Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:06.759> there's<00:14:07.079> ups<00:14:07.279> and<00:14:07.480>
• > area<00:14:12.759> um<00:14:13.279> they<00:14:13.480> go<00:14:13.680>
• c><00:14:16.279> risks<00:14:16.639> to<00:14:16.800> the<00:14:16.920> fish<
• you<00:14:19.519> know<00:14:19.639> when<00:14:19.759> you<00:14:19.839>
• 00:14:26.360> can<00:14:26.519> look<00:14:26.639> at<00:14:26.720> a<00:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Minnesota Senate Energy Committee heard Senate File 426, authored by Senator Icorn, which would remove the 100-megawatt cap on hydropower for purposes of qualifying as an eligible energy technology under Minnesota law. Supporters said hydropower is carbon-free, reliable, flexible baseload power that can help Minnesota meet its 100% carbon-free electricity goal by 2040. Testifiers from Missouri River Energy Services and Minnesota Power described existing hydropower resources, including allocations from federal Missouri River dams, Minnesota hydro stations, and Manitoba Hydro, and argued that the bill would preserve and expand options for clean energy development. Several members raised concerns about the bill’s purpose and potential environmental impacts. Senator McEwen questioned why the size limit should be removed without specific proposed projects or more information about the need for larger dams, citing concerns about fisheries, water resources, and land use. Senator Port and others asked about costs, environmental effects, and where new projects might be built. In response, supporters said the bill is intended to open the door to future projects and allow agencies to review proposals through existing permitting and environmental processes, rather than approving any specific dam. Committee members offered mixed reactions. Senator Frentz said he supported the concept but recommended laying the bill over for further discussion and possibly sending it to the Environment Committee, noting environmental concerns and the need for more conversation. Senator Gruenhagen strongly supported the bill, arguing that it merely lifts a cap while leaving permitting and review requirements in place. Senator Hoffman also supported the bill, saying current policy blocks consideration of new projects and that the change would allow regulators to evaluate proposals on their merits. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the bill was left open for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• We bring a lot of people in in October for about two weeks, 14 days if the weather's good, maybe 20.
• thanks<00:14:10.160> yes<00:14:10.480> but<00:14:10.680> because<00:14:10.920><
• > GNA<00:14:22.399> I'm<00:14:22.480> going<00:14:22.560> to<00:14:22.680
• 14:24.839> move<00:14:25.000> on<00:14:25.240> let<00:14:25.360> me<00:14
• <00:14:27.160> to<00:14:27.360> put<00:14:27.600> this<00:14:27.880> law<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So<00:14:04.880> MA<00:14:05.199> was<00:14:05.440> began<00:14:06.560> uh
• <00:14:11.519> social<00:14:11.760> impacts<00:14:12.079> of<00:14:12.240>
• > Uh<00:14:13.680> we<00:14:13.839> are<00:14:14.000> based<00:14:14.079>
• > and<00:14:26.079> deliver<00:14:26.480> realtime<00:14:27.120> data<00:14:
• include urine,<00:14:43.600> saliva,<00:14:44.240> blood<00:14:45.040> to<00:14

