Video & Transcript Research : 'veterinary practice'
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CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Floor Session May 19th, 2026
California Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The Legislature has passed bills that allow for the best procurement practice to be used in K-12, CSUs
- This bill is a narrow, practical bill to address this issue.
- Kathleen Rooney, an OB-GYN and managing partner of a Sacramento private practice.
- This bill provides a practical workforce solution by requiring DIR to partner with This bill provides
- This is a long-standing practice.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Education Study Dec 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- They really don't know what is the best practice.
- Well, professional development that is tied to best practices, Mr. Chair. I see. Okay. Thank you.
- It talks about instructional materials and how they should be aligned to those best practices.
- I know that this has been in practice.
- Develop or adopt guidance or best practices for rating systems that participants may use.
Summary:
The committee first heard a detailed staff presentation on the LESC FY27 public school support recommendation. Staff reviewed the budget structure and explained that, despite a downward revision in state revenue estimates, the recommendation still relied on recurring and non-recurring revenue to support educator compensation, insurance, transportation, literacy, math, special education, and other school programs. Major recurring items included a 3% compensation increase, funding for an 80-20 health insurance cost share, insurance premium growth, and transportation adequacy funding. Staff also flagged a possible supplemental need of up to $35 million for virtual education tied to rapid enrollment growth in Chama and Santa Rosa, and members raised concerns about the quality, accountability, and funding model for virtual programs.
Members asked questions about transportation for rural districts, the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit fees, the treatment of enrollment declines in the school funding formula, and whether the word “average” in salary language should remain in the budget. Staff explained that the SEG should remain whole, that the insurance and transportation recommendations applied to all public school employees but not contractors, and that the budget included multiple math-related investments spread across several lines rather than one single appropriation. There was also discussion of out-of-school learning grants, school meals, literacy center operations, special education training, and the Public Education Reform Fund, including the use of multi-year, evaluation-based appropriations for high-impact tutoring and community schools. After discussion, the committee adopted the LESC budget recommendation.
The committee then moved to endorsed legislation proposals. It endorsed a bill allowing the secretary to suspend an individual school board member, with notice and appeal procedures clarified, and a bill creating an 80-20 health insurance cost-share requirement for public school employees, along with a study of the sustainability of public school insurance programs. It also endorsed a bill on attendance provisions for students with severe medical conditions, which would keep those students from being classified as excessively absent. Finally, the committee discussed a teacher residency bill that would raise stipend levels, allow residents to complete service anywhere in New Mexico, and remove the requirement that sponsoring schools must hire them, though the bill did not include an appropriation. Members also raised questions about bilingual, Hispanic, and Black education funding, cultural and linguistic supports in teacher preparation, and where various programs should be placed in the budget or PERF framework.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- You have to practice it just like you practice reading, just like you practice math.
- You have to practice it just like you practice reading, just like you practice math.
- And besides push-pulls, you practiced ovals, making ovals.
- is related to how much they practice it. is related to how much they practice it.
- <01:27:33.760>
a reader, but um, I think if I practice a reader, but um, I think if I practice
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Wed Mar 4, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- <01:12:26.600>
of effectively ending any practice of effectively ending any practice of discounting - Um, and surveillance pricing we believe is a predatory corporate practice.
- We want to have towing practices more the same, and what leads to the tow is important.
- <01:20:47.880>
more want to have towing practices more want to have towing practices more - <01:58:42.880>
aspect Just thinking about the practical aspect Just thinking about the practical
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on several bills, with most measures drawing either support or comments rather than opposition. HB 2395, relating to taking marine deposits for research, education, management, or propagation, received support from the University of Hawaii and DLNR. HB 2585, relating to agricultural tourism, drew broad support for its intent to keep agritourism secondary to farming, but agencies and farm groups raised concerns about enforcement, county authority, and the rebuttable presumption language. Testifiers included OPSD, the Agribusiness Development Corporation, Hawaii Farm Bureau, a small farm operator, and others, with some urging clearer definitions, simpler registration, and protections for bona fide farms and hosted farm stays.
