Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we would like the Walz administration to conduct a full review of money directed to nonprofits
• releasing available records, redirecting available resources to the unannounced in-person site visits, conducting
• releasing available records, redirecting available resources to the unannounced in-person site visits, conducting
• releasing available records, redirecting available resources to the unannounced in-person site visits, conducting

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• CONDUCTED 25,000 MEDIATIONS, REFERRED 3700 ISSUES COMBINED WITH INSURANCE REGULATION.
• INSURERS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTING BUILDING WITH AERIAL IMAGERY USING AI TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL DEFECTS, INSURERS
• THE REGULATOR HAS THE ABILITY TO CONDUCT EXAMS AT ANY TIME.
• SO DURING A MARKET CONDUCT EXAM A COMPANY COULD PRESENT THAT INFORMATION AND SHOW, AND A SENSE, HOW DID

Transcript Highlights:

• interpretation of the Election Code, which allows essentially for the partial manual count to be conducted
• if they've been finally convicted of a first or second interview felony or any felony connected to conduct
• But it also adds a couple of categories of conduct that would fall under those penalties.
• Representative Vo, sponsored by our colleague, Senator Bettencourt, about election supplies and the conduct

Bills: HB223

Keywords: municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information. The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes. Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have to conduct, oversee, and conduct audits. They have to monitor.
• They have to conduct, oversee, and conduct audits.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• THIS CREATES A CONSORTIUM FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH IN THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA CONDUCTING RESEARCH
• AMENDMENT ADDS ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS TO THE CORE CONSORTIUM AND ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTERS THAT ALSO CONDUCT
• THIS CONDUCTS INNOVATIVE RESEARCH AND IMPROVES PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION STRATEGIES.
• THIS A BILL REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO MAKE SEVERAL KEY ACTIONS WHICH IS TO CONDUCT

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• advisory opinion on the ethics committee and has stepped down as chair of the subcommittee on ethical conduct
• :31.279> ethical chair of the subcommittee on ethical chair of the subcommittee on ethical conduct
• 32.800> you<00:10:33.040> considered<00:10:33.920> uh<00:10:34.079> his conduct
• Have you considered uh his conduct.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not want it to appear that we were Senator Rouson: Condoning wrongful conduct on the part of an
• The bill ensures that no corporation, private entity, or foreign interest can conduct weather modification
• Senator Simon: Instead of removing the cost for student stations, this amendment requires OPPAGA to conduct
• April 9th, or upon the call of the President for the purpose of holding committee meetings and conducting

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Audit fees are based on actual costs of conducting those audits.
• We also conducted an efficiency review.
• They're not like the IT audit we just had, you know, that the OLA conducted, but there is more in a regular
• Some are small operations, some are big, and some conduct their fraud in connection with other enterprises

Bills: HF627, HF474, HF361, HF1837

Keywords: HF627, fiscal note, fiscal notes, Minnesota Legislature, state government, committee procedure, ranking minority member, minority party, standing committee, Ways and Means, Finance Committee, legislative process, budget analysis, fiscal impact, Minnesota Statutes 3.98, committee chair, legislative transparency, HF474, Hubert H. Humphrey, Henry Mower Rice

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules of conduct for members of the public include: no engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs
• , or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing; no engaging in personal attacks of members
• We conducted extensive state stakeholder engagement with health care professionals, community members

