Transcript Highlights:

• the power to decide for themselves, trading local budget choices made at home for one rigid answer locked
• This website allows the voter to lock, his or her personal impact.
• This website allows the voter to lock up, sorry, to look up their personal information and make an informed

Summary: The Committee on Appropriations took up SJR 2-F, the proposed constitutional amendment on property tax relief, which would reduce assessment growth on non-homestead property, expand homestead exemptions, create a new exemption for new homesteaders, and direct counties, cities, and school districts to use property tax revenues for specified core services. Senator Avila presented the measure as the governor’s plan to provide historic relief and argued that local governments should tighten budgets and prioritize core functions. Senators raised concerns about the lack of fiscal scoring, the breadth and ambiguity of the permitted uses, the effect on special districts and local services, and whether the proposal would shift costs to fees or other taxes. The committee adopted several amendments, including Avila’s amendment clarifying that ad valorem revenues could be used for county and municipal operations and administration and other expenditures not prohibited by law, and Trumbull’s amendment removing school board ad valorem taxes from the proposal. Other amendments failed, including proposals to allow user fees and non-ad valorem assessments, add a sunset, redirect tourism development taxes, narrow the small-business provision, and change the ballot title to reference local service reductions. Grall’s amendment removing the constitutional trust fund requirement was adopted, while the committee also rejected Berman’s title-change amendment and Smith’s sunset and tourism-tax amendments. The committee then returned to the bill as amended for questions, including extended debate over whether the proposal would affect noncitizen residents, the impact on local government finances, and whether local governments would respond with higher fees or special assessments. The meeting ended with the bill still under discussion after the final round of questions, with Avila saying he would continue working with the governor’s office on the language before the next vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• as I said at the time, they weren't putting plywood in the windows when they were being forced to lock
• as I said at the time, they weren't putting plywood in the windows when they were being forced to lock
• as I said at the time, they weren't putting plywood in the windows when they were being forced to lock

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That holds 3.2 million acres of Wyoming<00:24:47.200> forest<00:24:47.919> locked<00:24
• <00:24:49.360> If<00:24:49.679> things Wyoming forest locked up.
• If things Wyoming forest locked up.

Bills: HB0078, HB0087, SF0070, SF0068, SF0017, SF0043

Keywords: forest health, grant program, state forester, wildfire prevention, environmental conservation, habitat improvement, water development, feasibility studies, appropriations, water management, rehabilitation, irrigation, public works, agricultural supply, municipal water, funding, maintenance projects, tax assessments, state law, forestry management

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:33:49.440> So,<00:33:49.679> this<00:33:50.399> locks<00:33:50.720> it
• So, this locks it taken care of that.
• So, this locks it in.<00:33:51.279> You<00:33:51.519> you<00:33:51.760> make<00:

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• She was pretty<00:49:58.240> locked<00:49:58.559> in.
• 00.000> I<00:50:00.160> had<00:50:00.319> to<00:50:00.400> call pretty locked
• So, I had to call pretty locked in.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a mean pop lock and... Yeah. Thank you, Mr. President.
• Department of Personnel and Administration, for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor, Janna Lock
• Department of Personnel and Administration, for a term expiring at the pleasure of the governor, Janna Lock
• calendar, which is Sheldon Smith of Montrose for the Colorado Board of Veterans Affairs, and Janna Lock

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution, and I know some folks running around Washington have questioned how tight and how locked
• how tight Washington have questioned how how tight and<00:30:17.520> how<00:30:17.640> locked
• <00:30:18.720> So,<00:30:18.800> I and how locked that language is.
• So, I and how locked that language is.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• If the bill doesn't pass, we would revert to current law and structure with that 9502 locked-in rule.
• structure with revert to current law and structure with that<01:38:42.360> 9502<01:38:43.120> locked
• <01:38:44.520> Investment<01:38:45.000> of that 9502 locked in rule.
• Investment of that 9502 locked in rule.

Bills: HF4407, HF4382

Keywords: child welfare, African American children, racial disproportionality, family preservation, reunification, foster care, kinship care, relative placement, noncustodial parent, guardian ad litem, ombudsperson, Department of Human Services, county social services, active efforts, reasonable efforts, child protection, placement, out-of-home placement, Northstar kinship assistance, data disaggregation

