Transcript Highlights:

• It would simply say that we do the GIS program—geographic information systems program—does go off of
• <00:30:55.880> uh that we do the the gis program uh that we do the the gis program uh geographic
• information systems program geographic information systems program uh<00:30:59.240> does<00:30
• <00:52:42.720> um launching a policy advocacy program um launching a policy advocacy program
• work and reserve some funds per program work and reserve some funds per program and<01:03:11.920

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 59, authored by Senator Green, which would require counties to locate and restore original public land survey monuments and related boundary markers. Green argued that newer GIS/GPS-based surveys have sometimes shifted long-established property lines, creating disputes for landowners, counties, and state agencies. He described examples involving his own property and constituents, including a case where a neighbor allegedly lost access to a well and septic system after a new survey and another where a landowner was told he was farming school trust land based on a newer plat reference. Testimony in support came from Allan Roger Olen, who said a newer survey changed his family’s property lines and created a dispute over land, a building permit, and ownership of well and septic systems. Senator Green also said county plat books are not legally binding and that the bill is intended to force counties to find original monuments before more disputes arise. Committee members raised concerns from the Association of Minnesota Counties about the bill’s timeline, funding, and requirement that counties employ a land surveyor. Green responded that counties had already been told to hire surveyors in some disputes, acknowledged the funding concerns, and said he would look for funding sources while emphasizing protection of property rights. A committee member who teaches surveying explained that adverse possession is a real legal doctrine in Minnesota and noted that restoring all monuments would cost far more than the $10 million already appropriated, estimating the total need at about $300 million. Phil Reigns of the Minnesota Society of Professional Surveyors testified that the Public Land Survey System underlies Minnesota’s land tenure system, that the original monuments were set mostly between 1850 and 1908, and that surveyors aim to restore them as accurately as possible using historical records and modern tools. He said the work is expensive because many counties lack staff surveyors and must hire consultants. Members discussed whether the bill would create boundary conflicts or authorize counties to alter lines, and Green said his intent was to restore original monuments and avoid litigation. Co-Chair Lang moved that Senate File 59, as amended, be recommended to pass and re-referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The motion prevailed on a voice vote. Afterward, the committee began receiving an overview from the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are really good technical issues.
• And then the family mediation program, the same thing.
• your programs that maybe aren't performing.
• or an expanded program.
• And if it's a pilot program, what's the cost to fully implement it, not just to implement the pilot program

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• seat available in a greater program or technical ed program, I think it says in a public school without
• It's a unique program. program. program. >> I<03:32:15.520> understand.
• Is it any saying it's to any program. Is it any program?
• Is it some programs? Is it So program? Is it some programs?
• <03:54:08.160> of technical programs and other kinds of technical programs and other kinds

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• part of but also through the C program part of but also through the C program we<00:15:28.480>
• program. kids that are in their program program. kids that are in their program that<00:15:32.959
• I provided technical coalition.
• In a in state government programs.
• cost of that program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:35:57.280> they're activity of the program, they're activity of the program, they're
• talk about this program and this bill. talk about this program and this bill.
• the program. the program.
• <00:48:36.720> is offenses against the Medicaid program is offenses against the Medicaid program
• With technical uh as we move forward.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So that was the focus of our, quote unquote, welfare programming in Utah and why the TANF program, and
• I'll always maintain this, is a critical program to be part of your workforce... ...is a critical program
• Again, what Utah did was we didn't philosophically see TANF and SNAP and these programs as welfare programs
• They're not seen as workforce programs. ...being seen as welfare programs.
• They're not seen as workforce programs.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the state’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort, with consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie presenting recommendations. They argued that Arkansas should shift from fragmented programs and multiple access points to a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and economic shocks. They described the current system as overly siloed, with separate offices, portals, and funding streams that force job seekers and employers to navigate multiple doors and bureaucratic handoffs. The consultants emphasized that Arkansas should treat workforce and safety-net programs more like a coordinated franchise model, with a single point of access, one team, and integrated governance, service delivery, and financial administration. They discussed federal workforce waivers already submitted, a possible cost-allocation plan with the federal Office of Management and Budget, and a potential benefits-cliff pilot. They also said Arkansas Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Members asked how the proposal would affect DHS offices, local workforce boards, TANF, and disability-related services, and the consultants said TANF should be viewed as a workforce program and that Arkansas could consider co-locating or integrating staff, or even merging agencies as Utah did. Committee members repeatedly cited Utah as a model, noting its high workforce participation and lower reliance on Medicaid and SNAP, and asked whether Arkansas could use TANF and other programs to cross-train DHS workers and make county offices more work-focused. The consultants explained Utah’s 1990s reforms, later audits showing improved customer service, and the role of cost allocation in blending funds behind the scenes. They also addressed federal flexibility and said current waiver efforts are a fallback after a broader federal pilot proposal did not advance. The meeting ended with a request to continue examining case management, specifically whether Arkansas should case-manage people rather than programs, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program wasn't developed in a vacuum.
• And staff does reserve the right to make any technical amendments.
• And staff does reserve the right to make any technical amendments.
• This set is purely technical.
• This set is purely technical.

