Transcript Highlights:

• The fences are clean. The grass... ...is immaculate. The houses are lovely.
• So outside of a major disaster like that where the entire economy has to recover, can you tell me, can

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Concurrent Resolution 23, which would create an Agricultural-based National Security Priorities Task Force to study issues such as Chinese drones, farmland ownership, and other technology-related concerns that could affect farmers and national security. Senator Kathy Stewart said the goal was to avoid unintended consequences in legislation and to bring agriculture stakeholders together. The resolution was moved favorably with no objections. The committee then took up Senate Bill 502 on sugarcane bagasse storage. Supporters, including the sponsor, the Commissioner of Agriculture, and the American Sugar Cane League, said the bill would clarify that bagasse is an agricultural byproduct and would protect storage practices that comply with department best practices from local ordinances. Several residents from St. Martin Parish testified in opposition, saying a large bagasse pile near their homes was out of compliance, created dust and odors, and caused health and property-value concerns. Despite the opposition, the bill was reported favorably with no objections. House Bill 512, by Representative Schamerhorn, would prohibit the manufacturing and sale of cell-cultured food products in Louisiana while allowing university research to continue. An amendment was adopted to make the bill effective only if certain federal court rulings allow such a ban. The sponsor and Commissioner Strain argued the issue is still scientifically uncertain and that the state should avoid costly litigation; the bill was reported favorably with amendments after no objections. House Bill 1194, the Healthy Food Retail Act, was amended to shift food-desert research and mapping duties to the LSU AgCenter, while the financing authority would continue handling grants and related funding mechanisms. Supporters said the bill would improve data on food deserts and help target grocery access in underserved urban and rural areas; some members raised concerns about government subsidies and long-term dependence, but the sponsor and Commissioner Strain said the program is intended as infrastructure support to launch stores, not ongoing operating aid. After debate, the bill was reported favorably with amendments by a 10-3 roll call vote. The committee also reported favorably House Concurrent Resolution 65, which urges federal action to reclassify crawfish-industry job duties as agricultural labor for H-2A purposes; testimony emphasized labor shortages, the impact on crawfish and rice producers, and the need for more legal guest workers. The meeting ended with a brief informational handout on direct marketing and custom slaughter plants and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So then we get to wash Minnesota Miracle. When what was going Minnesota Miracle.
• ,</c> families annually from across Minnesota, families annually from across Minnesota, North<00:35:35.280
• </c> outlined in Minnesota statutes. outlined in Minnesota statutes.
• </c> this and not you know Minnesota this and not you know Minnesota taxpayers<01:26:16.840><c> for</
• </c> the Twin Cities from northern Minnesota the Twin Cities from northern Minnesota and<01:38:24.240

Bills: HF4094, HF3390, HF3813, HF3583, HF3751, HF4324, HF4789, HF3596, HF4033, HF4424, HF4053

Keywords: Crosby, local sales tax, bonding authority, community projects, voter approval, Owatonna, use tax, special law, community center, municipal finance, capital project, sales and use tax, local option tax, city tax, public facility, general election, bond referendum, debt limit, levy limit, Minnesota local government

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh commissioner of Minnesota Housing.
• </c> internally we created a new Minnesota internally we created a new Minnesota housing<00:22:11.120
• So banks are regulated by the Minnesota Department of Commerce and Minnesota State Charter.
• </c> appropriated programs at Minnesota appropriated programs at Minnesota Housing.<00:52:58.800><c>
• </c><01:06:44.799><c> Housing</c> the commissioner of Minnesota Housing the commissioner of Minnesota

Bills: SF2434

Keywords: housing, development fund, affordable housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, expenditure provisions

Transcript Highlights:

• The fences are clean. The grass... It's beautiful. The fences are clean. The grass is immaculate.
• So outside of a major disaster like that where the entire economy has to recover, can you tell me, can
• So outside of a major disaster like that where the entire economy has to recover, can you tell me, can