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, with Chair Dela Alani framing the discussion around emergency preparedness, recovery, and lessons for future disasters. The main presentation came from researchers involved in the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, who described the project as a grassroots academic-community partnership that has enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for health screenings, social assessments, and biomonitoring. They said the study has documented elevated mental and physical health conditions, housing instability, unemployment, barriers to care, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, while also noting some modest improvement in adult mental health and self-rated health compared with the prior year. The presenters emphasized that wildfire impacts remain severe two years later. They reported that about half of adult participants had worsening health since the fires, roughly 40% had direct or frequent fire exposure, and many adults showed chronic disease burdens such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory impairment. They also said about half of adult survivors reported depressive symptoms, about a quarter had moderate to severe anxiety, more than 4% had considered suicide in the prior month, and nearly one in four had PTSD. A clinician from the Lahaina Certified Community Behavioral Health Center described the clinic’s no-turn-away model, with case management, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for anyone who needs it, and urged lawmakers to fund and expand that approach. The researchers also highlighted environmental findings, saying urine testing of more than 1,200 adults found heavy metal signatures that differed between burn-zone residents and those on the perimeter, with higher levels associated with displacement and ash re-exposure. They said about 20% of participants had higher-than-expected heavy metal levels 6 to 12 months after the fires, and cited a negative association between nickel levels and lung function. They argued for long-term monitoring, better cleanup methods, and a centralized health surveillance system tied to community outreach. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the briefing; the chair said the presentation materials and related reports would be posted for public access, and members were invited to ask questions after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Policy these<00:14:04.079> uh<00:14:04.240> deaths<00:14:04.480> on<00:14:04.720
• And<00:14:06.399> finally,<00:14:07.839> um<00:14:08.160> it<00:14:08.399>
• <00:14:13.120> And<00:14:13.279> I<00:14:13.519> want<00:14:13.600> to
• And so so far we launched our<01:14:18.640> pilot<01:14:19.280> in<01:14:19.679> October
• /c><01:14:21.840> of our pilot in October 1st as one part of our pilot in October 1st as one part

Bills: HF3429, HF3418, HF3431, HF1597

Keywords: intelligent speed assistance, transportation, speeding offenses, public safety, license restrictions, speed control, pedestrian safety, traffic safety, roadway improvements, nonmotorized transportation, crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, complete streets, Vision Zero, Toward Zero Deaths, MnDOT, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, local road authority

Transcript Highlights:

• submit a<00:14:01.560> capital<00:14:01.880> budget<00:14:02.279> request<00:14:
• <00:14:04.839> session<00:14:05.320> through<00:14:05.639> the<00:14:05.959>
• so we<00:14:09.839> would<00:14:10.079> have<00:14:10.320> that<00:14:10.519>
• <00:14:19.199> uh<00:14:19.360> and<00:14:19.519> the<00:14:19.639> governor<
• uh for<00:14:20.720> funding<00:14:21.240> next<00:14:21.720> next<00:14:22.199>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > yeah<00:14:07.519> it's<00:14:07.680> too<00:14:07.880> soon<00:14:08.279>
• is kind<00:14:15.360> of<00:14:15.399> like<00:14:15.519> the<00:14:15.639>
• /c><00:14:17.959> and<00:14:18.279> what<00:14:18.360> are<00:14:18.480> they
• 14:21.959> this<00:14:22.079> is<00:14:22.440> a<00:14:22.600> productive
• :14:50.159> run<01:14:50.639> at<01:14:51.199> PACE<01:14:51.880> uh<01:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He was released on his recognizance on October 22nd.
• A bench warrant was issued on October 29th.
• He was released on his recognizance on October 22nd.
• He was ordered to report on his recognizance on October 22nd.
• A bench warrant was issued on October 29th.

Bills: SB100

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The first item on our meeting agenda is the approval of our October 21st, 2025 minutes.
• This is a vote to approve the October 21st, 2025 Citizen Commission meeting minutes.
• And then Tuesday, October 20, where we will consolidate our comments and adopt them, as well as adopt
• It directs JLARC to study state and local renewable energy tax rates by October 2031.
• And because 2026 was the last year in that review schedule, in October, you asked that staff begin to

