Transcript Highlights:

• First quarter contact volume has nearly doubled since 2020, with housing-related requests increasing
• During periods of emergency and disruption, most notably in 2022, contact volume surged dramatically,
• This one-time investment ensures that when someone reaches out for help, Minnesotans is is volume has
• nearly doubled since 2020 volume has nearly doubled since 2020 with<01:42:55.240> housing-related
• <01:43:06.400> surged<01:43:06.720> dramatically, contact volume surged dramatically

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's like canola was purchased in large volume by Japan when Canada developed it as an alternative to
• So you've got high volume products and They're not going to Minnesota first, but we go to Minnesota first
• So you've got high volume products and Iowa and, you know, around the region, Iowa and, you know, around
• So<01:05:37.119> you've<01:05:37.359> got<01:05:37.520> high<01:05:37.760> volume
• <01:05:38.160> products<01:05:39.119> and So you've got high-volume products, and you

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:24:38.400> the We don't know at this point what the We don't know at this point what the volume
• 24:40.000> either<00:24:40.320> for<00:24:40.480> an<00:24:40.640> RFP volume
• of applicants either for an RFP volume of applicants either for an RFP or<00:24:41.360> an<00
• <00:26:41.440> of<00:26:41.600> participation didn't see the volume of participation
• didn't see the volume of participation in<00:26:42.400> in<00:26:42.720> one<00:26:42.960

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But this data speaks volumes.
• But this data speaks volumes.
• But this data speaks volumes.
• But this data speaks volumes.
• But this data speaks volumes.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• just by the numbers, because I think it's important to remember what this actually meant in terms of volumes
• so that terms of kind of just volumes so that the<01:13:33.679> comm<01:13:34.000> so<
• That means that we've always had to sort of surge our volumes, which doesn't lend itself to solving a
• <01:19:22.239> of<01:19:22.480> surge<01:19:23.040> our<01:19:24.000> volumes
• always had to sort of surge our volumes always had to sort of surge our volumes um<01:19:25.520>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Several counties did experience a high volume of absentee ballots that were returned during this period
• several counties did experience<00:52:19.640> a<00:52:19.839> high<00:52:20.040> volume
• a high volume of absentee ballots<00:52:21.559> that<00:52:21.680> were<00:52:22.000><
• /c><01:37:27.719> cases<01:37:28.600> and<01:37:29.440> uh concern about the volume
• of cases and uh concern about the volume of cases and uh the<01:37:29.880> number<01:37:30.400

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security. Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges. Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:37:32.440> that's<00:37:32.720> in<00:37:32.960> the<00:37:33.520> volume
• <00:37:33.800> two lowcost program that's in the volume two lowcost program that's in the
• volume two plan<00:37:34.280> that<00:37:34.400> was<00:37:34.520> submitted<00:
• Can he try turning up his mic volume? We don't hear anything right now.
• turn up your mic volume we we don't hear turn up your mic volume we we don't hear anything<01:13:32.360

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have to spend some additional money on the state side in our fee-for-service program to absorb that volume
• have to spend some additional money on the state side in our fee-for-service program to absorb that volume
• have to spend some additional money on the state side in our fee-for-service program to absorb that volume
• our fif for service program to absorb our fif for service program to absorb that<01:45:34.320> volume
• process<01:45:35.560> those<01:45:35.719> claims<01:45:36.080> and that volume

