Video & Transcript Research : 'Metropolitan Council'
Page 1 of 462
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/4/26
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- development at the Metropolitan Council. development at the Metropolitan Council.
- This bill by the Metropolitan Council.
- Metropolitan Council to procure goods Metropolitan Council to procure goods and<00:08:40.479>
- Business Programs at the Metropolitan Business Programs at the Metropolitan Council.<00:09:50.320
- affairs manager at the Metropolitan affairs manager at the Metropolitan Council.<00:25:32.960>
Keywords:
tribal governments, Metropolitan Council, grant programs, funding, local government, small business, contracting, veteran-owned businesses, compliance, government contracts, housing finance, reporting requirements, regional development, city programs, elected officials, campaign access, multiple unit dwellings, residential access, voter registration, 1183
Summary:
The committee met on March 4, 2026, and first approved the minutes from March 2 by voice vote. It then took up several Metropolitan Council agency bills, with members repeatedly moving to lay them over for possible inclusion or, in one case, to re-refer a bill to another committee. The first three bills discussed were House File 3884, House File 3881, and House File 3882, all presented as administrative or programmatic changes intended to streamline Met Council processes.
House File 3884 would allow tribal governments and tribal development entities to apply directly for Metropolitan Council Livable Communities Act grants and community tree planting grants, rather than applying through a city or other local government. Testimony from Met Council staff said the bill would simplify access and align the Met Council’s tree-planting program with existing DNR authority. House File 3881 would expand the Met Council’s contracting authority to include small businesses more broadly, require an annual report to the legislature on small-business contracting, and repeal a duplicative statute on certificates of compliance. House File 3882 would make a range of administrative cleanups, including removing an obsolete housing-bond review role, clarifying outdated statutory language, extending the review cycle for metropolitan significance rules from every two years to every 10 years, clarifying reporting and Livable Communities Act provisions, changing regional parks operations-and-maintenance reimbursements to rely on audited financial statements, and clarifying agricultural preserves procedures.
The committee also considered House File 3883, which was amended with an A1 amendment before adoption. That bill updates appointments to the Metropolitan Area Water Supply Advisory Committee, known as MOSAC, including direct appointments for certain county representatives and adding a tribal representative appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, while also cleaning up outdated language and eligibility provisions. A former MOSAC member spoke in support of the committee’s work, and the chair said the bill was common-sense and renewed the motion to lay it over as amended. Finally, the committee began House File 3363, a bill described by the author as a response to safety concerns after the June events, aimed at removing public access to legislators’ home addresses from Campaign Finance Board materials; discussion had just begun when the transcript ended.
MN
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We would have been much better off with a lights-on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We would have been much better off with a lights on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
- We would have been much better off with a lights on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
- We would have been much better off with a lights on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
- We would have been much better off with a lights on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
- We would have been much better off with a lights on bill which just kept MnDOT and Met Council running
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/11/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Authorizing a funding partnership with the Met Council on the Highway 65 project will allow MnDOT to
- I'm the government affairs director at the Metropolitan Council, and uh, first of all, I'd like to thank
- your bill that pertain to the council your bill that pertain to the council and<00:12:25.040>
- I'm a legislative representative with ASME Council 5.
- Council.
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/10/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- council, you can see a the metropolitan council, you can see a change<00:10:01.760>
in <00:10: - <00:21:32.640>
council, <00:21:33.120>department <00:21:33.440>of metropolitan council - >
clarifying <00:53:39.280>or Metropolitan Council or clarifying or Metropolitan Council - <00:53:41.760>
Council reminding that uh Metropolitan Council reminding that uh Metropolitan - <00:54:27.280>
Council <00:54:27.680>has that the Metropolitan Council has that the
Bills:
HF2438
Keywords:
transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Keywords:
natural resources, environment, sustainability, conservation, outdoor recreation, land acquisition, real property, trust fund, commissioner approval, Department of Natural Resources, DNR, conservation easement, land purchase, state land, public lands, property acquisition, value assessment, tax assessed value, Metropolitan Council, Board of Water and Soil Resources
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/10/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- and used vehicles, and again 60% goes to HUT, 40% goes to transit, which is shared between the Met Council
- I'm a legislative representative with AFSCME Council 5.
