Transcript Highlights:

• Um which I think is actually a good idea.<00:19:53.280> Um idea. Um idea.
• I think that was a really bad idea.
• I think that was a really bad idea.
• I think that was a really bad idea.
• It seemed like a good idea at the time. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Funny, Omar.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so the idea happens we deadlock.
• So I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea.
• So I don't think it's necessarily a bad idea.
• Like I really do appreciate um the idea of using digital voter guides.
• Like I really do appreciate um the idea of using digital voter guides.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the idea would be that they >> Yep.
• I'm sure people are going to come up and explain why this is a horrible idea.
• I'm sure people are going to come up and explain why this is a horrible idea.
• No, I get it. >> It will not be the best idea ever. >> I assure you I wouldn't do that.
• Um, so the idea here is you set a really low threshold, 15%.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified. The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report. The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• to<00:19:33.000> give<00:19:33.120> you<00:19:33.200> an<00:19:33.320> idea
• <00:19:33.559> of populations just to give you an idea of populations just to give you an
• idea of the<00:19:33.720> scale<00:19:33.960> of<00:19:34.080> our<00:19:34.520>
• They are established in 1787, and just to give you an idea of how old that is, the Bill of Rights was
• They are established in 1787, and just to give you an idea of how old that is, the Bill of Rights was

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:36:44.760> or<00:36:45.040> concerns the branch have any ideas or concerns the
• I don't think the problem is solved at all, and if you guys have any ideas, you just call me up.
• I don't think the problem is solved at all, and if you guys have any ideas, you just call me up.
• So on this next slide, this gives you an idea.
• <01:27:39.119> we<01:27:39.280> talk an idea we talk an idea we talk about<01:27:41.679

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, which I think is a good idea, and Howard County again, uh, took a look at that.
• Um, but a number of good ideas came out.
• But a number of good ideas came out.
• But a number of good ideas came out.
• And one number of good ideas came out.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation, and welcomed guests including the doctor of the day, a Johns Hopkins student, and visiting scouts. The chamber then moved through first-reading introductions of several House bills, including measures on bullying and harassment reporting, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, Baltimore County nuisance actions, parole hearing commission procedures, a blockchain technology task force, and a task force on deed fraud, all of which were referred to standing committees. The main floor action centered on layover bills. Senate Bill 932, concerning social media platforms displaying a user’s usual location, was amended to broaden the protected location reference and to protect participants in the Secretary of State’s address confidentiality program; after discussion about whether minors and child-abuse victims were covered, the amended bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 623, creating a premium cigar lounge alcoholic beverage license, drew multiple county-specific amendments. Howard County and Baltimore County amendments sought to give priority to existing local tobacco businesses for the new licenses. Supporters said the changes would protect established local shops from out-of-state entities, while opponents argued the bill should remain statewide and not be amended county by county. A motion to special order the bill failed, and the amendments were adopted before the bill was ordered printed for third reading. Senate Bill 84, on collective bargaining for graduate assistants, also advanced after a committee amendment was adopted. A District 2 amendment was offered to clarify that graduate assistants are employed as teaching, administrative, or research assistants, but the floor leader opposed it, saying the bill’s definition was already clear and the change would create confusion. The minority leader questioned the definition and the relationship between graduate assistants and employees, prompting discussion of collective bargaining as bargaining by employees through representatives. The transcript cuts off before final disposition of that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I would invite further commentary on the idea of laying it over.
• This wasn't my idea. It honestly wasn't the idea Susan brought to the meeting that night.
• It honestly wasn't This wasn't my idea.
• It was their idea of how to that night.
• But idea what p pensions were all about.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:01:41.479> global<00:01:41.920> skin<00:01:42.280> lightning The toxic idea
• Thank you for your suggestions on it, and anybody has any ideas as this moves forward, please reach out
• Chairman, to the second part of your question, I have no idea.
• um I have no idea uh uh and<01:27:08.880> um<01:27:09.239> I<01:27:09.360> don't
• of the you know cases and an idea of the you know cases and settlements<01:27:57.520> that<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, that is the basic idea of how you read this spreadsheet.
• The formula, of course, can't be as simple as that, but that's the general idea.
• <00:22:17.880> and students and Educators title idea and students and Educators title idea
• That happened with special ed when IDEA came in in the '70s.
• That happened with special ed when IDEA came in in the '70s.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So what I didn't do was give you 10 different bills with 10 different ideas.
• We can do a lot of different things, and you'll see some ideas this year.
• We can do a lot of different things, and you'll see some ideas this year.
• We can do a lot of different things, and you'll see some ideas this year.
• Who had the idea to order the studies before the final draft was figured out?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was a recommendation by the Office of the Legislative Auditor, and sounds like a great idea to me
• legislative auditor and sounds like a legislative auditor and sounds like a great<00:01:13.960> idea
• to me to make sure everybody great idea to me to make sure everybody knows<00:01:16.360> what's
• sounds like there's a bill idea sounds like there's a bill idea so<01:15:03.639> um<01:15
• <01:17:35.080> of um I'm curious if you have any idea of um I'm curious if you have any idea