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee met on January 28, 2025, to review Governor’s budget proposals for several health-related licensing boards. The chair said no formal action would be taken and noted that final budget language was not yet available. The committee began with an overview from Bridget Anderson of the health-related licensing boards, who explained that the boards are fee-funded, operate as independent executive agencies, and handle licensing, complaints, rulemaking, and disciplinary matters. She also noted that the Board of Dentistry’s budget includes the Administrative Services Unit and criminal background check program, which can make the budget graphs appear larger than the dentistry board’s own operations. The Board of Dentistry requested funding for a new administrative staff position, estimating about $100,000 in salary, insurance, and fringe costs, to replace support lost when an administrative position was reclassified. Anderson said the board handled more than 300 complaints last year, with cases becoming more complex, especially involving surgical and implant procedures and imaging. Members asked about dental Medicaid access, but Anderson said that issue would be better directed to DHS’s Medicaid oral health division. The Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy requested a full-time position due to rapid growth in the number of regulated professionals, from about 4,000 in 2014 to nearly 10,000 now, and also sought authority to set a fee for out-of-state applicants under the Counseling Compact, with a cap of up to $100 though the board expects to charge much less. The Board of Podiatric Medicine asked to raise its fee ceiling, saying fees had not been increased since 1999 and that the board now faces a structural deficit of about $40,000 per year and declining reserves. Several senators expressed concern about “not-to-exceed” fee authority, calling it too open-ended and suggesting the legislature should scrutinize specific fee needs rather than approve broad ceilings. Similar concerns were raised during the Board of Chiropractic Examiners presentation, where the board sought $100,000 in additional spending authority and a fee increase after 32 years without an adjustment; members questioned the proposed ceiling approach and asked for more historical information before deciding. The Board of Dietetics and Nutrition Practice also discussed fee-setting authority, with the executive director explaining that the board had previously lowered fees without clear authority and later faced audit questions; she requested funding for a vacant administrative position, saying applications and revenues have increased sharply and no fee increase would be needed. The final presentation began with the Board of Pharmacy, which said it serves more than 26,000 licensees and oversees the Prescription Monitoring Program and opioid product registration. The board requested an extension of previously appropriated general fund dollars through fiscal year 2027 to continue paying legal costs tied to the insulin safety net lawsuit, emphasizing that this was not a new funding request but an extension of existing authority. No votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It speaks volumes about who he was.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FSU Law Review, I'm happy to say that we will actually be featuring a symposium in this upcoming volume

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary met with a quorum present and first considered CS/SB 1356, relating to the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases. Senator Burton explained a delete-all amendment that would create the institute at Florida State University, establish the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program for newborn screening at select sites, and form a Sunshine Genetics Consortium to coordinate researchers and clinicians. The amendment also included $5 million in recurring funding for the institute and $2 million in nonrecurring funding for the pilot program. The committee heard supportive testimony from Gavin Lambert and his mother, who described the benefits of earlier diagnosis for Friedreich’s ataxia, along with support from representatives of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, FSU, BioFlorida, and the Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Senators Berman and Harrell spoke in favor of the bill, emphasizing early detection and collaboration. The amendment was adopted, and CS/SB 1356 was reported favorably on a roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 892, which would codify the Florida State University Election Law Center in statute and make it eligible for recurring funding. Senator Simon said the center was created in 2023 with a $1 million nonrecurring appropriation and that the bill would help sustain its work and attract talent in election law and related fields. Senator Berman asked about current funding and whether the center would be supported through recurring General Appropriations Act funding in the future; Senator Simon responded that the bill would allow it to compete for recurring dollars. Jack Rowan, an FSU law student, testified in support and highlighted the center’s work, including a Bush v. Gore 25th anniversary conference. Professor Michael Morley and Lena Rojas also supported the bill. No opposition was presented, and SB 892 was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Start programs at the federal level are very concerned right now and said, "We've got to push the volume
• got<00:27:29.000> to<00:27:29.440> push<00:27:29.679> the<00:27:30.039> volume
• /c><00:27:30.440> up<00:27:30.600> a<00:27:30.679> little we got to push the volume
• up a little we got to push the volume up a little bit<00:27:31.000> here<00:27:31.120> at<
• in a situation where the Litchfield wastewater public treatment plant cannot adequately handle our volume