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on March 25, 2025, with Chair Mia Bonta presiding and initially operating as a subcommittee until quorum was established. The committee heard several health-related bills, including AB 73 on creating a Black Mental Health Navigator certification, AB 499 on lowering the state reimbursement trigger for the Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, AB 843 on aligning California health insurance language-access rules with federal standards, AB 257 on a specialty care network using telehealth and virtual services for Medi-Cal and underserved communities, AB 64 on allowing diacritical marks on vital records, AB 315 on the Home and Community-Based Alternatives waiver, and AB 40 on clarifying that emergency services include reproductive health services such as abortion. Testimony generally emphasized disparities in access, culturally competent care, language access, rural provider shortages, and the importance of preserving or expanding programs that help vulnerable populations. Supporters included authors, state and local health organizations, advocacy groups, and affected individuals. AB 73 was backed as a way to address stigma, mistrust, and culturally competent mental health access for Black Californians. AB 499 was described as helping keep a self-insured farmworker health plan operational while maintaining a low-cost, labor-management model. AB 843 was supported as a way to prevent children and families from having to translate sensitive medical and insurance information and to protect limited-English-proficient Californians. AB 257 drew support as a demonstration project to improve specialty care access through California-based clinicians and virtual care, with examples of reduced wait times and costs. AB 64 received emotional testimony from the author, a child and his family, and others about the importance of accurately recording names with accents and other marks. AB 315 was presented as a cost-neutral or cost-saving way to expand home- and community-based care for medically fragile people, with strong support from disability, health, and provider groups. AB 40 drew support from reproductive health and medical organizations, while one opposition witness argued it could conflict with emergency care standards and overburden emergency departments. The committee took roll-call votes and advanced AB 499, AB 73, AB 843, AB 257, AB 64, AB 315, and AB 40 to Appropriations, with AB 40 receiving some no votes. The committee also adopted its 2025-26 rules and approved a consent calendar that included AB 225, AB 304, AB 403, AB 688, and AB 951. Several measures were initially placed on call and later lifted and recorded as passing out of committee before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• THAT ENSURE ALL STUDENTS FACULTY AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE SAFE WHEN ATTENDING CLASSES OR CONDUCTING
• THE CENTER WILL CONDUCT RESEARCH INTO ALL LINES OF INSURANCE.
• THE CENTER WILL CONDUCT RESEARCH RESPONSIVE TO POINT OR INDIVIDUAL INQUIRIES FROM THE SPEAKER OF THE
• HOUSE AND WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OFFICE OF INSURANCE REGULATION CONDUCTING DIFFERENT RESEARCH AREAS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a little background, the Florida Auditor General conducts audits of governmental entities to provide
• the legislature, Florida citizen, conducts audits of governmental entities to provide the legislature
• section 1145 of the Florida statutes requires that the Auditor General at least every three years conduct
• an operational audit. that the Auditor General, at least every three years, conduct an operational audit

Summary: The Higher Education Budget Subcommittee met to hear a presentation from the Florida Auditor General’s office on recent operational audits of four universities and to discuss how audit findings are handled. The Auditor General explained that financial audits occur annually and operational audits at least every three years, with universities required to respond in writing to findings; the office generally follows up in the next audit cycle, though it can audit sooner if needed. Members asked about accountability, whether findings are referred to other bodies, and how internal university audit functions interact with the state audit process. The chair emphasized the committee’s oversight role in ensuring public funds are used appropriately. The audit findings highlighted issues at New College of Florida, Florida A&M University, the University of Florida, and Florida Atlantic University. At New College, auditors cited invoice/payment errors, delinquent student account collection delays, prohibited extra compensation, exceeding state remuneration limits for certain employees, weak purchasing card controls, construction management cost documentation issues, and subcontractor licensing documentation gaps. At FAMU, auditors found investment accounting classification issues, delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, and incomplete annual employee evaluations. At UF, auditors reported concerns over a $6.4 million consulting contract, event and catering spending, president’s office hiring and salary practices, bonus and relocation payments, continued high compensation after the president transitioned to another role, travel expenses including charter flights, and remote work agreements. At FAU, auditors found distance learning fee revenue exceeded allowable costs by about $2.8 million, carry forward funds were underreported by about $77 million, and credit card controls needed improvement. Members pressed the Auditor General on whether overpayments were refunded, whether any findings involved statutory violations, and what enforcement exists beyond the audit report. The auditor said some issues were corrected by the universities, such as New College recovering excess compensation from foundation funds, but others would be revisited in future audits; if potential fraud were identified, it would be referred to the state attorney’s office. The chair closed by noting that accountability for public spending rests with the Legislature and the committee, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action beyond receiving the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• enforcement officers rely on accurate and timely information. rely on accurate and timely identification to conduct
• person commits the crime of murder if he or she does the following: Under extreme circumstances, conduct
• Conduct which creates a risk of death to a person under those circumstances that is...
• She recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person other than himself.

