Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Finance? Anything? Bowen Peterson, Department of Finance. Nothing to add.
• Department of Finance. Neil Kishun, Department of Finance.
• You don't have a role in financing; you have a role in reviewing, but you don't have a role in financing
• The High-Speed Rail Authority finances the projects.
• Bowen Peterson, Department of Finance.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That is the amount that currently is being sent to the Finance Committee, and the Finance Committee will
• That is the amount that currently is being sent to the Finance Committee, and the Finance Committee will
• with the the Finance with the the Finance Committee<01:20:31.080> and<01:20:31.240> the
• being sent to the Finance Committee, and the<01:20:55.440> Finance<01:20:55.800> Committee
• Uh I financing cost, construction cost.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I serve both the Education Policy Committee and the Education Finance Committee.
• re-referred to the committee on finance re-referred to the committee on finance education<00:10:
• It's like a trickle effect, and it starts obviously with finances.
• It's like a trickle effect, and it starts obviously with finances.
• <01:38:30.760> and chair once it goes to Ed finance and chair once it goes to Ed finance and

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And A5 was some technical amendments to that that came from the Campaign Finance Board and perhaps staff
• <00:03:27.520> Board that came from Campaign Finance Board that came from Campaign Finance
• And the re-peeler is simply a rule that Campaign Finance Board put in place, I think, last year.
• simply a rule that campaign finance simply a rule that campaign finance board<00:10:05.560> put
• updates to Minnesota's campaign finance updates to Minnesota's campaign finance laws<00:13:42.560

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , from the Banking and Finance Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to the Banking and Finance
• and Finance Committee.
• And AB 1065, Ortega, from the Banking and Finance Committee to the Judiciary Committee, then back to
• the Banking and Finance Committee.
• from the Local Government Committee; AB 493, Harabedian, pending re-referral from the Banking and Finance

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, heard a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and then moved through routine procedural business, including dispensing with the reading of the prior journal, re-referring several bills, and approving committee scheduling requests. There was also a point of order from Assemblymember DeMaio asking about a possible Governor’s message regarding Medi-Cal, but the chair said no formal message had been received at the desk. The main floor debate centered on AB 321 by Assemblymember Schultz, the Better Informed Decisions Act, which would allow courts to consider reducing certain “wobbler” offenses from felonies to misdemeanors later in the criminal process if new evidence emerges. Supporters argued it would improve fairness, transparency, and efficiency by letting judges make better-informed decisions; opponents said it would weaken felony accountability and conflict with voter intent on public safety. The bill passed on a 46-5 vote. The Assembly also adopted ACR 47 by Assemblymember Chen, declaring March 16–22 as National Surveyors Week, with 63 co-authors added and the resolution adopted by voice vote. AB 387 by Assemblymember Alanis, which expands jury duty exemptions to include probation officers, passed 64-0. On the consent calendar, ACR 46, HR 9, HR 22, and SCR 17 were adopted with unanimous votes, and the Assembly adjourned until Monday, March 17 at 1 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• partial public campaign financing partial public campaign financing available<01:09:22.719> for
• Um and looking at financing system.
• And as you move this on to finance.
• concerns before it's heard in finance. concerns before it's heard in finance.
• finance. Questions or concerns? Members? finance. Questions or concerns? Members?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Finance.
• > had<00:27:18.720> hearing finances had consideration had hearing finances had consideration
• <01:08:56.080> is mean, healthcare policy and finance is mean, healthcare policy and finance
• <01:22:54.719> I the healthcare policy and finance. I the healthcare policy and finance.
• <02:09:16.960> agency healthc care policy and financing agency healthc care policy and financing

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• "The financing arrangement is per their request.
• they have assured us that this financing they have assured us that this financing arrangement<00
• Scott Baker, Division of Engineering, Finance Cabinet.
• That's how much we to finance this.
• >> that is totally financed >> that is totally financed through through through >

