Transcript Highlights:

• <01:00:38.319> assets<01:00:39.119> and credit unions to hold digital assets and credit
• unions to hold digital assets and custody<01:00:39.839> accounts.
• if a bank or credit union chooses to if a bank or credit union chooses to offer<01:01:01.760> digital
• <01:01:02.880> asset<01:01:03.359> custody<01:01:03.920> services, offer digital
• institutions in holding digital assets. institutions in holding digital assets.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House began with a point of personal privilege honoring Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer of White Bear Lake, including a House resolution recognizing her military service and sacrifice and a moment of silence. Members then took up House File 4987, which would rename a highway in White Bear Lake as the Master Sergeant Nicole M. Amimer Memorial Highway. The motion to suspend rules and advance the bill prevailed, and the bill later passed 126-0 after supportive remarks from Representatives Olsen and Curran about honoring Amimer and her family. The chamber then considered Senate File 476, the human services policy bill. Representative Noor described it as a broad package covering direct care and treatment, Department of Health policy, aging and disability services, behavioral health, vulnerable adult maltreatment, continuity of care, and miscellaneous policy changes. Representative Schumacher said the bill reflected stakeholder work and added guardrails, especially around fraud and provider processes. Several amendments were offered and adopted, including a technical A13 amendment; an A8 amendment was withdrawn; and an A1 amendment on individualized home supports was also withdrawn. The bill passed 93-39. Finally, the House took up House File 4546, the forecast adjustment bill for the Department of Human Services and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Representative Noor said it was a routine biennial adjustment to align spending with the February forecast. Representative Johnson W offered an amendment on foster family information-sharing but withdrew it after concluding it was not germane. Debate focused heavily on the size of the forecast increases, especially in medical assistance and housing supports, with Representative Schultz arguing the bill reflected large cost growth and urging a no vote. Noor responded that the increases were driven by forecasted utilization, eligibility, rate changes, and program integrity changes. The bill passed as amended 93-39.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've already touched on these a little bit, but first is digital surveillance.
• So making sure is digital surveillance.
• um the decision-m and digital um the decision-m and digital surveillance<00:33:09.360> pieces
• surveillance, digital decision-making, displacement, maybe not as hard, but how do you gather that to
• surveillance, digital decision-making, displacement, maybe not as hard, but how do you gather that to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's an interactive digital report.
• uniform standards out, since web content accessibility is a Minnesota legislature statute now for digital
• They decided to set a eighth grade lexile. legislature statute now for digital legislature statute now
• for digital accessibility<00:53:59.839> that<00:54:00.240> happened<00:54:00.480> in
• with them since we've gone digital with them since we've gone digital the<00:55:07.839> other

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Budget Caucus Public Commission met with a quorum present, approved the September 3, 2025 minutes, and then heard a presentation from Legislative Budget Office Director Christian Larson on proposed updates to the fiscal note uniform standards and procedures. The main changes clarified that agencies must still complete a fiscal note when a bill or section cannot be implemented because of federal law, with the note explaining the implementation issue and costing only the portions that can be implemented. A second change said technical comments about possible future litigation may be included in the narrative but not in the cost tables. Members discussed how these rules would apply when only part of a bill is unimplementable versus when an entire bill is, and whether requiring a note in those cases is the best use of agency time. The commission also approved a new procedure on funding-source assumptions for expanded programs, including assuming the current funding source unless the bill says otherwise and defaulting to the general fund if no source is identified. The updated standards and procedures were adopted by a 7-0 roll call vote, with Senator Wickland excused. The commission then received a second presentation from Director Larson on a possible analysis of the accuracy of fiscal estimates and budget items after enactment. He described this as a variance analysis comparing fiscal note estimates to actual fiscal impacts, intended to improve future estimates, inform the legislature, and increase accountability. He summarized practices in other states, noting that most variance reviews are ad hoc, while Utah and Tennessee have more formalized legislative reports; he also referenced an LBO pilot review done in 2022 based largely on Tennessee’s model. The presentation outlined possible report formats, including a single annual report, standalone briefs, or topic-specific reviews, and raised implementation questions such as who would select items for review, whether the analysis should be limited to fiscal notes, what statutory authority or data access would be needed, and what resources would be required from both agencies and the LBO. Members did not take action on the second presentation. Representative Anderson and Vice Chair Pratt commented that the proposal is complicated but potentially useful for improving future fiscal notes and transparency, and the chair indicated the discussion was for future consideration rather than an immediate decision.