Bills: HB105, HB296, HB15, HB264, HB34, HB304, HB146, HB26, HB15, HB34, HB26

Keywords: law enforcement, retirement benefits, Alabama Peace Officers, agency-issued badge, agency-issued pistol, resisting arrest, custody, public safety, Alabama law, traffic infractions, traffic ticket, disposition, criminal contempt, vessel registration, boating fees, state funds, regulatory changes, water safety, compliance, false information

Transcript Highlights:

• DIRECTED BY STATUTE TO CONDUCT A ANNUAL STUDY ON THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN FLORIDA
• ONCE THE CALL IS ACCEPTED AND TURNED OVER TO THE INVESTIGATION, THE INVESTIGATOR CONDUCTS THE INVESTIGATION
• TO ACHIEVE THIS THE DEPARTMENT, CONDUCTED COMPARISON ON VARIOUS ELEMENTS INCLUDING SLOGANS, FLYERS AND
• THAT PARTNER COMMITTED TO IDENTIFYING EMPLOYEES THAT WOULD SERVE AS MENTORS FOR THEIR INTERNS, CONDUCTING

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• more victims' and on page 52, line 11, by inserting after the word 'offense' the words 'or whose conduct
• So, has any analysis been conducted on how this change affects Tet's ability to sustain programs During
• I have done that because for four years, they have shirked their duty to conduct an investigation of

Bills: HB3327, HB3711, HB4104, HJR1077, HB3329, SB2184, SB171

Keywords: State Board of Education, Oklahoma education board, board appointments, school governance, education reform, governor appointments, legislative appointments, speaker of the house, president pro tempore, senate confirmation, board vacancies, removal for cause, public education, state superintendent, school board training, board member qualifications, emergency clause, Oklahoma statutes 70 O.S. 3-101, school funding, transparency

Transcript Highlights:

• This strike-all directs the Department of Transportation to conduct a statewide study on advanced detection
• And that would be, of course, up to the study, FDOT conducting the study, but we would like to see that
• FDOT conducting the study, but we would like to see that being looked at as we look at rail crossing

Bills: S0828, S1274, S1310, S1378, S1562

Keywords: sovereign immunity, public transit, contractors, liability, state agents, transportation, traffic signal modernization, seaports, commercial space launch, micromobility, automated license plate recognition, railroad crossing safety, railroad crossings, grade crossing, public railroad-highway grade crossing, rail safety, crossing technology, advanced detection systems, monitoring systems, sensors

Summary: The Transportation Committee took up several measures and adopted amendments on multiple bills. SB 1274, as amended, removed a number of provisions from the original bill and added items including local authority to lower residential street speed limits, clarification on obscured license plates, FDOT funding for certain rural airport aviation projects, limits on yellow-light timing changes tied to red-light cameras, changes to private use of license plate readers, and other transportation-related revisions. After brief questions and supportive testimony, the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also approved SB 1310, which was converted into a study bill directing FDOT to study advanced detection and monitoring systems at public railroad crossings and report findings and policy options to the governor and legislature. Railroad industry testimony supported the study but raised concerns about interoperability with train safety systems and suggested the study consider additional safety tools such as red-light cameras and wayside horns. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. SB 828, as amended, would extend sovereign immunity protections to private contractors providing public transit services on behalf of governments, with supporters saying it would reduce costs and provide certainty for transit providers, while opponents warned it was an overbroad expansion of sovereign immunity and could conflict with railroad employee protections under federal law. The committee reported that bill favorably as well. The committee then passed SB 1378, which strengthens traffic enforcement by clarifying when vehicles may be treated as abandoned, adding penalties for unlawfully attached plates or stickers, and allowing forfeiture of vehicles used to flee law enforcement even without an immediate arrest. It also approved SB 1562, which aims to prevent manufacturers from concentrating sales of certain vehicle brands through a single dealer group and instead promote competition among independent dealers. In addition, the committee unanimously confirmed a slate of appointees, and members later recorded additional affirmative votes on several bills before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've looked up to him a lot of the years I've been in the Senate and the way he conducts himself.
• lessons which they can experience as they go along, of one of our greatest rights and what it takes to conduct
• lessons which they can experience as they go along, of one of our greatest rights and what it takes to conduct