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first received several information items, including University of Kentucky reports on medical and research equipment purchases, five school districts’ planned bond issues, and a School Facilities Construction Commission list of prior debt issues. Members then heard and approved an appropriation increase for a federally funded University of Kentucky project at the Central Kentucky Regional Airport in Richmond. The project will construct a terminal building and is tied to EKU’s airport operations and planned flight school; members asked about the public funding, the role of EKU, and possible aviation expansion, and the item was approved by roll call. The committee next approved a University of Kentucky lease purchase for an 85,000-square-foot facility at 415 West Sun Street in Morehead for $6.4 million. UK said the property, formerly the Rowan County Board of Education site, is directly across from UK St. Clair and will be used for multiple purposes; members questioned the quarterly payment structure and why the county preferred not to receive the full amount upfront, but the item was approved. The committee then heard three appropriation increases in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet: a Fish and Wildlife pump project at Ballard Wildlife Management Area and two Lake Barkley State Resort Park repair projects. Finance staff explained the Lake Barkley increases were mainly to cover construction contingencies after bids came in close to available funding, and the committee approved the action items. Janice Thomas then presented four pool projects requiring no action: HVAC upgrades at the Future Farmers of America Leadership Training Center in Hardinsburg, geothermal and HVAC work at the Kentucky School for the Blind, a Brady Hall HVAC project at the Kentucky School for the Blind, and a renovation of Shanti Hall at Kentucky State University for the School of Engineering Technology. Members asked no substantive questions on those items. Finally, Natalie Broner presented a new CHFS lease in Wayne County and a Transportation Cabinet lease modification in Christian County. The Wayne County lease drew the most discussion, with members questioning the rent, the lack of other bids, and whether another county location might be preferable; CHFS said it maintains county-seat offices statewide and that the Wayne County site would replace an existing office. The Christian County item was described as a replacement site for driver licensing services with renovation costs largely absorbed by the lessor. Both lease items were presented for action after the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• > out<00:22:02.960> of health court. they finance that out of health court. they finance that
• there are opaque litigation, financing there are opaque litigation, financing uh<01:24:32.160>
• do you feel that this type of financing do you feel that this type of financing of<01:29:53.760>
• here about lawyer financing agreements. here about lawyer financing agreements.
• is only discussing commercial financing. is only discussing commercial financing.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 1067-FN, which would formalize and expand mental health courts in New Hampshire and create a grant-based funding structure for them. Representative Mark Pearson, the prime sponsor, described the bill as a bipartisan, compassionate, and cost-effective approach that would connect people with mental illness to treatment and supervision instead of incarceration, while still holding them accountable. He said the proposal was developed with input from the judicial branch, law enforcement, corrections, mental health organizations, and others, and emphasized that local courts could tailor programs to their needs. Committee members questioned the bill’s fiscal note, whether the legislature had previously studied the issue, how the program would be funded, and whether the bill should more explicitly address treatment, prevention, and data collection. Representative Buzz Sher, who helped develop the bill, explained how mental health courts work, including referral, clinical and public-safety assessments, case management, goal-setting, and graduation from the program. He said existing New Hampshire mental health courts are mostly partial and county-funded, and that the bill would formalize them, set standards, and allow grant funding. He also cited data from Georgia and New Hampshire suggesting significant savings from reduced incarceration and related costs. Members also raised concerns about due process, whether people not formally charged could be swept into the system, and whether individuals with violent offenses or domestic violence histories could be diverted inappropriately. Sher responded that only people already in the criminal justice process are eligible and that courts use safety assessments to screen out most violent cases. The committee requested that Sher file supporting financial data from other jurisdictions, and he agreed to do so. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• You all do have an education finance bill that was presented yesterday, and it includes a lot of the
• You all do have an education finance bill that was presented yesterday, and it includes a lot of the
• You all do have an education finance bill that was presented yesterday, and it includes a lot of the
• You all do have an education finance You all do have an education finance bill<00:05:02.480>
• <00:05:24.320> bill position as the education finance bill position as the education finance