Summary: The Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences met on May 6, 2026, with quorum present and unanimously approved the October 21, 2025 minutes. The Attorney General’s Office then provided its annual open government refresher, covering key points of the Public Records Act and Open Public Meetings Act, including broad disclosure requirements, records retention, response timelines for public records requests, and rules for meetings, special meetings, emergency meetings, and executive sessions. JLARC staff gave a 2026 legislative session update on tax preference bills. They highlighted 20 bills affecting tax preferences, including repeal of the coal-related sales and use tax exemption, changes to data center exemptions, new property tax exemptions for renewable energy facilities and land bank authorities, and a broad tax package in engrossed substitute Senate Bill 6346 that created multiple credits, deductions, and exemptions. Staff also presented the 2026 expedited tax preference review report covering 64 preferences, noting it is based on prior JLARC reviews and Department of Revenue studies and is now available in an interactive searchable format. The commission approved the 2026 public testimony questions without changes and then adopted the 2027–2036 tax preference review schedule, along with a new rolling 10-year schedule that will be updated each May. During discussion, commissioners raised concerns about how preferences are prioritized for full review versus expedited review, especially for older or high-revenue preferences without performance statements, and staff explained that legislative mandates, expiration dates, and workload constraints drive the schedule. The meeting also included a public and staff recognition of Commissioner Grant Forsyth’s 13 years of service and leadership, with remarks praising his collaborative approach and long tenure; the next meeting was set for August 4, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next<00:14:03.040> year<00:14:03.160> we're<00:14:03.320> asking<00:14:03.640>
• :14:05.680> and<00:14:05.800> we'll<00:14:05.920> hope<00:14:06.120> that
• > is<00:14:11.360> universal<00:14:11.960> across<00:14:12.600> all<00:14
• And<00:14:43.839> we<00:14:44.000> used<00:14:44.240> to<00:14:44.320> have
• It could<00:14:49.839> have<00:14:49.920> been<00:14:50.080> some<00:14:50.280><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from its September 24 meeting after a motion and second. It then heard a presentation from New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Secretary Elizabeth Gragensky on that state’s early childhood system and planned universal child care rollout. She described how New Mexico consolidated multiple prenatal-to-age-five programs into a cabinet-level department, expanded pre-K to a longer day, and uses a cost model to set reimbursement rates intended to cover true provider costs, including wages, benefits, occupancy, food, and reserves. She also said the state created an Early Childhood Trust Fund and secured a constitutional amendment to dedicate 0.60% of the land grant permanent fund to early care and education, with the department’s budget growing from about $400 million in 2021 to just under $1 billion this year. Gragensky said families can begin applying for universal child care on November 1, with participation voluntary for both families and providers. She reported that New Mexico is aiming to expand capacity by adding 1,000 registered home providers, 120 group homes, and about 55 more centers, supported in part by a $13 million low-interest loan fund and a request for an additional $20 million. She said the state has seen growth in early childhood professionals, including a 64% increase over the last three to four years, and pointed to reported outcomes such as a 21% increase in literacy and a 75% kindergarten readiness rate, while noting that some measures are new and baseline comparisons are still being developed. Members asked about the funding sources, provider profitability, workforce development, and measurable outcomes. Gragensky said the program is designed to support provider sustainability through rates tied to true cost and includes allowances for sick leave, vacation, benefits, and reserves. She also said maternal labor force participation is 10% higher than the national rate and attributed that in part to child care access. The committee then moved to a separate presentation by Department for Community Based Services Commissioner Lisa Dennis and Division of Family Support Director Roger McCann on anticipated cuts to TANF and SNAP, beginning with an overview of TANF as a federal block grant with a fixed annual Kentucky allocation of about $180.7 million.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:01.759> uh<00:14:01.920> federal<00:14:02.320> funds<00:14:02.720> and
• > we<00:14:07.120> uh<00:14:07.440> have<00:14:07.680> a<00:14:07.920>
• c> uh<00:14:12.639> program<00:14:13.199> to<00:14:13.480> the<00:14:13.680>
• /c><00:14:20.160> ago<00:14:21.079> um<00:14:21.800> and<00:14:22.160> uh
• this<00:14:24.399> time<00:14:24.600> but<00:14:24.759> 13<00:14:25.199>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:14.000> from<00:14:14.320> school<00:14:14.639> because<00:14:15.279>
• In<00:14:20.240> those<00:14:20.480> districts<00:14:20.880> with<00:14:21.360><
• /c><00:14:25.040> have<00:14:25.279> been<00:14:25.440> absent<00:14:26.160>
• activities,<00:14:32.639> and<00:14:32.880> that<00:14:33.120> triggered<00:14:
• :34.320> to<00:14:34.560> lock<00:14:34.800> down<00:14:35.120> our<00:14

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a big decrease, a bigger decrease of over 14% following 1227, in entries into care, and then
• to see the moderation with quarter two and sort of the lag, it was sort of released quarter two in October
• , like late September, early October, or because we felt confident in the quarter three numbers.
• And then the next slide is an open invitation to you all to save the date, October 13th.

