Transcript Highlights:

• several technical changes to procedures the SBI uses to bill statewide pension systems, MSRS, PERA, and TRA
• recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS people are out here, the PERA people, and TRA
• recognized probably on the floor in this body, but the MSRS people are out here, the PERA people, and TRA

Bills: HF4074

Keywords: retirement, pension, public employees, MSRS, PERA, TRA, St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association, police and fire, correctional employees, probation officers, telecommunicators, dispatchers, 911 operators, public safety answering point, PSAP, firefighters, volunteer firefighters, paid on-call firefighters, fire relief association, state aid

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, they came to an agreement, and the TRA board signed off on that.
• Um, they came to an agreement, and the TRA board signed off on that.
• I know the<00:09:47.120> TRA<00:09:47.600> stuff<00:09:47.839> was<00:09:48.000>
• 09:48.399> haul<00:09:48.720> and<00:09:48.959> a<00:09:49.120> long the TRA
• stuff was a long haul and a long the TRA stuff was a long haul and a long time<00:09:49.440> in

Bills: SF2884, HF1889

Keywords: pension, retirement, omnibus pension, MSRS, PERA, TRA, public employees retirement, state employees retirement, correctional employees, police and fire retirement, State Patrol retirement, teachers retirement, firefighter relief association, volunteer firefighter, state aid, postretirement adjustment, COLA, annuity, disability benefit, duty disability

Bills: SB315, SB584, SB1228, SB1484, SB1860, SB1802

Keywords: DNA privacy, genetic privacy, genetic testing, genetic material, DNA ownership, property right in DNA, genetic consent, biological sample, genomics, genetic data, HIPAA, health information privacy, health care provider, research ethics, human subjects research, law enforcement DNA, forensic DNA, paternity testing, medical examiner, genetic discrimination

Transcript Highlights:

• TRA has sort of estimated that it would bring in revenue to TRA of 5.385 million.
• TRA has sort of estimated that it would bring in revenue to TRA of 5.385 million.
• TRA has sort of estimated that it would bring in revenue to TRA of 5.385 million.
• this will have a cost to TRA. this will have a cost to TRA.
• on TRA that we can see. on TRA that we can see.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission first approved the minutes and then took up several pension omnibus items. Representative Rapinski’s item, related to an I-RAP issue, was moved ahead of the agenda and passed without further information after members noted the State Board of Investment and Minnesota State had not identified additional facts; the bill, as previously amended, was recommended for inclusion in the 2026 Pension Omnibus Bill. The committee also corrected a procedural issue on Senator Gustafson’s bill, SF 3897/HF 3703, after realizing an amendment referenced earlier belonged to a different bill; the motion was restated without the amendment reference and the bill was then recommended to pass and be incorporated into the omnibus bill. The main policy discussion centered on SF 3897/HF 3703, which would change how terminating firefighter relief association plans value benefits for firefighters under age 50. Senator Gustafson said the current statute can unfairly reduce benefits by requiring present-value discounting and that the bill would instead allow benefits to be based on accrued benefit under the plan formula, while still leaving relief associations flexibility to use present value if they choose. Staff confirmed the bill applies only to relief associations under chapter 424B, not PERA or the statewide plan. Senator Rasmussen raised concerns about consistency between SVF and non-SVF reliefs and about differing treatment on termination; the bill author acknowledged the difference. The committee ultimately voted to recommend the bill for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill. The final major item was House File 4162, as amended by an A1 amendment, which requires employers of reemployed annuitants in TRA to make employer contributions during reemployment, including Minnesota State Colleges and Universities employees covered under section 354.445. Representative O’Driscoll argued the bill would direct existing education-formula pension dollars to TRA, prevent districts from using those funds elsewhere when retirees are rehired, and keep the employee neutral because the annuitant’s benefit would not change. Supporters said the measure would help pension funding and address situations where districts rehire retired teachers, often in hard-to-fill specialties. Opponents, including Senator Rasmusson, questioned the added cost to school districts, citing an estimated $5.385 million in annual TRA revenue from the change and warning it could reduce districts’ ability to hire or retain staff. After discussion, the committee had not yet taken final action on this item in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last Friday, the TRA board held a special meeting to discuss pending legislation that could impact TRA
• Last Friday, the TRA board held a special meeting to discuss pending legislation that could impact TRA
• Last Friday, the TRA board held a special meeting to discuss pending legislation that could impact TRA
• money immediately into the TRA program. money immediately into the TRA program.
• also align benefits between TRA and St. also align benefits between TRA and St.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Similar to TRA, this Fund Association.
• I as as was mentioned, comes from TRA.
• If a different number is used in the appendix, such as for TRA, then TRA will use that number.
• TRA, then that<00:28:36.520> is<00:28:36.760> what<00:28:36.960> TRA<00:28:37.520
• But this that is what TRA will use.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for the arts and minu that are all TRA for the arts and minu that are all TRA members<00:04:18.000
• associated with these changes in TRA. associated with these changes in TRA.
• Paul teachers; it would have been to the detriment of those teachers in TRA.
• So the difference between what they're doing and what we're doing for TRA is TRA is having their career
• Uh, I'm on the TRA fund to to pick up.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• businesses to enhance their economic engagement with Taiwan based on the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, TRA
• As article 4, section B of the TRA stipulates that wherever the laws of the United States refer or relate
• , the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, United<00:03:24.800>
• As article 4 section B of the TRA 3301.
• As article 4 section B of the TRA stipulates<00:03:33.040> that<00:03:33.599> wherever<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Teachers, for example, TRA, they're here.
• TRA, they're here. And so when we make TRA, they're here.
• TRA.
• It simply means that the rules TRA TRA.
• separate funding status MSRS parah TRA separate funding status MSRS parah TRA and<00:17:34.880><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• where TR where where TRA benefits them. where TR where where TRA benefits them.
• So, exempting them from TRA history.
• you're saying that um the TRA you're saying that um the TRA contributions<00:17:51.400> of
• holder that we have to pay uh TRA holder that we have to pay uh TRA contributions<00:20:22.440><
• And and TRA is temporary teachers.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The commission approved the March 17 minutes and then heard testimony on Senate File 4419 / House File 4069, as amended, which would exempt J-1 visa-holding teachers and their school districts from Teachers Retirement Association contribution requirements during the teachers’ exchange term. Senator Pappas and Representative Feist said the bill is intended to help districts fill hard-to-staff special education and other positions by letting J-1 teachers keep more of their pay for immediate relocation costs, while also redirecting employer savings toward onboarding, mentorship, and cultural orientation. They argued the teachers are temporary by design, often cannot stay long enough to benefit from TRA, and that the bill would be roughly neutral for TRA because contributions and matching liability would both be removed. Supportive testimony came from Matthew Connelly of Lattice Global Teachers and Melissa Schaller of Intermediate School District 917. Connelly said J-1 teachers arrive with significant upfront expenses and only a short window to establish themselves, and that the exemption could save them about $4,000 to $5,000 while helping schools afford recruitment and support costs. Schaller said her district has relied on international special education teachers to fill vacancies, that the H-1B option is no longer workable because of a large fee increase, and that J-1 hiring is needed to remain competitive; she noted 17 open special education positions for 2026-27 and no other applicants. Caitlin Snyder of Education Minnesota opposed the bill, arguing it lowers compensation and removes a retirement option without enough input from teachers themselves. She said the bill does not ensure the employer savings would be used for housing or other supports, and urged more direct consultation with J-1 teachers. Several members raised concerns about fairness, pension protection, and whether the bill could create unintended consequences for teachers who later remain in Minnesota. Senator Pappas responded that the circumstances are unusual because J-1 teachers are temporary and often cannot return, and said TRA had indicated the proposal would be neutral or supportive, unlike a separate St. Paul teachers issue. Representative O’Driscoll asked about J-1 teachers in higher education and private schools, and Mr. Connelly said the visa is mainly used in K-12 settings but can also appear in charter and private schools; he also noted many J-1 holders face a two-year home-residence requirement. The chair indicated the bill was slated for inclusion in the omnibus pension bill, but no final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:07.360> the<00:03:07.519> educator<00:03:08.000> side,<00:03:08.239> TRA
• c><00:03:08.720> has<00:03:08.879> a<00:03:09.040> board on the educator side, TRA
• has a board on the educator side, TRA has a board meeting<00:03:09.519> today<00:03:09.840>
• Paul teachers and TRA. It's been about four minutes. the state except St.
• to fund a with possible help from TRA to fund a significant<00:04:50.080> career<00:04:50.400

