Transcript Highlights:

• This is Senate Bill 5841 concerning the completion of post-secondary financial aid applications.
• Washington students who wish to be considered for post-secondary financial aid may complete either the
• FAFSA, which is the federal form that makes students eligible for both federal and state aid, or the
• WASFA, which is the state form that creates eligibility for state aid only.
• SB 5858 is not about supplemental funding.

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education bills. SB 5841 would require students’ high school and beyond plans to show completion of at least one FAFSA or WASFA application, or a parent/guardian opt-out. The sponsor and supporters said it would reduce barriers to postsecondary education, improve financial aid completion, and bring more students and federal dollars into the state. School groups opposed it, warning it would add an unfunded administrative burden and create verification challenges, especially for small districts and families with undocumented students. Senators discussed data-sharing from the Washington Student Achievement Council and noted the bill’s connection to existing FAFSA outreach efforts. The committee then took testimony on SB 5922, which would let districts petition OSPI to transfer money from transportation vehicle funds to other district uses if they reduce their fleet because of enrollment declines. The sponsor said the bill would free up unused bus funds for other pressing needs. Members asked about whether districts could shift to smaller vehicles and how the funds could be used. The committee also heard SB 5858, which would move the pupil transportation safety net for special passengers into statute. Supporters from OSPI, districts, school directors, and PTA said the program is essential for transporting students with disabilities, homelessness, or foster care needs, and that current funding is far below demonstrated need. No votes were taken on these bills. Finally, the committee heard SB 5943, which would allow limited use of school impact fees for modernization and, in districts under binding conditions or enhanced financial oversight, for up to 25% of operations and maintenance. The sponsor and one superintendent argued it would help districts with aging buildings and new state mandates like safety and energy-efficiency requirements. Builders, business groups, and school coalition representatives opposed the bill, saying impact fees should remain tied to growth-related capital costs and warning it could worsen housing affordability and weaken the nexus required for impact fees. The chair closed by noting the session’s budget constraints and the committee adjourned after the hearings.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:15:46.560><c> Right</c> Minnesota. Thank you, Miss Elman. Right Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ro. Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ro.
• </c> agencies in the state of Minnesota. agencies in the state of Minnesota.
• This is the Minnesota State Higher Education Supplemental Retirement Plan. Uh, thank you, Mr.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we funded the state-funded discretionary supplement.
• It's the state-funded discretionary supplement.
• You can pay teacher supplements.
• I'm asking for a The state-funded discretionary supplement.
• Plans and mutual aid agreements.

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several gallery introductions before taking up Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 168, the Tristan Murphy Act, on mental health. Senator Bradley explained that the bill is intended to divert clinically appropriate defendants with mental illness from jail to treatment, create pretrial mental health diversion programs, expand grant uses for mental health and substance abuse reinvestment, require evaluations and treatment follow-up in certain probation and prison settings, add Hillsborough County to a forensic hospital diversion pilot, and establish a Florida Behavioral Health Data Repository. Senators from both parties spoke in support, emphasizing treatment over incarceration, public safety, and the Murphy family’s role in the bill. The Senate passed the bill 37-0 and then recorded 37 co-sponsors. The chamber then moved into presentations on SB 2500, the 2025-26 General Appropriations Act. Chair Hooper said the Senate budget totals $117.4 billion, reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, keeps employee health contributions level, and includes major investments in water quality, transportation, education infrastructure, and nearly $1 billion in education capital outlay. Committee chairs outlined their portions of the budget, including increased funding for K-12 schools and scholarships, higher education workforce programs, Medicaid and health services, corrections and courts, transportation and housing, and environmental restoration such as Everglades and water quality projects. Members then asked extensive questions, especially about education funding, school choice, AP/IB and accelerated programs, the Family Empowerment Scholarship, and the FEFP calculations. Senator Burgess repeatedly explained that scholarship funding is being moved “below the line” to improve tracking and that the Senate position is to preserve funding while giving districts more flexibility. Senators also questioned the APD wait list for disability services, opioid settlement spending, arts funding, the My Safe Florida Home condo pilot, and proposed IT and agency restructuring. Several chairs said some issues would be resolved in conference, and no final vote on the budget was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with Co-Minnesota. Co-Minnesota. Co-Minnesota.
• :03:17.520><c> to</c> And Co-Minnesota specifically works to And Co-Minnesota specifically works to bring
• Um, lastly, Co-Minnesota is hosting the second annual statewide Minnesota Cooperative Summit in Duluth
• Not to brag, but #Minnesota.
• Wisconsin, the Minnesota bit.

