Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and they uh decided to contact Minnesota and they uh decided to contact Minnesota dalan<00:10:31.399
• </c> is yes it's the it it's the Minnesota is yes it's the it it's the Minnesota delting<00:15:41.319
• </c><00:19:20.159><c> yeah</c> particularly in Ral Minnesota yeah particularly in Ral Minnesota yeah
• </c> establishment of the waiver in Minnesota establishment of the waiver in Minnesota their<00:42:50.960
• </c> langenfeld I live in Hastings Minnesota langenfeld I live in Hastings Minnesota and<01:01:59.799

Committees: Senate Health and Human Services , Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota to come up to the DAS? Okay. Minnesota to come up to the DAS? Okay.
• And that course in Minnesota loons.
• Over 12,000 Minnesota since 2001.
• Yesterday, I went Minnesota youth.
• </c> increasing in the state of Minnesota. increasing in the state of Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> other cities in the state of Minnesota. other cities in the state of Minnesota.
• This morning, like many mornings since the arrival of 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota, I provided transportation
• What happened in Minnesota?
• </c> statewide data from Minnesota courts. statewide data from Minnesota courts.
• </c> apartments has crashed in Minnesota. apartments has crashed in Minnesota.

Bills: HF3403 , HF3410 , HF3424

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Congratulations again to the Minnesota.
• </c> to Minnesota and everywhere in between. to Minnesota and everywhere in between.
• </c> to the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. to the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr. Stabber. Stabber.
• At every single northern Minnesota.
• </c> banned mining in northeastern Minnesota? banned mining in northeastern Minnesota?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> for all of Minnesota. So, thank you. for all of Minnesota. So, thank you.
• </c> greater Minnesota. greater Minnesota.
• </c> already coming from greater Minnesota. already coming from greater Minnesota.
• But as I consider greater Minnesota and LGA, in greater Minnesota smaller cities—this is just something
• But as I consider greater Minnesota<00:42:03.520><c> and</c><00:42:04.480><c> LGA</c> Minnesota and LGA

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• </c> state of Minnesota. state of Minnesota.
• We just had that in<01:08:51.600><c> Minnesota.</c> in Minnesota. in Minnesota.
• Minnesota. Minnesota.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think the decrease in the river from Mississippi from Minnesota to the Gulf is about a degree.
• but they study it pretty well, and that's something that this is, you know, the Department of Transportation
• I'm with the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Committee: House Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 2998, with Representative Riggs explaining that most of the bill would be removed in committee substitute and that the remaining provisions would focus on an Upper Mississippi River Basin feasibility study and creating a stand-alone rural development office within DED. Riggs argued the study could explore hydropower, run-of-river technology, and a longer navigation season on the Mississippi, while the rural office would better serve Missouri’s roughly 2 million rural residents and provide a more permanent focus than current staffing arrangements. Committee members asked about why the river has not been used for power before, the cost and timeline of the study, the feasibility of retrofitting old locks and dams, and how the rural office would improve coordination and funding for rural development. Testimony in favor included Lisa Pennett, who urged keeping the coal-related language and said Missouri should protect its remaining coal plants amid growing electricity demand; Mike Sutherland of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who supported the rural development office and described co-ops’ role in broadband, workforce, housing, and community development across rural Missouri; and MoDOT’s Pamela Harlan, who said the agency would need to coordinate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the river study, estimated the study cost at about $3 million, and said it would likely take about three years. Informational testimony from Missouri Policy Initiative provided data on hydropower nationally, noting that only a small share of U.S. dams generate electricity, many retrofit projects are not viable, and a Mississippi River lock-and-dam project in Missouri and Illinois had recently received a federal permit to study feasibility. The hearing ended with the chair noting the bill would be narrowed in a substitute and then adjourning the committee; no vote was taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> create a Minnesota tax relief account create a Minnesota tax relief account funded<00:02:31.319>
• </c><00:10:46.160><c> I've</c> proud member of Education Minnesota I've proud member of Education Minnesota
• I am the Minnesota Budget Project Director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, and thank you for
• </c> Equitable to all people of Minnesota Equitable to all people of Minnesota thank thank thank you
• I cannot allow that. ...to Greater Minnesota.