- AFSCME Council 5 respectfully opposes House File 1242.
- I'm a legislative representative with AFSCME Council 5.
- AFSCME Council 5 respectfully opposes House File 1242.
Keywords:
Northern Lights Express, NLX, Minneapolis-Duluth rail, passenger rail, intercity passenger rail, high-speed rail, Duluth, Minneapolis, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Council, transportation funding, rail appropriation, general fund, trunk highway fund, rail project cancellation, infrastructure spending, commercial driver training, CDL, financial assistance
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 5/6/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Utki, Senator Mchuan and Representative Berg are on the council.
- Senator Utki, Senator Mchuan and Representative Berg are on the council.
- I'm grateful to you, Chair Baker, and to Representative Bird for your service on the council.
- Senator Utki, Senator Mchuan and Representative Berg are on the council.
- <00:04:30.080>
Really your service on the council. Really your service on the council.
Keywords:
workers' compensation, insurance programs, employee protection, Minnesota statutes, safety regulations, prevailing wage, certified payroll, payroll reporting, construction contracts, public works, project registration, labor standards, contractor compliance, subcontractor reporting, state government, Department of Administration, Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Metropolitan Council, highway construction, public construction
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Council.
- Then under the Metropolitan Council, the governor recommends eliminating one of the two general fund
- >
Council, <01:24:39.000>the Then under the Metropolitan Council, the Then under the Metropolitan - <01:25:05.160>
Council <01:25:05.640>also and then the Metropolitan Council also and - then the Metropolitan Council also receives<01:25:07.040>
money <01:25:07.440>from <01:
Keywords:
transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use
Summary:
The committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 3373, which was laid over. The bill sought trunk highway bond funding for preliminary and final design work at the 70th Street interchange in St. Paul Park. Representative Hansen, Mayor Keith Frankie, and Washington County Commissioner Karla Bigham described the interchange as undersized and increasingly unsafe because of refinery truck traffic, aggregate hauling, nearby growth, and changing traffic patterns. Members asked about prior study, cost, and greenhouse gas requirements, and the bill author said the request was about $500,000. Chair Cosgrove noted the bill would be laid over and suggested the issue could involve future statutory exemptions.
The committee then took up House File 4449, also laid over, after adopting the A4 author’s amendment. Representative Jones presented the bill as a transit planning and accountability measure for the Twin Cities metro. It would set numeric transit goals, require better coordination between road projects and future transit projects, and give the Met Council more tools to support transit-oriented development, including property acquisition and development around transit corridors. Jones argued the bill would help avoid rebuilding roads twice and improve transit ridership, frequency, speed, and reliability.
Representative Olson offered an amendment to exempt highway projects primarily addressing documented safety issues, arguing that safety projects should not be burdened by added transit requirements or costs. Jones said she supported the safety concern but opposed the amendment as written because the bill was aimed at major construction projects. After a roll call, the amendment failed on an 8-8 tie. The bill itself remained laid over for further work, with the chair noting there was still time to refine the proposal.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Business meeting to consider S.298, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate 30 percent of the employees assigned to headquarters to duty stations outside the Washington metropolitan area, S.300, to improve accoun Feb 12th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
Keywords:
employee relocation, headquarters, Small Business Administration, Washington metropolitan area, telework, cost reduction, rural markets, geographic diversity, disaster loans, accountability, reporting, loan forgiveness, federal funding, SBA reforms, small business, disaster assistance, transparency, report publication, government accountability
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Environment Committee Meeting - 2025-03-27
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- meeting with colleagues from across all 50 states as part of the annual meeting of the Environmental Council
- Speaking on behalf of the Leech Lake Tribal Council, I would like to thank you for your time and for
- Currently, we are focusing on the Advisory Council creation and selection process.
- for grants to the ten metropolitan implementing agencies.
- We are one of the implementing agencies in the Metropolitan Parks regional system.
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 3/27/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:01:55.520>
I the environmental council of states. - I the environmental council of states.
- between the Leech Lake Tribal Council between the Leech Lake Tribal Council and<00:59:25.359>
- for grants to the 10 Council for grants to the 10 metropolitan<01:19:43.040>
implementing <01: - 19:43.600>
agencies metropolitan implementing agencies metropolitan implementing agencies keeping
Keywords:
HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- area and also across the metropolitan area and also across the state.