Bills: HF919, HF1192, HF212, HF214

Keywords: wastewater, infrastructure, funding, Litchfield, economic development, environmental compliance, Hastings, water treatment, PFAS, nitrates, bonds, capital investment, public health, HF212, Round Lake-Brewster, Independent School District No. 2907, school construction, school building, sales tax exemption, use tax exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• > of<00:19:24.080> tobac<00:19:24.640> of<00:19:24.880> tobacco added volume
• of of tobac of tobacco added volume of of tobac of tobacco sales<00:19:26.000> because<00:19:
• If we increase their um sales volume.
• because they'll want to maintain volume because they'll want to maintain volume as<00:22:38.000>
• The question was asked whether the industry will lower their cost so they don't lose volume.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The current $500 threshold is viewed as administratively unworkable, as it triggers a massive volume
• <03:11:17.439> of triggers a massive volume of triggers a massive volume of documentation
• have<03:11:51.600> to<03:11:51.760> turn<03:11:52.000> over<03:11:52.720> volumes
• ><03:11:53.200> of<03:11:53.359> records<03:11:53.840> for have to turn over volumes
• of records for have to turn over volumes of records for low<03:11:54.720> transactions<03:11:

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Providers reported large volumes of audits, requests, and short amounts of time to turn those files in
• give<01:14:53.280> a<01:14:53.520> scale<01:14:53.760> and<01:14:54.080> volume
• <01:14:54.320> of which would give a scale and volume of which would give a scale and volume
• The ultimate goal is to get Kentucky to the place where you have a volume of data and a quality, consistent
• The ultimate goal is to get Kentucky to the place where you have a volume of data and a quality, consistent

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then approved an agency amendment to a health and family services regulation. The amendment reversed a prior change so that neonatal ICU beds would remain subject to regular review rather than nonsubstantive review. The remaining administrative regulations were then reviewed without objection. The main presentation was from State Auditor Allison Ball on a report finding $836 million in concurrent Medicaid capitation payments from 2019 through 2022, involving individuals enrolled in Kentucky and at least one other state. Ball said Kentucky relied on the PARIS system, which has limitations because it is updated quarterly and depends on voluntary state participation, while a better federal data source, T-MSIS, was not fully available to the state. She said the audit found weak internal controls, siloed processes, outdated guidance, and a low-priority attitude toward residency checks, all of which contributed to missed alerts and improper payments. She also said the report identified additional problems, including payments made after beneficiaries died and cases involving multiple states paying for the same person. Ball recommended better access to federal data, stronger MCO contract provisions, and more active oversight by the Department for Medicaid Services and managed care organizations. She said the contracts reviewed did not provide a clear way to recoup the improper payments, though she and her counsel suggested possible equitable legal theories might be explored. Members expressed concern about the scale of the waste and the lack of contract enforcement, and asked whether any money could be recovered. Ball said the audit did not identify a clear contractual path to recoup the funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that volume, we simply don't have the staff to conduct all those interviews, and I believe it's really
• So that<00:59:41.680> volume that volume that volume we<00:59:43.520> simply<00:59:43.920
• doing a good job promoting the state, and that has resulted in a lot more applications, a lot more volume
• > um<01:26:22.159> is<01:26:22.480> outside<01:26:22.880> of lot more volume
• which um is outside of lot more volume which um is outside of our<01:26:23.199> control.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Labor held an informational briefing on August 22, 2025, to receive an update from DEH on statewide recruitment efforts aimed at reducing vacancies across state departments. Director Hashimoto, joined by DEH staff, presented on two hiring initiatives: Wikiwiki Hire and Operation Hire Hawaii. The committee focused on how each program works, how quickly applications are screened and referred, and how the programs differ from standard recruitment procedures. For Wikiwiki Hire, DEH described it as an accelerated recruitment pathway used mainly for classes with multiple vacancies. DEH screens applications every two weeks, then sends qualified applicants a list of participating departments and recruiter contact information so applicants and departments can connect directly. Committee members asked about effectiveness data, timelines, and whether the process aligns with the merit principle. DEH said the program is intended to speed hiring, that departments are not required to interview every person on a list, and that applicants can be hired as vacancies are filled on a first-come, first-served basis so long as all qualified applicants have the same opportunity. DEH also said it could provide data later and that it is working through a backlog of screenings. The committee then discussed Operation Hire Hawaii, an executive-order-based hiring effort launched in February to expedite hiring, including for displaced federal workers but open to all applicants. DEH reported more than 6,000 applications, 127 recruitments, 81 closed recruitments, and 142 hires, with a goal of conditional offers within two weeks. DEH said it turns applications around daily, while departments do the initial screening, interviews, and hiring decisions, with DEH completing final qualification screening and suitability checks at the end. Members asked about the program’s duration, its low conversion rate, and what happens to applicants who are not hired; DEH said it can refer qualified applicants to other vacancies and that the pilot was originally intended to run about a year, with possible extension if departments want it to continue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, if you make it to Costco, you have that volume, and we're even here at EA.
• <01:34:13.679> and<01:34:14.239> we're Costco you have that volume and we're Costco
• Um, so we do see a pretty high volume of electronic payments, and it's kind of steadied out.
• > paper<02:35:07.600> submissions substantial volume of paper submissions substantial volume
• Um, so we do see a a pretty high volume Um, so we do see a a pretty high volume of<02:35:27.920>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The way that we design a commercial project is you inject a volume of CO2 in, sometimes water as well
• In a conventional field, one volume of CO2, basically half of it will come out. That's reached.
• grain elevators, that the seasonal use of propane for drying, the ability to be able to store larger volumes