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a day that comes approximately an idea a day that comes to<00:33:16.559> our<00:33:16.840>
• revenue and that's really the the idea revenue and that's really the the idea of<00:33:48.159>
• Representative Scott, um, yes, the idea with these rare earth, um, non-rare earth magnets is that they
• Maybe things don't line up just right, or maybe the idea that you had turns out just wasn't the right
• that you had turns out um maybe the idea that you had turns out um just<00:58:47.760> you<00:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee met and approved the minutes from the previous meeting. The chair noted that agency overviews from the Office of Higher Education and other state agencies were not available, so the committee proceeded with University of Minnesota presentations instead. The committee also reviewed posted committee rules. University of Minnesota representatives gave an overview of the university’s research enterprise, describing it as a system of five campuses with a possible expansion to St. Cloud, and highlighting research strengths across campuses in agriculture, energy, natural resources, health, and the Twin Cities flagship campus. They said the university has more than $1.3 billion in annual research expenditures, receives most of its research funding from federal sources, and is ranked highly for both overall research and interdisciplinary research. Examples discussed included the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, the Forever Green initiative, and research tied to sustainable crops, health, and commercialization. Members asked questions about specific research areas, including biodegradable or renewable plastics, wheat research, food dyes, health and environmental toxins, and the market for winter camelina and winter pennycress. University staff said they could follow up with more detailed information and explained that the winter crop work is intended to become market-driven over time, while also improving soil health and creating new revenue streams for farmers. They also clarified that the university’s federal research funding includes money from NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and other agencies, and that the “other” funding category includes foundations, subawards, and internal university seed funding. The committee then heard a second University of Minnesota presentation focused on partnerships, commercialization, and workforce development. Testimony highlighted collaborations with industry and government partners such as U.S. Steel, 3M, Medtronic, Cisco, and defense-related industry leaders, as well as programs supporting microelectronics, AI, cybersecurity, and sustainable aviation fuels. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the minutes, and the committee ended the segment by moving on to the next testifier.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have no idea what it is.
• It's the idea is to recognize it later.
• So, saying that this is not a good idea.
• your jokes become funnier or your ideas your jokes become funnier or your ideas become<00:27:32.400
• things, but you never really get an idea things, but you never really get an idea of<00:27:36.160