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: A Senate DFL leader discussed the upcoming supplemental budget and said nearly half of it is being shaped by the federal budget bill passed last July, which he argued is driving hospital distress, higher county costs, and pressure on family budgets. He said the budget will focus on affordability, health care, and responding to federal actions, including an uncompensated care fund for hospitals in distress and possible one-time county technology upgrades to handle new Medicaid-related requirements. He estimated Senator Wiklund’s health and human services proposal includes about $50 million for those upgrades and said that item would likely be handled in an appropriation bill rather than a bonding bill. The leader also said bonding is a top priority this year and that public asset maintenance remains important, including projects tied to sports and civic facilities. On HCMC and broader hospital funding, he said he is confident the Legislature will act, but wants to address the hospital within the context of the statewide hospital delivery system. He also said the Senate has not yet taken a position on a proposed tax related to fraud restitution, but emphasized support for fraud prevention, an independent inspector general, and more resources for the Attorney General. School safety was another major topic. He said Senate Democrats plan to bring a comprehensive package to the floor that includes school safety funding, mental health care, and measures addressing weapons of war, and he expressed hope that some Republicans will support it. He said the Senate education finance bill already includes more school safety funding than the House GOP version, less funding for private school safety, and no weapons-of-war language, but that a broader package will come through the Finance Committee soon. He also said the Senate expects to take up a stand-alone building security package to cover ongoing screening and staffing costs, and he supported creating a special security response unit for threats against lawmakers. Other issues mentioned included support for banning NDAs for local governments, continued attention to public safety and accountability in response to federal immigration enforcement actions, and interest in a bill affecting Minneapolis sports-related taxes and PGA funding, though he said those proposals are still being worked on and may not pass this year.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's that language is contained in the state government finance bill.
• So the resolution is a different topic than what is contained in the state government finance bill.
• <00:04:21.759> And<00:04:22.000> I the state government finance bill.
• And I the state government finance bill.
• Uh not seeing government finance bill. Uh not seeing further<00:04:44.960> discussion.

Bills: HF3228, HF475

Keywords: workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, statue replacement, Hubert H. Humphrey, national commemoration, civil rights, Minnesota history, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It was passed by the Senate already as part of a finance bill.
• It was passed by the Senate already as part of a finance bill.
• It was passed by the Senate already as part of a finance bill.
• It was passed by the Senate already as part of a finance bill.
• It was passed by the Senate already as part of a finance bill.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee met to walk through nonpartisan side-by-side comparisons of House File 4188, focusing on differences between House and Senate language across consumer protection, insurance, financial services, health, and technical provisions. Staff highlighted numerous Senate-only items, including rules for financial providers communicating through trusted contacts, virtual currency requirements for banks and credit unions, a prohibition on virtual currency kiosks beginning in 2026, mortgage servicing and student loan servicing changes, the Rental Home Marketplace Guarantees Act, insurance and travel-related provisions, scrap metal licensing changes, protections related to minors accessing chatbots and AI companions, and several technical or conforming repealers. Staff also noted that some provisions were identical or substantially similar between the chambers, including mortgage originator standards, student loan borrower protections, securities-related changes, unclaimed property provisions, and technical updates in the bill’s miscellaneous articles. The Senate-only health-related articles were also summarized, including repeal of the prescription drug affordability advisory council, technical changes to the reinsurance program, and a series of health insurance provisions on enrollment-growth notices, limits on officer and director salary increases under certain capital conditions, guaranteed issue rights for certain Medicare supplement enrollees, data-sharing between Commerce and Health, restrictions on using artificial intelligence alone to deny claims, reimbursement for clinical trainees, home care nursing coverage, and PBM transparency. The Senate’s telecommunications article was described as largely technical and conforming, with repeals of obsolete statutes. Staff also noted that some standalone bills had already passed and would be removed from the comparison report. Public testimony followed. Thomas Elness of AARP Minnesota supported inclusion of the cryptocurrency kiosk bill, expressed support for guaranteed issue protections for a narrow group of consumers affected by discontinued plans, and urged adoption of changes to the consumer protection restitution account, including raising the cap to $10 million per fiscal year. Representative Lee testified that the restitution account proposal should be treated as policy rather than finance because it has a zero fiscal note, and said the House would accept the Senate’s $10 million cap. Robin Rowan, representing the Minnesota Insurance and Financial Services Council and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association, urged adoption of Senate travel insurance language, requested a House-style change to lead-generation recordkeeping language, and supported a Senate provision allowing employers and insurers to coordinate notice to employees when group policies are cancelled. The Department of Commerce then responded to questions, explaining that the prescription drug affordability council would be sunset because the board already has other avenues for public input, that the reinsurance changes were technical and did not alter the prior agreement, and that the abandoned cryptocurrency provisions rely on statutory definitions of inactivity and known examples such as keys stored in safes or deposit boxes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that the state government finance bill? No. All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion prevails.
• 03:28.879> the<00:03:29.040> state<00:03:29.200> government<00:03:29.519> finance
• Is that the state government finance Is that the state government finance bill?
• The bill is being referred to the Committee on Commerce, Finance, and Policy.
• , to the committee on commerce, finance, to the committee on commerce, finance, and<00:05:10.280>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Green moves that House File 3220 be recalled from the Committee on Education Finance and
• Currently it sits in Education Finance, and this is a bill that's related to 2018 safe school funds that
• and be re-referred to education finance and be re-referred to the<00:10:40.240> committee<00:
• 00:10:50.959> sits<00:10:51.200> in<00:10:51.360> education<00:10:51.920> finance
• currently it sits in education finance currently it sits in education finance and<00:10:52.720><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• All right, so moving on to our agenda item Roman numeral three: finance the PSCOC financial plan.
• on the report from the Board of Finance.
• Pay applications, invoices, what have you, those are drawn at the Board of Finance because we float a
• The end goal is to show what that amount is actually broken down to, because at the Board of Finance
• We have items going back; there are 33 active bonds at the Board of Finance over 12 years, going back