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:26:14.840> speaks And again, you know, it it speaks And again, you know, it it speaks volumes
• 16.280> we<00:26:16.480> we<00:26:16.679> haven't<00:26:17.000> heard volumes
• to me that we we haven't heard volumes to me that we we haven't heard anything<00:26:18.000> negative

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Messages 796 and 797, both judicial confirmation nominations, but announced at the outset that no votes would be taken that day. The committee said it would hold the vote the next day in Room 225. For GM 796, Annalisa M. Bernard Lee was nominated to serve as circuit court judge for the Second Circuit (Maui) for a 10-year term. Supporters included former Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald, former judges, attorneys, and the Hawaii State Bar Association, all describing her as fair, hardworking, experienced on both criminal and civil matters, and active in the legal community. Judge Lee testified about her background as a Maui native, former public defender and prosecutor, and current district court judge, and said her experience on all sides of the courtroom shaped her commitment to fairness and access to justice. Senators asked about diversion, sentencing repeat offenders, and the role of a circuit court judge; Lee said she would consider cases individually, support diversion and pretrial collaboration where appropriate, and use judicial power to address underlying problems when possible. For GM 797, Michael K. Soong was nominated to the Fifth Circuit Court for Kauai and Niihau. Former Chief Justice Recktenwald and other supporters praised his long legal career, including service as a prosecutor, district court judge, and acting chief judge during a period when Kauai lacked a full-time circuit judge. They emphasized his courtroom control, common sense, community ties, and willingness to take on extra judicial committee work. Soong testified that he had served as a district court judge since 2017 and had recently been handling circuit court duties, including civil, criminal, and jury trial matters. He described the differences between district and circuit court, his experience presiding over complex trials, and his support for specialty courts such as drug court, veterans court, and mental health calendars. The Hawaii State Bar Association said it found him qualified after its review. No votes were taken on either nomination during this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Volume backs that up. We're working with taxidermists across our state.
• Things are gradually getting smaller due to the high volume of deer that we're carrying in our state.
• That was a 20-mile section that we're seeing that volume of deer.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with roll call, adoption of the agenda, and approval of the prior minutes. The main presentation was from Julie Grenwald of Louisiana Hunters for the Hungry, who described the nonprofit’s protein donation programs, including freezer clean-out days, deer and fish processing partnerships, and a paused feral hog donation program that had collected about 3,500 hogs and 137,000 pounds of pork before funding ran short. She said the group has donated roughly 300,000 pounds of protein over two years, works with food banks and local agencies, and is protected under Louisiana’s Good Samaritan Law. Members asked about processor locations, exotic species, signage, sponsorships, and whether the program could expand to other invasive species or mobile drop-off options; Grenwald said expansion is possible if processors and funding are available. The task force then received a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries update from Jonathan Bordelon on chronic wasting disease testing. He reported more than 2,800 samples collected and over 2,300 results returned, with nine positives total: eight in Tensas Parish and one confirmed in Concordia Parish on Richard K. Yancey WMA, which triggered preparation of an emergency declaration and future rulemaking to adjust the control area. He said harvest and sampling remain near record levels, most samples are voluntary, and the agency continues to monitor symptomatic deer reports and public submissions. The final major presentation was from William McKinley of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, who gave a detailed overview of Mississippi’s CWD response. He said Mississippi has 529 detections across 18 counties, with prevalence rising from about one in 500 samples to about one in 80 statewide, and much higher in some counties. He described Mississippi’s surveillance system, targeted tags within three miles of positives, environmental sampling, feeder bans in CWD zones, and research showing contamination at feeders and in scrapes. He also discussed possible multiple strains, including one linked to the Wisconsin whitetail strain and another around Vicksburg/Issaquena, and said the disease appears to be expanding about 3.5 miles per year. Members asked about high-fence enclosures, live deer movement restrictions, baiting and feeding rules, hunter participation, and whether Louisiana should develop similar environmental testing capacity; no votes were taken on these issues, but members discussed possible future legislative or budget action.