HB 1728, on rainwater catchment systems, was supported in principle by DLNR, which cited drought conditions and said it deferred to counties and the Department of Health on safety and regulation. HB 1881, which would prohibit passenger ropeways on mountain lands, drew strong support from community testifiers who said it would help prevent development disguised as agritourism and protect forests and country lands. HB 1990, establishing penalties and possible foreclosure for unresolved zoning violations, received comments from the Attorney General recommending removal of AG references and more county-centered enforcement, while the Hawaii Association of Realtors warned the 30-day timeline could create problems for absent or unaware homeowners.
The committee also heard HB 1712, which would expand and make permanent certain seats on the State Building Code Council. The Plumbers and Fitters union supported the bill, but BIA Hawaii requested amendments to add “licensed contractor” language, and architects and other professionals opposed the measure, arguing that increasing the council from 12 to 15 voting members would make it less efficient and harder to reach quorum. Finally, HB 2151, relating to hempcrete, was supported by a Kauai workforce development advocate and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, who said hempcrete could support agriculture, manufacturing, and affordable housing while reducing carbon and reliance on imported materials. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/25
Agriculture Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- We use CGA best practices in our daily operations.
- We use CGA best practices in our daily operations.
- We use CGA best practices in our daily operations.
- <00:41:32.720>
and feel that education best practices and feel that education best practices - <01:20:56.480>
increasing by promoting safe practices increasing by promoting safe practices
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- With me today in support is Alyssa Scherer, Doctor of Nursing Practice, an advanced practice registered
- I'm a doctorally prepared advanced practice nurse practitioner who provides full-scope women's health
- I'm a doctorally prepared advanced practice nurse practitioner who provides full-scope women's health
- I've been practicing for over 12 years and in the state of California for four years.
- AB2664 undermines this longstanding democratic practice by restricting speech within one.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Families and Children. (3-5-26)
Families & Children
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm old enough attorney that I practiced before we had family court.
- <00:12:52.160>
before enough attorney that I practiced before enough attorney that I practiced - It's best practice. So I appreciate Representative Moser. Hello again.
- It's best practice. So I appreciate Representative Moser.
- It's best practice. Um evidence-based. It's best practice.
Keywords:
00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call
01:10 - Discussion of 26RS HB 669
08:25 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 669
09:25 - Discussion of 26RS HCR 36
13:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HCR 36
14:05 - Discussion of 26RS HB 686
29:20 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 686
30:10 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Families and Children met and first adopted a House committee substitute for House Bill 669, which would protect federal benefits belonging to children in out-of-home care. The sponsor explained the bill is intended to prevent the state from using a child’s Social Security survivor, disability, or death benefits to offset care costs, instead requiring those funds to be preserved in an account for the child and made available at certain milestones or when the child leaves care. Members asked about who would oversee the funds, how annual eligibility reviews would work, and when the child could access the money; the sponsor said the cabinet would set the review process by rule and that the funds would remain available for the child. The committee approved HB 669 15-0 with favorable expression.