Transcript Highlights:

• using some of that to make meaningful investments in our local newspapers, broadcast stations, and digital
• using some of that to make meaningful investments in our local newspapers, broadcast stations, and digital
• Chair and members. broadcast stations, and digital news broadcast stations, and digital news platforms
• ,<00:36:14.600> hybrid,<00:36:15.240> broadcast, It's print, digital, hybrid, broadcast
• Um, and I broadcast or radio or digital.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:45.920> summer<00:39:46.160> through We have a standard per-rate that we divide
• Crapped in a digital world. I understand. If you'll give me just a moment.
• And they recommended disseminating digital floor plans to troopers throughout Connecticut. operators
• And they recommended<01:30:09.040> disseminating<01:30:09.679> digital<01:30:10.080>
• fl<01:30:10.719> uh recommended disseminating digital fl uh recommended disseminating digital

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call – 0:00:04 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:57 United Way of Southern Kentucky –0:04:30 Preschool Education – 0:36:46 School Safety Updates – 1:01:41 Kentucky Association of School Superintendents – 1:41:47 Educational Cooperatives – 1:55:18 Adjournment – 2:07:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened its sixth meeting of the 2025 Interim Joint Committee on Education, confirmed a quorum, recorded attendance votes, and approved the minutes. Chair Lewis reminded presenters to keep remarks brief because of the full agenda and limited time. The first presentation was from United Way of Southern Kentucky, with Anne Puckett, Craig Browning, and Warren County Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton introducing a regional early childhood initiative. The presenters argued that kindergarten readiness and early childhood support are critical to later academic and life outcomes. They cited research and statistics about brain development in the first five years, the effects of unprepared kindergarten entry, and links between low literacy, school discipline, dropout rates, and incarceration. They said their region’s readiness scores fell during COVID and after a tornado, and that the most effective response was in-home parent education to help families support children from birth to age five. They described the model as voluntary, community-based, and not requiring new buildings, and said similar programs have been successful in Missouri. The group said it had already raised more than $1 million in private donations and committed three years of funding for four additional staff, expanding service in Allen, Logan, and Warren counties. They requested $600,000 per year for the next two-year budget cycle to add 12 more educators, serve about 360 families and 660 additional children, and build evidence for a possible statewide model. Members generally expressed support for the concept, with Representative Tipton and Representative Jackson discussing a prior home-based preschool pilot and the importance of starting early. Representative Calloway questioned whether increased family chaos and government involvement justified the approach; presenters responded that the program uses community educators, not a government-run organization, and is aimed at helping overwhelmed families. Representative Stalker asked about eligibility and early intervention, and presenters said the program serves children from birth to age five and can help identify needs early enough to connect families with services such as First Steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• And Lowell will be focusing the conversation around digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition
• So we talked about municipal grant programs, digital accessibility, So we talked about municipal grant
• programs, digital accessibility efforts, and ways we can help raise awareness of resources available
• And many state and local entities are also up against an April 26 deadline for digital accessibility
• And often individuals with various kinds of disabilities find digital access to be a way that they are