Transcript Highlights:

• The statement of intent of this bill is to reduce the volume of requests for attorney general opinions
• The statement of intent of this bill is to reduce the volume of requests for attorney general opinions
• Well, actually, it's twofold: to reduce the volume by getting the information out early in a parallel

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation, adopted the prior day’s journal, received House messages, and adopted several resolutions and recognitions, including Senate Resolution 496 honoring Leadership Garland and resolutions 503 and 504. The chamber also recognized guests, including a North Dakota senator and the Doctor of the Day, and received gubernatorial nominations for the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board and the Nueces River Authority Board. The Senate then took up and passed a series of bills, often by suspending the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule. Measures approved included SB 614 on Texas Forensic Science Commission referrals to the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs; SB 250 on municipal annexation across railroad rights-of-way; SB 1660 on toxicological evidence retention and destruction procedures; SB 2586 requiring property owners associations to file governing documents with the Texas Real Estate Commission; SB 1588 increasing penalties for certain failures to report child sexual abuse; HB 912 on compensation for distributed renewable generation outside ERCOT; SB 1957 setting eligibility standards for civilian oversight boards; HB 2525 clarifying a charitable property tax exemption; SB 1525 limiting repeated prior authorization for neurodegenerative disease drugs; SB 865 requiring CPR/AED training and cardiac emergency response planning in schools; SB 1212 elevating human trafficking penalties; SB 2690 on solicitations for Secretary of State documents; SB 1802 on landlord repair duties for ramps, elevators, and handrails; SB 905 on licensing rules for speech-language pathologists and audiologists; SB 2929 allowing removal of disruptive spectators at school athletic events; SB 2675 creating a narrow McAllen-specific parkland conveyance exception; SB 872 increasing punishment for burglary of a vehicle involving firearm theft; and SB 1113 clarifying sales rules for certain converter-license holders. Several bills drew extended debate. SB 2487, dealing with crisis and mental health services for homelessness, was amended to make the county model permissive rather than mandatory and to remove state funding/assistance requirements before passing 28-3. SB 2138, barring higher education funds from contracting with firms that boycott fossil fuels through ESG policies, also passed after questions about fiscal effects and First Amendment concerns. SB 2615, restricting remote work at public institutions of higher education, advanced 22-9. The Senate also began consideration of SB 3016, which would expand enforcement tools against local governments that fail to comply with state law, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill is completed.