Bills: HCR65, HB512, HB1194, SCR23, SB502

Keywords: crawfish, agricultural labor, H-2A program, seasonal workforce, Louisiana economy, Healthy Food Retail Act, food access, food deserts, economic opportunity, public health, Louisiana agriculture, community development, fresh food, agriculture, national security, food production, supply chain, security task force, farm labor, Chinese investments

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Teresa Nelson for the ACLU of Minnesota. Ms.
• I'm the Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
• But in Minnesota, child support is a very important issue.
• For my part, I think he's a justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court.
• I'm the Deputy State Court Administrator for the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> screened out is found in Minnesota screened out is found in Minnesota statute statute statute 326.3381
• We put the detectives in Minnesota.
• Parent representation in Minnesota is inequitable across the state.
• Parent representation in Minnesota is inequitable across the state.
• </c><00:41:24.400><c> to</c> managers do in the state of Minnesota to managers do in the state of Minnesota

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, members, Teresa Nelson for the ACLU of Minnesota. Ms.
• It makes technical corrections to the laws and statutes of Minnesota.
• <00:50:09.720><c> statute</c><00:50:10.400><c> 518a</c> Minnesota statute 518a Minnesota statute 518a
• </c><00:51:34.319><c> is</c> the best way to do it in Minnesota is the best way to do it in Minnesota
• </c><00:57:59.920><c> Supreme</c> identified by the Minnesota Supreme identified by the Minnesota Supreme

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• He said food insecurity is rising in Minnesota.
• It's a trend toward the viewpoints that we have in the state of Minnesota.
• It's a trend toward the viewpoints that we have in the state of Minnesota.
• It's a trend toward the viewpoints that we have in the state of Minnesota.
• It's a trend toward the viewpoints that we have in the state of Minnesota.

Bills: HF1704, HF2052

Keywords: Minnesota agriculture budget, Department of Agriculture appropriation, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, farm bill, rural development, agricultural grants, soil health, livestock compensation, crop damage, meat inspection, poultry inspection, county agricultural inspectors, biofertilizer, nitrogen management, commercial nitrogen fertilizer, water quality, farm down payment assistance, beginning farmers

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> of Minnesota. of Minnesota.
• </c><00:47:27.400><c> families</c> significant number of Minnesota families significant number of Minnesota
• </c><00:55:11.320><c> Gro-</c> Wilkie from the Greater Minnesota Gro- Wilkie from the Greater Minnesota
• </c><01:35:12.400><c> statute</c> definition under the Minnesota statute definition under the Minnesota
• </c><01:38:28.440><c> and</c> especially in greater Minnesota and especially in greater Minnesota and

Bills: HF4110, HF2113, HF4569, HF4414

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, paid leave, small employers, employment law, Minnesota Statutes, workforce development, HF4569, Minnesota Paid Leave Law, protected leave, seasonal employee, seasonal worker, hospitality, hospitality industry, DEED, Department of Employment and Economic Development, employer certification

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota. Minnesota.
• </c> Minnesota Realtors. Minnesota Realtors.
• We have both in Minnesota.
• </c> 83% of the awards in Minnesota. 83% of the awards in Minnesota.
• </c> have both in Minnesota. have both in Minnesota.

Bills: HF3425, HF3424, HF1385

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, eviction, rent, nonpayment of rent, landlord-tenant, residential tenant, notice to quit, unlawful detainer, housing, lease violation, late fees, rental assistance, legal aid, tenant rights, Minnesota Statutes 504B.321, pre-eviction notice

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:02:33.840><c> in</c> metan Numa virus arrived in Minnesota in metan Numa virus arrived in Minnesota
• </c> of animal health and the Minnesota of animal health and the Minnesota Department<00:08:39.120><c
• </c> outlying areas of Minnesota outlying areas of Minnesota representative<00:18:30.679><c> Hansen</
• I'm the State Veterinarian for Minnesota, Executive Director for the Minnesota Board of Animal Health
• , Minnesota.

