Transcript Highlights:

• And we did that on a Minnesota.
• </c> pensions for the state of Minnesota. pensions for the state of Minnesota.
• Chiefs of Police, the Minnesota Fire Professional Firefighters, Minnesota Sheriffs, Minnesota Fire Chiefs
• , the Association of Minnesota Counties, Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, League of Minnesota Cities
• :46.240><c> of</c> Greater Minnesota Cities, Leagues of Greater Minnesota Cities, Leagues of Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> in Minnesota has access to education. in Minnesota has access to education.
• Minnesota residents without regard to Minnesota residents without regard to national<00:10:46.800><c>
• Minnesota, and I'm speaking in support Minnesota, and I'm speaking in support of<00:13:11.040><c> House
• </c> guidelines and guardrails in Minnesota guidelines and guardrails in Minnesota that<00:52:43.920>
• </c> Minnesota Department of Education. Minnesota Department of Education.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We recommend supplements a lot, right?
• So, the supplements, there's no specific billing code for supplements.
• > nutrient</c> supplements, nutrients, IV nutrient supplements, nutrients, IV nutrient therapies,<01:
• >> Yes, it's much like a home health aide.
• Yes, it's much like a home health aide.

Committee: House Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to welcome you to the Minnesota Senate.
• </c><00:03:45.040><c> the</c> from Explore Minnesota and the from Explore Minnesota and the initiative
• </c> so why does this matter for Minnesota so why does this matter for Minnesota jobs?
• </c><00:55:49.440><c> and</c> Little Brazil Minnesota here in St. and Little Brazil Minnesota here in
• surge in Minnesota on our region.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the that the supplemental budget.
• So, it's in the supplemental. Yes, sir. So, it's in the supplemental<01:42:30.480><c> budget.
• </c> supplemental budget. supplemental budget.
• </c><01:42:37.600><c> 40</c> the She put in the supplemental 40 the She put in the supplemental 40 &gt
• </c> &gt;&gt; So, last year's supplemental was 17. &gt;&gt; So, last year's supplemental was 17.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have supplemental ...who will join us today to provide the California 2026 State of the Public
• We also have supplemental materials such as the State of Public Health report that are available online
• We're going to move on to issue four, AIDS Drug Assistance Program for the 2026-27 estimate.
• I'm the branch chief of the ADAP branch within the Office of AIDS.
• I am the branch chief of the ADAP branch within the Office of AIDS.

Summary: The Assembly Subcommittee on Health heard an overview of the California Department of Public Health budget, including a $5.1 billion department budget and 19 non-IT budget change proposals spanning environmental health, healthcare quality, infectious disease, healthy communities, health statistics, preparedness, and laboratory sciences. CDPH also presented estimates for WIC and the Genetic Disease Screening Program, both of which were described as relatively stable, with WIC food costs rising mainly due to inflation and participation holding near 1 million monthly participants. Members and public commenters raised support for several proposals, including funding for the California Reducing Disparities Project, AB 1264 implementation on school food standards, childhood lead poisoning prevention, the hospital bed capacity registry, sickle cell care networks, and WIC protections amid federal policy changes and shutdown-related uncertainty. Dr. Erica Pond then presented the 2026 State of Public Health report, highlighting major gains such as record-low mortality rates, all-time high life expectancy, and the first decline in overdose deaths in 14 years, while warning about persistent disparities in maternal and infant outcomes, rising severe maternal morbidity, and worsening mental and behavioral health trends, especially among younger adults. She emphasized racial and geographic inequities, the role of social drivers like poverty and education, and the importance of prevention investments through the Behavioral Health Services Act. Members discussed the need for upstream public health spending, environmental health preparedness, and how to translate data into action, while public comment largely focused on sustaining community-based prevention and equity programs. In a separate update on federal actions and public health partnerships, Dr. Pond and CDPH staff described California’s response to federal funding threats, vaccine policy changes, and measles outbreaks. They outlined new collaborations such as the West Coast Health Alliance, the Governor’s Public Health Alliance, the WHO outbreak network, and the FACT Coalition, along with CDPH’s process for reviewing and updating immunization and preventive service recommendations under AB 144. Members questioned the rise in measles and declining vaccination coverage, and CDPH said it is using trusted messengers and tailored outreach while continuing to evaluate federal recommendations. The committee then heard an ADAP estimate showing lower projected budget authority needs due to reduced caseload and one-time funding expiring, followed by public support for using ADAP rebate funds to expand HIV prevention, PrEP, testing, and disease intervention staffing. The final issue focused on public health information technology systems, including Sapphire, CalReady, CalConnect, CARE, MyTurn, MyCAVAC, and the digital vaccine record. CDPH explained how these systems support disease reporting, contact tracing, immunization tracking, vaccine ordering, and outbreak response, while the Department of Finance said only Sapphire and CalReady are funded in the Governor’s budget and the rest are under review because of the state’s budget deficit and declining utilization. Local health department representatives strongly opposed losing the systems, arguing that lower usage reflects post-pandemic conditions and that the tools save staff time, improve outbreak response, and prevent a return to manual spreadsheets and phone calls. Members echoed concern that cutting the systems would undermine public health capacity and waste prior state investment, and urged the administration to present a funding plan that matches its stated commitment to public health.

