Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota is home to one of the largest Southeast Asian refugee populations in the world.
• This caused the mass displacement of over 1.2 million Southeast Asian refugees.
• Refugees came here because our homelands were bombed, destroyed, and destabilized.
• Monta Chum continues: Refugees and immigrants have survived unimaginable violence.
• </c><00:32:28.039><c> and</c> families and persecuted refugees and families and persecuted refugees and

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on House File 16, and the chair moved the bill with a recommendation that it be re-referred to Elections Finance and Government Operations. Representative Rymer said the bill would require reporting to ICE when an illegal immigrant is arrested on suspicion of a violent crime, even if the county attorney does not prosecute, and would bar state and local entities from blocking federal immigration enforcement. He described the bill as narrowly focused on serious offenses such as murder, assault, robbery, kidnapping, and criminal sexual conduct, and said it was intended to improve communication with federal authorities about dangerous offenders. Supporters argued the bill would improve public safety and cooperation with federal law enforcement. David Zimmer, a former local law enforcement official, said cooperation with ICE is consistent with law enforcement practice and helps with information-sharing, warrants, consulate notifications, and locating individuals. Several other supporters, including a crime victim family member and a security officer, said the bill would help identify dangerous criminals and protect communities. Opponents said the bill would reduce trust in local law enforcement and discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes. Testifiers from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, The Advocates for Human Rights, Violence Free Minnesota, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs, the Northstar Alliance, the City of Minneapolis, and others said mandatory ICE notification could deter domestic violence and trafficking victims from seeking help, harm due process, and undermine community safety. Some also warned it would interfere with local separation policies, burden local agencies, and have negative economic and civil rights impacts. The committee also heard emotional testimony from individuals describing domestic abuse and immigration-related fears, and from family members of a murder victim who supported the bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are some places in this country where a small number, a handful of refugees, sets off a firestorm
• Let me say that again: 1.2 million refugees.
• And certainly there are challenges with those refugee camps and the circumstances.
• LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN, 1.2 MILLION REFUGEES.
• AND CERTAINLY, THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH THOSE REFUGEE CAMPS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then took up a series of previously adopted resolutions recognizing individuals, communities, and state traditions. The chamber honored Staff Sergeant Michael Ollis posthumously after his Medal of Honor recognition, with remarks from Senator Scarcella-Spanton and others praising his sacrifice and welcoming his parents. Senators also celebrated New York maple producers and Maple Weekends, Bangladesh Independence Day and the contributions of Bangladeshi New Yorkers, York Middle/High School girls varsity volleyball for winning a state championship, Pavilion/York Air Rifle for winning the state invitational championship, and Tartan Day. These resolutions were adopted, and the sponsors opened them for co-sponsorship. The Senate then moved through the regular calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures on environmental conservation, personal property, agriculture and markets, insurance, state law, executive law, workers’ compensation, election law, correction law, public health, and parks/historic preservation. Most passed with broad support, though some drew a handful of negative votes. One bill on election law, allowing certain 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by the general election, prompted supportive floor debate from several senators and passed 43-17. Another bill on correction law also passed after debate. A notable controversy arose over Calendar 227, a Public Authorities Law bill related to school energy planning and electric buses. Senator Borrello challenged an amendment as nongermane, the Chair ruled against it, and the Senate voted 22-0 to sustain the ruling. The underlying bill then passed, despite criticism from senators who argued the state should repeal the electric bus mandate and instead study safer, more practical alternatives for school districts. The Senate then completed its business and adjourned until March 24 at 3:00 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many immigrants, especially refugees, do not have any of these advantages.
• And nowhere is this more true than for those who are refugees.
• Consider the fate of Afghan refugees. Please. Consider the fate of Afghan refugees.
• At this point in time, the refugee program has been entirely frozen.
• And at this point in time, the refugee program has been entirely frozen.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate convened with routine opening business, including the Pledge of Allegiance and the filing of several reports, such as the Parole Board’s 2023 annual report and a fiscal year 2025 prior-year deficiency report from the Comptroller. Those reports were ordered placed on file. The remainder of the session was devoted almost entirely to a series of brief statements by the Senate President and many senators responding to what they described as federal actions under the Trump administration, especially immigration enforcement without due process, court defiance, and broader threats to democratic norms. Senators repeatedly condemned the detention and deportation of immigrants, students, researchers, and even some U.S. citizens, citing specific Massachusetts cases including Ramesa Ozturk of Tufts, Juan Francisco Mendez, Sunua Petrova, and others. Members also raised concerns about cuts to federal funding affecting Massachusetts, including NIH and university research, asthma prevention, education, climate resilience, and veterans’ services. Several senators tied these issues to the state’s economy, higher education, health care, and immigrant communities, and many invoked Massachusetts and American history to argue for due process, the rule of law, and resistance to authoritarianism. A few policy responses were mentioned, including support for increasing funding for the Attorney General to handle lawsuits, and references to bills or proposals such as the Immigrant Legal Defense Act, the Dignity Not Deportation Act, the Safe Communities Act, and the Location Shield Act. The Senate President also referenced the chamber’s broader “Response 2025” initiative. No substantive legislation was debated or voted on during the statements themselves, aside from the adoption of an order to adjourn and the setting of the next meeting for Thursday at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Northern California, which affirmed the Vietnamese American refugee experience statewide.
• Many members of our community are refugees who fled Vietnam, and I’ll share that experience.
• Today, San Jose is the 10th largest city in the United States and home to the largest Vietnamese refugee
• This is an honor for our community, the refugee community in Northern California.
• This is an honor for our community, the refugee community in Northern California.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard SB 220, which would require the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to submit an earlier governance reform report to the Legislature in light of Measure G, including consideration of the new countywide executive and future board changes. Senator Allen argued the bill was only a vehicle to prompt a locally driven discussion before 2028, while Metro, the City of Los Angeles, and several committee members opposed it as premature and unnecessary because local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After debate over local control and timing, the committee voted 3-2 to send SB 220 to Senate Appropriations, with the bill left on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require wayside detector systems on freight rail lines at specified intervals, with exceptions for some short-line railroads, and would require railroad response plans to be submitted to the CPUC. Supporters, including rail unions and labor groups, said the bill was a needed response to the East Palestine derailment and other safety risks, while opponents from freight railroads, passenger rail operators, business groups, and agricultural interests warned it could raise costs, slow freight and passenger service, and create a disincentive to invest in faster track. Members questioned the cost, implementation timeline, preemption issues, and possible impacts on passenger rail and the supply chain. The committee approved SB 667 on a 7-2 vote to Appropriations, with the bill also left on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which would designate a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. The Assembly Member author and community witnesses described the designation as a recognition of San Jose’s large Vietnamese American community and its history as refugees and contributors to the region. Numerous supporters from the community, local government, and the public testified in favor, and there was no opposition. Members praised the cultural significance and noted connections to other Vietnamese communities, including Westminster. The resolution was adopted unanimously, with 10 votes, and sent to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Northern California, which affirmed the Vietnamese American refugee experience statewide.
• Many members of our community are refugees who fled Vietnam, and I’ll share that experience.
• Today, San Jose is the 10th largest city in the United States and home to the largest Vietnamese refugee
• This is the honor of our community, the refugee community in Northern California.
• This is the honor of our community, the refugee community in Northern California.