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House first took up House File 1794, which would remove the post-graduate collaborative practice requirement for advanced practice registered nurses. The author and several supporters argued the bill would reduce barriers to practice, improve access to primary care and mental health services, especially in rural areas, and align Minnesota with other states. Supporters cited backing from APRN organizations and said the Board of Nursing had no concerns, while opponents, led by Representative Liebling, argued the current one-year collaborative period is a patient-safety safeguard that gives new APRNs needed experience working with physicians before practicing independently. After debate and questions about how the current requirement works in practice, the House passed the bill 119-12. The House then considered House File 4595, which changes licensure reciprocity rules for marriage and family therapists. Representative Schumacher said the bill would expand access to mental health care at no cost by making it easier for qualified out-of-state therapists to obtain Minnesota licenses, eliminating a five-year waiting period and other barriers while maintaining standards through background checks and a jurisprudence exam. Supporters, including Representatives Bierman and Gilman, emphasized workforce shortages and the value of more therapy access for families and relationships. The Board of Marriage and Family Therapy was noted as neutral, and the bill passed unanimously, 133-0. Finally, the House began debate on House File 4493, which would authorize pharmacists to initiate, prescribe, administer, and dispense certain drugs for opioid use disorder, including buprenorphine/Suboxone. Representative Baker said the bill would save lives by allowing people to access treatment immediately through local pharmacies, especially in greater Minnesota, and help them through withdrawal when they are most likely to seek help. The transcript cuts off during the opening of discussion on this bill, before any vote or final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it's proprietary information, and I don't think it's a good idea to ask that.
• That's why I don't think it's a good idea to do it.
• That's why I don't think it's a good idea to do it.
• So, I totally disagree in the idea that these are somehow the state's natural resources.
• And I think the<01:40:50.800> idea<01:40:51.160> of the idea of the idea of land<01:40:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with introductions and approval of the previous minutes, including a small amendment clarifying a note about “leakage” in a prior presentation. The committee then heard a presentation from Sarah Hall of the American Forest Foundation on the Family Forest Carbon Program, which she described as a voluntary carbon and forest management program for smaller landowners. She said the program provides annual payments and technical assistance, requires a forest management plan within two years, and is designed to support improved forest management while still allowing compatible uses such as recreation, hunting, and some harvesting. Hall emphasized that the program is intended as one tool among many and is not a fit for every property. She said most enrolled landowners did not previously have a forest management plan or work with a forester, and that the program helps bring “unengaged” landowners into active management. She also said the program is compatible with current use and other commitments on a case-by-case basis, and that landowners retain ownership of their land and timber rights while AFF holds the carbon rights for the contract term. She highlighted examples of landowners using the program to support taxes, family ownership, wildlife habitat, timber stand improvement, and continued recreational or business uses. Committee members asked about registry compliance in New Hampshire and the relationship between carbon markets and the program. Hall responded that AFF handles registry administration for landowners and would follow up on the specific registry count raised by a member. She explained that the program is funded through a mix of carbon market revenue, philanthropy, and grants, and that carbon credits are generated through landscape-level methodology and monitored using randomly selected plots compared with FIA data. She also noted that consulting foresters are key partners in the program and that AFF has paid more than $3 million to consultants nationwide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Do we have any idea when that's going to be up and running?
• Do we have<00:43:17.040> any<00:43:17.359> idea<00:43:17.760> when<00:43:18.000>
• when that's going to be up have any idea when that's going to be up and<00:43:19.119> running?
• And I will attempt to avoid that at all cost. ...the idea of leasing tower space from private entities
• I'd love to tell you that I created this idea and thought of this all on my own. Um, I didn't.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call- 00:00:03 Summary of Staff Report on the Firefighter Commission Minimum Training Standards and Administrative Spending- 00:01:00 Staff Update on Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel 00:16:00 Child Fatality and Near Fatality Review Panel Representatives Available for Questions-00:39:34 Kentucky State Police & Finance Cabinet Status Update on Kentucky Statewide Emergency Responder Voice System-00:52:35 Adjournment-01:46:24, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from December 19 and June 12, then received a staff report on the Kentucky Fire Commission’s minimum training standards and administrative spending. Staff explained that the commission’s current minimum training hours are 115 for volunteer firefighters and 300 for paid firefighters, down from 150 and 400 before January 1, 2023, after the commission removed elective classes not directly tied to NFPA standards. The report found the commission’s certification testing aligns fully with NFPA standards, but recommended that the commission formally promulgate regulations establishing the reduced training hours. On finances, staff said the commission complied with the first statutory cap on administrative reimbursements to KCTCS, but could not verify compliance with a second, more specific cap because the finance system does not break out program-level costs and the statute is vague. Staff recommended the commission work with KCTCS to fix that issue and suggested the General Assembly may wish to clarify the statute. After questions about reimbursement levels and investment income, the committee voted to accept the report. The committee then heard an update on the Kentucky Child Fatality and Near Fatality External Review Panel. Staff reported that the panel has implemented two of three prior recommendations: it revised its agency notification letter to clearly state the 90-day response deadline and added response prompts and checkboxes to improve completeness. The third recommendation, to adopt formal written procedures, remains in progress; staff said the panel plans to develop those procedures alongside its new case management system. The panel is meeting its statutory membership and meeting requirements, but agency responses to its recommendations have been inconsistent: 48% were timely and appropriate in 2022, 36% in 2023, and 82% in 2024, though only three of nine timely 2024 responses were fully complete. Staff also described the new case management system project, funded with $200,000 in one-time money, and recommended the panel consult budget staff about use of those funds beyond fiscal year 2025. They reissued the recommendation that the panel develop written procedures for case review, findings, recommendations, and annual reports. Committee members raised concerns about the lack of penalties for noncompliance, the volume and length of panel meetings, and technology barriers to reviewing cases, and one member said the panel’s findings should inform future legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:09:34.319> of different which is a couple of ideas of different which is a couple of ideas
• And that's the basis of my idea: there's other ways to do it besides globally lining things out.
• And that's the basis of my idea: there's other ways to do it besides globally lining things out.
• And that's the basis of my idea: there's other ways to do it besides globally lining things out.
• So I do like the ideas that you have shared.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint committees first heard House Bill 229, which would establish a statewide speed restriction for motor vehicles under certain circumstances. Testimony on the bill was limited and came in support from the City and County of Honolulu’s transportation services, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. No one testified in opposition, and there were no questions. The committees then took up House Bill 860, which would grant immunity from liability to the state or counties when they repair or maintain a street whose ownership or jurisdiction is disputed between them. The Department of Transportation and the Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted written testimony, and the Hawaii State Association of Counties, Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee, Hawaii County Council member Heather Kimble, and the Iolani Homestead Community Association for Justice testified in support. The Ho Association for Justice opposed the bill, arguing the immunity was too broad and that the issue had already been addressed by prior legislation. In discussion, members raised concerns about liability and asked whether a different approach, such as extending the 2017 law transferring Oahu roads in limbo to the counties, would be acceptable; county representatives said that path could be considered if immunity were removed. House Bill 1161, which would authorize counties to use a road usage charge mechanism similar to the state’s, drew support from the Department of Transportation, the Energy Office, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, several county and city offices, and the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rental car companies and industry groups supported the concept but asked for amendments, including a flat fee instead of a per-mile charge, relief for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and a delayed implementation date. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii also supported relief for hybrids. Members questioned the rental car representatives about the flat-fee proposal, and they said a per-mile charge would be difficult to calculate and pass on to customers. At the end of the joint agenda, the committees deferred decision-making on HB 1161 to Tuesday, March 18 at 3:00 p.m., and the Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs committee also deferred the three measures to that date and time. The Transportation and Culture and the Arts committee then began hearing House Bill 925, which would create a Performing Arts Special Fund, and House Bill 1378, which would establish a Performing Arts Grants Program and Special Fund and revise the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts’ responsibilities and funding sources. HB 925 received support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and written support or comments from DBEDT, the Hawaii Arts Alliance, and others. HB 1378 drew extensive testimony and discussion focused on preserving arts funding while addressing concerns about the use of Works of Art Special Fund dollars for positions and programming. The Governor’s office said it supported the intent but had concerns; the Attorney General warned that the bill’s cap and transfer provisions were unclear and could affect the tax-exempt status of bond-funded dollars; and the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts opposed the measure, urging an audit, tracking of deposits, and a shift of positions and programs to general funds instead of changing the law. The chair explained that the bill was intended to protect arts funding while tightening the legal guardrails around bond-financed dollars and preserving federal support, and asked testimony to focus on new points as the hearing continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:41:45.839> is whether a program or an idea is whether a program or an idea is practical
• <00:53:25.839> of then just sort of the idea of then just sort of the idea of revitalizing
• This provision is a bad idea, and the Teamsters strongly encourage you to remove it from the bill.
• wineries this provision is a bad idea wineries this provision is a bad idea and<01:06:03.880>
• Baker, so you have no idea how much wine you've thrown out in the last 90 days?