Summary: The Senate Human Services Committee held a work session on child welfare dependency, focusing on implementation of HB 1227 (Keeping Families Together) and SB 6109 (the fentanyl response bill), along with related data and system updates. DCYF first reviewed the dependency process, explaining intake, shelter care, fact-finding, disposition, and review hearings, and emphasized that removal standards are separate from service provision and that children may be in-home or out-of-home at different stages. DCYF said 1227 raised the removal threshold to imminent physical harm and strengthened kin placement, with nearly 60% of children now placed with relatives or suitable others. The department also said 6109 directs courts to give great weight to fentanyl’s lethality and added legal liaisons to support staff in court preparation. DCYF presented data showing that entries into out-of-home care declined after 1227 but rose again after 6109, returning close to pre-1227 levels. The agency also reported a sharp increase in reviewable critical incidents in 2022-2025, especially near-fatalities, which it linked to the opioid and fentanyl crisis, parental stress, and system complexity. DCYF said it has responded with statewide Safe Child Councils, staff consultations, hotspot monitoring, and additional training, and noted that some contracted services authorized under 6109 were not implemented because of fiscal constraints. Senators asked about where children are in the process, who participates in court, the timing of data releases, age breakdowns, and geographic hotspots. Advocates and lived-experience witnesses from LCYC and a family intervention clinic argued that 1227 has not prevented courts from removing children when necessary and said the law appropriately requires the state to show a causal link between home conditions and risk. They said 6109 appropriately highlights fentanyl’s danger, but stressed that the larger issue is lack of prevention and treatment resources, inconsistent county-by-county practice, and insufficient supports such as inpatient beds, family treatment, housing, transportation, and third-party safety plan participants. A parent ally described how early support, peer guidance, and kin placement helped her achieve recovery and stability after losing parental rights in an earlier case. The committee also heard an update on SB 6068 from the Administrative Office of the Courts and K Implementation and Evaluation. The report identified 15 dimensions of relational permanency and child well-being, found that some data already exist while other measures need development, and recommended a phased data collection plan, a restored data-sharing agreement between AOC and DCYF, and a standing cross-agency work group. AOC said its dependency data system lapsed when the prior agreement expired in June 2025 and needs to be rebuilt. The meeting also included a brief update on bridge housing for youth exiting inpatient treatment, with presenters saying two programs are now open, one in King County and one in Spokane, and a short introduction to juvenile rehabilitation capacity updates before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• thinks<00:14:24.399> that<00:14:24.480> it<00:14:24.639> might<00:14:24.800
• the<00:14:37.360> best<00:14:37.519> way<00:14:37.600> to<00:14:37.760><
• <00:14:45.040> that,<00:14:45.279> Senator<00:14:45.600> Clark,<00:14:45.839>
• :14:46.880> it's<00:14:47.040> an<00:14:47.199> issue<00:14:47.360> of<00
• <00:14:48.880> local<00:14:49.279> communities,<00:14:49.680> and<00:14:49.839><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Constitution, of the State of New Mexico into a special session at 12 o'clock p.m. on Wednesday, October
• On June 14 this summer, Melissa, her husband Mark, and their golden retriever Gilbert were all murdered
• an adult facility if the child reaches 18 years of age, providing that a serious youthful offender 14

Transcript Highlights:

• Milan<00:14:13.199> Akaka<00:14:13.920> Manfrey<00:14:15.040> for<00:14:15.279
• <00:14:21.440> Members,<00:14:21.839> we<00:14:22.000> are<00:14:22.160>
• 50.399> what<00:14:50.560> why<00:14:50.800> we<00:14:50.959> need<00:14:
• Um well, we<00:14:58.639> think<00:14:58.720> that<00:14:59.120> literacy<00:14:
• October 2025. October 2025.