Summary: The committee heard SB 220, which would require Los Angeles Metro to submit an updated governance reform report by July 1 in light of Measure G and the creation of a future countywide executive. Senator Allen argued the bill simply accelerates a locally driven discussion and does not prescribe a specific board structure. Metro, the Los Angeles mayor’s representative, and several members of the committee opposed it as unnecessary and premature, saying local task forces and an ad hoc Metro committee were already studying the issue. After discussion focused on local control and the need for broader L.A. County delegation input, the bill passed the committee on a 7-2 vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee then heard SB 667, the California Railway Safety Act, which would require freight railroads to install wayside detector systems at specified intervals, with different treatment for short-line railroads, and to submit safety response plans to the CPUC. Senator Archuleta and union supporters said the bill would help prevent derailments like East Palestine by detecting overheated bearings earlier and improving crew notification. Railroads, passenger rail operators, and business and supply-chain groups opposed it, arguing the spacing mandate was arbitrary, costly, could slow freight movement, and could disrupt shared passenger corridors; they also raised preemption and implementation concerns. Members discussed costs, passenger impacts, and whether 10-mile spacing was supported by data. The bill passed 11-2 and was also held on call. Finally, the committee considered ACR 71, which designates a portion of State Route 101 in Santa Clara County as the Little Saigon Freeway. Assembly Member Kalra and numerous Vietnamese American community members and local supporters described the designation as a recognition of the history, resilience, and contributions of the Vietnamese community in San Jose. There was no opposition testimony. Members praised the measure and noted the connection between the San Jose and Orange County Vietnamese communities. The resolution passed unanimously, 11-0, and was placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• Picture in your mind what a refugee looks like, where they come from, what led them here.
• She makes her way to a UN aid station where she applies for refugee status.
• </c> picture in your mind what a refugee picture in your mind what a refugee looks<07:04:38.760><c> like
• </c> station where she applies for Refugee station where she applies for Refugee status<07:05:23.680>
• Unlike refugees, who receive federal resettlement assistance, asylum seekers do not: no housing, no food