Committee: Senate Labor

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I also want to thank some of our tenant rights advocates and also folks with Minnesota Multi
• I want to thank again the advocates like Homeline, Legal Aid, and Minnesota Multi Housing for working
• I want to thank again the advocates like Homeline, Legal Aid, and Minnesota Multi Housing for working
• </c><00:07:28.840><c> Thank</c> better in the state of Minnesota.
• Thank better in the state of Minnesota. Thank you. you. you.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and the charter school facilities aid.
• and the charter school facilities aid.
• and the charter school facilities aid.
• So, what's the trajectory for Minnesota Care for Undocumented Adults?
• Minnesota Care for Undocumented Adults? Minnesota Care for Undocumented Adults?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• female speaker in Minnesota history.
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• And um, thank you for sharing Minnesota.
• We didn't always see eye to Minnesota.
• trees in Minnesota because of Melissa Hortman.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> commander and chief of the Minnesota commander and chief of the Minnesota National<00:03:22.159>
• safe in the keep the people of Minnesota safe in the midst<00:03:27.720><c> of</c><00:03:27.840><c>
• I'm the director of Government Affairs for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.
• </c><00:15:43.360><c> State</c> that conflicts with Minnesota State that conflicts with Minnesota State
• Kelly, Director of Government Affairs for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:58.000><c> law</c> we're in alignment with Minnesota law we're in alignment with Minnesota
• 36.400><c> budget</c> the governor's supplemental budget the governor's supplemental budget includes<
• </c> Ellison was decided by the Minnesota Ellison was decided by the Minnesota Supreme<01:27:59.920><
• </c> duty as mandate is mandated by Minnesota duty as mandate is mandated by Minnesota consumer<01:39
• Minnesota has long pided comments.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Otherwise, I mean, just even separate and apart from the ICE protesters, we also had those Minnesota
• Otherwise, I mean, just even separate and apart from the ICE protesters, we also had those Minnesota
• Otherwise, I mean, just even separate and apart from the ICE protesters, we also had those Minnesota
• SB 2251 appropriates a grant in aid to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, City and County of
• And so our department would need this as supplemental funding.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> Housing</c> the Greater Minnesota Housing the Greater Minnesota Housing Infrastructure<00:14:02.560
• <00:18:48.640><c> Community</c><00:18:49.120><c> Development</c> Minnesota Community Development Minnesota
• </c> advance affordable housing in Minnesota. advance affordable housing in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. And finally, establishing a task force to study insurance impacts in Minnesota.
• </c><00:42:11.599><c> to</c> housing growth in greater Minnesota to housing growth in greater Minnesota

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> listed in Minnesota statute 239. listed in Minnesota statute 239.
• </c> EVSE in Minnesota. EVSE in Minnesota.
• <c> handbook</c><00:30:24.880><c> 130,</c> Minnesota does not adopt handbook 130, Minnesota does not
• I'm not saying that's exactly Electric Minnesota. Um so first I have a Electric Minnesota.
• aid street fund.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This supplement helps ensure districts can manage fixed costs, like staff and facilities, even when student
• cancer research and breast and cervical cancer screenings. $118 million for the ADAP program, the AIDS
• Of that is coming from the Federal Grants Trust Fund and aids local governments for a special election
• It's where we're dealing with the DJJ supplemental allocation, education enrichment allocation, as well
• It's being used to supplement the state budget as it relates to behavioral health funding. Mr.

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But that's not what's happening in Minnesota.
• But we need to in Minnesota. And I did.
• </c> people being murdered in Minnesota people being murdered in Minnesota because<00:47:34.960><c> they
• We are one Minnesota.
• </c><04:52:15.680><c> of</c> and pretend that a one-time band-aid of and pretend that a one-time band-aid

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But the wheat producers in North Dakota, Minnesota, who have no other option but rail and rail out to
• outpacing the state and national trends in housing and development, although it's expensive, which aids
• So we are asking for $2 million in the supplemental session to support a new FTE that we've brought on
• And so we are asking in the supplemental. Are coming out of our current preservation programs.
• And so we are asking in the supplemental for $2.5 million new dollars to help address those needs instead