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:04:20.560><c> either</c> chiropractors in Minnesota are either chiropractors in Minnesota are
• </c> for the most vulnerable in Minnesota. for the most vulnerable in Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota. So thank you. Minnesota. So thank you.
• Minnesota does not need to act.
• Minnesota unions opposing this bill. The Minnesota unions opposing this bill.

Summary: The committee first approved the March 11, 2026 minutes, then heard House File 4048, which would exempt chiropractors from Minnesota’s provider tax if they are no longer eligible to provide chiropractic benefits under Medicaid/MinnesotaCare. Representative Robbins said the bill corrects an unfair situation because chiropractors still pay the tax even though the benefit was eliminated. Testifiers from the Minnesota Chiropractic Association and a longtime chiropractor supported the bill, arguing that most chiropractors are small-business owners and should not pay a tax for services they can no longer provide. Several members said they supported restoring chiropractic coverage instead of changing the tax, and there was discussion about whether the tax applies to all providers and whether it is effectively passed on to patients. The committee adopted a motion to recommend HF 4048 to the Committee on Taxes. The committee then took up House File 3893, as amended, a bill to restrict artificial intelligence from engaging in psychotherapy or counseling with humans. The author and supporters said the bill is intended to prevent AI chatbots from posing as therapists or counseling vulnerable people, citing reports of suicides and other harms linked to chatbot interactions. The A2 amendment was adopted; the author said it reflected stakeholder concerns and added informed-consent language. Testifiers in support, including a psychologist and a suicide-prevention nonprofit leader, urged strong safeguards and said AI should not replace licensed professionals in crisis settings. Other testimony raised concerns about overbreadth and unintended effects. TechNet and a rural mental health provider said the bill should be narrowed so it applies to clinical therapy rather than wellness or educational tools, and should allow supervised AI uses such as transcription and administrative support. Members discussed rural access, existing licensing-board authority, privacy laws, and whether the bill should target AI companies directly rather than licensed clinicians. The transcript ends during continued discussion of HF 3893, with no final committee action shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And maybe it's too expensive to transport, but, you know, pump it out on a rail and send it to who needs
• Does North Dakota follow the same guidelines as the state of Minnesota on hydric soil identification?
• We have a different formula in Minnesota, and they go off of land sales, and Ducks Unlimited just bought
• So Chairman Hauck and Representative Skroch, so that's a Minnesota issue.
• There is an adverse effect on the basis of what transportation is going to cost.