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requiring reports, and requiring a study and report on the work, economic impact, and structure of refugee
• resettlement in New Mexico.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• requiring reports, and requiring a study and report on the work, economic impact, and structure of refugee
• resettlement in New Mexico.

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, an invocation, pledges, and a series of announcements and guest introductions tied to several recognition days, including Disability Rights Awareness Day, Elevate the Spectrum Day, Geothermal Rising Legislative Day, DWI Awareness Day, and Adult Education and Literacy Day. Senators also welcomed guests for New Mexico Down Syndrome Day and other constituent visits, and the chamber read certificates recognizing the Hurley family and the New Mexico Military Museum, as well as adult education and literacy programs across the state. Testimony and remarks highlighted the service of the Hurley family, the importance of adult education for workforce and civic participation, and the contributions of people with disabilities and their families. The Senate adopted multiple committee reports and received House messages on several bills and resolutions. On third reading, the Senate passed Senate Bill 96, as amended, which streamlines child care licensing and reduces administrative barriers to opening or expanding child care homes and centers; an HOA-related floor amendment was adopted after discussion about local restrictions and neighborhood traffic concerns. The chamber then passed Senate Bill 14, as amended, which expands the state’s health professional loan repayment program with $25 million in funding split between physicians and allied health professionals/nurses, with questions focused on eligibility, prioritization, and whether the funding would be sufficient to address shortages. Senators also debated the bill’s support for part-time service and its role in helping New Mexico compete for medical workers. The Senate next passed Senate Bill 104 unanimously, establishing a process for removing a wildlife commissioner that requires gubernatorial initiation, notice and a hearing, and direct review by the state Supreme Court; debate centered on due process, the removal standard of incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, and how the new process compares with prior law. Finally, the chamber took up Senate Bill 50, which would give the Law Enforcement Training Standards Council more flexibility to set training curricula for officers, especially in rural departments; sponsors said the bill preserves minimum training while allowing updates for current issues, but several senators raised concerns that the measure could weaken explicit statutory requirements for domestic violence and sexual assault training and asked how those topics would remain protected in the future curriculum.