Summary: The Children and Families Committee adopted the April 8 minutes and then took up House File 4407, as amended by the A1 amendment. The amendment, explained by nonpartisan staff, incorporated much of the Senate version of related legislation and made a series of changes: it revised the definition of “disproportionately represented child,” shifted that determination to the Commissioner of Children, Youth, and Families, made technical cross-reference and terminology updates, adjusted training requirements, set the working group to expire December 31, 2027, and added an appropriation for statewide implementation. The committee adopted the A1 amendment and then referred the bill to Ways and Means. Representative Gilman said the bill is intended to preserve the goals of the Minnesota African American Family Preservation Act while addressing operational, legal, and fiscal problems before statewide implementation. He argued for delaying the effective date by one year, shifting case review responsibilities to the state, and providing funding so counties are not left with an unfunded mandate. He also said the bill adds safety measures related to synthetic opioids and other imminent-harm concerns, and that the delay would allow the working group to finish its recommendations and give counties time to prepare. County officials Steve Schmidt of Meeker County/Minnesota Rural Counties and Jenny Mojo of Clay County testified in support of the bill as amended, emphasizing that counties need clearer responsibilities, staffing, training, technology, and dependable funding to implement the law successfully. Rebecca St. George of DCYF said “active efforts” is not absolutely defined and is determined case by case, often with court involvement. Members raised questions about the meaning of active efforts, the bill’s synthetic opioid language, and whether the proposal should apply more broadly rather than within this specific act. A citizen also cautioned that the opioid language should not unintentionally affect families in treatment programs. Representative Hicks warned that the fentanyl provisions could lead to broad removals and create placement problems for teens with substance use disorder, while Representative Gilman responded that the bill includes a rebuttable presumption and is meant to protect children from imminent harm.

Transcript Highlights:

• They just locked in the situation in 1988.
• They<01:38:00.000> just<01:38:00.320> locked<01:38:00.760> in They just locked in
• They just locked in the<01:38:02.160> situation<01:38:02.800> in<01:38:02.880> 1988

Bills: HF4906, HF3971, HF4777, HF2109, HF2988

Keywords: property tax, tax refund, taxpayer relief, Minnesota taxation, one-time payment, taxation, property valuation, Tax Court, evidentiary standards, Minnesota Statutes, disparity reduction, aid payments, local government, funding, Fillmore County, education funding, managed forest land, classification, forest management plan, agricultural land

Summary: The committee first approved the April 9 minutes, then took up House File 2988, which would extend for eight more years a sales tax exemption tied to Minnesota State High School League tournament ticket revenue that is funneled into the league’s foundation and returned to schools as grants. Chair Youakim and Executive Director Eric Martins said the program sends more than $1.1 million annually back to schools for activity fee reductions, scholarships, coaching and training, AEDs, late buses, and other school needs, with over 98% of funds going directly to schools. Representative Huot and others spoke in support, while Representative Robinson questioned the structure and suggested the state could instead simply reduce ticket prices and not tax the tickets. The committee laid HF 2988 over for possible inclusion in the omnibus tax bill. The committee then heard House File 4906, as amended, which would create a one-time property tax refund in calendar year 2026 for owners of residential homesteads and the homestead portion of agricultural property, funded by a $4 billion appropriation in fiscal year 2027. The bill includes a clawback for delinquent taxpayers and offsets to ensure no one receives more in property tax refunds than they paid. A House Research staffer said the Department of Revenue viewed the refund as potentially taxable, while House Research said it likely should be treated as a recovery of prior taxes, and the two would follow up. The bill was introduced with testimony from Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota and Nan Madden of the Minnesota Budget Project, both of whom opposed it, arguing it would create a large budget hole, force future cuts, and disproportionately benefit homeowners while excluding renters and lower-income Minnesotans. Several members also raised concerns. Representative Hewitt said the state should prioritize public safety, rural EMS, and safety-net hospitals rather than a large rebate, and Representative Youakim argued the money would be better spent on longer-term property tax relief and education funding. Representative Hollins said the proposal would worsen racial and wealth inequities because homeownership is lower among communities of color and renters would get nothing. In response, the author and supporters said the bill is meant to put money back into people’s budgets and that individuals should be able to decide how to use their own money. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s size and fiscal impact, but no final action on HF 4906 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• flexibility going forward, allowing MMB to use the most effective procurement tools rather than being locked
• 00:31:38.600> being procurement tools rather than being procurement tools rather than being locked
• <00:31:39.240> into<00:31:39.560> a<00:31:39.640> process locked into a process
• locked into a process that<00:31:41.560> does<00:31:41.840> not<00:31:42.520> that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• some statistics and look at where the bulk of the problems lie so that we can focus our efforts to lock
• /c><00:23:29.000> our<00:23:29.160> efforts<00:23:29.560> to<00:23:29.720> lock
• <00:23:30.000> those<00:23:30.280> down can focus our efforts to lock those down can
• focus our efforts to lock those down and<00:23:31.280> stop<00:23:31.600> those<00:23:

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• four campuses, upgrade communication systems, expand camera coverage, and implement emergency door locking
• coverage, and implement emergency camera coverage, and implement emergency door<00:34:17.599> locking
• <00:34:17.919> systems<00:34:18.320> and<00:34:18.480> classrooms, door locking
• systems and classrooms, door locking systems and classrooms, among<00:34:19.280> other<00:34:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what we're trying to balance here is a real issue about people buying into these units and getting locked
• c> people buying into these units and people buying into these units and getting<01:45:48.320> locked
• unit<01:45:49.119> and<01:45:49.360> not<01:45:49.520> being getting locked
• into a unit and not being getting locked into a unit and not being able<01:45:49.840> to<01:45

Bills: SB2190, SB2338, SB2424, SB2356, SB2981, SB3028, SB3187, SB2378, SB2398, SB2192, SB2155, SB3219, SB3218

Keywords: affordable housing, employment contracts, salary caps, housing finance, public housing authority, executive compensation, parking minimums, off-street parking, transit-oriented development, TOD, housing supply, smart growth, redevelopment, adaptive reuse, micro units, rail transit, public transit stations, county zoning, land use, urban planning

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on a series of housing-related Senate bills. SB 2190 SD2 on inclusionary zoning drew support from HHFDC, Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute, Housing Hawaii’s Future, and Hako Seed Center, with opposition from OHA and Aloha Independent Living Hawaii. SB 2338 SD1, dealing with housing agency personnel authority, received comments from the Attorney General cautioning that the bill should be clarified to avoid conflicts with civil service and collective bargaining laws and recommending removal of a provision limiting employment contracts; HHFDC said its comments addressed those concerns and supported the measure. SB 2424 SD1, concerning HHFDC, received broad support from housing, business, and community groups, with one opposition. Testimony focused on changing the definition of “qualified resident” so people who already own an HHFDC-assisted unit could later purchase another if their housing needs change; HHFDC said the current rule forces people to sell before buying again and that the bill would help people move up the housing ladder and encourage more housing development. SB 2356 on parking also drew broad support from state agencies, housing advocates, business groups, and local officials, with Unite Here Local 5 in opposition. SB 2981 on land use had strong support from many organizations and 67 individuals, with Unite Here Local 5 opposing. SB 3028 SD2 on property conveyance generated the most detailed policy debate. Supporters, including Catholic Charities Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Indivisible Hawaii, and others, backed restructuring the conveyance tax into a marginal rate system and urged changes to revenue allocations, including dedicated funding for homeless services, DHHL, and the rental housing revolving fund. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii supported the marginal-rate concept but opposed dedicated special-fund allocations and criticized the bill’s blank sections. Committee members questioned the historical purpose of the conveyance tax, and the Tax Foundation explained it was originally a modest tax tied to property-value tracking when the state still ran the property tax system. The committee also heard SB 3187 SD2 on off-site construction, SB 2378 SD2 on housing permitting, and SB 2398 SD2 on residential housing utilities. OPSD supported SB 3187 but said it preferred the House version and wanted clarification that off-site certification should apply to factories in Hawaii, not out of state, to avoid outsourcing labor; it also suggested starting with a small scope. SB 2378 SD2 drew support from engineering, housing, and labor groups, with testimony that the House version included needed fixes to make the program insurable. On SB 2398 SD2, the Board of Water Supply opposed the bill, saying it could require disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information beyond ordinary water-availability assessments and raise critical-infrastructure and cybersecurity concerns; developers and housing groups supported the measure. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• they're not giving bribes to the president or getting preferred access, which the big boys use to lock
• He said the big boys are locking out competitors and that these companies are ruthless.
• giving bribes to the president or really getting preferred access, which the big boys are using to lock
• giving bribes to the president or really getting preferred access, which the big boys are using to lock

Bills: HF3718

Keywords: veterinary medicine, veterinary technology, animal care, licensing, client consent, continuing education, emergency services, teletriage, 1183, house

Summary: The Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee met with quorum present, approved the March 2 minutes, and then heard a presentation on economic consolidation in agriculture from Austin Ferk, who said he was not taking additional public testimony. Ferk argued that consolidation in meat, dairy, and grain markets has squeezed farmers on both input and output prices, raised consumer prices, and reduced product quality. He used charts and examples to claim that concentrated markets lead to price gouging, that farmers now receive a historically low share of each food dollar, and that industrial production has contributed to environmental problems, especially in Iowa. Ferk focused on several large agribusiness firms, especially JBS and Cargill. He described JBS as a dominant meatpacker with a history of bribery allegations and market power across beef, pork, poultry, and leather, and said its ownership of brands can obscure who is actually selling the product. He also criticized Cargill as an opaque, privately held company with enormous influence over grain and food markets, and said the farm bill and crop insurance system have been shaped to favor overproduction of corn and soy rather than diversified farming. He argued that these policies, along with ethanol demand and export-oriented livestock production, have harmed rural communities, increased manure and nitrate pollution, and contributed to health problems. In the latter part of the presentation, Ferk discussed antitrust and policy responses, including concentration studies, a proposed packer ban that would prevent meatpackers from owning the animals they slaughter, and restrictions on slotting fees and other pay-to-play practices in grocery retail. He also referenced the failed Kroger-Albertsons merger as an example of consolidation harming local communities. No committee vote or formal action was taken on the presentation beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• As written, this bill locks in specific mandatory co-payments that do go above and beyond federal requirements
• As written,<00:28:18.480> this<00:28:18.640> bill<00:28:18.799> locks<00:28:19.039
• > in<00:28:19.279> specific written, this bill locks in specific written, this bill locks