Committee: Joint Agriculture and Water Management Committee

Summary: The committee met for its third interim meeting, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard a series of statutory reports from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Water Resources. Chair Hauck noted that Legislative Management had denied the committee’s earlier request for a fertilizer capacity study, and that the committee would also revisit the proposed Union Pacific/Norfolk Southern merger later in the day. Commissioner Doug Goring reported on several agriculture topics, including uncrewed aerial systems grants to detect noxious weeds, irrigation expansion potential, the low-carbon fuels program for ethanol plants, the Environmental Impact Mitigation Fund, model zoning ordinances for animal feeding operations, and fertilizer production and usage in North Dakota. He emphasized that fertilizer supply depends heavily on natural gas and water, that most nitrogen fertilizer is imported, and that large-scale fertilizer plants require very large capital investments. Members discussed fertilizer storage, natural gas pipeline capacity, water availability, and the role of state infrastructure in supporting value-added agriculture. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Water Resources’ economic analysis tool for water conveyance and flood-related projects. Dr. Dwayne Poole explained that the tool was created under 2017 legislation to help evaluate projects expected to cost $1 million or more, and that the department is proposing adjustments to better account for end-of-useful-life conditions and changing hydrologic data. He said the changes would remain focused on direct, demonstrable costs and benefits, not indirect impacts, and would be implemented through guidance and operating procedures rather than statutory changes. Committee members and water users discussed whether the revisions would better reflect real-world conditions, including deferred maintenance, changing rainfall patterns, and downstream effects. A representative from the Water Resource District Association said the group was working with DWR and hoped to review test scenarios before the June meeting. The committee then received a detailed presentation on Devils Lake, its outlets, and the Tolna Coulee control structure. State Engineer John Paskowski reviewed lake history, outlet capacities, sulfate and downstream flow constraints, and the purpose of the Tolna Coulee structure in limiting head cutting and preventing uncontrolled downstream releases. Members questioned whether the structure was effectively a dam, whether the lake would naturally overflow without it, the last time the outlets ran, and whether water quality in Devils Lake has improved over time. Paskowski said the outlets last operated in August 2025, that sulfate levels still limit operations, and that the lake has freshened somewhat but not enough to eliminate water-quality concerns. The discussion also touched on whether water from flooded areas or closed-basin systems could be reused for irrigation, and on the broader implications of wet cycles, inundated land, and drainage management across the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> and</c><00:25:12.840><c> evaluated</c> have somebody transported and evaluated have somebody transported
• um by the ambulance, and most transport um by the ambulance, and most times<00:58:20.440><c> we</c><
• , Nevada, New York, Oregon, and Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, and they<01:41:10.040><c> follow
• </c> in Minnesota. in Minnesota. &gt;&gt; Mhm. &gt;&gt; Mhm. &gt;&gt; Mhm.
• &gt;&gt; In<02:29:39.680><c> Minnesota,</c> &gt;&gt; In Minnesota, &gt;&gt; In Minnesota, there<02:29

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 3123, which would treat free tuition or school-conditioned enrollment at private educational institutions as a conditional gift rather than a contractual obligation unless otherwise agreed in writing. The Office of the Governor supported the bill, and Kamehameha Schools and the Hawaii Association of Independent Schools strongly backed it, saying it would protect donor intent, preserve school-ohana relationships, and help maintain tuition assistance and educational access for families. A committee member commented favorably on the unity among school organizations, and there were no objections raised before the committee moved on. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2438, which creates a civil cause of action for interference with constitutional and statutory rights through threats, intimidation, or coercion, with private and government enforcement options and protections for constitutionally protected speech. Testifiers from the Community Alliance on Prisons and a know-your-rights educator supported the measure as a civil rights protection grounded in the Hawaii Constitution. No opposition testimony was presented during the hearing, and the measure appeared to receive general support from those who testified. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 3142, which establishes offenses for dangerous and habitual dangerous intoxication and allows civil protective custody and emergency examination in lieu of arrest in certain cases. The Attorney General, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Department of Health, and Department of Human Services supported the bill as a treatment-oriented diversion tool for people who are dangerously intoxicated and at risk to themselves or the public. The Office of the Public Defender opposed the measure, warning it could expand police discretion, burden emergency rooms, and function as a loss of liberty without sufficient treatment resources, while committee members questioned whether the bill would simply cycle people through emergency rooms and back onto the street. No vote or final action was taken in the portion provided; the chair said decision-making would occur at the end of the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the state of Minnesota, where the Republican Senate leadership sponsored the bill, the savings were
• In the state of Minnesota, where the Republican Senate leadership sponsored the bill, the savings were
• afford their meds, and not make those tough choices, which we do see every day between medication, transportation