Committee: Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee first heard an update on the Joint Transportation Committee study of transportation impacts if the Lower Snake River dams were removed. WSDOT and Jacobs described the study’s phases, including current work on geology, infrastructure risk, and a total logistics cost model. They explained that the study is examining how freight now moved by barge—especially wheat, fertilizer, and wood—could shift to rail and roads, and they outlined several scenarios ranging from no-dam future conditions to new unit-train terminals, short-line rail options, and a combined “many solutions” scenario. Members asked about irrigation, impacts in Idaho and Oregon, port capacity, emissions, competition, EV trucks, and whether the model could estimate transportation effects if grain volumes decline. The presenters said the study assumes current production levels continue, does not model irrigation changes or broader farm-economics impacts, but does account for transloading costs and can estimate transportation impacts under different volume assumptions. WSU’s independent review team said the model has improved substantially but still needed refinement, especially in routing, road data, and spatial detail, and that stakeholder engagement had been strong though delayed by model development. No votes were taken. The committee then received a presentation on the alternative sidewalk funding study. Staff and consultants said the study is exploring ways local governments could sustainably fund sidewalk maintenance, repair, and new construction, using a statewide survey, interviews, national research, and case studies in eight jurisdictions. They noted sidewalks are important for pedestrian safety and connectivity, but there is no dedicated funding source in Washington, and existing grants and local revenue tools are highly competitive or limited. The consultants highlighted sidewalk fees or utility-style charges as the most promising option to study, while a parcel tax was largely set aside because of state property-tax uniformity concerns. Members asked whether the study would duplicate existing funding or add to current taxes, and how a sidewalk fee would be collected; the consultants said the goal is to expand local options, not mandate adoption, and that fees would likely be billed through utilities rather than property taxes. A preliminary draft report is due December 15, with a final report due in mid-June. Next, staff gave a brief update on the ocean-going vessels study, which is examining shore power and emissions rules for vessels at berth. The presenter explained that federal Clean Air Act rules and California waiver authority create legal limits on how far Washington can go if it wants to adopt similar standards, and that deviations from California’s approach can increase litigation risk. The report will summarize stakeholder outreach and will be presented in draft form at the next JTC meeting. Finally, county engineers from Chelan and Douglas counties began a presentation on county transportation challenges, with the association’s director emphasizing collaboration with state agencies and local partners on issues such as fish passage barriers and infrastructure needs. The county presentation was only beginning when the transcript ended, and no committee action or votes were recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:38:01.760><c> Soybean</c> letter from the Minnesota Soybean letter from the Minnesota Soybean
• He added that Minnesota is unique because the requirement hurts affordability, and that Minnesota is
• He explained that there are certified pilot escorts in Minnesota, and that Minnesota is one of maybe
• Minnesota. Minnesota. Representative<00:59:57.200><c> Green.
• </c> people of Minnesota. So thanks. people of Minnesota. So thanks.

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The Cal Grant Program is a financial aid program administered by the California Student Aid Commission
• And as you indicate, counties where every single basic aid, every single district is basic aid because
• Calistoga is a basic-aid district.
• and basic aid.
• If they're in a basic-aid district, they will get the basic-aid ADA; they will get the ADA?

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• livestock protection grant, which is specified for avian influenza that was carried in a previous supplemental
• Line 221 is a deletion of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation appropriation.
• Line 333 is a transfer to the University of Minnesota regarding heritage oilseed research.
• Section 5 involves transfers to the University of Minnesota. and to MDA accounts in the Ag Fund and Special
• Paragraph D is for the Minnesota Grown Account.

Committee: House Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• funding lines in aid programs, but this is an aid program where school districts are allowed to calculate
• funding lines in aid programs, but this is an aid program where school districts are allowed to calculate
• </c> MD programs benefiting Minnesota MD programs benefiting Minnesota students<00:22:15.000><c> and<
• The remainder is spent on aids and grants.
• </c> critical factors not only the Minnesota critical factors not only the Minnesota Department<00:57

Committee: House Education Finance

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is not on a growth chart.
• on</c><00:02:19.360><c> a</c> hurting Minnesota Minnesota is not on a hurting Minnesota Minnesota is
• </c> Minnesota want to stay in Minnesota Minnesota want to stay in Minnesota thank<00:02:32.920><c> you
• , one in central Minnesota, and one in southern Minnesota.
• Minnesota itself?

Keywords: 1183, house