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened with an invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, suspended rules to allow co-sponsorships and vote modifications, and approved the journal from February 26, 2026. The clerk then reported several bills on second reading, including measures on state personnel, domestic violence, fish and wildlife resources, open records, workforce investment, data centers, guardians ad litem and domestic relations, along with Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 on a Medicaid pilot feasibility study and Senate Joint Resolution 23 declaring Kentucky a “food is medicine” state. The main floor business was House Bill 2, the Medicaid reform and appropriation bill. The sponsor described it as a response to rising Medicaid costs and federal changes, saying it would improve transparency, oversight, fraud prevention, and program operations. He said the bill would apply mainly to the Medicaid expansion population and include community engagement, cost-sharing, eligibility safeguards, stronger managed care oversight, transportation and dental delivery changes, waiver program prioritization, greater legislative access to CHFS data, a transparency dashboard, periodic auditor review, and limits on certain weight-management drug coverage. A House committee substitute was adopted, and a floor amendment on phasing in a marginal medical loss ratio requirement over four years was offered as a friendly amendment and adopted. The House then debated House Floor Amendment 1, which would have removed state-mandated co-payments and limited cost sharing to the federal minimum, while also prohibiting reporting medical debt to credit agencies. Supporters argued the amendment would protect low-income Kentuckians from barriers to care and prevent medical debt from worsening poverty. Opponents said the bill’s co-pays were intended to encourage appropriate use of care, especially to reduce non-emergency emergency room visits, and noted that providers and MCOs could waive or work around some charges. After a roll call vote, the amendment failed 20-39. After the amendment vote, the House continued discussion of the bill, with the sponsor defending the co-payment structure as a way to promote personal responsibility and sustainability while preserving access to primary care. The transcript ends during further debate on House Bill 2, and no final passage vote is shown in the provided excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And when a vacancy comes on board, everybody locks their doors, shuts their shades, and doesn't answer
• And when a vacancy comes on board,<01:18:58.800> everybody<01:18:59.280> locks<01:18:59.679
• > their<01:18:59.920> doors, board, everybody locks their doors, board, everybody locks

Bills: SF1750, HF704, HF3479

Keywords: common interest community, CIC, homeowners association, HOA, condominium, planned community, cooperative, unit owner, association board, declarant, declarant control, special declarant rights, assessment lien, foreclosure, late fees, fines, attorney fees, resale disclosure, annual report, maintenance plan

Transcript Highlights:

• We literally are asking for one-tenth the number of the machines, and we just don't want to be locked
• don't<00:59:06.400> want<00:59:06.480> to<00:59:06.559> be<00:59:06.720> locked
• <00:59:06.960> in<00:59:07.440> at<00:59:07.680> that don't want to be locked
• in at that don't want to be locked in at that number<00:59:08.240> if<00:59:08.480> we

Bills: SF0045, SJ0001

Keywords: pari-mutuel wagering, simulcasting, historic horse racing, HHR terminals, horse racing, gaming commission, Wyoming Gaming Commission, local control, city approval, county approval, municipal approval, permit renewal, gaming permit, wagering regulation, racetrack, live pari-mutuel event, district court appeal, public notice, land use, public safety

Transcript Highlights:

• And safety is more than locked doors or security measures.
• And safety is more<01:10:23.600> than<01:10:23.840> locked<01:10:24.159> doors<01
• :10:24.560> or<01:10:24.800> security more than locked doors or security more than locked

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just thinking about that, and I don't think we should lock it into just one per term.
• about that, and I don't think<00:42:06.160> we<00:42:06.319> should<00:42:06.640> lock
• it<00:42:07.119> into<00:42:07.440> just<00:42:07.599> one think we should lock
• it into just one think we should lock it into just one per<00:42:08.160> term.

Bills: SJ0001, SF0017

Keywords: mineral leasing, federal lands, Wyoming, energy policy, local control, federalism, forestry management, good neighbor authority, state lands, employee funding, donations, revolving account, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They<01:08:50.480> may<01:08:50.640> get<01:08:51.279> um<01:08:51.520> lock
• They may get um lock uh down the road. They may get um lock up<01:08:52.000> time.
• persistent mental illness from being housed in restricted housing, a unit that is characterized by being locked

Keywords: 910, house, all