Transcript Highlights:

• controls, and that these internal controls or practices could also be of benefit to regional transportation
• We have a director of internal controls that I created.
• of preparing for this, it does look like there's kind of been some grand jury concerns about the internal
• And then the public can look at that and decide whether those internal controls and commitments are sufficient
• In addition, one of the things I did want to point out, in addition to the BSCC's own internal controls

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests. The State Auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, with several expected to be published over the coming months, and noted that litigation is delaying the Huntington Beach air show audit. The committee approved a consent calendar of four audit requests covering UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then heard Assembly Member DeMaio’s request for an audit of SANDAG’s road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to restore public trust and examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly handled. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency manages many funding sources, undergoes frequent audits, and has strengthened internal controls; they said the requested review would be duplicative of existing oversight. After debate, the committee voted the request down. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, focusing on whether grantees and BSCC are accurately reporting outcomes and recidivism data and whether oversight is sufficient. BSCC said the program already has multiple oversight layers, including Controller audits, and cited reported improvements in homelessness, employment, and recidivism outcomes. The committee approved the audit. Finally, Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight was heard, with supporters citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network problems, and retirees’ out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently ran an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that it uses performance guarantees. The committee approved that audit as well, then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• We'll pick 20 internal control changes or recommendations that have come from the OA to a department
• </c> there are recommendations for internal there are recommendations for internal controls<00:01:30.400
• to be made uh we'll pick 20 20 controls to be made uh we'll pick 20 20 internal<00:01:34.119><c> control
• </c><00:01:34.759><c> changes</c><00:01:35.280><c> or</c> internal control changes or internal control
• </c><00:08:39.640><c> controls</c> Financial practices internal controls Financial practices internal

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm assistant commissioner with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• For the record, my name is Kirk Kadelka with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
• </c><00:21:14.240><c> agency</c> alcam Minesota Pollution Control agency alcam Minesota Pollution Control
• Chair and committee members, it's because of those internal components.
• </c> shedding p through those internal shedding p through those internal combustion<00:26:15.520><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Residential Code, or IRC; the International Existing Building Code, or IEBC; and the International Energy
• I will be using in this presentation, the International Building Code, or IBC, the International Residential
• Code, or I-R-C, the International Existing Building Code, or I-E-B-C, the International Energy Conservation
• controls and renewable energy control requirements found in Sections C-405 and C-406, reducing unnecessary
• Building Code, International Residential Code, and International Energy Conservation Code.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So we focus a lot on internal controls, and Ms.
• So we focus a lot on internal controls, and Ms.
• So we focus a lot on internal controls, and Ms.
• </c><00:26:03.600><c> controls</c> bit when we talk about internal controls bit when we talk about internal
• of</c> all the internal controls and all of all the internal controls and all of these<00:28:07.279>

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It involves developing and implementing specific internal controls for each of our programs.
• You need to have different internal control approaches for the different types of programs that one has
• It involves developing and implementing specific internal controls for each of our programs.
• It involves developing and implementing specific internal controls for each of our programs.
• It involves developing and implementing specific internal controls for each of our programs.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• I controlled my money. DOT controlled theirs for when they're reviewing our work.
• One of the other things was having a detailed traffic control plan.
• One of the other things was having a detailed traffic control plan.
• Doesn't mean that the chair is doing a good job of controlling the time.
• Doesn't mean that the chair is doing a good job of controlling the time.

Committees: Joint Transportation , Joint Joint Transportation Committee

Summary: The committee met in the Quad Cities area and first heard a joint presentation from public works directors from Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland on regional transportation priorities, challenges, and project delivery. The cities said their priorities align with JTC goals such as safety, multimodal access, climate resilience, and economic development. They highlighted regional coordination through the Benton-Franklin Council of Governments and Good Roads, use of multiple funding sources including TIB, REIT, impact fees, transportation benefit districts, and tax increment financing, and a shared approach to Vision Zero, complete streets, ADA access, and active transportation planning. They also described major projects such as Richland’s downtown connectivity and SR 240/Aaron Drive improvements, Kennewick’s Columbia Center Boulevard corridor and rail study, Pasco’s Court/Road 68, Sylvester Street, Broadmoor interchange, and north-south bridge concepts, and West Richland’s SR 224 Red Mountain project. The directors also described common obstacles: rising construction costs, project phasing, permitting and right-of-way delays, utility coordination, pavement preservation needs, and workforce shortages. West Richland emphasized that its SR 224 project stayed on schedule by setting clear roles, maintaining frequent communication, resolving right-of-way issues early, and reducing contractor risk through detailed plans and utility relocation. Committee members asked about sidewalk connections to schools, state-agency right-of-way timelines, apprenticeship utilization, contractor selection, and whether complete streets requirements add burdens. The cities said sidewalk gaps are most common in older infill or unincorporated areas, state right-of-way processes can be slow, apprenticeship requirements are generally built into funded projects but are hard for smaller contractors to meet, and there is no easy fix for low-bid contractors with poor performance histories. After the local presentations, staff introduced a JTC-funded study on transit-oriented development policy, and Urban Institute researcher Yona Freemark presented findings from work covering 33 cities in the Puget Sound, Spokane, and Vancouver regions near rail and bus rapid transit stations. He said Washington faces a severe housing affordability problem, with rising rents and home prices, and that TOD can help connect housing and transit but must be tailored to different market conditions. The study found that higher-cost cities near transit have seen more development but also signs of gentrification and loss of affordable housing, while lower-cost cities have had less development and still face worsening affordability. Freemark identified barriers including high debt and construction costs, limited subsidy resources, high land costs, regulatory and parking requirements, and impact fees, and he said HB 1491 and related legislation may address some zoning and parking constraints. He recommended more targeted state support for neighborhood infrastructure around stations and policies that reflect the different conditions of high- and low-demand communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• Velázquez, each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• Controls.
• Velázquez, each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• Velázquez, each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.
• Velázquez, will each control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. Mr.