Bills: HF601, HF271, HF1101, HF979

Keywords: agriculture, depredation compensation, livestock, crop damage, elk, wolves, wildlife management, skills path program, career and technical education, CTE, dual credit, postsecondary options enrollment, apprenticeship, apprenticeship readiness, dual training, work-based learning, career pathways, skilled trades, workforce development, high school to career

Transcript Highlights:

• Um as a 23B in Austin, Minnesota.
• </c> investment in Minnesota. investment in Minnesota.
• And right now, they are consistently passing Minnesota by because we all want Minnesota to be the best
• <c> supportive</c><01:10:09.199><c> of</c> Education Minnesota is supportive of Education Minnesota is
• Um, so from the Minnesota you moving.

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Bills: HF3321

Keywords: legislative corrections, technical errors, legal consistency, Minnesota statutes, overhauling laws, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , Energy, Legacy Energy, and Hawaii Energy Connection, we also have nine individuals in opposition. >
• , Energy, Legacy Energy, and Hawaii Energy Connection, we also have nine individuals in opposition.
• Sun Sphere, Energy, Legacy Energy, Sun Sphere, Energy, Legacy Energy, Hawaii<00:41:17.600><c> Energy<
• We have testimony in support from Energy Advisors LLC, Alternate Energy PV Tech, Independent Energy,
• </c> energy equity. energy equity.

Bills: SB3326

Keywords: renewable energy, energy storage, cost reduction, public utilities commission, Hawaii energy policies, 910, house, all

Summary: The joint committees on Energy and Environmental Protection and Labor heard SB 3326, a bill concerning a study of separating transmission from generation in Hawaii’s electric system. Testimony was largely opposed. Life of the Land argued that true separation on an isolated island grid has not been shown to work anywhere and said the bill would waste taxpayer money. Hawaiian Electric and the Public Utilities Commission also opposed the measure, saying Hawaii already uses competitive bidding for new generation, that the bill would add cost, complexity, and reliability risks, and that a new study would duplicate prior work. In response to questions, the PUC explained its existing competitive bidding framework and said it had not seen an island system fully restructure in this way. The chair then amended the bill’s intent to require the PUC to open a proceeding for an independent, comprehensive analysis of the state’s energy pathways, including cost reduction, financial risk, state energy goals, and reliability, rather than narrowly focusing on separation. Both committees voted to pass SB 3326 SD2 with amendments, with the Energy committee adopting the recommendation unanimously and the Labor committee adopting it with one reservation and two no votes. The Energy and Environmental Protection Committee then took up SB 2497 SD2, which would require electric utilities other than cooperatives to provide transparent, publicly accessible customer bill impact analyses and annual reports to the PUC. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the PUC offered comments, with the PUC supporting the intent. Life of the Land said the proposed disclosure requirements would be too complex for most ratepayers to use meaningfully, while Hawaiian Electric said the bill could raise costs and slow projects, though it acknowledged some of the language changes and said much of the information is already available through existing planning and regulatory processes. Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and one individual testified in support. No vote was taken on SB 2497 SD2 during the excerpt. The committee also heard SB 3183 SD2, which would bar higher-income taxpayers from claiming the renewable energy technologies income tax credit for certain residential solar systems and would change refundability rules. The Department of Taxation, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the Tax Foundation offered comments, while the Hawaii Solar Energy Association and numerous companies and individuals opposed the bill. Opponents raised concerns about impacts on financing models and the solar market. Members asked the Department of Taxation for data on how credits are claimed by homeowners versus third-party owners and on the refundability of the credit; the department said it did not have the information immediately available but would follow up. The chair indicated decision-making would likely be deferred to allow further review, and no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> external affairs for the Minnesota external affairs for the Minnesota Pollution<00:29:14.559><c>
• </c> 28 billion over 20 years to clean up. 28 billion over 20 years to clean up.
• Chair, members of the committee, I'm Avana Stark, state director of Clean Water Action Minnesota, and
• </c> coming here to Minnesota. coming here to Minnesota.
• Association of Minnesota.

