Transcript Highlights:

• Josephine Figueroa, a deputy commissioner and legislative director for the Department of Insurance under
• Furthermore, our enforcement branch, which you know does incredible work to fight fraud in collaboration
• It is essential that my branch, particularly my rate regulation branch, is adequately supported, staffed
• So it's a point that we continue to urgently work together to promote thoroughly and impactful legislation
• And so this assessment also... this is why it's important to support the legislation that we have here

Summary: The committee first heard AB 597, a bill to strengthen consumer protections for disaster survivors who use public adjusters. The author and the Department of Insurance said the measure would cap public adjuster fees at 15% for claims tied to declared disasters, require clearer contracts, prohibit solicitation during emergency conditions, and allow consumers to rescind contracts that were solicited during prohibited periods. Insurance industry groups supported the bill, while public adjuster representatives opposed it as written but said they were willing to work on revisions. The committee approved the bill and re-referred it to Appropriations; the roll call was ultimately recorded as 16-0. The committee then held its fourth oversight hearing on the Department of Insurance’s Sustainable Insurance Strategy, with Commissioner Ricardo Lara giving an extensive update on wildfire-related market reforms and consumer protections. He said the recent Southern California wildfires had not derailed the strategy and described actions including advance claim payments, a one-year moratorium on residential non-renewals in affected areas, a new fraud strike team, smoke-damage claim guidance, additional living expense protections, and a consumer claims tracker. He reported more than $12.1 billion in claims paid, over 37,000 claims filed, and more than 7,000 survivors assisted directly. He also discussed related bills and reforms, including AB 597, SB 495, SB 547, SB 429, SB 616, AB 888, and AB 2026. Members questioned the commissioner about the Fair Plan’s growing exposure, the $1 billion assessment, rate increases, non-renewals, underinsurance, and whether the reforms would actually stabilize the market. Lara said the assessment was already approved, that policyholders would not be hit with one large bill because insurers have two years to recover costs, and that the department was pushing insurers to use catastrophe modeling and reinsurance tools in exchange for commitments to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas. He said the department expects to see market stabilization by 2026, though he emphasized the timeline depends on insurer participation, implementation of the new regulations, and future disaster activity. Members generally expressed support for the goals of the strategy while pressing for clearer expectations for consumers and faster action on mitigation and market reform.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our legislator or our counselors didn't sign it, but it required it.
• :32.280> that Legislation was passed approving that Legislation was passed approving that and<
• Grout for the work and partnership in advancing this legislation.
• > is<01:02:21.560> about This legislation before you is about This legislation before you
• changes from legislators. changes from legislators.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's much like a legislative process that you all go through. We'll look at every act.
• The Minnesota Competency Attainment Board came about through legislation in the 2022 legislative session
• judicial branch.
• So the issue is how do we want to do that legislatively, in case law or whatever.
• So the issue is how do we want to do that legislatively, in case law or whatever.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just in a nutshell, our council is a non-cabinet, non-partisan executive branch agency.
• We were created to advise the legislative branch and the executive branches of government, and in doing
• There were no API legislators speaking at your organization. We have no legal API event.
• Support our state legislators. So thank you, Representative Buerkle.

Bills: HF2411, HF2471, HF1440, HF1393, HF1631, HF1259, HF280, HF1281, HF1459

Keywords: cultural heritage, funding, White Earth Nation, tribal community, construction, Delano, sesquicentennial, community events, fall of Saigon, Saigon anniversary, Vietnam War commemoration, Vietnamese Minnesotans, Cambodian Minnesotans, Lao Minnesotans, Southeast Asian refugees, Asian American heritage, cultural heritage fund, Minnesota Humanities Center, Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans, equity funding

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think that's an Issue, I'm from one of the branch campuses, one of nine branch campuses.
• We're the largest branch campus of the nine. All the rest of them are in fairly rural areas.
• And I think that the branch campuses are really positioned to think about that well.
• We still have a lot of work to do as legislators.
• Thank you for joining us on this edition of the NHB 2 5 315 the Enabling Legislation for AgWRP.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um on the legislative reserve two.
• legislative budget, and the legislative budget is $589,000 higher than our standard budget.
• see more legislative see more legislative participation<01:06:45.680> in<01:06:46.000>
• We always welcome discussions with our partners in the legislative branch.
• understand some legislation helping us understand some legislation that<01:55:35.599> has<01:

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the legislative branch needs to address, and so I'm happy to do that offline.
• and the legislative branch needs to address.
• We need to move along quickly. the executive branch and the legislative the executive branch and the
• legislative branch<00:33:29.840> uh<00:33:30.000> needs<00:33:30.240> to<00:33:30.399
• > address<00:33:30.799> and<00:33:30.960> so<00:33:31.120> I'm branch uh

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 28 January, 2026; 8:15 AM, 925, all