The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 36, as amended by committee substitute, which creates a child welfare and family court reform task force. The substitute changed the reporting structure to send the task force’s report to the interim joint committee on families and children and the judiciary committee, rather than a now-defunct Health and Human Services committee. Supporters said the task force should review child abuse and neglect, foster care, and family court processes, and gather input from experts and people with lived experience. Members discussed whether the work should be divided into separate family court and child welfare task forces, but the resolution moved forward and passed 15-0 with favorable expression.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 686, which would establish a Kentucky Positive Youth Development Commission and a dedicated trust and agency account to support community-based youth programming up to age 25. The sponsor and witnesses said the bill responds to rising youth mental health concerns, self-harm, and suicide, and would coordinate statewide efforts, support evidence-based out-of-school programming, and provide technical assistance to local partners. Testimony emphasized the importance of connectedness, trusted adults, community-based responses, and using settlement funds from social media-related harms to youth to support the trust. Members asked about how the bill compares with other states and how the “dose-response” language relates to adverse and positive childhood experiences. HB 686 also passed 15-0 with favorable expression. The committee announced its next meeting for Thursday, March 12 at 9:00 a.m. and then adjourned.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Economic Development, Tourism, & Labor. (2-13-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- their dream of being called up to the majors, and it doesn't benefit them to have their playing or practice
- necessary to achieve their goal of making it to the next level and eventually the majors, and this practical
- Bill allows them to preserve practical Bill allows them to preserve that<00:04:46.440>
opportunity - and we are inclusive work practices and we are there<00:16:17.440>
to <00:16:17.680>give - Just a comment: I have some practical experience with this.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Roll Call 00:13
SB 15 Discussion 00:45
SB 15 Vote 08:40
SB 103 Discussion 11:12
SB 103 Vote 29:49, 958, all
Summary:
The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present.
The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So in being a sole practitioner, I had a general practice, then a statewide criminal practice, and then
- a misdemeanor practice.
- I practiced architecture for a while but came back to New Mexico and attended law school.
- She's in Austin practicing architecture.
- The writing of legislation is as specialized a practice of law as any I've ever seen.
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Committee Meeting Jun 25th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Executive
Transcript Highlights:
- I cut my teeth in the Consumer Fraud Division, and then I learned my craft in criminal appeals, practicing
- At least in my practice, I try to do this.
- At least in my practice, I try to do those remotely so that the human being whose livelihood is on the
- practice.
- And then I've got to follow my kids... ...schools and swim teams or I won't know if practice has been
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on County & Regional Government Apr 28th, 2025
S/C on County & Regional Government
Transcript Highlights:
- This has led to inconsistent practices across Texas. ...diminishes the public's trust.
- His family made a decision to practice tough love and did not bail him out.
- I am currently approaching my... 30th year of practice as a full-time forensic pathologist.
- Coverage, malpractice insurance for a pathologist, for a pulmonologist to practice neurosurgery.
- No hospital would ever give surgical privileges to a psychiatrist to practice surgery.
Bills:
HB2814, HB4477, HB5084, HB5108, HB5127, HB5383, HB5611, HB5663, HB5664, SB1563, HB2668, HB3841, HB4114
Keywords:
juvenile justice, release documents, children, identification, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, civil service, staffing requirements, local government, positions exemption, Texas legislation, fireworks, Lunar New Year, retail permits, public safety, Texas law, holiday sales, HB 5108, deaths in custody, custodial death, jail death
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection Committee Apr 20th, 2026
Privacy, Digital Technologies, and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Practicing therapy without a license is already illegal.
- Agencies keeping data more than 30 days are outliers. ...not borne out by actual practice.
- The FTC began investigating these practices back in 2011. Litigation ensued.
- And it does not talk about specific practices by specific industries.
- First of all, it is consumers being harmed with these practices.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills focused on AI, privacy, and surveillance. SB 903 would prohibit AI from independently providing psychotherapy or presenting itself as a licensed mental health provider, require disclosure and informed consent, and reinforce confidentiality and privacy protections for therapy records. Supporters, including a mother and therapist whose son died by suicide after extensive chats with ChatGPT, argued the bill is needed to prevent harmful, crisis-related interactions. Behavioral health groups and labor/privacy organizations supported the measure, while TechNet, the California Medical Association, and the California Hospital Association opposed unless amended, saying the bill could restrict useful clinical tools and create conflicts around triage, screening, and data use. The committee passed SB 903 4-0 to Appropriations, with members noting the need for further work on definitions and implementation.
SB 1119 would create a broader framework for chatbot safety for children, including annual risk assessments, crisis response protocols, default child protections, parental controls, notice and time limits, restrictions on advertising and use of children’s data, incident reporting, audits, and a private right of action. The author and supporters again cited the death of Adam Raine as evidence that chatbots can reinforce suicidal ideation and isolate children. Common Sense Media and several labor and privacy groups supported the bill. CalChamber, TechNet, the California State Sheriffs’ Association, and other industry and local government groups opposed unless amended, raising concerns about vague standards, overlap with SB 243, prescriptive design mandates, and litigation risk. The committee approved SB 1119 4-0 to Judiciary, with amendments to be taken there.