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year we passed, uh, provision for, uh, TRA.
• watching these funds, TRA watching these funds, TRA uh<00:04:58.000> watching<00:04:58.440>
• their COLA's by half a point also to match TRAs.
• match that of TRAs match that of TRAs and<00:21:16.800> also<00:21:17.160> increasing<
• for TRA. for TRA.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 4074, the second engrossment of the retirement bill, was presented as a broad pension package with changes affecting multiple public retirement systems. Rep. Lilly described provisions including bringing St. Paul teachers closer to parity with TRA, reducing the COLA waiting period for police and fire retirees from two years to one, lowering the retirement age for certain probation, corrections, and 911 telecommunicator workers from 60 to 55, addressing a State Board of Investments fix, and creating or continuing work on Secure Choice and other retirement-related issues. Members also noted help for volunteer firefighters, EMS-related workers, and a local fix for Maple Plain’s volunteer fire system. The bill was repeatedly described as bipartisan and the product of successful working groups and negotiations with the Senate. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing the importance of public pensions, the impact of inflation on retirees, and the value of the bill’s targeted improvements for workers who are often not covered by Social Security. Rep. Johnson, Rep. Hill, Rep. Vega, Rep. Robbins, Rep. Cha, and others praised the work of the pension commission, staff, and the co-chairs. They highlighted the St. Paul teachers changes, the police and fire COLA adjustment, and the bill’s efforts to honor promises made to public employees. Some members also pointed to the importance of work groups as a way to develop better long-term solutions. The main point of debate centered on the duty disability amendment, which would have addressed disability issues for first responders. Supporters said the issue is serious and needs a work group solution rather than piecemeal changes, while Rep. Johnson and others warned that the proposal could create problems by treating psychological injuries differently from physical injuries. Rep. Roach said the body should not have passed the prior law and urged a fix for disabled law enforcement and first responders. After discussion, Rep. Lilly withdrew the A3 amendment. Earlier technical amendments A9 and A10 were adopted by voice vote, with members noting they were non-substantive and intended to keep House and Senate language identical and avoid a conference committee. The bill then moved to third reading as amended, with members urging a green vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last year, we completed the replications for TRA and St. Paul teachers.
• I'm the legislative liaison for TRA. >> Okay.
• I'm the legislative liaison for TRA. >> Okay.
• Uh, our TRA pays a median monthly benefit of just over $2,400 a month.
• Uh, our TRA pays a median monthly benefit of just over $2,400 a month.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll leave that to TRA to talk about that amendment.
• I'll leave that to TRA to has requested.
• So, TRA is systems plan participants.
• we had a different set of rules for TRA. we had a different set of rules for TRA.
• And I for TRA versus St. Paul teachers.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, my pension would be $45,000 less than a TRA teacher.
• Like, my pension would be $45,000 less than a TRA teacher.
• , an 8% contribution, same as TRA, an 8% contribution, same as TRA, and<00:19:39.360> a<00
• Um the same as TRA starting next year.
• about for TRA. about for TRA.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the April 14, 2026 meeting minutes without objection. It then took up Senate File 4860 / House File 4812, the St. Paul Teachers Retirement Fund Association bill, which would reduce the employee contribution rate for coordinated members from 9% to 8% starting after June 30, 2026, raise the retiree COLA from 1% to 1.5% beginning January 1, 2027, and increase the state-funded employer contribution by 2.7%. Staff said the bill’s cost is just over $12 million per year over 15 years. Representative Lilly said the bill was intended to bring parity to St. Paul teachers after prior work in this area left some behind. Several St. Paul teachers testified in support, describing financial strain, burnout, and the difficulty of balancing teaching with family responsibilities. Hannah Geimer said the 1% contribution change would make a meaningful difference in her budget as a single parent. Eric Erickson said he and his wife have spent decades working extra hours and coaching, and argued that St. Paul educators pay more and receive less in retirement than other teachers. Arzoo Faroozan Yazdani, a Central High teacher, said the higher contribution rate and lower COLA make it hard to stay in the district and raise a family. Lisa Hodek said teachers are undercompensated for the demands of the job and that the pension disparity has created frustration and a sense of betrayal. Phil Tensic, the SPTRFA director, summarized the request as seeking an 8% contribution and 1.5% COLA to match TRA, and noted that the plan’s members are spread across legislative districts, not just in St. Paul. Members discussed the history behind the pension disparity. Senator Nelson questioned whether “parity” was the right term given the plan’s funding problems and the legacy of the “big red box,” referring to past underfunding. Tensic and Senator Pappas explained that the state had previously allowed St. Paul schools not to contribute for a period of years, that supplemental district and state aid began in 2018, and that the plan is projected to be amortized by 2039 and must be paid off by 2048. Members also noted that the bill and related pension proposals depend on available funding; Representative O’Driscoll and others said no final financing agreement had been reached, though leadership was continuing discussions. The committee received letters of support from Education Minnesota, the St. Paul Federation of Educators, and 40 individual supporters. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Established in 1955, the TRA is a vital regional water authority that owns and operates five major water
• The Sunset Advisory Commission reviewed TRA and found it to be generally a well-run organization.
• The bill also creates training requirements for the Trinity River Authority (TRA).
• States that TRA maintained a system for receiving and acting on public complaints, along with making
• House Bill 1535, relating to the continued operation of the Trinity River Authority of Texas (TRA).