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual/in-person meeting and approved the December minutes. The chair announced plans for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, in partnership with MassAbility, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity, along with a resource fair. The commission also began planning for its October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and sought volunteers for a small planning group. The meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts, including challenges to federal actions on higher education diversity data collection and DEI-related funding conditions, immigration/TPS for Haitians, NIH research grant disruptions, and the nonrenewal of mental health services grants for schools. The presenter said the state has helped protect more than $3 billion in federal funding and noted ongoing or pending appeals in several cases. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on disability-related DEI work and Medicaid; the AG’s office said guidance on DEIA/employment initiatives is available and that the state is closely monitoring federal Medicaid communications and coordinating with the governor’s office. Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann presented on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven pathways with classroom instruction and wage progression. They highlighted growth in nontraditional fields such as human services, IT, early education, biotech, and banking, and described Bridgewater State University’s Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model that can lead from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed expanding similar models through community colleges and disability-focused workforce pipelines. Subcommittee reports covered disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The employment subcommittee heard from CED on state disability employment initiatives and planned future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and Veterans Affairs. The long-term services and supports subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, anticipated federal Medicaid changes, the personal care attendant working group, and an upcoming discussion on crisis standards of care. In commissioner announcements, members highlighted recent honors for several commissioners, updates on municipal digital accessibility grants, a June Medicaid summit, and other commission activities. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• framework advances the cause of protecting civil rights, not just in the physical world, but in the digital
• Many small businesses rely on the digital marketing services from Google, Facebook, and Amazon and have
• Many small businesses rely on the digital marketing services from Google, Facebook, and Amazon and have
• Every day, we are generating vast amounts of digital data where we live, work, and travel.
• Before noon, I had produced a digital footprint that can be purchased by anyone for the right price.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first adopted several resolutions from the Committee on Rules, including congratulations to four Eagle Scouts and recognition of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. The chamber then took up a series of bills reported by Ways and Means and other committees, repeatedly suspending the rules to move them forward. These included the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Linfield funding transfer bill, with each measure advancing by amendment or being passed to a third reading or engrossment. A major portion of the session focused on the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, with multiple members speaking in support. Supporters described the bill as a broad consumer privacy framework that would limit data collection, require consent for sensitive data, ban the sale of precise location data, restrict targeted advertising to minors, create consumer rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data uses, and provide enforcement tools for the Attorney General and, in limited cases, a private right of action. Several members emphasized protections for reproductive health, immigrant communities, and neural data, while others argued the bill would not burden small businesses and would instead hold large data holders accountable. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading, then later passed the bill to be engrossed and enacted. The House also considered and enacted Senate 2563, a bill updating language in the laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members described the measure as removing outdated and offensive terminology and replacing it with person-first language without changing substantive law. After debate, the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then enacted it by roll call. In addition, the House enacted the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House 5470, and approved a bill extending deadlines for Middleton and Milton, both by roll call votes with no opposition. Later, the House took up a temporary summer 2026 local-option pilot allowing municipalities to extend liquor license hours and permit public consumption in designated districts. Supporters framed it as an economic development and tourism measure tied to major upcoming events, and the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then concurred with the Senate version. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet again the following Monday in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In the digital age, with all the peril and possibility that accompanies with it, the struggle for free
• In June of 2020, a foreign group with the Orwellian name, The Center for Countering Digital Hate, engineered
• The EU is now using the Digital Services Act outside its borders to require censorship, including of
• The motives and means to control the digital public square, to monopolize narrative, to monopolize power
• With that Orwellian name, the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

Keywords: censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the court at this step must determine if that property can be physically divided.
• Now, if they're dividing the properties up, when we're talking about partition in kind, is that based
• Now, if they're dividing<01:05:03.280> the<01:05:03.520> properties<01:05:04.000> up
• , dividing the properties up, dividing the properties up, when<01:05:06.240> we're<01:05:06.480
• So the court would be within its discretion dividing up the property.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:01 Kentucky’s Justice Reinvestment Initiative – Domestic Violence: 00:02:00 Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act: 00:46:41, 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary approved the minutes from its July 24, 2025 meeting and heard an announcement about a lunch sponsored by the Kentucky State Buildings and Trades Council on forming a blue-collar caucus. The main presentation came from the Council of State Governments’ Justice Center on the Kentucky Justice Reinvestment Initiative’s domestic violence work, which was described as a multi-year effort begun in 2023 to analyze data and interview stakeholders across the state. Presenters reported that domestic violence is widespread in Kentucky, with about half of adults experiencing some form of violence or stalking in their lifetimes, and that an average of about 22,000 IPV incidents occurred annually from 2018 to 2022. They said domestic violence is a major driver of violent crime, accounting for about 48% of person offenses over a six-year period, and is linked to significant shares of homicides, sex crimes, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and simple assault. They also said reported incidents and arrests have risen in recent years, that protective-order violations and convictions have increased, and that Kentucky ranks near the bottom among surrounding states in the share of victim compensation for domestic-violence-related claims. Law enforcement survey results showed strong adoption of model policies and guidance, but limited use of screening tools for serious injury risk. The presenters emphasized that domestic violence also places heavy demands on law enforcement, courts, and corrections, citing roughly 30,000 law-enforcement responses in 2022 and noting that more than a third of people entering DOC custody and nearly a third under supervision had DV-related histories. They said a small group of repeat offenders drives ongoing harm and that targeted interventions could reduce recidivism. They highlighted a North Carolina example in which focused intervention reduced IPV-related homicides and calls for service, and they referenced Kentucky’s 2020 assessment recommendations on training, language access, protective-order service, and coordination with victim services and batterer intervention providers. They estimated that a 25% reduction in reported DV incidents could prevent nearly 5,000 victimizations annually and reduce DOC commitments and costs substantially. Committee members asked about the relationship between civil domestic violence petitions and companion criminal cases, and the presenters said they would check whether the data could answer that question. Members also discussed recent Kentucky legislation, including Senate Bill 319 on crime victims compensation and House Bill 38, which made a third domestic violence offense a Class D felony. Several members thanked the presenters and advocates, and one member raised concerns about service of process and recent violent incidents involving domestic violence-related warrants, prompting discussion of dedicated service units in larger jurisdictions and the resource limits faced by smaller agencies.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that even if the amendment is divided, it is still a government report.
• The chair said that even if the amendment is divided, it would still require the department or every
• He said he would have to go to MDE to see what those are in terms of if the amendment were divided.
• He said he would have to go to MDE to see what those are in terms of if the amendment were divided. in
• He said that if the amendment were divided and they just had the first half, they would have to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Companies don't know how to report abandoned crypto, and people aren't getting reconnected with their digital
• Digital assets such as Bitcoin and other currencies based on blockchain technology are currently undefined
• And this bill also ensures that California implements best practices for managing abandoned digital assets