Committee: Senate Insurance

Summary: The Senate Insurance Committee met on May 13, 2026, adopted the May 6 minutes, and then took up several bills dealing with pharmacy benefit managers, prescription access, behavioral health coverage, and Citizens Property Insurance. HB 938, as amended, was the main PBM reform measure. After the committee adopted a large amendment set that narrowed the bill, members heard extensive testimony in support from Mark Bloom, Justin Joseph of Capital Rx, and Kathy Ue of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, all emphasizing transparency, pass-through pricing, reverse auctions, and patient access. Supporters described savings from reverse auctions and administrative models, while the cancer center testified that PBM-owned specialty pharmacy requirements can delay cancer medications and create financial hardship. The committee reported HB 938 favorably with amendments. The committee also heard HB 1154, which prohibits prior authorization for certain generic medications prescribed by qualified physicians, with a $250 cap discussed as a safeguard against higher-cost generics. The bill was supported by representatives from Ochsner Health and the Louisiana State Medical Society and was reported favorably. HB 909, which requires commercial coverage for behavioral health crisis services, was amended to clarify the insurers covered and then reported favorably with support from the Office of Behavioral Health and several outside groups. Testimony on HB 909 focused on reducing emergency room and law enforcement burdens and expanding crisis response capacity across the state. HB 1187, dealing with excess emergency assessment funds from Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, was explained by the Insurance Commissioner as a way to transfer remaining Katrina-era assessment funds to the Fortified Roof Program. The committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, SB 511 and SB 512 were deferred and converted into a study resolution approach because there was not yet consensus on the underlying issue. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Shortly after they shot her in the chest, they handcuffed her, and then they transported her to the hospital
• That is why we want to join the states of Louisiana and Minnesota to specifically implement That is why
• we want to join the states of Louisiana and Minnesota to specifically implement the following here in

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on May 7, 2025, considering a large number of bills, with several measures heard in detail before the committee moved through consent and suspense items. Early in the hearing, AB 876 by Assemblymember Flora was heard on CRNA scope of practice and anesthesia access. Supporters said it would clarify that certified registered nurse anesthetists may provide anesthesia services independently, while opponents from physician and medical groups argued that anesthesiologists and CRNAs are not interchangeable and that physician-led care is needed for patient safety. The bill was ultimately voted out, with a later vote change recorded for Mr. Tangipa from not voting to aye. The committee also heard AB 379, a major human trafficking and child exploitation bill, which would expand penalties for solicitation of a minor, create a misdemeanor for loitering with intent to purchase commercial sex, increase fines on businesses that fail to post trafficking notices or knowingly allow trafficking, create a survivor support grant program, and establish a vertical prosecution grant program. The bill drew strong support from the author and some members who emphasized tougher enforcement and victim services, but also significant opposition from sex worker and civil liberties advocates who argued the bill would worsen criminalization, disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities, and fail to address housing and other root causes. After extensive discussion, the committee voted the bill out, with one member later changing from not voting to aye. Other bills heard included AB 435 on child passenger safety, which would adopt a five-step test and update booster-seat and front-seat rules; AB 1415, which would give the Office of Health Care Affordability more access to information from health systems and private equity-related entities; AB 539, the Timely Care Act, which would extend the duration of approved prior authorizations for treatment; AB 1466, relating to groundwater adjudication and sustainability disputes; AB 127, which would tie the cap-and-trade price ceiling to the social cost of carbon; and AB 672, which would require public employers to notify PERB of certain court actions and allow intervention to protect labor rights. The committee also approved a large consent calendar and then deemed the suspense calendar approved, sending many bills onward. The hearing concluded with several bills reported out, some on call, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• starting to attack those upstream problems like financial stress, relationship stress, housing, transportation
• rates for transitional housing and ensured the VA could provide basic necessities like food, transportation
• I was honored to meet with a strong delegation from Minnesota yesterday.
• community for making such significant strides and caring for our veterans and it gives me hope that Minnesota
• services, but in a more relaxed less clinical environment There's a Vet Center in my district in Anoka, Minnesota

Committee: Senate Senate Veterans' Affairs

Keywords: veteran services, homelessness, unemployment, VA funding, mental health, congressional oversight, testimonies, American Legion, Dole Act, suicide prevention

Summary: This meeting focused on veteran services, emphasizing the urgent need to address the alarming rate of unemployment and homelessness among veterans. Numerous testimonies were presented detailing the impact of mass furloughs and cutbacks at the VA on personnel, notably veterans who were serving as employees. Various representatives expressed deep concern over how these firings could drastically affect the quality of care available to those who have served the nation. There was a strong call for Congress to bolster funding for existing programs aimed at alleviating veteran homelessness and improving overall care quality, especially in mental health services.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> &gt;&gt; for um Minnesota? &gt;&gt; for um Minnesota?
• Is Minnesota typical?
• Is Minnesota typical?
• For Minnesota purposes, Minnesota has decoupled from this limitation and enacted a Minnesota-specific
• </c> in Minnesota. in Minnesota.