- I'm executive director for District Council 1 in St. Paul.
- director for District Council 1 in St. director for District Council 1 in St. Paul. Paul.
- Tax base is right here in the metropolitan area.
- Tax base is right here in the metropolitan area.
Bills:
HF4477
Keywords:
Minnesota business recovery loan program, small business loan, zero-interest loan, forgivable loan, business recovery, economic development, small business emergency loan account, Minnesota Initiative Foundations, nonprofit lenders, greater Minnesota, Twin Cities metro, seven-county metropolitan area, immigration enforcement, business interruption, revenue loss, job preservation, business stabilization, state appropriation, forward fund, loan forgiveness
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- the Northstar line. um Met Council have the Northstar line. um Met Council have their<00:31:51.840
- Um, so I know we've had some conversations about the Minnesota Advisory Council on Infrastructure.
- It's the Subdivision 2 Advisory Council on Infrastructure Repeal. Are we good? Um, thank you, Mr.
- It's the Subdivision 2 Advisory Council on Infrastructure Repeal. Are we good? Um, thank you, Mr.
- It's the Subdivision 2 Advisory<01:03:10.240>
Council <01:03:10.559>on <01:03:10.799>
Keywords:
higher education, college affordability, student aid, state grants, North Star Promise, scholarships, financial aid, Minnesota State, University of Minnesota, Office of Higher Education, tuition relief, work-study, child care grants, hunger-free campus, food insecurity, student parents, pregnant students, parenting students, sexual misconduct, Title IX
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- The first section is a change to the definition of metropolitan governmental unit, where we divide out
- If a city with a population of over 50,000 is both a metropolitan governmental unit and a political subdivision
Keywords:
libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, campaign finance, elections, political contributions, disclosure, reporting thresholds, economic interest statements, financial disclosure, ethics, public officials, local officials, metropolitan governmental unit, metropolitan area, candidate filings, principal campaign committee, political committee
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1371 relates to the operation of certain metropolitan transit authorities.
- Unlike most other Texas metropolitan transit authorities, the Corpus Christi RTA must undergo an extra
- Lastly, metropolitan transit authority boards have eight-year term limits.
- Perry stated, a lot of our state is covered by rural EMS providers, and whether you live in a metropolitan
Keywords:
SB 868, rural volunteer fire department assistance program, volunteer fire department assistance fund, Texas Government Code, wildfire, wildland fire, high-risk wildfire area, fire suppression, rural fire departments, volunteer firefighters, emergency response, public safety, grant allocation, appropriations, disaster preparedness, tax penalties, interest calculation, overpayment, tax law, refund process
Summary:
The Senate Finance Committee heard several bills focused on tax administration, transportation, emergency services, historic preservation, forensic training, pension funding, and the state’s rainy day fund. Senate Bill 1337, by Senator Creighton, would require the comptroller to assess penalty and interest only on the net tax due and allow sales and use tax overpayments to offset underpayments more automatically; it was left pending while the author, comptroller staff, and a private witness continued working on the language and fiscal note. Senate Bill 1371, by Senator Hinojosa, would address Corpus Christi transit authority operations, including emergency refueling coordination, fare-setting procedures, and board term limits; it received supportive testimony and was left pending. Senate Bill 1377, by Senator Perry, would create a grant program for rural counties to buy ambulances, with a committee substitute expanding eligible uses in some cases to equipment and setting a sunset date; numerous EMS officials, county representatives, and association witnesses testified in support, emphasizing rising ambulance costs, staffing shortages, and the need for rural emergency coverage, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Bill 868, by Senator Sparks, would direct at least 10% of volunteer fire department assistance funding to high wildfire-risk areas; Texas A&M Forest Service explained the map and methodology, and the committee substitute was adopted.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 1426, which would place the First Capitol State Historic Site in West Columbia under Texas Historical Commission stewardship, and Senate Bill 1620, which would create a Texas Forensic Analyst Apprenticeship Pilot Program through the Office of Court Administration to address forensic scientist shortages; both had no opposition in testimony and their committee substitutes were adopted. Senate Bill 2065 would change the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System funding structure to require an actuarially determined state contribution and address the system’s unfunded liability over 30 years; Pasadena fire department representatives testified that the pension is an important volunteer retention tool, and the bill was left pending after testimony. Senate Joint Resolution 4 would raise the Economic Stabilization Fund cap from 10% to 15% of biennial revenue deposits, with a committee substitute correcting the effective date to September 1, 2027; the committee discussed the fund’s current balance and purpose before adopting the substitute.