Transcript Highlights:

• Student financial aid. 100% of the lottery funds are devoted to student financial aid.
• Student financial aid. 100% of the lottery funds are devoted to student financial aid.
• Student financial aid. 100% of the lottery funds are devoted to student financial aid.
• Student financial aid. 100% of the lottery funds are devoted to student financial aid.
• Student financial aid. 100% of the lottery funds are devoted to student financial aid.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:11 Executive Budget 00:00:50, 958, all

Summary: The committee met to hear a presentation from Dr. Hicks on the governor’s recommended budget for the next biennium. He reviewed the revenue outlook, noting modest general fund growth, a large rainy day fund balance, and the impact of recent income tax reductions. He said the budget was built around recurring reductions, lower debt service and retirement contribution rates, and the use of excess restricted funds, while protecting K-12 education, Medicaid, postsecondary education, public safety, and pension obligations. Dr. Hicks outlined several major spending and reserve proposals, including $350 million from the Department of Insurance’s excess restricted funds to support Medicaid in the first year, $150 million for the affordable housing trust fund, $125 million for rural hospitals, $100 million to offset lost federal ACA premium tax credits, $75 million for utility assistance, and $50 million for food assistance. In education, the proposal included a phased pre-K for all plan funded by sports wagering tax revenue, a 3% annual salary increase for full-time school personnel, continued full funding of teacher pensions, a 2.5% annual increase in SEEK base funding, and additional support for career and technical education and school facilities. He also discussed Medicaid cost pressures, including higher managed care, pharmacy, behavioral health, and nursing facility costs, and explained the expected effects of federal HR1 changes on Kentucky’s Medicaid program. Those changes include work and community engagement requirements and more frequent eligibility redeterminations for expansion members, which the administration estimated would reduce enrollment by about 4,300 in the first year and 28,000 in the second year. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting, which was limited to the budget presentation and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Please take up the supplemental calendar. >> Secretary will read. >> Substitution at the desk.
• supplemental calendar.
• in these school districts will be raised further than they need to be raised if that aid was coming
• It is over and above what the state aid number was factored in to formulating this budget.
• IT IS OVER AND ABOVE WHAT THE STATE AID NUMBER WAS FACTORED IN TO FORMULATING THIS BUDGET.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate opened with routine business, including approval of the prior journal and several messages from the Assembly to discharge and substitute identical Senate bills. The chamber then took up a budget extender, Senate Print 10262/Assembly Bill 11295, which would appropriate $2.9 billion to keep state government operating through May 14 while budget negotiations continued. Senator O’Mara questioned the delay in reaching a full budget and criticized the lack of clarity on major policy issues, conference committees, school aid timing, and a proposed $1 billion utility ratepayer relief plan, arguing the state’s spending and affordability problems were worsening. Senator Serrano responded that negotiations were in the final stretch and that the extender was necessary to maintain government operations. The extender passed 59-1 after being restored to the non-controversial calendar. The Senate also considered a major election-law bill, Senate Print 88A, providing for automatic voter registration and pre-registration through DMV, Medicaid, and NYCHA-related transactions. Senator Walczyk’s proposed amendment to require voter ID was ruled nongermane, and his appeal was rejected. The bill prompted extended debate over whether the process would protect against non-citizen registration or instead remove barriers for eligible voters. Supporters, including Senator Gianaris, said it would streamline registration and help eligible but unregistered New Yorkers participate; Senator Zellner said it would strengthen the process. Opponents, including Senators Walczyk, Borrello, Helming, Rhoads, and Martins, warned it would shift responsibility away from bipartisan boards of elections, create administrative errors, and risk improper registration. The bill ultimately passed after being restored to the non-controversial calendar, with senators explaining votes along party lines. The chamber also adopted or advanced several resolutions and recognized guests. Senator Gallivan’s Police Week resolution drew remarks honoring fallen officers and law enforcement families, with Senators Chan, Rolison, Weik, Ryan, and Myrie speaking in support. Senator Sepúlveda’s resolution commemorating Dominicans in Albany was also discussed, with praise for the Dominican community’s contributions to New York and supportive remarks from Senator Chan. In addition, the Senate heard introductions for guests from Allen A.M.E. Church and the creators of the documentary “Teenage Wasteland.”