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation from the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), including its consolidated tourism and agency request. MDA said it has had strong recent results, citing about $65 billion in capital investment since 2020, roughly 25,000 jobs, record tourism, clean audits, and oversubscribed incentive programs. For FY27, the agency requested $26.4 million in general funds, level special-fund operating support, restoration of eight pins reduced in the LBR process, and several general-fund increases for a career ladder, a new HR system, training, and operating costs. MDA also discussed a $1.25 million request for America 250 activities, including a Mississippi event and participation in the National Mall “Great America State Fair,” plus an energy accelerator program tied to the governor’s energy initiative and a broader three-tier energy preparedness strategy. MDA also explained its incentive refill requests, saying it was not seeking additional funding for the ACE grant program this year and had shifted that support toward the governor’s port/rail/road investment fund and energy-ready sites. The agency highlighted a renewed request to restart funding for the small municipal and limited population counties grant program, which it said had previously helped smaller communities with water, sewer, downtown, and other projects. On tourism, MDA presented a breakout showing what the budget would look like if tourism were separated into its own department; officials said the current tourism budget within MDA is about $5.7 million in general funds and $7.9 million total, and estimated about $1.3 million in additional cost would be needed to stand up a separate tourism agency. A significant portion of the discussion focused on criticism from Senator Wiggins that MDA has not delivered enough economic development for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He argued that constituents believe MDA does little for the coast and objected to the agency’s role in the GCRF and coastal projects, saying the coast has not seen meaningful results in years. MDA officials responded that complaints about uneven distribution are common across the state, that MDA works with local economic development partners rather than dictating project locations, and that it has helped support major coastal projects such as Relativity Space, Lockheed Martin expansions, PCC Gulf Chem, BWC Terminals, and AWS. The exchange also touched on the Port of Pascagoula and local leadership disputes, with both sides disagreeing over whether the port and the coast have been adequately supported. No votes or formal actions were taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 28th Legislative District, which includes Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
• So proud to be on the committee in the 31st Legislative District.
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr. Not.
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr.
• Senator Gildon has a question or has a comment on legislation. Yeah, sure.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• **Julie Lindsey**, Legislative Budget Board.
• We don't have to wait for the next legislative session to pay that amount.
• We have worked with the legislative body over the past several years on the fund balance.
• or the judicial branch?
• or the judicial branch?

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was in August of 2019, Ricardin, who worked with the executive branch and the legislative branch to
• branch and the legislative<00:37:51.920> branch<00:37:52.680> to<00:37:52.839> have
• <00:37:53.079> accessible legislative branch to have accessible legislative branch to have
• <00:43:18.599> approval that does require legislative approval that does require legislative
• reinforces the notion that legislation reinforces the notion that legislation should<00:58:48.200

Bills: HF2367, HF2319, HF2523, HF1742, HF671, HF2331, HF2722, HF2406, HF1674

Keywords: HF2367, Community First Services and Supports, CFSS, personal care assistance, PCA, consumer-directed community supports, CDCS, home and community-based services, HCBS, direct support professionals, direct care workers, caregivers, support workers, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, collective bargaining agreement, retention stipend, health care cost stipend, training stipend, orientation program, retirement trust

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm an Associate Legislative Director for the Texas Farm Bureau, and I'm here in support of House Bill
• This legislation would only apply to a public or private airport depicted in any current aeronautical
• safety of flight issues because that is handled by the Obstacle Evaluation Airport Airspace Analysis Branch
• These efforts resulted in a report with robust legislative recommendations.
• It's websites, it's mobile apps, and you know we're I'm confident that this legislation is really going

Bills: HB2564, HB2760, HB2765, HB2898, HB3260, HB3800, HB4341, HB4396, HB5195

Keywords: Defense Economic Adjustment, grant applications, economic assistance, local government, Evaluation panel, judicial review, Texas Workforce Commission, unemployment compensation, legal proceedings, labor law, rural development, infrastructure, Texas economic fund, private investment, job creation, meteorological evaluation towers, wind resources, aviation safety, regulations, construction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, and it's also connected to the appropriation to the judicial branch for its justice partner access
• Section 12 is also from the judicial branch bill carried by Representative Scott.
• Section 12 is also from the judicial<00:13:44.000> branch<00:13:44.320> bill<00:13:44.560
• > carried<00:13:44.880> by judicial branch bill carried by judicial branch bill carried
• officials, and this has the updated definition that does not include employees of the Minnesota judicial branch