The committee also heard SB 1013, which would tighten rules for automated license plate reader data by requiring DOJ audits, employee training, and a 30-day retention limit for most data. Supporters said the bill responds to documented misuse and over-retention of data that mostly belongs to innocent drivers. Law enforcement groups opposed, arguing the retention limit would hinder investigations and reduce the usefulness of ALPRs in serious or delayed cases. The bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 1292, a local control bill for six cities, would allow camera or sensor-based enforcement of curb and loading zones, with a human reviewing each violation before issuance. Supporters said it would help cities manage congestion and unsafe blocking of bike lanes and loading zones; privacy advocates warned about expanding automated surveillance. It passed 4-1 to Appropriations.
Finally, the committee heard SB 1101, which would require higher education institutions to notify students, faculty, and staff when personal information is shared with federal agencies and limit disclosure to what is legally required. Supporters framed it as a transparency and anti-doxing measure in response to recent federal investigations and subpoenas; there was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Appropriations. The committee then began hearing SB 951, the California Worker Technological Displacement Act, which would require advance notice and reporting when employers displace workers due to technology and give displaced workers priority for openings, but the transcript cuts off before the hearing concluded.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Judiciary (09/15/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- of the solution, the impact practicality of the solution, the impact on<00:16:00.079>
different - that in a way that is either practical that in a way that is either practical or<00:19:41.520>
<00:42:01.359>on the balances between the practicality on the balances between the practicality - I mean, I we had a seems more practical.
- Well, so in practical terms, I'll use an example of one of my servers at home.
Summary:
The subcommittee work session focused on House Bill 293, which would prevent minors from accessing obscenity on certain internet-connected electronic devices. Chair Pardell opened by noting the bill had been discussed several times and that the goal was to find language acceptable to the committee. Representative Coutab argued the bill is important for child safety, said parents vary in technical ability, and pointed to Apple as evidence that filtering tools can be implemented. He asked whether the other members saw a path forward and what it might look like.
Representatives McFarland and Tur both said they support the underlying concern but questioned the bill’s structure and practicality. McFarland emphasized parental responsibility and individual liberty, said any final language should avoid infringing on rights or creating indirect pressure on corporations, and suggested looking at other states’ approaches and Apple’s closed ecosystem as a limited example. Tur said the bill may solve one problem while creating others, especially by placing the burden on device manufacturers and browsers rather than on the content providers; he cited the recent Texas Paxton decision as an example of a more targeted age-verification approach aimed at websites. Both expressed concern that a broad device-level mandate may be difficult to implement consistently across different platforms.
Chair Pardell responded that the bill is intended to add protective measures rather than impose a blanket ban, and compared it to existing restrictions on minors accessing alcohol, tobacco, or pornographic magazines. She said the proposal is meant to ask for the user’s age during device setup, not to require identification or database checks, and stressed that parents would still be responsible for entering accurate information. Members also discussed whether Apple’s tools are generalizable to Android and other ecosystems, whether the market is already developing solutions, and whether a parent-facing filter or device-level controls would be the best route. Pardell said the committee had received public feedback and that another work session would likely be held in October; no vote or final action was taken.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House tax panel hears bill to expand tax incentives for producing sustainable aviation fuel 4/8/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- on agricultural and smart practices on agricultural and working<00:10:08.800>
lands. - Taken together, these two guardrails can incentivize more climate-smart agriculture practices on our
- practices on our existing<00:19:08.720>
farmland. - c> can<00:19:12.000>
reduce agriculture practices that can reduce agriculture practices that - important environmental practices important environmental practices statewide,<00:19:25.919>
Summary:
The committee took up House File 1669, adopting the DE2 amendment, which was described as the bill itself. The amended bill would expand Minnesota’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) tax credit by increasing annual allocations, extending the sunset date from 2030 to 2035, adding an extra credit for lower-carbon fuels, and adding environmental and other qualifying requirements. The chair noted the amendment aligned the bill with the governor’s proposal, and the amendment was approved on a voice vote.
Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Commissioner Tom Peterson of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture backed the bill as a way to preserve Minnesota’s leadership in SAF, attract private investment, and keep crop and timber feedstocks processed in-state. Farmers and agricultural groups, including Minnesota Farmers Union and Minnesota Farm Bureau, said SAF could create new domestic markets for crops such as corn, soybeans, winter camelina, and pennycress while improving farm income and supporting climate-smart practices. Forestry representatives argued that wood waste and forest residue could be turned into SAF, improving forest health and reducing wildfire risk.
Environmental and clean-energy groups also supported the bill, emphasizing the added guardrails. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Friends of the Mississippi River, and Fresh Energy said the amendments would better protect water quality, soil health, biodiversity, and climate outcomes by favoring lower-carbon SAF and limiting harmful land-use change. University of Minnesota Forever Green representatives said winter-hardy crops could scale over time, and they pointed to ongoing commercialization work and a 1 Million Acre Scaling Study. Labor and construction groups said the bill would support major infrastructure investment and create long-term jobs, with testimony citing the first Minnesota SAF facility already announced and the potential for multiple hubs statewide.
No vote on final passage was taken in the portion provided, but the committee heard extensive supportive testimony and questions focused on scalability, infrastructure, and how the credit would accelerate SAF development in Minnesota.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Legislative Session Day 46 (3-13-26)
Kentucky House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 18, Senator Richardson, an act relating to the practice of podiatry.
- <00:09:56.640>
of act relating to the practice of act relating to the practice of podiatry - treated as a deceptive trade practice treated as a deceptive trade practice under<00:14:48.440><
- It establishes trade practices requirements for kiosk operators.
- Speaker, I move for practices requirements for kiosk practices requirements for kiosk operators.<00:37
AL
Transcript Highlights:
- And uh practically um what that amount. And uh practically um what that amount.
- across the state is I not only practiced across the state is I not only practiced as a DA after that
- the vast majority of practice in the vast majority of practice in the vast majority of jurisdictions
- What HB42 largely does practice already. What HB42 largely does practice already.
- world it don't that in the practical world it don't that in the practical world it don't work.
Keywords:
resisting arrest, penalties, criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, youthful offender, capital murder, victims' rights, SB254, Alabama, statute of limitations, civil procedure, civil action, sex offense, sexual abuse, child sexual abuse, survivor rights, tolling, disability, minor plaintiff
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/27/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- I am in support of this because this will also help capture and document business practices that are
- That's not a business practice that would be tolerated by any other business, but yet we don't get a
- That's not a business practice that would be tolerated by any other business, but yet we don't get a
- Um, but if there's municipalities requiring it, uh, you know, that seems like unfair practices.
- Um, but if there's municipalities requiring it, uh, you know, that seems like unfair practices.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 03/19/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- It's common sense and it practices.
- <02:07:31.199>
of transfer and corporate practices of transfer and corporate practices of - I think it's a good and practical idea. I think it's a good and practical idea.
- because we already have those practices because we already have those practices in<02:39:42.319>
- the state and evidence-based practices the state and evidence-based practices with<03:19:31.439>
DE
Delaware 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Banking, Business, Insurance - Technology Committee Meeting Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Providers already routinely transition patients to biosimilars in clinical practice.
- lower-cost treatment options and modernize Delaware's insurance laws to reflect current medical practice
- It's an act on Title 18 of the Delaware Code relating to unfair trade practices in automobile insurance
- The Consumer Fraud Act and the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act were adopted in 1965 as companion
- We do share the goal of protecting consumers from deceptive AI practices.