Transcript Highlights:

• and work with service providers to ensure the refugees and other eligible clients who come over are
• and work with service providers to ensure the refugees and other eligible clients who come over are
• You have a strong program where you’re making sure that any refugee or any non-U.S.
• All refugees are vetted overseas.
• </c> services as you noted the refugee services as you noted the refugee program<02:11:51.760><c> is<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also want to mention asylum seekers and refugees and other lawfully present immigrants who are on the
• I am a mental health specialist at Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants.
• This program is critical in engaging refugee and immigrant communities in BHSA as required by law.
• This includes refugees, asylees, certain victims of trafficking.
• These cuts will directly harm Southeast Asian elders, refugees, and survivors of war who already face

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• As the son and grandson of M refugee soldiers, I know the cost of war and the cost of being erased from
• As the son and grandson of M refugee me.
• As the son and grandson of M refugee soldiers,<00:01:20.799><c> I</c><00:01:21.040><c> know</c><00:01
• </c><00:09:53.040><c> from</c><00:09:53.200><c> the</c><00:09:53.600><c> re-education</c> the refugee
• from the re-education the refugee from the re-education camp.<00:09:56.000><c> The</c><00:09:56.240>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota lawmakers and advocates discussed House File 2444, a veterans and military affairs bill to formally recognize Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU) veterans who fought alongside U.S. forces in Laos during the secret war from 1961 to 1975. Speakers, including Rep. Ethan Cha and other veterans and family members, said the measure is long overdue and framed it as both a symbolic and practical step to restore dignity, honor, and veteran status to Hmong, Lao, and other ethnic minority veterans whose service had not been formally acknowledged. Testimony emphasized the historical role of the SGUs, the secrecy of the war, and the heavy losses suffered by the community. Speakers described the bill as a bipartisan effort with support from House and Senate members, and noted that a similar version had already passed the Senate unanimously. They also said the bill would help Minnesota set an example for other states and improve public understanding of the secret war and the contributions of Southeast Asian communities. Rep. Cha explained that the bill creates a new statutory definition for veterans of the secret war in Laos, establishes eligibility criteria for benefits and privileges, authorizes the commissioner of veterans affairs to verify veteran status, and creates a 12-member task force to advise that process. The bill would allow access to certain state veterans benefits and privileges, including veterans designation on IDs, grave markers, honor guard, state veterans cemeteries, and related preferences. In response to questions, speakers said the main challenge had been educating colleagues because the war was classified, and they estimated fewer than 1,000 SGU veterans are still alive. They also said the bill carries no major monetary benefit and is intended primarily to provide recognition and a framework for verification.

Transcript Highlights:

• I came to the U.S. in 1992 as a political refugee. Thank you.
• I came to the U.S. in 1992 as a political refugee.
• which reminds us not only of the fall of Saigon, but of the beginning of a mass exodus of Vietnamese refugees
• and other Southeast Asian refugees in search of freedom.
• Counties that were chosen to relocate refugees that had left everything they had ever known, came to

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, then took up a series of procedural motions and a large third-reading file focused heavily on housing, wildfire recovery, insurance, and related regulatory changes. Early actions included a successful motion to place Senate Concurrent Resolution 1 on the third-reading file, followed by a unanimous vote on SB 26, a cleanup measure related to lemon-law civil discovery procedures and automaker opt-outs from the AB 1755 framework. The chamber then moved through a package of urgency bills tied to the January 2025 Los Angeles-area wildfires and broader housing affordability concerns. Measures approved included AB 311 allowing displaced tenants to temporarily house wildfire victims and pets, AB 299 extending hotel/motel/short-term rental stays beyond 30 days for disaster-displaced families, AB 226 giving the California Fair Plan access to bond financing in catastrophic-loss scenarios, AB 253 allowing third-party plan checks when local review exceeds 30 days, AB 301 aligning state permitting timelines with local deadlines, AB 306 imposing a six-year pause on new residential building-code updates, AB 462 exempting certain ADUs in Los Angeles County coastal zones from coastal development permits, AB 493 requiring interest to be paid to homeowners on insurance proceeds held by lenders, and AB 597 tightening rules on public adjuster solicitation, fees, and contract transparency. Each of these urgency bills passed, generally with strong bipartisan support and mostly unanimous or near-unanimous votes. The Assembly also approved several non-urgency measures, including AB 293 on groundwater transparency and board disclosure, AB 251 on elder abuse litigation standards when evidence is intentionally destroyed, AB 59 removing a sunset on Reclamation District 108’s hydropower authority, AB 417 streamlining EIFD and CRIA financing tools, and AB 312 updating procedures for agricultural theft proceeds. In addition, ACR 6 was adopted by voice vote, recognizing Black April Memorial Month and the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, with extensive remarks from Assembly Member Ta and support from other members. The consent calendar was adopted, and the body later heard adjournment-in-memory tributes for David Myers and Olivia Guerrero before adjourning to April 3, 2025. Several vote changes were announced after adjournment, including changes on AB 251 and AB 417.