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:47.080> in education and training program in education and training program in clinical
• I'm happy to program was a success.
• supporter of the food safety program. supporter of the food safety program.
• <01:30:20.040> funding because the government program funding because the government program
• agents are currently technical agents are currently technical technically<01:45:27.400> illegal

Bills: HB1626, HB1643, HB1668, HB1550, HB1974, HB1858, HB1871, HB1966, HB1972, HB1973

Keywords: youth penalties, juvenile justice, community service, fees and fines, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, reform, court costs, cultural connection, pharmacy, pharmacist, pharmacy audit, audit reform, pharmacy benefit manager, PBM, recoupment, extrapolation, claims audit, pharmacy reimbursement, dispensing fee

Summary: The committee heard testimony on SB 847, which would create a Kauai pilot program allowing qualified psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications. The Board of Psychology supported the bill’s intent but asked for amendments to delay the effective date or extend the pilot so rules could be written first, and to clarify the education/training language. Supporters, including the Hawaii Psychological Association, Hawaii Mental Health Coalition, and several psychologists, argued that prescribing psychologists have long safety records in other jurisdictions and that the pilot could improve access to care on Kauai, especially amid ongoing mental health needs and storm-related stress. They cited studies and examples from New Mexico, Louisiana, the Department of Defense, and other places. Opponents, including the Hawaii Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Queen’s Medical Center, and a Department of Health representative, said the bill needed substantial work, raised concerns about training, liability, and workforce impacts, and urged a team-based model with psychiatrist oversight rather than independent prescribing. Some testimony also referenced a GAO report, with witnesses disagreeing over its meaning and cost-effectiveness. No vote was taken during the discussion, and members asked questions about how the bill would address the workforce shortage and whether a psychiatrist on Kauai could already meet the need. The committee then moved to SB 2271 on hospital licensing and SB 2272 on home health care licensing. The Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported both measures, which were described as streamlining and clarifying licensing oversight by relying on accreditation or certification reports. A member asked whether the bill language on hospital accreditation reports was duplicative, and the response was that the second provision was intended to strengthen enforcement by requiring hospitals to provide the actual report to DOH. The committee did not take final action in the portion of the hearing provided, and the chair noted that all bills on the agenda would later be considered for decision-making.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs for veterans, programs for students living with disabilities, programs for students experiencing
• The Cal Grant program is a...
• But this program is similar to what we have down in San Diego. We have a safe parking program.
• enter into the program.
• The Strong Workforce Program was established in 2016 to strengthen career technical education programs