Bills: HB1559, HB2012, HB2297, HB2122, HB2345, HB2398, HB2534, HB2621

Keywords: telecommunication devices, student use, public schools, student engagement, educational outcomes, confiscation policy, mental health, statewide policy, community literacy, education, Title I funding, reading proficiency, underserved communities, family engagement, tutoring, literacy support, adult education, community education, literacy programs, workforce development

Transcript Highlights:

• > have<00:14:35.279> a<00:14:35.760> um<00:14:36.079> a<00:14:36.320>
• the<00:14:39.199> next<00:14:39.360> five<00:14:39.519> years<00:14:39.760
• so we can<00:14:40.160> make<00:14:40.240> that<00:14:40.480> plan<00:14:40.639
• <00:14:49.040> risk<00:14:49.279> are<00:14:49.519> the<00:14:49.680> two
• > we're<00:14:53.760> going<00:14:53.920> to<00:14:54.160> do<00:14:55.279

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing with the City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on its hazard mitigation plan and recent emergency events on Oahu. Chair Dela Botti opened the meeting by explaining that the briefing was intended to review the mitigation planning process, the city’s hazard mitigation plan, and lessons learned from recent tsunami and wildfire threats, building on earlier briefings with state emergency management and transportation officials. Director Collins and hazard mitigation staff officer Ian Kio presented the plan, describing it as a five-year FEMA-required document focused on reducing long-term risk to people and property, not an operations plan for active disasters. Kio outlined how the plan was developed over roughly 18 months with a core team, steering committee, consultant support, and public input, and said it was formally adopted by the mayor’s office and approved by FEMA in July 2025. He said the updated plan was aligned more closely with the state hazard mitigation plan, expanded to cover 15 hazards including climate change and sea level rise, and organized around hazard risk rankings and mitigation strategies. He identified the highest-risk hazards as climate change and sea level rise, floods, health risks, hurricanes, tsunamis, and wildfires, and said the plan includes short-, medium-, and long-term actions such as education, Firewise community planning, flood mapping, and major infrastructure projects like tsunami walls and street elevation work. He also emphasized that the plan will be maintained with yearly updates and ongoing public feedback. Collins then discussed after-action findings from the July 6 Meli fire and the recent tsunami response, noting that reviews are still ongoing. He said the fire response showed strong initiative and teamwork, including police officers helping with fire suppression support and door-to-door evacuation efforts before firefighters arrived, and a staff duty officer who initiated a wireless emergency alert without waiting for higher-level direction. He said these actions reflected a culture of rapid decision-making when lives are at stake. Collins also urged residents to prepare by making family plans, gathering supplies, checking flood and tsunami risk maps, retrofitting homes, and obtaining insurance before disasters occur. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the informational briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• By October 1, 2025, all agency regulatory plans must include a list of all existing rules and a five-year
• Beginning October 1, 2025, each agency issuing licenses is required to track the agency's compliance
• And beginning October 1, 2026, each agency must include in its regulatory plan specific information regarding
• Beginning October 1, 2025, each agency issuing licenses is required to track the agency's compliance
• And beginning October 1, 2026, each agency must include in its regulatory plan specific information regarding

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met for its first meeting of the session, took roll, and heard a presentation from Ken Plant of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee on SB 108, the 2025 law overhauling Florida rulemaking. The presentation focused on new deadlines for agencies to begin and publish rules, limits on automatic sunset provisions, changes to emergency rule procedures, expanded public input on statements of estimated regulatory costs, a five-year review cycle for existing rules, and new licensing-reporting requirements. Members asked about the review timeline and emphasized the need to keep agencies accountable for meeting the new requirements. The committee then reviewed the Department of Management Services’ response to Auditor General Report 2025-1096 on fleet management. DMS said the audit found 10 issues, most of which it believes it has addressed, and described the statewide fleet system as tracking about 27,000 assets with limited staff. DMS highlighted two major improvement ideas that would require funding: an enterprise telematics system to automate vehicle data and improve tracking, and centralized fleet procurement to reduce duplication and save money. Members questioned the status of FleetWave implementation, missing vehicle records, integration with other state systems, and access controls for separated employees. DMS explained that FleetWave is fully implemented but still relies on manual data entry, that discrepancies with the state accounting system largely reflect mismatched or inconsistent entries, and that policies and procedures were updated after the audit. The department said it now works more closely with People First to deactivate access when employees leave. After discussion, no further business was raised, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• agencies to perform criminal history checks and send that information back to authorized agents until October
• The SCR still pauses the new fingerprint resubmission requirement until October 21st and no longer creates
• Cullen Brooks Manual was only 14 years old when his life was tragically taken in a hit-and-run crossing
• Cullen Brooks Manual was only 14 years old when his life was tragically taken in a hit-and-run crossing