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I divided that, and the biomonitoring and the rapid testing would be a larger task.
• So, I divided that, and the biomonitoring and the rapid testing would be a larger task.
• So, I divided that budget of $4 million.
• So that's<00:50:15.839> what<00:50:16.240> I<00:50:16.480> divided<00:50:16.880>
• those up, the 1.5 that's what I divided those up, the 1.5 uh<00:50:19.200> and<00:50:19.599><

Bills: HF2784, HF2785, HF2778, HF2281, HF2576, HF2280, HF2579

Keywords: beginning farmers, agriculture, loans, economic opportunity, farmers' equity, agriculture appropriations, farm to school, early care, child care food program, school lunch program, local food, Minnesota agriculture, food access, farm-to-institution, limited market access, county fairs, biofuels, E25, ethanol, meat processing

Transcript Highlights:

• long-established practices like the least-change approach or considering communities of interest divides
• He said the fact that it is evenly divided assures us that there will be a certain amount of give and
• 4 four but should have eight now divided 4 four but should we<00:56:34.400> go<00:56:34.599><
• <00:57:46.720> U<00:57:47.200> make fact that it's evenly divided U make fact that
• it's evenly divided U make assures<00:57:48.240> us<00:57:48.640> that<00:57:48.839>

Bills: HF550

Keywords: redistricting, Bipartisan Commission, Minnesota Constitution, census, legislative districts, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• a piece of digital evidence.
• Every single one of those cases has a digital evidence component.
• a piece of digital evidence.
• Every single one of those cases has a digital evidence component.
• evidence just 10 more quickly digital evidence just 10 years<00:19:49.480> ago<00:19:49.720><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Minnesota Department of Administration on the governor’s capital budget requests. Commissioner Tamara Grundal described the state’s deferred maintenance backlog, saying Minnesota owns more than 4,800 buildings across 19 agencies, with an estimated replacement value of $11.2 billion and about $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance. She urged continued bonding support for asset preservation, CAPRA emergency repair funding, Capitol Complex security upgrades recommended by the ACAS advisory committee, and a budget-neutral account to help leverage federal funds for renewable energy storage and electric vehicle projects at state facilities. Members asked follow-up questions about prior security spending and CAPRA use. The commissioner said some 2018 security funds were used for items such as bollards, projectile-resistant glass, key card readers, and security kiosks, but specific details would be provided offline. On CAPRA, staff said recent projects included public safety upgrades, correctional facility repairs, water main and sewer work, roof repairs, lift station repairs, and boiler and steam trap replacements. The commissioner said the account has recently been used heavily, with about $1.9 million remaining, and estimated a typical target range of roughly $3 million to $5 million based on past spending and expected emergencies. A staffer said they did not know whether bonds had been issued ahead of time to fund the reserve and would follow up. The committee then heard from the Department of Public Safety on BCA capital projects. Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Superintendent Drew Evans said the governor’s proposal includes a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory in Mankato, expansion of BCA regional office and lab space, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters using trunk highway cash. Evans said the Mankato project is needed because of growth in DNA analysis, digital evidence, controlled substances, cyber tips, and sexual assault kit testing, and because the current St. Paul facility is over capacity. He said the new regional facility would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for scientists and law enforcement, support training, and improve evidence intake and crime scene response in southern Minnesota. Senator Pappas questioned the increase in the Mankato project cost from about $48 million to $68.6 million. Evans said the increase was driven by rising construction costs and additional specialized laboratory and support-space needs identified during design work with the Department of Administration. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• budget and said it was a great budget and that the committee did a great job in a tough year with divided
• they appreciated the respect shown for the people who worked on the budget and the difficulty of divided
• As divided up, as I understand it, there's basically three legs to this stool. Mr. Chair, Mr.
• Chairman, Vince, that's a very good verb to put a hold on that, so it's not divided up by the Department
• We're a divided governor. This is a bipartisan bill. ...divided governor.

Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the beginning of the session, the partisan divide looked like it might be too wide to bridge.
• At the beginning of the session, the partisan divide looked like it might be too wide to bridge.
• At the beginning of the session, the partisan divide looked like it might be too wide to bridge.
• in this room decided to campaign and knock on doors and make phone calls so that we could sit in a divided
• so that we could sit in a divided so that we could sit in a divided chamber.<00:17:57.360> This

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we won't allow misinformation like we have seen in the past and allow scare tactics to divide
• 04:00.400> to in the past and allow scare tactics to in the past and allow scare tactics to divide
• communities<00:04:02.159> or<00:04:02.480> pit<00:04:02.879> drivers divide
• our communities or pit drivers divide our communities or pit drivers against<00:04:04.400> each
• They are using the same old playbook: divide workers, mislead the public, and avoid accountability.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What this bill does is put in statute that this will be divided into three funds.
• So the question before you today is: do you want to put in statute to divide this?
• Just do what we're supposed to do when we come into dividing this money.
• But first, I'm going to spend what I need, and then we'll divide the thirds up with what's remained.
• This particular bill is talking about severance tax money, dividing it three ways, and knowing that this

Transcript Highlights:

• In agriculture, I think one of the biggest problems we have is that we try to divide our group at times
• 21:35.679> um problems we have is we um we try to um problems we have is we um we try to um divide
• 21:37.679> times<00:21:38.679> we<00:21:38.799> are<00:21:39.080> too divide
• our group at times we are too divide our group at times we are too small<00:21:39.679> of<00:
• You know, in agriculture, I think one of the biggest problems we have is that we try to divide our group

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met with a large group of 4-H and FFA students and guests in attendance, and members repeatedly highlighted the importance of those youth programs to agriculture and future leadership. The committee first took up House Bill 356, as amended by a committee substitute, which would create the Kentucky Urban Youth Agriculture Initiative. The sponsor explained that the substitute broadened the bill beyond hands-on farming to include agricultural education, agribusiness, advocacy, internships, apprenticeships, and other experiential learning, while also lowering the starting age from 6 to 5, removing the requirement that participants have access to farmland, and changing the program into a pilot focused on urban youth. Testimony from a 4-H student and Kentucky 4-H leadership emphasized that the goal is to remove barriers and provide access to agriculture education for all youth, including those in urban areas. Several members spoke in support, noting the value of urban agriculture and youth exposure to the field, and one member asked whether urban community gardens would fit within the concept; the sponsor said the substitute was designed to allow that kind of access. The committee then voted unanimously to pass HB 356 as amended, and also approved a title amendment. After HB 356, the committee moved to House Bill 315, a foreign adversary land bill intended to limit certain foreign entities’ ability to purchase land in Kentucky. The sponsor said the bill was carried over from a prior version drafted by a former representative. The chair then recognized Tim Shank, general counsel for the Kentucky Bankers Association, who testified in opposition to the mechanics of Section 8 dealing with foreclosure. He said banks are already heavily regulated and must screen borrowers through federal systems such as FinCEN, and warned that the bill’s provisions could create problems for community banks that make agricultural loans and potentially limit access to credit if the issue became widespread. The transcript ends during discussion of HB 315, before any final committee action on that bill is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a time when we need someone who can unite, not divide, who can lead with purpose, not partisanship
• In a time when we need someone who can unite, not divide, who can lead with purpose, not partisanship
• who<00:35:08.880> can<00:35:09.040> unite<00:35:09.640> not<00:35:09.920> divide
• /c><00:35:10.839> who<00:35:10.960> can<00:35:11.119> lead who can unite not divide
• who can lead who can unite not divide who can lead with<00:35:11.599> purpose<00:35:12.119>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House convened for the opening of the 2025-2026 Minnesota legislative session. Secretary of State Steve Simon called the chamber to order, appointed a clerk pro tem, and Pastor Ben Mayatt delivered the prayer before the Pledge of Allegiance. The clerk then conducted the roll call, and after an initial dispute over quorum and authority, the House determined that 67 members were present, establishing a quorum. The main business was organizing the House. Members nominated and seconded Representative Lisa Demuth for Speaker, and she was elected on a 67-0 roll call vote. After taking the oath, Speaker Demuth delivered remarks emphasizing service, civility, bipartisan cooperation, accountability, and focusing on practical results for Minnesotans. The House also adopted a resolution accepting the findings in the District 40B election contest and declaring a vacancy there, and another resolution adopting temporary House rules for the session, including a committee structure and a fraud prevention/state government oversight committee. Members then adopted a resolution authorizing necessary House employees to continue working, and the Speaker announced appointments for Speaker pro tempore, Deputy Speaker pro tempore, and the House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration. The House also approved permanent desk assignments for the Republican and DFL caucuses. The session ended with announcements about a reception and a Rules Committee meeting, followed by adjournment until noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.