Summary: The committee first adopted its 2025-26 rules on a 7-0 roll call, then approved three consent items—AB 88, AB 240, and AB 313—on a due-pass motion to Appropriations. The hearing then moved to AB 648, which would give community college districts the same zoning authority as the UC and CSU systems to build student and staff housing on property they own or lease. The author and supporters argued the bill would help address severe housing insecurity and homelessness among community college students, while opponents and some members raised concerns about local control, zoning exemptions, and the impact on nearby communities. AB 648 passed the committee on a 5-2 vote and was sent to the Local Government Committee. The committee next heard AB 466, which would require California Community Colleges and CSU campuses to provide organ and tissue donor registry information during student orientation, and request UC campuses to do the same. Supporters shared personal stories about transplants and donation, saying college orientation is a good opportunity to increase registrations. Some members worried about information overload during orientation and suggested campuses have flexibility in how they present the material, but the bill advanced on a unanimous 7-0 vote to Appropriations. AB 326 followed, proposing campus-by-campus external audits of the CSU every three years and public release of the audits. The author, faculty supporters, and a student argued that systemwide audits do not provide enough transparency about how money is spent at individual campuses, citing examples of financial mismanagement and fee increases. CSU opposed the bill, saying it already conducts annual consolidated external audits and that campus-level audits would add cost without added benefit. After extensive discussion about transparency, audit scope, and implementation, the bill passed 6-1 to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 335, which would create a California Black-Serving Institution Grant Program to support Black student success and broader underserved student services; supporters emphasized persistent equity gaps and low completion rates, while an opponent argued the bill needed to be carefully amended to comply with Proposition 209 and equal protection requirements. The transcript ends during that item’s discussion, before a final vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• I've proposed a pilot program that Louisiana would take on.
• There is development of programs; it's finding the funds, it's... ...or there is development of programs
• The newly proposed public assistance program called Rapid...
• No change to the way we administer the programs.
• for the adjudication of the grant program.

Summary: The committee met on May 26, 2026, and first approved the minutes from the May 22, 2025 meeting. The main topic was the Northwest Louisiana earthquake cluster, with testimony from Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy staff, LSU and Tulane geoscientists, and later LSU law professor Keith Hall. Witnesses said the cause of the swarm has not been definitively identified, but induced seismicity from wastewater injection or hydraulic fracturing remains a concern. They described 50 earthquakes reported by the USGS in Red River, Bienville, DeSoto, and Natchitoches Parishes, including a magnitude 4.9 event on March 5, 2026, and explained that Louisiana’s sparse seismic network limits detection and depth/location estimates. C&E said it inspected Class II injection wells within 12 miles of the events, found no violations, now requires more frequent injection reporting, and is working with researchers and LSU on a possible state monitoring network and future policy changes. Committee members asked about injection depths, fault locations, whether the activity could be natural, and whether Louisiana should adopt stronger monitoring or a traffic-light regulatory system like other states. The witnesses said more data is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn, but that denser monitoring can detect smaller quakes and help identify patterns. Professor Hall summarized responses in other states, including more frequent reporting, increased monitoring, injection reductions, moratoria, and traffic-light systems in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. Members also discussed whether operators should share more seismic and geologic data, and several said the state should avoid jumping to conclusions while still improving oversight. The committee then heard from William Berger, a Texas geoscientist, who described using AI and operator data to model wastewater injection and seismic risk, and said broader data sharing would improve forecasting and siting decisions. He and another witness emphasized that many earthquakes arise from clusters of wells rather than a single well, and that proprietary concerns limit voluntary disclosure. The committee also received a brief update from GOSEP and the Louisiana National Guard on the Barksdale Air Force Base drone incursions. GOSEP said it logged the incident in WebEOC and shared releasable information, while State Police and the FBI said they were limited in what they could disclose. Officers said a task force has been formed, some personnel have received federal drone-mitigation training, and House Bill 940 is intended to mirror the task force MOU. Finally, Major General Thomas Friloux and Brigadier General Jason Maffus updated the committee on the merger of GOSEP into the Louisiana Military Department. They said the merger has reduced GOSEP from seven divisions to three, brought back employees to in-person work, modernized the state’s common operating picture, and produced about $10.5 million in first-year cost avoidance through staffing and contract changes. They also noted the planned transfer of the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, ongoing hurricane preparedness, and continued coordination with parish emergency managers. No votes were taken on the substantive topics, and the meeting ended with the committee moving through its agenda items and receiving informational testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• treatment program?
• I love technical matters.
• I love technical stuff.
• I love technical stuff.
• I love technical stuff.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:44.879> by apprenticeships program um carried by apprenticeships program um carried
• and have made an adjustment to one of those programs.
• Uh, you'll see in the spreadsheet um a program called the ... area we have programs that do a lot of
• a adjustment to one of those programs. a adjustment to one of those programs.
• nonpartisan staff to make any technical nonpartisan staff to make any technical changes<00:08:16.560