Bills: HF2300

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please consider the third branch of government and its operation. I can answer any questions.
• Please consider the third branch of government and its operation. I can answer any questions.
• Please consider the third branch of government and its operation. I can answer any questions.
• Please consider the third branch of government and its operation. I can answer any questions.
• consider the third branch of government and<00:19:07.280> its<00:19:07.520> operation.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on HB 400, the Judiciary’s biennium budget, and HB 727, a proposal to create a women’s court pilot program. On HB 400, Judiciary officials said the request includes operating funds of about $6.17 million in FY 2026 and $6.25 million in FY 2027, 17 permanent positions and one temporary position, plus $11.9 million for capital improvements. Testifiers from the legal services community, including the Legal Clinic, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, supported the budget and emphasized the need for civil legal services and immigration-related legal help. Judge Kim also highlighted Big Island needs, including courthouse design funding and an additional district court judge. HB 727 drew extensive testimony in support from Judiciary officials, treatment court staff, legal and behavioral health organizations, prosecutors, and individuals with lived experience in drug court. Supporters said women in the justice system often face trauma, abuse, addiction, and mental health challenges that are not adequately addressed in existing programs, and argued that a women’s court could improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Judiciary witnesses explained that the proposed program would be a specialty court within the drug court framework, initially focused on the Kona division of the Third Circuit, with possible future expansion to Hilo. A probation officer and a former drug court participant described the benefits of treatment court and the need for women-specific services, including spiritual counseling options. After testimony, the committee recessed briefly for lack of quorum and later returned to vote. HB 400 was passed with amendments, including added amounts in the committee report for civil legal services and immigration-related legal services, and a revised defective date. HB 727 was also passed with amendments, including changes to the purpose section to make the First Circuit women’s court permanent, create a three-year Third Circuit Kona women’s court pilot, and remove the broader expansion language for the time being. The committee adopted both measures by vote, with Senator Chang excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members of the Legislative Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.
• A very productive legislative session for military support.
• The upcoming legislative session.
• Chair, Senator Block, first of all, thank you again for the support on the legislation.
• We just cut the ribbon this morning on the Kirtland Federal Credit Union branch out there.

Transcript Highlights:

• we will not permit conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative
• I'm urging all legislators to please support small businesses and consumers by passing AB 1065.
• Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, who is the author of the Federal Debit Card Reform Legislation in 2010
• And so, am I going to get a Cal Account branch in Fresno County or Merced County?
• I have to drive to that credit union as opposed to Wells Fargo, where I can go to many branches.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I just have to note for the record, amidst this push that's coming from the executive branch to raise
• And I just have to note for the record, amidst this push that's coming from the executive branch to raise
• And I just have to note for the record, amidst this push that's coming from the executive branch to raise
• the state impact of our first Latinos in the state who<00:12:47.120> are<00:12:47.600> branching
• to other Latino groups who are branching to other Latino groups throughout<00:12:49.920> the<

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• God, I feel the urgency in this body, and if I can feel it, I can only imagine how these legislators
• Whereas the Arkansas State Senator Gary Don Stubblefield, formerly of Branch, passed away on Tuesday,
• I think there's an appetite for that throughout the legislative body.
• I think there's an appetite for that throughout the legislative body.
• Legislative body. So if there's any questions about this appropriation, happy to answer them.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Legislators and executive branch, you know, are showing like, "We're paying attention.
• But they're not in the executive branch, right? They're in the legislative branch.
• it is directed legislatively. it is directed legislatively.
• legislatively named grants. legislatively named grants.
• Commissioning enabling legislation. The Commissioning enabling legislation.

Bills: HF3564

Keywords: Greater Minnesota, regional parks, trails, grants, local government, 1183, house

Summary: The Legacy Finance Committee met to approve the prior meeting minutes and then heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its performance audit of the Department of Natural Resources’ administration of Outdoor Heritage Fund grants. OLA explained that the DNR generally complied with the criteria tested, but the audit identified two main problem areas: grant payments and grant monitoring. The audit covered 13 grants, mostly legislatively named grants awarded in fiscal year 2020, and reviewed agreements, amendments, payments, monitoring, and some site visits. OLA reported that for three grantees, totaling about $400,000, invoices lacked enough detail to determine whether costs were allowable, and about $5,000 was paid to two grantees without sufficient supporting documentation. The auditors also said DNR lacked policies defining allowable costs and what “directly related to and necessary” means under state law. On monitoring, DNR missed required annual visits for six grants, made payments on current progress reports that were missing or not on file, and had weaknesses in closeout evaluations, including missing required elements, late completion, and two grants with no closeout evaluation at all. OLA recommended stronger documentation, clearer guidelines with the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, timely monitoring and closeout, obtaining progress reports before payment, and improved internal controls. Members reacted strongly to the findings, especially the repeated failures to follow grant procedures and the risks of legislatively named grants and advance payments. Representative Heintzeman and Vice Chair Skraba questioned whether the issues reflected broader problems in state grant oversight and asked about prepayments, follow-up, and whether more legislative action was needed. OLA officials said they do not rely on self-attestation, but instead retest agencies after 2 to 3 years, and noted a new annual update-report process that will track whether agencies implement prior recommendations. Judy Randall, the Legislative Auditor, said the laws and policies already exist and emphasized that the issue is ensuring agency staff follow them; she also said most recommendations in the recent update report had been implemented. No further committee action or vote was taken on the audit during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• from the executive branch, and certainly without expanding the reach of big government.
• What are your key budget and legislative priorities?
• You can learn legislative procedure or you can stay quiet.
• You don’t come and ask us for emergency legislation.
• “Senator Ortiz, and once again, I advise you to learn legislative procedure.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So office of the legislative auditor.
• Senate pertaining to the legislative Senate pertaining to the legislative auditor.<00:21:54.640>
• c><00:22:08.960> to require the legislative auditor to require the legislative auditor to submit
• minority members of legislative minority members of legislative committees<00:22:14.000> every
• > the<00:32:28.480> legislative<00:32:28.960> audit provide to the legislative audit

Keywords: 1183, house