Bills: SB128, SB203, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB731, SB781, SB801, SB867, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1232, SB1262, SB1444, SB1483, SB1782, SB1798, SB1861, SB1897, SB1944, SB2023, SB2082, SB2215, SB2309, SB2497, SB2549, SB2566, SB2603, SB2607, SB2617, SB2688, SB2797, SB2799, SB2841, SB2891, SB2919, SB2928, SB2969, SB2994, SB3070, HB11, HB12, HB26, HB33, HB34, HB45, HB48, HB130, HB148, HB198, HB210, HB303, HB647, HB668, HB677, HB762, HB791, HB1022, HB1041, HB1188, HB1240, HB1242, HB1261, HB1318, HB1397, HB1465, HB1520, HB1535, HB1729, HB1778, HB1950, HB2003, HB2027, HB2029, HB2559, HB2596, HB2607, HB2692, HB2712, HB2742, HB2768, HB2775, HB2788, HB2802, HB2894, HB3474, HB3594, HB3611, HB3698, HB3699, HB3700, HB4187, HB4753, HB4804, HB4850, HB4885, HB5061, HB5238, HB5560, HCR90, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1173, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1968, SB2544, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, SB2308, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB128, SB2309, SB1861, SB2617, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB1085, SB1975, SB2717, SB1262, SB636, SB2056, SB884, SB1200, SB1845, SB2458, SB801, SB3014, SB3013, SB758, SB2797, SB2076, SB2876, SB1640, SB1449, SB1181, SB1234, SB2926, SB2841, SB1528, SB2891, SB1854, SB317, SB1250, SB2082, SB1237, SB2819, SB629, SB2608, SB1602, SB2009, SB867, SB640, SB1698, SB2680, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2799, SB2688, SB2522, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2928, SB2566, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1944, SB1232, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, SB524, SB2233, SB2683, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB2607, HB3810, HB388, HB12, HB2712, HB2692, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB4753, HB2742, HB303, HB198, HB1535, HB762, HB148, HB1520, HB5061, HB2286, HB1606, HB1041, HB132, HB11, HB45, HB48, HB1261, HB1465, HB1778, HB2596, HB5238, HB33, HB1188, HB210, HB1022, HB1458, HB5560, HB1240, HB1950, HB2027, HB2768, HB2788, HB2791, HB3146, HB3698, HB3699, HB1893, HB3700, HB4850, HB4187, HB1397, HB4885, HB4804, HB3751, HB3611, HB2775, HB2061, HB2003, HB1729, HB1242, HB791, HB2029, HB647, HB2522, HB4738, HB3033, HB3594, HB3474, HB2563, HB2802, HB34, HB128, HB130, HB581, HB668, HB677, HB766, HB2259, HB2960, HB2358, HB2894, HB4384, HB2663, HB748, HB793, HB1193, HB1734, HB2340, HB2350, HB3104, HB5180, HB4739, HB1584, HB4344, HB4238, HB4219, HB3806, HB3805, HB3804, HB3803, HB3229, HB3228, HB1922, HB1522, HB431, HB3597, HB1612, HB4224, HB754, HB1314, HB2254, HB2789, HB3560, HB4643, HB1237, HCR90, HCR98, SJR60, SB1319, SB1978, SB3038, SB3045, SB1633, HB3126, HB2856, HB3114, HB3041, HB3505, HB4205, HB5652, HB3687, HB5424, HB4506, HB3370, HB2025, HB4273