Bills: HR818 , HR832 , HR825 , HR828 , HR804 , HR754 , HR788

Keywords: impeachment, judge, criminal conduct, judicial behavior, Supreme Court, assassination attempt, sentencing, ideology, National Chemistry Week, education, STEM careers, science promotion, public engagement, government transparency, communication, House of Representatives, appropriations, furlough, Federal agencies, military service

Transcript Highlights:

• We bring in about 500 to 700 interns every single year.
• It has control drums.
• It has a controlled drums.
• We have interns across the board.
• We have interns across the board.

Summary: The meeting was an extended briefing from Idaho National Laboratory officials on the lab’s mission, its role in nuclear energy research, and the federal push to accelerate advanced reactor deployment. Speakers described INL’s size and capabilities, including test reactors, fuel and materials facilities, cybersecurity and critical infrastructure work, and partnerships with DOE, the NRC, the Department of Defense, and private companies. They emphasized that the lab is supporting both commercial nuclear development and national security work, while also training a large intern workforce. A major theme was the current federal effort to streamline nuclear regulation and speed up licensing and demonstration. The speakers said recent executive orders and DOE/NRC coordination are reducing redundant requirements, shortening environmental review timelines, and aiming for three new nuclear systems to reach criticality by July 4, 2026. They argued that regulatory uncertainty has been a major driver of nuclear cost and that the administration’s actions, along with DOE’s pilot and demonstration programs, are intended to rebuild the domestic supply chain and industrial base. The discussion also focused on advanced reactor types, including small modular reactors, microreactors, molten salt concepts, and liquid-metal designs. Officials said these technologies are being developed for data centers, military bases, remote communities, industrial heat, hydrogen production, and other nontraditional uses. They highlighted several projects and companies, including Oklo, Aalo, Radiant, X-energy, TerraPower, Kairos, and DOE’s MARVEL and Project Pele efforts, and said some reactors are expected to reach criticality or operation in the next few years. Questions from attendees covered safety, public health impacts, materials and heat management, waste or used fuel handling, costs, and whether nuclear could remain competitive against other energy sources; the speakers responded that advanced reactors are designed with passive safety features, that used fuel should be viewed as a resource, and that cost remains highly design- and supply-chain-dependent.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a result of this audit, we did not identify any deficiencies in internal controls or findings that
• No instances of internal control deficiencies identified that would be required to be communicated in
• And it asks the question: Are there any errors, internal control weaknesses, or potential violations
• On these pages, we provide more details on the internal controls.
• On these pages, we provide more details on the internal controls reviewed and the testing performed.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't have selected a better intern. I couldn't have selected a better intern.
• Please recognize my intern Tom Walsh.
• law about which case control or what venue controls, what set of rules control.
• We're doing it... ...venue controls, what set of rules control.
• Speaker. venue controls, what set of rules control. We're doing it to score a political point.

Transcript Highlights:

• and also the gentleman from Texas's intern.
• And do you believe in local control?"
• "That's not because of local control. It's because of control from the federal government.
• But I like local control. I think if St.
• He's our intern, Hayden Close.