Transcript Highlights:

• is, what this DE does is it's a hundred million appropriation that funds the unemployment insurance aid
• So when the forecast was made, um, MDE provided data to the Minnesota Management and Budget uh in order
• </c><00:03:49.120><c> Department</c><00:03:49.440><c> of</c> provided the the Minnesota Department of
• data to the Minnesota Education provided data to the Minnesota management<00:03:53.040><c> and</c><00
• It does not work the state of Minnesota.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• need is aligned with the federal formula by replacing total family contribution with total student aid
• statewide student financial aid programs are made available to eligible students.
• But this legislation would enable WOSAC to promise Aid to these students sooner, as early as 13 years
• identify eligible students, we are excited and well prepared to streamline access to state financial aid
• in advance of college that they can receive money from what is the nation's most generous financial aid

Summary: The Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee held public hearings on two bills. Substitute Senate Bill 5931 would make administrative changes to the Workforce Education Investment Accountability and Oversight Board, including extending co-chair terms from one to two years, allowing more than four meetings per year, requiring consultation with the Student Achievement Council when evaluating outcomes, and removing the statutory public dashboard requirement. Staff and the bill sponsor, Senator Warnick, described it as a technical, no-fiscal-impact measure requested by the Student Achievement Council. Joel Anderson of WOSAC testified in support, explaining that the board’s role is advisory, that the bill would improve operations, and that WOSAC has spent significant staff time tracking Workforce Education Investment Account spending, especially carry-forward appropriations. The committee then heard Senate Bill 5963, which would modify Passport to Careers and Washington College Grant eligibility. The bill would automatically make Passport to Careers students income-eligible for the Washington College Grant beginning in the 2026-27 academic year, align the Passport financial-need formula with the federal student aid index, and direct Passport funds into the state financial aid account. Staff noted the bill was identical to the House companion. Testimony from WOSAC, the Washington Student Association, and a Western Washington University student representative all supported the bill, emphasizing the high barriers faced by former foster youth and unaccompanied homeless youth and the value of guaranteed, earlier access to aid. Senator Nobles said the bill would fulfill the state’s promise to help these students access higher education and would not increase costs. At the close of the hearing, the chair announced amendment deadlines for possible Tuesday executive action: requests due Monday at 10 a.m. and approval by 6 p.m. The committee planned to caucus and did not meet on Friday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state and the common good of Minnesota.
• A commitment to justice, compassion, and the well-being of all who call Minnesota home.
• Brian DeMeritt from the Dakota Unitarian Universalist Church. and Eagan, Minnesota.
• Paul, Minnesota, Thursday, May 1st, 2025.
• Whereas in 1984, the state of Minnesota established a sister state relationship with Taiwan, and Minnesota

Transcript Highlights:

• Includes addressing potential fraud and abuse, and makes SNAP supplemental support for disabled and elderly
• And then if they're interested in the Supplemental and Deficiency Appropriations start on page 228.
• SEG money Is designed for the kids, and now they're going to try to use impact aid to pay for a lawsuit
• that impact aid was not even involved in.
• The operational supplement is essentially those figures were derived in working with the institutions

Committee: Senate Senate Finance

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The second key provision as attorney fees and costs the bill ran forces to weigh the shifting in supplemental
• It in 3rd supplemental on Line. 39 to match the reference to supplement the legal action throughout the
• One SB 276, an sheltering or aiding unmarried minors by Senator Wright.
• In this current Florida statute to create a presumption in defense to the crime sheltering or aiding

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to request $342 billion in the supplemental.
• Is that the supplemental for UTMB care of the supplemental amount?
• Is that the supplemental for UTMB care of the supplemental amount?
• Is that the supplemental for UTMB care of the supplemental amount?
• We are requesting an additional supplemental of $104 million.