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2014, through a bill that was sponsored by then Chair Ober of Finance, we went from three commissioners
• The only position that will technically be added will be the director of finance and audit.
• <00:03:24.720> and director of finance and director of finance and audit.<00:03:26.640>
• <00:05:25.759> uh into statute then it goes to finance uh into statute then it goes to finance
• We have a presentation by the finance committee and the LBA on Tuesday.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 538, a Liquor Commission cleanup bill. Chair Joseph Mica and CFO Tina Deir explained that the bill updates outdated statutory titles and positions after the commission’s 2014 restructuring, deleting references to the former commissioner and COO roles, adding a director of administration and a director of finance and audit, and keeping the new positions at the same labor grade pending review by the Joint Committee on Employee Classification (JCEC). Members discussed the proper sequence for JCEC review, but generally treated the bill as housekeeping. The committee then voted ought to pass, and the roll call was unanimous, 16-0. The committee next took up House Bill 493, which would require continuing education related to child abuse/ACE recognition for physicians and other providers. Testimony and committee discussion focused on whether the bill was too vague, whether it improperly intruded on the Board of Medicine’s authority to set professional education requirements, and whether it would effectively mandate a narrow training course that is currently voluntary and free. Supporters argued the bill addressed a real problem and cited testimony about missed abuse cases, while opponents said the board should handle the issue through its own rules and that the bill was poorly drafted. A motion of inexpedient to legislate passed 9-7, and the committee noted a minority report would be needed. The meeting ended with procedural and scheduling announcements, including that the committee would be dealing with budget hearings the following week and had a large number of Senate bills scheduled for later in the month.