Bills: SF1832, HF2440

Keywords: economic development, small business, workforce training, grants, entrepreneurship, equity, community support, labor market, employment, funding, data analysis, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• THEY ALSO OVERSEES MY SAFE FLORIDA CONDO PILOT PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM HAS THE SAME GOAL AS MY SAFE FLORIDA
• HOME PROGRAM.
• THIS PROGRAM IS WHOLLY OUTSOURCED.
• THE PROGRAM PAYS FOR THAT.
• SO AGAIN THIS PROGRAM WAS MODELED AFTER THE HOMES PROGRAM.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was my technical error at that time. So, go ahead, Dr. Lindsberg.
• . program in the state that provides a discount for your phone service.
• And so I think if there was a technicality going out and seeking that public input.
• to co-invest in things like the BEAD program, the $42 billion program, to get next generation technology
• Programs from Information Technology Disaster Resource Center, a mouthful.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• program.
• program.
• program.
• program.
• program.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Higher Education Conference Committee reviewed differences among the Governor’s, House, and Senate proposals for state grant parameter changes and their effects on state grant spending, North Star Promise spending, and average student awards. Nonpartisan staff explained that the proposals use different combinations of parameter changes, with the Governor’s and Senate plans modeled to avoid or minimize rationing, while the House plan would require rationing to balance the program. Staff reported projected biennium balances of a positive $29.836 million for the Governor’s proposal, a negative $60.758 million for the House proposal without rationing, a positive $994,000 for the House proposal with rationing, and a positive $3.623 million for the Senate proposal; North Star Promise balances also varied, with the Senate showing a positive balance and the Governor and House with rationing showing negative balances. Staff also said the Senate proposal would extend availability of the state grant appropriation and suspend surplus procedures through fiscal year 2029, allowing the balance to carry forward. The committee then focused on the House-only tuition and fee cap provision, which would limit the tuition recognized for state grant purposes for four-year programs to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities level, with 1% annual increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027. House members said the cap was intended to address rising tuition, especially at the University of Minnesota, and to produce savings in the state grant program. The governor’s office confirmed the provision was not included in the Governor’s bill. Representatives from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Private College Council opposed the cap, arguing it would reduce awards for low-income students and shift costs to students rather than address underlying tuition pressures; they also said it could discourage enrollment at higher-cost institutions. Supporters from Minnesota State argued the cap would improve fairness because students at lower-tuition institutions are effectively capped lower, while students at more expensive institutions receive larger awards, and they said the legislature should intervene in a variable that has grown substantially over time. Committee members questioned how the cap would work and whether it was tied to the Twin Cities campus rate. Testifiers clarified that the state grant formula is tied to the University of Minnesota level, but because Minnesota State institutions are below that level, the cap effectively limits their students to their own lower tuition while allowing higher awards at the University of Minnesota and private colleges. No formal vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the chair indicated the committee would continue with item-by-item review of the remaining parameter changes and hear additional testimony from agencies and institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that, I take, it includes technicals? Technicals, yes. That I take it includes technicals.
• Technicals, yes. Okay.
• We talked about the GPS program, community-based residential reentry programs, sober housing programs
• The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office has a program for us, a residential program, the Rocky Hill program
• The Hampshire County Sheriff's Office has a program for us, a residential program, the Rocky Hill program

