window. The Senate side noted a fiscal note for the housing taxes and fees task force and a smaller housing infrastructure bond authorization, with corresponding debt service costs and a total Senate budget-window impact of about $1 million in general fund debt service. After the staff presentations, the committee moved to public testimony. Commissioner Jennifer Ho of Minnesota Housing said the bill’s housing infrastructure bonds and continued support for family homeless prevention were important, and she supported the lived-experience earnings exemption, while noting concerns about the interest-earnings provisions. Testifiers from Greater Minnesota groups praised the workforce housing investments and Senate updates to the state housing tax credit and infrastructure grant program, though they suggested changes to the geographic distribution language. HOME Line urged funding for statewide tenant hotline services, citing rising demand and asking for $1 million if additional money becomes available. The Minnesota Consortium of Community Developers supported the bill’s investments and emphasized the need to pair housing development with supportive services. Housing First Minnesota praised housing infrastructure bonds and other investments but criticized the omission of the Minnesota Starter Homes Act. The Minnesota Multi Housing Association began testimony opposing certain rent-control-related provisions in the House bill. No votes or final actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the idea of filing this bill, which was inspired by the commission, we were still doing the commission
• Such a commission, like commissions in other states and cities, is necessary to assess the state of poverty
• Such a commission like commissions in other states and cities is necessary to assess the state of poverty
• Minnesota gives $1,750 to certain kids.
• Minnesota gives $1,750 to certain kids.

Bills: H5085 , H5286

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities held a hybrid hearing on miscellaneous bills, including H. 5286, which would require DCF to consult a medical professional when a parent presents evidence of a pre-existing diagnosis that could explain symptoms mistaken for abuse or neglect. Representative Brian Mario said the bill would give DCF another tool in difficult cases. Jennifer Fernandes testified about her family’s experience with her grandson being removed after doctors initially suspected a skull fracture that later proved unfounded, saying the bill could help prevent similar outcomes. Committee members expressed sympathy and indicated interest in further discussion. The committee then heard extensive testimony on H. 5085/S. 3095, the omnibus “An Act Significantly Alleviating Poverty.” Supporters described the bill as a comprehensive anti-poverty package built from the Poverty Commission’s work, combining higher cash assistance grants, matched savings, baby bonds, a guaranteed stipend for youth aging out of foster care, expanded tax credits, language access, clean slate record sealing, and worker protections. Senator Eldridge, Senator Miranda, Representative Decker, and many advocates argued that poverty is tied to housing instability, child welfare involvement, health harms, and racial and gender inequities, and that the bill would help families meet basic needs, build wealth, and reduce the benefits cliff. Witnesses from social service, legal aid, labor, immigrant advocacy, and public health groups strongly supported the bill’s provisions. Several focused on specific sections: child support pass-through and a broader good-cause exception for TAFDC recipients; extending the state EITC to ITIN filers; creating baby bonds and matched savings programs; automating criminal record sealing; improving language access at state agencies; and ending the subminimum wage for farm workers. Former foster youth and service providers said the guaranteed stipend would help young adults avoid homelessness and transition more safely into adulthood. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chairs repeatedly noted the limited time and encouraged written testimony and follow-up conversations.