Keywords: hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, student privacy, numerical class rank, education policy, academic programs, high school, monuments, memorials, public property, historical significance, civil penalties, local governance, SB 393, Sparks, Middleton

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not simply the TRA funding.
• will be fully funded, and that is a danger for TRA members.
• will be fully funded, and that is a danger for TRA members.
• need to um, improve the uh, TRA benefit. need to um, improve the uh, TRA benefit.
• And so I think it is TRA members.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the Trinity River Authority, TRA, provides raw water supply to municipal, industrial, and
• The Sunset Commission has found that TRA to be a well-run organization and solid financial standing to
• It requires the governor to designate a member of the TRA board to serve as board member.
• The president specifies the grounds and process for removing a TRA board member. member, establishes
• board member training requirements, requires TRA to adopt policies that board functions from the authority's

Bills: HB1520, HB1525, HB1530, HB1535, HB2068, HB2091, HB2347, HB2372, HB2805, HB2815, HB2867, HB3154, HB3482, HB3483, HB3663, HB3781, HB3901, HB3915, HB4135, HB4153, HB4158, HB4329, HB4331

Keywords: Angelina and Neches River Authority, river authority, Sunset Advisory Commission, Texas Sunset Act, Special District Local Laws Code, local government, natural resources, board of directors, director training, board governance, public testimony, open meetings, public information, conflict of interest, ethics, complaint system, general manager, board president, staggered terms, removal of director

Transcript Highlights:

• 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, United States Code, Title 22, Section 3301, as Article 4, Section B of the TRA
• based on the 1979 Taiwan<00:13:15.440> Relations<00:13:16.079> Act,<00:13:16.920> TRA
• ,<00:13:17.920> United<00:13:18.399> States Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, United States
• Taiwan Relations Act, TRA, United States Code,<00:13:19.200> Title<00:13:19.680> 22,<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• did not want that, and now we've given the entire portion of what was allocated to teachers, to just TRA
• well, we just said that you couldn't have just 1 million of the 20 million dollars that was going to TRA
• And last year there was a bill that would have allowed the TRA teachers to pay their own increase, and
• The people that work for our pension plans, PARA, TRA, St.