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Criminal Justice Reform 3.0 heard a presentation from the Massachusetts Parole Board focused on consolidation, cooperation, and evidence-based supervision across the correctional system. Parole Board Chair Angela Gomez-June described the board’s mission, its coordination with the Department of Correction, houses of correction, courts, probation, law enforcement, victim services, and UMass partners, and outlined 2024 activity including 2,810 institutional release hearings, 18,238 victim notifications, 53 pardon petitions, 70 commutation petitions, 41 early termination applications, and supervision of 2,993 parolees. She emphasized the board’s shift toward individualized, data-driven decision-making, including revised GPS use, graduated sanctions, and more service-oriented community supervision. Members and sheriffs pressed for clearer breakdowns of the board’s data, including the difference between releases, hearings, and active supervision; average length of supervision; the share of lifers in the caseload; and how many people are placed in housing, employment, and treatment. The board said its active supervised population fluctuates around 1,600 to 1,800, with more than 400 lifers, and that about 30 to 36 percent of its population is housed through programs such as MASH, community justice resource centers, and sheriff-run residential programs like Rocky Hill and HOPE. Members also discussed parole refusals, noting that some individuals decline parole to avoid supervision or to serve time inside instead, and asked for a more detailed breakdown of those cases. The board and commission also discussed collaboration with DOC and UMass on risk assessment, reentry planning, and community pathways, including a tablet video explaining the parole process and pharmacist support for medication-related drug test issues. The board reported that after the SJC’s Matus decision, 210 individuals were identified as affected, 144 were immediately eligible for hearings, 100 hearings had been completed, and 10 more were scheduled; it also said clemency and commutation work had been slowed by staffing and Matus-related demands. The meeting ended with a request for follow-up data on outcomes, supervision lengths, housing and employment placements, and other consolidated statistics, and the commission announced its next public hearing for March 9 at 10 a.m. before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:53.840> bill, one, the DOR policy and technical bill, one, the DOR policy and technical
• <00:04:26.680> or don't regard as technical or don't regard as technical or or<00:04:27.960
• with with your policy and technical with with your policy and technical bills.<00:04:59.120>
• uh staff concurs that this technical uh staff concurs that this technical change<00:08:26.640>
• It's program has not been successful.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SEGIP, policy changes, and technical changes.
• state employee group insurance program state employee group insurance program or<00:02:00.320>
• or CGI policy changes and technical or CGI policy changes and technical changes.<00:02:04.640>
• Thank you. the technical ch changes. It removes the technical ch changes.
• corrections made by and any technical corrections made by staff. staff. staff.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• the UI program is now.
• As you mentioned, the High Road program is a one-time funded grant program. Right.
• Those staff are dedicated to providing technical assistance to grantees in those programs.
• several years: the youth apprenticeship program, the women's apprenticeship program.
• several years: the youth apprenticeship program, the women's apprenticeship program.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee heard a series of labor and public employment budget items. The first issue focused on EDD Next modernization, where EDD described progress on online claims, call center upgrades, fraud prevention, language access, and the phased Integrated Claims Management System. The LAO urged closer legislative oversight as the project enters a more difficult phase, and members questioned the schedule, cost, change orders, fraud reduction, stress testing, and the reasons for re-phasing unemployment insurance behind disability and paid family leave. EDD said the overall project cost remains about $1.2 billion, that it has no major cost overruns, and that it has saved more than $20 million by moving some shared customer portal work into ICMS. The committee also received updates on SB 1090 implementation timing, SB 1058 demographic data confidentiality, and SB 590 outreach concerns. The committee then reviewed the California Workforce Development Board’s request to reduce staffing over five years as one-time grant workloads wind down, along with trailer bill language to streamline reporting requirements. Members questioned the large staffing reduction in light of the board’s grant administration role and asked about the High Road Construction Careers Program, AI-related workforce needs, and the impact on reentry programs. The administration and Finance said the positions were added for surge grant work and are being phased down as those grants close, while the LAO had no objection to the reporting streamlining proposal. A major portion of the hearing addressed the Department of Industrial Relations, especially the Subsequent Injury Benefits Trust Fund trailer bill. DIR and the LAO said SIBTF applications, backlog, and liabilities have grown rapidly, with liabilities projected around $30 billion by 2030 if no changes are made. The administration’s reforms would tighten eligibility, apply the new standards to open cases, and use QME reports and contemporaneous evidence to document preexisting disabilities; DIR said this would reduce employer costs and help return the program to its original intent. Members raised concerns about fairness to pending claimants, the effect on workers with undocumented conditions, and the interaction with another bill moving through policy committees. The committee also discussed eliminating vacant DIR positions, adding Cal/OSHA Bureau of Investigation staff to handle fatality and serious injury cases, and making permanent the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board change that starts the 60-day reconsideration clock when a case is transmitted rather than when the petition is filed. Finally, DIR requested a larger apprenticeship training grant augmentation to raise annual grants from $3 million to $20 million, citing available fund balances and construction workforce needs.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, a part of that work was seeing the program approval of around 630 teacher preparation programs.
• approval of around 630 teacher program approval of around 630 teacher lure<00:33:13.519> programs
• And so we're their lensure program.
• . program. program.
• exception of career and techn technical exception of career and techn technical education<01:43:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all