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the effort from the Campaign Finance Board?
• What is the effort from the Campaign Finance Board?
• Finance Finance so<00:57:15.400> Mr<00:57:15.599> chair<00:57:15.839> any<00:57
• campaign Finance campaign Finance boards<01:26:49.520> um boards um boards um website<01:
• Yes, that's what our campaign finance reports are.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bill 4987 and act financing long-term improvements to municipal roads and bridges.
• I'm Jennifer Sullivan, Under Secretary for Administration and Finance.
• But these are going to be bonds that are financed with the CTF.
• But these are going to be bonds that are financed with the CTF.
• The gold standard transportation finance commission was created in a bond bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House Bill 4987, the administration’s transportation bond bill centered on Chapter 90 roadway funding and related capital programs. Administration officials described the bill as a roughly $5.5 billion package that would continue $300 million per year for Chapter 90 over four years, with part of the funding distributed by the traditional formula and an additional $100 million based solely on road miles to better support rural and smaller communities. They also highlighted authorizations for municipal pavement work, Shared Streets and Spaces grants, accelerated bridge and pavement repairs, MBTA rail modernization and reliability, housing-related transportation improvements, and a new DCR-focused PRISM program for parkways and related infrastructure. Officials emphasized that the bill is financed through the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and Fair Share revenues, and said it would help municipalities plan more predictably, speed project delivery, and support housing, safety, and climate goals. Committee members and witnesses discussed the bill’s broader scope beyond traditional Chapter 90, especially the $200 million for transportation projects that support housing development and the $200 million for MBTA modernization and rail reliability. Members asked about the rationale for a four-year authorization amid fiscal uncertainty, federal funding volatility, and the status of commuter rail electrification. Administration officials responded that the capital authorization is backed by dedicated transportation revenues rather than the operating budget, and said multi-year certainty helps cities and towns make better long-term repair decisions. They also said the MBTA’s rail modernization funds would support locomotive procurements, including battery-electric and Tier 4 diesel locomotives, as part of a longer-term regional rail and electrification strategy. Municipal officials and regional advocates strongly supported the bill. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, along with town and city officials from Sherborn, Conway, and Yarmouth, said the increased Chapter 90 funding and road-mile-based distribution are especially important for small and rural communities with limited local revenue capacity, and that multi-year funding would let them bundle projects, bid at better prices, and address backlogs more proactively. A Better City and MAPC also supported the bill but urged the committee to treat it like a traditional bond bill by adding policy provisions and considering new transportation revenue tools, such as TNC fee changes, road pricing, parking taxes, and other mechanisms. The committee took no vote during the hearing and adjourned after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• For today's testimony, we will hear from Stephen Benson from the Department of Finance, Christian.
• And with that, we will turn it over to Stephen Benson from the Department of Finance.
• Members of the committee, I am Stephen Benson with the Department of Finance.
• I am Amber Alexander with the Department of Finance.
• Michelle Nguyen, Department of Finance.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply extends two hours of training in school finance.
• . when it comes to school finance.
• This when it comes to school finance.
• And we all training in school finance.
• <00:55:55.200> training three hours of school finance training three hours of school finance

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Julie Rocky Adams, which would prohibit school administrators from receiving a percentage pay increase greater than the average percentage increase given to classroom teachers in the same district. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep teacher pay from falling behind, promote fairness and transparency, and preserve local control through existing waiver options. Senators Thomas, Higdon, Givens, Neal, Williams, and others generally supported the bill, while Senator Meredith raised concerns about unintended consequences for rural districts and the ability to retain principals and other talent quickly enough through the waiver process. The sponsor and others responded that the waiver process is standardized and expedited, and that normal raises would not be affected. SB 2 was adopted unanimously with favorable expression. The committee then took up Senate Bill 4 on school leadership, with a committee substitute changing a reference from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to the Kentucky Chamber Foundation. Senator West explained that the bill is designed to create a coordinated five-year principal leadership pipeline, based on research suggesting that school leadership is a major factor in teacher retention and school success. The first two years would be KDE-run foundational training and mentorship, followed by a gap year, then a public-private partnership year with the Chamber/Truist program, and finally a fifth year of advanced training through approved providers such as Western Kentucky University or KASA. West said the goal is to extend principals’ tenure and improve leadership quality statewide. Ashley Watts of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce testified that the Chamber Foundation has run the Leadership Institute for School Principals since 2011, sending 641 principals from 112 counties through the program at a business-funded cost of more than $4.4 million. She said the program has reached about 3 million students and produces measurable school improvement. Henderson County Superintendent Bob Lawson said the program has been valuable in his district and emphasized the heavy workload and leadership demands placed on principals. The discussion continued with testimony about the importance of principal leadership and the need to invest in it, but no final vote on SB 4 was reached in the portion provided.