Bills: SR146, SCR12, HB221, HCR115, HCR116, HCR58, HB1, HB312, HB313, HB314, HB383, HB983, HB1126, HCR3, HB2, HB3, SCR3, SB56, SCR9, SCR58, SB35, SB65, SB215, SB246, SB249, SB269, SB282, SB296, SB323, SB363, SB369, SB474, SB490, SB492, SB500, SB514, HCR27, HCR28, HCR66, HCR67, HCR72, HCR5, HCR32, HCR49, HCR50, HCR53, HCR60, HCR62, HCR64, HCR68, HCR78, HCR81, HCR86, HCR97, HCR102, HCR31, HCR47, HB476, HB481, HB487, HB492, HB549, HB579, HB608, HB621, HB624, HB626, HB632, HB637, HB656, HB722, HB745, HB804, HB818, HB821, HB833, HB864, HB867, HB874, HB893, HB909, HB951, HB968, HB969, HB978, HB979, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1005, HB1007, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1051, HB1056, HB1059, HB1077, HB1080, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1112, HB1153, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1193, HB1204, HB1218, HB1242, HB1244, HB1249, HB1252, HB1254, HB42, HB45, HB71, HB79, HB158, HB160, HB169, HB227, HB251, HB289, HB330, HB394, HB410, HB429, HB769, HB971, HB1017, HB1234, HB1235, HB9, HB177, HB181, HB202, HB223, HB225, HB387, HB398, HB457, HB459, HB540, HB591, HB616, HB766, HB775, HB783, HB895, HB906, HB950, HB975, HB1052, HB1057, HB1076, HB1100, HB1139, HB1155, HB1160, HB1182, HB1186, HB1220, HB1223, HB1224, HB1228, HB1231, HB1245, HB1256, HB17, HB27, HB36, HB41, HB47, HB73, HB126, HB133, HB140, HB159, HB166, HB205, HB211, HB226, HB259, HB271, HB308, HB310, HB324, HB337, HB351, HB399, HB403, HB571, HB712, HB723, HB726, HB740, HB750, HB759, HB812, HB844, HB966, HB1006, HB1009, HB1018, HB1036, HB1038, HB1107, SB29, SB42, SB78, SB208, SB217, SB274, SB300, SB341, SB379, SB382, SB387, SB401, SB441, SB449, SB487, HB74, HB134, HB258, HB359, HB468, HB956, HB1117, SB43, SB149

Keywords: SR146, Senate Resolution 146, Louis Thomas Nelson, Thomas Nelson, condolences, memorial resolution, tribute, obituary, public service, St. Martinville, Cade, St. Martin Parish, police juror, mayor, community center, water system, school bus driver, school board, Louisiana Senate, sympathy