After quorum was established, the committee voted out the measures. Senate Bill 1868, Senate Bill 1371, Senate Bill 264, Senate Joint Resolution 4, Senate Bill 1426, Senate Bill 1620, and Senate Bill 2065 were all reported favorably to the full Senate, with some bills also certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee substitute for Senate Bill 868 was adopted and the bill was reported favorably as well. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.
VA
Virginia 2026 1st Special Session
Freedom of Information Advisory Council May 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Two of those were recommendations from this council.
- Chairman, members of the council.
- I'm a new staff member with the council.
- So it's up to the rest of the council.
- And so because of that, the FOIA Council did issue this policy.
Summary:
The Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council met in May 2026, welcomed new member Delegate Kimberly Pope Adams, and noted that Chair Marcus Simon could not succeed himself, so formal leadership elections would be deferred until a later meeting. Staff then gave a legislative update on 15 FOIA-related bills that had passed, including council-recommended measures on minors’ contact information in state programs and posting proposed agendas online, along with other changes involving lottery winners, utility account numbers, suicide fatality review teams, hospital workplace violence reporting, marijuana regulation, election records, law-enforcement oversight bodies, and a university name change. Members also discussed concerns about the new agenda-posting bill and the need to watch how it affects closed sessions and late-added agenda items.
The council heard presentations on several bills referred to it. Delegate Wachsmann explained HB 313, which would expand FOIA access for nonresidents who own real property in Virginia; members raised concerns about drafting and scope, and the bill was referred to the records subcommittee. Delegate Cohen’s HB 463, which would redefine “meeting” and broaden remote participation rules, drew mixed reactions, with some members opposing it as too permissive and others suggesting narrower revisions; it was referred to the meetings subcommittee. The council also discussed HB 159 and HB 160, two bills aimed at speeding FOIA enforcement and clarifying remedies when public bodies fail to comply; after hearing from the Attorney General’s office and Boyd-Graves Conference representatives, members agreed these issues warranted a new remedies subcommittee.
Under continued business, staff reported on a 50-state survey of the term “personal information,” and members asked for additional research on FOIA fees and alternative records-access models, including how other states and the federal government handle reading rooms and electronic access. The council also heard from Fairfax County about AI-generated FOIA requests, with concerns that AI can produce overly broad, adversarial, or legally confused requests that increase burdens and disputes; members suggested updating requester guidance and training materials. Finally, the council received a judicial update on four recent cases with limited FOIA implications, took public comment on out-of-state requesters and fee issues, and agreed to keep existing subcommittees, add a remedies subcommittee, and schedule subcommittee work before the next quarterly meeting.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Sam's Outdoor Heritage Council Sam's Outdoor Heritage Council established.<00:47:56.880>
I the full council. the full council. - it makes sense that the full council it makes sense that the full council would<01:04:53.920>
- Um, and I think when when the council Um, and I think when when the council asked<01:07:12.400><
- <01:10:52.239>
have important work that the council have important work that the council have
Bills:
HF4148
Keywords:
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, Outdoor Heritage Fund, executive director, natural resources, conservation, wetlands, prairies, forests, wildlife habitat, fish and game, bipartisan hiring, interview panel, legislative branch, Minnesota Statutes 97A.056, administrative expenses, nonpartisan staff, council governance, environment and natural resources
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Is to create a carbon dioxide sequestration policy council under the Railroad Commission.
- I understand that the bill seeks to engage the Bureau for participation in the Policy Council on the
- Compliance would require the Council to access and review documents with the Railroad Commission.
- The Council might spend a lot of time trying to deliberate on the wording of some of this.
- Therefore, we're very supportive of the idea of a council.
Keywords:
carbon sequestration, environmental policy, Texas, energy, climate change, regulatory council, geothermal energy, workforce development, education and training, energy industry, apprenticeship, energy production, energy policy, renewable energy, state council, administrative law, public information, transparency, government accountability, judicial process