Bills: SB1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The committee heard a Legislative Budget Board presentation and then testimony from the Department of Public Safety on the Article 5 public safety budget. LBB said DPS’s 2026-27 recommendation totals $3.7 billion, down from the prior base, while FTEs rise by 856.7. Major items included increased funding for driver license services and customer support, new trooper funding and recruit schools, crime lab operations, border security, and reductions tied to one-time facility, vehicle, and aircraft spending. The committee also discussed new riders, including one to lapse unused trooper funds and require reporting after recruit schools. Members focused heavily on driver license operations, questioning why prior staffing increases and a prior efficiency study had not solved long wait times, high call abandonment, and appointment delays. DPS and LBB said the agency receives about 22,000 calls per day, answers only about 9 percent, and is seeking more staff plus technology upgrades such as automation, kiosks, and better online processing. Senators also raised concerns about rural access, REAL ID document requirements, and whether the department should rethink its processes rather than simply add employees. DPS leadership then described needs for the Williamson County training academy, additional troopers, Capitol and Alamo security, border operations, aircraft and vehicle replacement, and regional headquarters in El Paso and San Antonio. Members asked about Operation Lone Star costs, overtime, pursuit safety, border crime, oilfield theft, and sexual assault kit and toxicology backlogs. DPS said border deployments remain focused on criminal threats, that overtime is partly driven by deployments and staffing shortages, and that the sexual assault kit backlog is down to 118 cases with a goal of zero by April. The committee later recessed and began the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission budget presentation, where LBB outlined a $115.1 million recommendation and noted ongoing costs for the AIMS technology project.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is in the warehouse that the Minnesota is in the warehouse that the senator<00:04:14.360><c
• We do go to rural Minnesota.
• Our division covers Minnesota and North Dakota, but for your purposes, all of Minnesota is our focus
• state flooding we do go to the Minnesota state flooding we do go to rural<00:15:55.920><c> Minnesota
• </c> who's a researcher at the Minnesota who's a researcher at the Minnesota Justice<00:32:40.880><c>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I guess maybe you're describing first aid type of stuff because to me, to hear that, I'm having a hard
• And when you say first aid,” “...within athletic training, first aid really falls under the emergent
• To try to expand the role of what athletic trainers can do, to provide some supplemental services.
• It's with the HIV-AIDS Institute, where they did a study with 17 states that had active legislation.
• My father died of AIDS in the '80s because he was taking a medication for hemophilia and it had HIV/AIDS

Committee: House Health and Mental Health

Summary: The committee first heard House Bills 2365, 2490, and 2249, a bipartisan version of Elijah’s Law, which would require child care facilities to receive training and guidance on recognizing and responding to food allergies and anaphylaxis. Sponsors described the bill as a response to the death of Elijah, whose daycare did not administer epinephrine quickly enough after a food exposure. Witnesses in support, including a parent and food allergy advocate, said the measure would improve preparedness and save lives. Committee members asked about whether the bill should use broader epinephrine terminology, whether the requirements could also be handled through child care licensing rules, and whether the bill was already included in a larger measure. No opposition was presented, and the hearing on those bills was closed. The committee then heard House Bill 1965, which would require insurers to reimburse athletic trainers for covered services and add athletic trainers to the practitioner definition for billing purposes. The sponsor and athletic training witnesses said the bill would recognize athletic trainers as licensed health care providers, improve access in rural and underserved areas, and allow reimbursement when trainers work in clinics, hospitals, or other non-school settings. Committee members raised repeated questions about the difference between athletic trainers and physical therapists, whether school-based services were already paid through contracts, whether the bill would increase costs or create double payment, and how diagnosis and billing would work under the current scope of practice. Opponents from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and the Missouri Insurance Coalition argued the bill would create a mandate, increase costs, and expand billing before clarifying the underlying scope of practice. No vote was taken in public hearing. The committee then moved into executive session and voted several bills do pass. A substitute was adopted for House Bill 1826 and the committee substitute for House Bills 1826, 2560, 2349, and 2194 passed 17-0. House Bill 1783 also passed 17-0. House Bill 2372, which incorporated multiple related provisions including changes to epinephrine terminology and other committee items, passed 17-1 after a substitute and amendment were adopted. House Bill 1827, the occupational therapy bill related to disabled placards and license plates, passed 18-0. The committee then returned to public hearing and heard House Bills 1941 and 2279, which would prohibit copay accumulator programs for fully insured plans so that third-party assistance counts toward a patient’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Sponsors and a rheumatologist testified that the bills would prevent patients with serious illnesses from being forced to pay the same deductible twice and said similar laws have been enacted in many other states. Opponents from America’s Health Insurance Plans argued the measure would affect only a minority of plans, raise costs in the individual and small-group market, and could worsen affordability for remaining enrollees. The hearing ended without a vote on those bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• In Minnesota, birth center is.
• Some of those were in Minnesota.
• Some of those were in Minnesota.
• </c><00:57:07.440><c> and</c> Minnesota. So that's what it does. and Minnesota.
• </c> supplement the current re reimbursement. supplement the current re reimbursement.