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several election- and ethics-related bills, along with a block of gubernatorial confirmations. Senate Bill 572, by Senator Harrell, updated ethics statutes so the definition of “relative” would include foster parents and foster children; the Commission on Ethics supported the change as a recommendation, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 414, by Senator Bracey Davis, would have allowed campaign funds to be used for campaign-related child care expenses, but the sponsor said it lacked the votes to advance and temporarily postponed it. The committee also heard Senate Bill 500, by Senator Avila, which would provide FDLE protective security details for major-party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, and cabinet offices through the election and transition period. Senators raised questions about definitions, current protections, and public disclosure of travel information; despite some opposition over taxpayer funding, the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 620, by Senator Mayfield, required candidates to disclose any non-U.S. citizenship when qualifying for office; testimony from a dual citizen criticized the bill as unnecessary and stigmatizing, while supporters framed it as transparency. The bill also passed favorably. Chair Gates then presented CS for SB 92, creating whistleblower-style protections for public employees who file ethics complaints based on firsthand knowledge, including remedies for retaliation; the Commission on Ethics supported it and it passed favorably. The committee also approved a slate of gubernatorial appointments en bloc. Finally, Senate Bill 564, by Senator Yarborough, would allow registered or pre-registered high school students to volunteer at polling places for community service hours; testimony from a supervisor of elections and advocacy groups supported the civics benefit, a senator asked about how it would interact with existing community service requirements, and the bill passed favorably. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill includes a limited scope... ...Sunset Review of the State Lottery to be conducted in August
• limit of five lottery ticket printing machines at any single location, and the state auditor must conduct
• flat limit it to no more than five machines. ...in any single location, and the state auditor must conduct

Bills: HB11, HB12, HB21, HB26, HB30, HB33, HB37, HB45, HB210, HB303, HB630, HB879, HB1041, HB1188, HB1261, HB1318, HB1465, HB1535, HB1593, HB1778, HB2559, HB2596, HB2692, HB2703, HB2712, HB2742, HB2809, HB2890, HB3012, HB3526, HB5061, HB5092, HB5238, HCR92, SB203, SB317, SB393, SB397, SB644, SB731, SB801, SB867, SB913, SB1071, SB1073, SB1086, SB1087, SB1250, SB1310, SB1359, SB1444, SB1483, SB1705, SB1782, SB1861, SB1897, SB1944, SB2023, SB2043, SB2082, SB2133, SB2215, SB2309, SB2497, SB2532, SB2549, SB2566, SB2617, SB2639, SB2696, SB2717, SB2747, SB2751, SB2790, SB2797, SB2799, SB2841, SB2850, SB2857, SB2891, SB2919, SB2928, SB2994, SB3051, SJR34, SB529, SB541, SB693, SB963, SB1968, SB2308, SB2544, SB1173, SB1646, SB1734, SB1833, SB1, SB17, SB260, SB509, SB1506, SB1637, HB1393, HB2559, HB26, HB3012, HB1593, HB2607, HB3526, HB3810, HB388, HB879, HB12, HB2703, HB30, HB2712, HB2692, HB1633, HB1318, HB685, HB630, 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, HCR90, SJR36, SJR50, SJR63, SCR12, SCR39, SB2023, SB128, SB2043, SB62, SB666, SB847, SB284, SB854, SB810, SB1505, SB583, SB507, SB1434, SB1772, SB2016, SB1122, SB731, SB397, SB508, SB1436, SB287, SB1882, SB393, SB1791, SB209, SB2429, SB511, SB2309, 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, SB2994, SB913, SB1071, SB1086, SB1087, SB1483, SB1444, SB1553, SB1556, SB1703, SB2133, SB2297, SB2298, SB2622, SB2955, SB2334, SB1861, SB1367, SB2044, SB2363, SB2565, SB1888, SB3036, SB3057, SB3043, SB3063, SB3035, SB203, SB2799, SB2688, SB2522, SB2639, SB2459, SB2655, SB2251, SB1884, SB2617, SB2928, SB2566, SB1897, SB1749, SB2549, SB2553, SB2919, SB1782, SB1705, SB2696, SB1944, SB2215, SB1232, SB2850, SB2969, SB2497, SB1798, SB2603, SB2607, SB781, 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, HCR98, SB3070, SB835, SB524, SB2233, SB2683

Keywords: licensing, reciprocity, regulation, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, interstate agreements, housing finance, multifamily residential, low income, tax exemption, audit requirements, affordable housing, local government, development bonds, Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, disaster relief, tax rates