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think there's things that we can learn in that space, and we're interested in exploring other ideas
• I think earlier iterations had an idea of all-inclusive, and I think we quickly realized the expense
• I think there's things that we can learn in that space, and we're interested in exploring other ideas
• I think earlier iterations had an idea of all-inclusive, and I think we quickly realized the expense
• <00:42:06.560> of earlier iterations had an idea of earlier iterations had an idea of allinclusive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So frankly, this idea that we can't have a patchwork, I find absurd.
• I just wholeheartedly push back on this idea that we should have a single set of laws in this United
• This idea that, I mean, there's general consistency, right?
• This idea that, I mean, there's general consistency, right?
• Data minimization is the idea.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee hearing focused on a package of Massachusetts privacy and technology bills, especially measures to ban the sale of location data, establish a comprehensive consumer data privacy law, and regulate biometric recognition and surveillance pricing. Chairs and sponsors argued that self-regulation has failed, that data brokers and large tech companies routinely collect and monetize sensitive information, and that state action is needed because federal protections are weak or absent. Several speakers tied the bills to reproductive health, gender-affirming care, domestic violence, children’s data, and other sensitive uses of location and biometric information. Supporters included legislators and advocates who backed H. 86/S. 197 (Location Shield), H. 78/S. 45/H. 104/S. 29 (comprehensive privacy bills), H. 99/S. 47 (surveillance pricing in grocery stores), and H. 36/S. 36 (biometric recognition accountability). They emphasized data minimization, bans on selling sensitive data, consumer rights to access, delete, and opt out, and in some cases a private right of action. Several witnesses said Massachusetts should lead or align with other states, while others argued that stronger protections are needed because data can be weaponized by stalkers, anti-abortion actors, abusive partners, insurers, or law enforcement. Industry and coalition witnesses urged the committee to favor a more standardized, interoperable framework modeled on laws already adopted in other states, warning that novel definitions, data-minimization rules, and private rights of action could create compliance burdens, confusion, and costs for businesses, including small businesses. They argued that entity-level exemptions for sectors already covered by federal laws like HIPAA or GLBA promote consistency, and that Attorney General enforcement is preferable to private lawsuits. Committee members questioned witnesses on patchwork concerns, the scope of exemptions, and whether the proposed bills would harm or help consumers and small businesses. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing; written testimony was noted as due later, and the committee continued taking testimony from multiple panels and virtual witnesses.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, I mean, we have some ideas. Mr.
• Beyond that, I mean, there's other ideas. I don't know how much more.
• I guess the idea of using the AG's office versus the private attorney—had that idea not come up prior
• Open to your feedback and ideas.
• It'd be a good idea.

Keywords: 908, all