Summary: The Senate opened with roll call, a prayer by campus pastor Anthony Brown, and the Pledge of Allegiance. After the journal was read, the chamber took up a series of resolutions and bills, beginning with measures directing studies on mineral servitudes, student non-enrollment determinations, autism services, school nurse orientation, declining school enrollment, behavioral health and homelessness, floodplain map updates, opioid treatment in correctional facilities, oversized vehicle permits, rural economic development, hunting education in schools, and fraud prevention for seniors. Several local and commemorative resolutions were also adopted, including Tangipahoa Parish Fair Day, recognition of Lane Frenchy Boudreau’s military service, and a memorial resolution honoring Bob Bowman. Personal privilege remarks also recognized festival royalty, the Westlake High School baseball team, Dr. E. Joseph Savoy, and 101-year-old Thelma Smith Williams. The Senate concurred in or adopted numerous House concurrent resolutions, often after brief explanations and, in some cases, amendments. These included measures on criminal history background checks for ambulance personnel, autism support services, school nurse orientation, acute care access for individuals with developmental disabilities, child abuse reporting training, physical therapy student loan eligibility, migratory waterfowl research, and a task force on senior fraud prevention. The chamber also adopted resolutions related to seafood competitiveness, bridge backup motors, I-12 improvements, and a Louisiana Energy Protection Act-style climate litigation measure, along with a resolution supporting Preeclampsia Day and a new Woman’s Hospital initiative. The Senate then moved through a long calendar of House bills on third reading and final passage. Bills passed included measures on Safe Haven Law postings in schools, official journal pricing, the Governor’s Task Force on Impaired Driving, the Bayou Growth Opportunity Workforce Program, sexual assault survivor rights, intercollegiate athletics revenue-sharing records, renewable energy recycling, school emergency operations plans, the Louisiana FIRST data system, oilfield site restoration fees, inmate programming, automatic reinstatement of suspended driver’s licenses, special vehicle permits, climate-change damages, the Louisiana Center for State Schools, the Sexual Assault Survivor Empowerment Task Force, fire limits, police chief appointment in Folsom, digitized credentials, Sewage and Water Board procurement, behavioral health crisis insurance coverage, the Louisiana Talent Accelerator Office, indigent defender fee thresholds, prestige license plates, public license tag agent fees, highway naming, public defender terminology cleanup, an improvement district in Orleans Parish, a Democratic Party license plate, DWI-related substance definitions, commercial driver’s license rules, and a Shreveport demolition/local property bill. Several measures drew debate, especially HB 608 on athletics revenue-sharing transparency, which passed 32-13 after concerns about public records and taxpayer transparency. The final bill mentioned, HB 1059 on TOPS math requirements, was introduced at the end of the transcript but its disposition was not shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• This year, comparing from 26 to 27. we are relatively about 14 million.
• That was done at the request of the LFC committee when we met back in October.
• Earlier, back in October, we were asked to come back with a revised request.
• Well, I I just explained that we're down 6 FTEs in our financial audit division out of a total of 14.

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Transcript Highlights:

• As many of you know, we traditionally host a biannual event in October.
• As many of you know, we traditionally host a biannual event in October at the State House.
• And, as the chair just mentioned, certainly our upcoming event in October.
• Again, please think of the planning committee for the October event.
• Again, please think of the planning committee for the October event.

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Summary: The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual/in-person meeting and approved the December minutes. The chair announced plans for the next “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Lowell on March 27, in partnership with MassAbility, focused on digital accessibility, education-to-employment transition, workforce supports, long-term services and supports, and health equity, along with a resource fair. The commission also began planning for its October National Disability Employment Awareness Month event and sought volunteers for a small planning group. The meeting featured an update from the Attorney General’s office on federal litigation affecting Massachusetts, including challenges to federal actions on higher education diversity data collection and DEI-related funding conditions, immigration/TPS for Haitians, NIH research grant disruptions, and the nonrenewal of mental health services grants for schools. The presenter said the state has helped protect more than $3 billion in federal funding and noted ongoing or pending appeals in several cases. Commissioners asked about possible impacts on disability-related DEI work and Medicaid; the AG’s office said guidance on DEIA/employment initiatives is available and that the state is closely monitoring federal Medicaid communications and coordinating with the governor’s office. Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler and apprenticeship liaison Amara Riemann presented on registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, emphasizing paid, employer-driven pathways with classroom instruction and wage progression. They highlighted growth in nontraditional fields such as human services, IT, early education, biotech, and banking, and described Bridgewater State University’s Excel program for neurodivergent people and people with disabilities as a model that can lead from pre-apprenticeship to apprenticeship. Commissioners discussed expanding similar models through community colleges and disability-focused workforce pipelines. Subcommittee reports covered disability employment, long-term services and supports, and health equity. The employment subcommittee heard from CED on state disability employment initiatives and planned future presentations from the Lawrence Partnership for Transition to Employment and Veterans Affairs. The long-term services and supports subcommittee discussed MassHealth budget pressures, anticipated federal Medicaid changes, the personal care attendant working group, and an upcoming discussion on crisis standards of care. In commissioner announcements, members highlighted recent honors for several commissioners, updates on municipal digital accessibility grants, a June Medicaid summit, and other commission activities. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.