Transcript Highlights:

• know, and what international organizations know, is that we now have this thing called a climate refugee
• So although this resolution does not address the issue of immigration, climate refugees, when we talk
• about climate refugees, when we talk about public health and the impacts of public health or the impacts
• 00:29:34.399><c> of</c><00:29:34.559><c> those</c><00:29:35.440><c> climate</c><00:29:36.000><c> refugees
• </c> say that some of those climate refugees say that some of those climate refugees are<00:29:37.039

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Institute helped new Americans, refugees, and immigrants integrate into our community.
• The Institute helped new Americans, refugees, and immigrants integrate into our community.
• </c><00:09:35.480><c> often</c> crucial immigrants and refugees often crucial immigrants and refugees
• I came to the United States with my family as refugees in 1980.
• </c><00:13:05.000><c> the</c> it gives immigrants and refugees the it gives immigrants and refugees the

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that tomorrow afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. we'll be celebrating 50 years of freedom for the refugees
• celebrating 50 years of freedom<00:20:21.159><c> for</c><00:20:21.320><c> the</c><00:20:21.440><c> refugees
• </c><00:20:21.919><c> from</c><00:20:22.080><c> Vietnam</c> freedom for the refugees from Vietnam freedom
• for the refugees from Vietnam who<00:20:22.559><c> came</c><00:20:22.760><c> over</c><00:20:22.880><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thousands fled to Thailand's refugee camps.
• Many later found refuge in the U.S., with Minnesota becoming home to the largest refugee community.
• From a young Hmong refugee in 1975 to historic recognition, Senator Fong Her secured unanimous Minnesota

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then third, there's a set of lawfully present immigrants, refugees, asylees, and others who, because
• Similarly, the Governor's budget included the intention to move refugees, asylees, and other lawfully
• Similarly, the Governor's budget included the intention to move refugees, asylees, and other lawfully
• Similarly, the Governor's budget included the intention to move refugees, asylees, and other lawfully
• My next question is regarding the removal of full scope to refugees, via recipients, say least.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c> students, artists, refugees, students, artists, refugees, and<00:04:07.960><c> the</c><00:04:08.080
• We will work on building safety and trauma-informed services for refugees.
• “And there’s a lot of refugees. You probably recall Balkan wars, current Ukrainian wars.
• We will work on building safety and trauma-informed services for refugees.
• And there’s a lot of refugees. “You probably recall Balkan wars, current Ukrainian wars.

Bills: HF4364, HF4821, HF4543, HF3945

Keywords: Central and Eastern European Affairs, ethnic council, advisory council, Minnesota state government, immigrant communities, refugees, humanitarian parolees, Ukraine, Poland, Croatia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Czech Republic, Baltic states, Slovakia, Slovenia, Kosovo, Russia

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> implicates individuals who are refugees. implicates individuals who are refugees.
• So, if you're here because you're a refugee lawfully, this doesn't apply to you.
• So, thank you. because they're a refugee. because they're a refugee.
• So, if you're here because<00:34:34.320><c> you're</c><00:34:34.440><c> a</c><00:34:34.480><c> refugee
• </c><00:34:35.280><c> lawfully,</c> because you're a refugee lawfully, because you're a refugee lawfully

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll be joined by the Jewish Family Services, the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, the
• I'm the clinical director at Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants.
• In partnership with Molly, a refugee from Laos and a co-founder of Tough Love, a nonprofit martial arts
• I'm born to a Cambodian refugee father and a Filipino immigrant mother, born and raised in California
• I'm born to a Cambodian refugee father and a Filipino immigrant mother, born and raised in California

Keywords: 988, house, all