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• the Minnesota According to the Minnesota Community-Based<00:08:28.760><c> Service</c><00:08:29.240><
• ,</c> the human services budget in Minnesota, the human services budget in Minnesota, but<00:14:27.839
• </c> probably see David is a a big Minnesota probably see David is a a big Minnesota Wild<00:15:44.200
• And again, Minnesota.
• Chair in Minnesota? Minnesota? Minnesota?

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• President, your Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee to whom has been referred Senate Bill 73
• Senate Bill 172, do not pass, but that Senate Tax, Business, and Transportation Committee substitute
• Transportation Committee.
• Do we do, let's pick out an agency, how about the Department of Transportation (DOT)?
• How deep do we Transportation.

Transcript Highlights:

• For instance, Minnesota pays well over half, probably some odd 60-some percent of the cost and almost
• all the transportation costs.
• all the transportation costs. range to the towns.
• all the transportation costs.
• </c> the trans almost all the transportation the trans almost all the transportation costs.<00:49:56.319

Committee: Senate Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:09.280><c> our</c> unfortunately here in Minnesota our unfortunately here in Minnesota our
• </c> the next chart uh with the the Minnesota the next chart uh with the the Minnesota housing<00:03:
• </c><00:04:06.360><c> and</c> price of a new home in Minnesota and price of a new home in Minnesota and
• Chair. or in northern Minnesota and I'm just I or in northern Minnesota and I'm just I I've<00:12:24.880
• </c> and we're pricing out many Minnesota and we're pricing out many Minnesota families<00:16:25.639>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is one of the best examples.
• In 2024, Minnesota reported more than 296,000 election day registrations, or about 9% of all voters.
• In 2020, Minnesota reported nearly 260,000. Commonwealth.
• In 2020, Minnesota reported nearly 260,000, and in 2016, more than 353,000 election day registration
• The evidence from states like Minnesota, Maine, and New Hampshire shows that it can become a routine

Summary: The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions held a hearing on Initiative Petition 25-01, H.5-001, an act relative to election day registration. The co-chairs explained the Article 48 initiative process and noted that the committee must report on the petition to the legislature. The hearing focused on how election day registration differs from same-day registration, how it is used in other states, and what implementation would require in Massachusetts. Three expert witnesses testified in support of the concept. A Northeastern University political science professor said the research shows election day registration would likely increase turnout, especially among younger voters, renters, recent movers, and other underrepresented groups, while requiring planning, training, and funding. A National Conference of State Legislatures policy analyst described how election day and same-day registration work in other states, including proof-of-residency and ID requirements, provisional ballot options in some states, and the need for updated voter systems and staffing. An MIT election administration professor said the proposal is mainstream, likely popular with Massachusetts voters, and administratively workable if the state addresses workload, wait times, and system integration. Committee members asked about costs, residency documentation, use of Real ID, provisional ballots, rural polling places, and whether election day registration could increase lines or discourage advance registration. Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin and volunteer proponent Norma Shulman testified in favor of the petition. They argued that election day registration would help eligible voters who miss deadlines or move before an election, reduce reliance on provisional ballots, and improve participation. Galvin said the proposal includes a 10-day reconciliation period and would likely require additional staffing and possibly technology, but he viewed the reform as worth the cost and consistent with broader election reforms. Shulman said voters she encountered during the signature drive strongly supported the measure and viewed it as common sense. In questioning, Galvin said the measure would help voters who move within a community or arrive at the polls unregistered, and he said many provisional ballots are not counted because of eligibility or registration problems. Opponents from the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the Massachusetts Town Clerks Association argued that while expanding access is important, election day registration would add to already heavy workloads for local clerks, who are managing early voting, vote-by-mail processing, and election-day operations with limited staff and resources. They said any major election change should be developed through the traditional legislative process with direct input from local officials, and they urged caution until municipalities receive more administrative and financial relief. The hearing then moved into the public testimony section, beginning with a representative from Mass for Fair Elections.