Bills: HF4253, HF4257, HF3236, HF4264, HF4149, HF4019

Keywords: boat storage structures, public waters, natural resources, rule amendments, watercraft canopy, PFAS, environmental regulation, manufacturers, public health, product safety, groundwater, water appropriation, water-use permit, water permit, aquifer test, aquifer, well construction, groundwater permit, Department of Natural Resources, DNR

Transcript Highlights:

• We had 12,000 licensed child care providers in Minnesota.
• </c><00:03:12.200><c> in</c> Education capacity in Minnesota in Education capacity in Minnesota in 2021
• </c> life liced care and in rural Minnesota life liced care and in rural Minnesota it's<00:30:00.760>
• Paul, or greater Minnesota.
• </c> Children and Families here in Minnesota Children and Families here in Minnesota but<01:19:27.440

Bills: HF656, HF655, HF633

Keywords: child care, childcare, day care, daycare, licensing, variance, licensed capacity, capacity limit, staff qualifications, staffing, child care center, family child care, provider flexibility, Minnesota career lattice, Department of Children Youth and Families, DCYF, licensing rules, enrollment, indoor space, professional development

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> um uh Minnesota reinsurance program and um uh Minnesota reinsurance program and so<00:01:44.799>
• </c><00:09:52.000><c> Insurance</c> Minnesota Comprehensive Health Insurance Minnesota Comprehensive
• </c> that we had in the state of Minnesota that we had in the state of Minnesota was<00:10:35.600><c>
• This isn't a greater Minnesota problem; this isn't a metro problem. This is a Minnesota problem.
• ><c> a</c><01:20:36.520><c> Minnesota</c> this is a Minnesota this is a Minnesota problem<01:20:38.960

Bills: HF837

Keywords: health insurance, premium security plan, federal funding, state innovation waiver, Minnesota, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• True independence, energy independence, honors community by investing in clean energy that is locally
• AES and the wind turbines that were built there, which were a necessary step toward our clean energy
• > would</c><01:00:45.839><c> be</c> advance clean energy, the state would be advance clean energy, the
• </c> equity and progress on our state's clean equity and progress on our state's clean energy<01:07:46.160
• </c> clean energy since the day I was born. clean energy since the day I was born.

Bills: HB2284

Keywords: energy assistance, low-income households, electricity costs, Hawaii home energy assistance program, energy efficiency, 910, house, all

Summary: The hearing covered House Bill 2284, which would create the Hawaii Home Energy Assistance Program in the Department of Human Services to help qualifying households pay energy bills and direct the Public Utilities Commission’s public benefits fee administrator to provide information and assistance to recipients. Testimony from the Division of Consumer Advocacy, DHS, and the Public Utilities Commission was in support. A committee member asked about how the program would interact with existing TANF-related energy assistance and whether rules could be adjusted to avoid duplicative benefits; DHS said logistics would need to be worked out and that the agencies would make the rules. The committees noted the bill’s $1.5 million appropriation and moved it forward with amendments, including blanking out amounts and noting them in the committee report. Both committees voted to pass HB 2284 with amendments, with the recommendation adopted. The committee then heard House Bill 2486, relating to plug-in or balcony solar. DCCA, the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, and the Public Utilities Commission stood on prior testimony in support of the bill’s intent. Multiple advocates and organizations, including Carbon Cashback Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Bright Saver, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and others, testified in support, arguing that plug-in solar would lower electricity bills, expand access for renters and condo residents, and reduce emissions. Several speakers urged the committee to remove or avoid registration, reporting, feed-in tariff, interconnection fee, and other requirements they said would create barriers. Bright Saver testified that the systems are safe and would not back-feed during outages. No vote was taken on HB 2486 during the excerpt. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1568, which would prohibit the importation or storage of LNG in the state and the construction of related infrastructure. State agencies including the Consumer Advocate, Hawaii State Energy Office, Public Utilities Commission, and Hawaiian Electric opposed the bill, with the Energy Office arguing LNG would perpetuate oil use on Oahu and expose the state to price volatility. Supporters included Life of the Land, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, 350 Hawaii, Earthjustice, Our Hawaii, and others, who argued LNG would lock Hawaii into another fossil fuel dependency, create major infrastructure costs and safety risks, and undermine the state’s renewable energy goals. Several testifiers cited climate and affordability concerns and urged the committee to reject LNG. The excerpt ends during testimony on HB 1568, before any committee action or vote is shown.