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• note is available, and it shows approximately $210,000 of expenditures to the accident and medical aid
• A fiscal note is available showing $232,000 for 2025 to 2029 for the Accident and Medical Aid Account
• . $22,000 for 2025 to 2029 for the Accident and Medical Aid Account for IT changes.
• Revenue in the supplemental pension fund is pay-as-you-go and equally financed.
• Revenue in the supplemental pension fund is pay-as-you-go and equally financed by workers and employers

Summary: The Labor and Commerce Committee heard public testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 618, the Eric Schrauss Memorial Act, would remove the current time-and-exposure qualifiers for the workers’ compensation presumption that certain heart problems in firefighters and law enforcement officers are occupational diseases. The sponsor and family members of fallen firefighters testified in support, describing delayed claims and arguing the bill would spare grieving families from lengthy appeals. Opponents including counties, self-insurers, cities, and L&I’s research staff said the current qualifiers are based on science, warned the change would greatly expand claims and costs, and noted a 2023 advisory committee did not recommend the change. No vote was taken. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5379, which would extend interest arbitration rights to Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission law enforcement rangers. The sponsor and a park ranger testified that rangers are commissioned peace officers who cannot strike and are paid less than comparable law enforcement, leading to staffing shortages and turnover. The bill was presented as a fairness and retention measure. Testimony on Senate Bill 6147, concerning grocery store closures in food deserts, was split: supporters from Tacoma, labor, and local government said a six-month notice requirement would help communities respond to closures like the Fred Meyer shutdown in South Tacoma, while grocers and industry groups argued the bill was too prescriptive, would add legal risk, and would not solve underlying crime and business pressures. Senate Bill 6106, requested by the Employment Security Department, would exempt tribes from the state WARN-style notice law and make employee names and addresses submitted in layoff notices confidential under the Public Records Act. ESD and business groups supported the bill as a clarification and privacy fix, and no opposition was heard. The committee then took testimony on Senate Bill 5927, which would cap future workers’ compensation COLAs at 3%; employers and self-insurers supported it as a way to address volatility and long-term liabilities, while labor, injured-worker advocates, and others opposed it as an across-the-board benefit cut that would erode wage replacement. L&I explained it has been studying possible COLA changes but did not bring forward its own proposal. Finally, Senate Bill 6287 on kratom would restrict adulterated or harmful kratom products, require labeling, set a 21+ sales age, and allow local regulation; supporters backed the age limit and bans on concentrated 7-OH, while some industry witnesses opposed the private right of action and local patchwork rules. The committee adjourned after public testimony; no final votes or executive action were taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> available to assist Greater Minnesota available to assist Greater Minnesota County<00:07:50.800>
• </c> temporary commissioner for the Minnesota temporary commissioner for the Minnesota Department<00:
• officer for the state of Minnesota.
• officer for the state of Minnesota.
• </c> funding for software advancements to Aid funding for software advancements to Aid the<00:21:35.520

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you have something written down, give it to our aides here and they will distribute it to us.
• And if you have something written down, give it to our aides here and they will distribute it to us.
• The other thing I would just say is I think the other goal here is that we don't want the band-aid to
• </c><02:47:04.800><c> Minnesota,</c><02:47:05.600><c> Michigan,</c> behave responsibly.
• Minnesota, Michigan, behave responsibly.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 1191, senate, all