Summary:
The committee heard several bills, but much of the meeting focused on House Bill 306, which would require disclosure when a consumer is interacting with a chatbot rather than a human. Sponsor Senator Townsend described it as a consumer protection measure and said the bill is meant to keep pace with rapidly changing AI technology. Committee members and witnesses raised concerns about the bill’s enforcement structure, especially private rights of action and penalties that could apply even without actual consumer harm. The Department of Justice said the bill would apply where the conduct has a Delaware nexus, and that the disclosure requirement is the key consumer protection. Industry witnesses and chambers of commerce opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create broad compliance burdens and expose businesses to excessive litigation risk without a harm requirement or clearer safe harbor language.
Earlier in the meeting, the committee discussed House Bill 429, which would update Delaware’s step therapy exception process to include biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Senator Poore and supporters from Highmark and the Department of Insurance said the bill would modernize insurance law, improve access to effective treatments, and reduce costs; they cited national savings from biosimilars and said the bill has agency support. Members asked about Delaware-specific savings, patient switching, and how the process would work, but no vote was taken during the discussion. The committee also heard House Bill 310, which would exclude large data centers from Blue Collar Jobs Act tax credits; the sponsor said the bill is intended to ensure large energy users contribute more to state and local revenues, while supporters and opponents debated competitiveness and community impacts. House Bill 406, on allowing insureds to choose their auto repair shop, and Senate Bill 347, a cleanup bill related to medical debt collection and personal property levies, were also presented without opposition in the hearing. House Bill 253, concerning who may receive letters testamentary or of administration, was described as a cleanup to align statute with existing practice. The committee approved the meeting minutes, but the transcript does not show final votes on the bills discussed.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Rules and Administration with Subcommittee on Committees Following - 01/06/26
Transcript Highlights:
- So these were also just to clarify, condense, and modernize, and to reflect the current practice and
- best practices regarding the Senate website.
- So these were also just to clarify, condense, and modernize, and to reflect the current practice and
- best practices regarding the Senate website.
- best practices regarding the Senate website.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration met virtually on January 6, 2026, and took up four administrative policy items. Darren Hoff, Senate Human Resources Director, presented updates to the Legislative Coordinating Commission benefit book, including insurance changes tied to SEGIP, mental health and substance use office visit cost sharing, dental plan updates, dependent eligibility clarifications, a new voluntary legal services benefit, a 17% increase in Medicare premiums, and multiple leave-policy revisions to conform with the new paid leave law and other employment rules. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the benefit book with the LCC’s November 10, 2025 changes and staff technical corrections, and the motion passed.
Secretary Tom Bern described a proposed Senate Policy 1.56 allowing written rules of conduct for visitors in Senate spaces, aimed at setting clear expectations for behavior such as not blocking hallways or using shouting and profanity, while being developed with consultation to address First Amendment concerns. Senator Marty moved adoption, and the committee approved the policy. Council Lexi Stangle then presented a change to Senate Policy 2.47 on severe weather emergencies that would allow employees who work remotely on severe weather days to accrue compensatory time with supervisor approval; Senator Johnson moved adoption, and the motion passed.
The committee also considered a modernization of the Senate information systems policy. Secretary Bern and staff explained that the policy had not been substantially updated in about 20 years and was being condensed and updated to reflect current technology and practices. The revisions reduced the policy from 29 pages to 10, removed obsolete references, added a purpose statement, clarified email inspection and hardware/software procedures, updated website rules and accessibility guidance, and removed the secondary member page option. Senator Coleman moved adoption of the Senate information systems update, and it was approved.
After the Rules Committee adjourned, the Subcommittee on Committees met and approved two appointments: one public member to the Legislative Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources through December 31, 2030, and Senator Gustafson to the Financial Crimes Advisory Board Task Force. Members asked about the task force’s scope and the public appointee’s background; staff explained the task force advises on identity theft and financial crimes, and identified the public appointee as Sha Lang of Preston, Minnesota. Senator Pappas moved adoption of the appointment list, and the subcommittee approved it before adjourning.