Transcript Highlights:

• conducting background checks several conducting background checks several years<00:51:39.040>
• and we conducted investigation through our<00:56:19.440> process,<00:56:20.079> we<00:
• that's a code of conduct violation. that's a code of conduct violation.
• And then the third item just clarifies that they're adhering to the professional code of conduct and
• And then the third item just clarifies that they're adhering to the professional code of conduct and

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We conduct food testing to maintain that safe food supply, including dairy and shellfish grown right
• We conduct food testing to maintain that safe food supply, including dairy and shellfish grown right
• We've conducted more than 3,500 routine and licensing inspections every year to ensure that safe food
• We've inspected more than 46 radiation machines and conducted some associated registration activities
• <03:20:33.160> Laboratory laboratory that conducts Laboratory laboratory that conducts Laboratory

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Finance Division III work session focused on the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health Services budget. Department staff said Public Health has a relatively small budget compared with other DHHS divisions, is supported mostly by federal and other non-General funds, and contains nearly 100 accounting units and more than 50 federal grants. They emphasized that the governor’s budget did not include significant cuts, but that federal funding uncertainty and the winding down of pandemic-era resources were major factors affecting the division. The division also explained that some apparent budget growth reflects reorganizations, including moving the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery and some programs from other DHHS divisions into Public Health. The presentation described Public Health’s mission as serving the entire state through food and water safety, disease surveillance, emergency response, maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, WIC, community health center support, and public health data collection. Members asked about bird flu, and staff explained that human-health response would involve Public Health’s lab, infectious disease, and emergency preparedness units, while animal-health issues are handled with the Department of Agriculture; they also noted ongoing milk testing requested by FDA and USDA. The division said its organizational structure includes bureaus for Family Health and Nutrition, Infectious Disease Control, Public Health Protection, Emergency Preparedness, Prevention and Wellness, Statistics and Informatics, and Public Health Laboratories, with about a 15% vacancy rate. Committee members questioned whether the division’s budget and staffing had really grown since pre-COVID, and staff responded that full-time authorized staffing is about the same as in 2018, with the increase largely due to federal pandemic funding that has since receded and to program transfers between divisions. They said Public Health’s General Fund share is about $24 million out of roughly $1.1 billion in DHHS General Fund spending, or about 2.2% of the department total. Members also asked about the 3,000-position cap and unfunded positions; staff explained that the cap remains in chapter law through June 30, 2025, that 394 positions were unfunded in the governor’s budget, and that the division expects flexibility to move money from personnel lines and fill unfunded positions to manage changing needs. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the work session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you each have a booklet of the code of conduct.
• That is the code of conduct principles.
• That is the establishment, legislatively, of the code of conduct.
• ><02:24:23.359> proposed code of conduct is brought up proposed code of conduct is brought up
• the rules should cover code of conduct the rules should cover code of conduct set<02:31:24.439><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Education Committee held its organizational meeting for the new term, with members introducing themselves and describing their backgrounds in teaching, school boards, special education, administration, law, and related fields. Chair Glenn Cordelli outlined the committee’s goals and procedures, emphasizing civility, professionalism, and respectful treatment of witnesses and members. He also noted that the committee has been split into two this year because of the large volume of bills, and said the committee had already sent three bills to the other education committee, with 36 bills currently assigned and more expected. The chair reviewed committee rules and logistics: hearings should start on time, members should minimize cell phone use and avoid searching during testimony, and questioning of witnesses is limited to one question at a time unless the chair allows a follow-up. Members were told to use the title “Representative,” to sign up on pink cards to testify, and to submit written testimony to the clerk. He also explained that hearings are for listening rather than debating, while executive sessions are where debate and motions occur. Possible motions include ought to pass, inexpedient to legislate, and retain in committee for further work, including subcommittees. Additional procedures covered scheduling, with the committee expected to meet Wednesday and Thursday the following week because of a holiday, and regular meetings generally planned for Monday and Wednesday. The chair also discussed the consent calendar, reports from majority and minority positions, and the expectation that members who testify on a bill should not then question other witnesses on that same bill. No legislation was voted on at this meeting; it was a procedural and orientation session for the committee.