Transcript Highlights:

• I couldn't have selected a better intern. I couldn't have selected a better intern.
• Please recognize my intern, Tom Walsh.
• Please recognize my intern, Tom Walsh.
• law about which case controls or what venue controls, what set of rules control.
• which case control or what venue controls, what set of rules control.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the prior day’s journal by a 129-0 vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize Law Enforcement Week, discuss personal health and family matters, and honor colleagues, spouses, interns, and guests in the gallery, including students, community members, and a visiting governor from Uzbekistan. The chamber also received Senate messages on House Bill 1871 and House Bill 2818, and fiscal review committee reports recommending passage of several deferred bills, including Senate Bills 953, 1470, and 1871, and House Bill 1940. The House agreed to conference requests on Senate Bills 835 and 1111 and on Senate Bill 1020, the latter a Department of Revenue bill focused on customer service and inspection language. Senate Bill 977 and 1011, dealing with limits on international organizations and foreign law, drew extended debate. Supporters argued the bill would protect Missouri from foreign or international mandates and foreign laws that conflict with constitutional rights, while opponents said such bodies already lack authority in Missouri and warned the bill was unnecessary, politically motivated, and could create problems for forum non conveniens and private arbitration. The bill ultimately passed 99-45. House Bill 1470, revising legislative research and statutory publication procedures, was amended on the floor to remove privacy-sensitive provisions and change a state auditor duty from mandatory to permissive; a later amendment to alter committee composition was defeated 50-94. The bill then passed 148-1. House Bill 1940, the newspaper/public notice bill, was adopted and finally passed 142-1 with two present. House Bill 1871, an elections administration bill, was also taken up with debate over added Senate language, including campaign finance and election testing provisions; discussion continued near the end of the transcript, with no final vote shown before the excerpt ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Often these investigations will reveal internal control weaknesses within our system, for which we make
• Often these investigations will reveal internal control weaknesses within our system, for which we make
• Often these investigations will reveal internal control weaknesses within our system, for which we make
• Often these investigations will reveal internal control weaknesses within our system, for which we make
• </c> internal controls Mr chair that internal controls Mr chair that concludes<00:21:56.880><c> my</c

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> 20</c> Walkenshaw, each will control 20 Walkenshaw, each will control 20 minutes.<03:58:38.800><
• international airports start more international airports start participating<04:32:24.720><c> in</c>
• I urge my on international flights.
• ><c> next</c><04:42:36.400><c> severe</c> cannot control when the next severe cannot control when the
• </c> national or those international threats. national or those international threats.

Bills: HB8897 , HB3106 , HR1398 , HB8738 , HB3535 , HB7574 , HB8535 , HB8168 , HB9388 , HB9391 , HB8874 , HB9328 , HB8770 , HB7809 , HB6332

Keywords: FEC, Federal Election Commission, campaign finance, electioneering communications, political committees, electronic filing, e-filing, disclosure reports, campaign reporting, disbursements, checkless payments, payment methods, administrative reform, election law, FECA, 52 U.S.C. 30104, 52 U.S.C. 30102, campaign administration, political spending, Department of Homeland Security

Transcript Highlights:

• International human rights groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have as well.
• Davids, each will control 20 minutes. Mr.
• DAVIDS, EACH WILL CONTROL 20 MINUTES. MR.
• Figures, will control 20 minutes each. Mr.
• Figures, each will control 20 minutes. The Chair—Mr. Figures, each will control 20 minutes.

Bills: HB2181 , HB1510 , HR1000 , HB3425 , HB3424 , HB3428 , HB3423 , HB3055 , HB2591 , HB4550

Keywords: Inspectors General, removal standard, government oversight, accountability, transparency, IG, watchdogs, federal oversight, executive branch, presidential removal, for-cause removal, independent oversight, anti-corruption, waste fraud and abuse, malfeasance, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, inefficiency, neglect of duty

Transcript Highlights:

• As you can imagine, there are lots of national, international auditing companies.
• This audit process is based on international consulting standards.
• In addition to strengthening the controls in the areas noted, In addition to strengthening the controls
• There was, in some instances, a lack of control.
• In some instances, there was a lack of control.

Summary: The subcommittee heard two Department of Children and Families implementation updates on measures passed in prior sessions. First, DCF reviewed House Bill 633, which increased oversight of behavioral health managing entities through biennial independent audits, standardized claims-based reporting, and new monthly outcome dashboards. The department said it had awarded the inaugural audit to Ernst & Young, found no significant waste, fraud, or abuse, but identified process risks involving financial controls, claims validation, data access, and system access controls. DCF also described its transition to standardized behavioral health coding and said the new public dashboard of 11 measures is posted on its website, though members asked for easier access and for hard copies of the audit report. Members asked about how the department distinguishes Medicaid-covered services from department-funded services, how duplicate payment risks are being addressed, and whether the new reporting and audit requirements would improve oversight without disrupting services. DCF said it is the payer of last resort for uninsured or underinsured individuals, that some overlap with Medicaid is expected because Medicaid does not cover all behavioral health services, and that new claims edits and cross-checks are being built into the system. The department also said it had not found significant negative feedback from providers and that the new requirements are intended to improve transparency and accountability. DCF then updated the committee on Senate Bill 7012, covering human trafficking data collection, domestic violence center certification, limited background-screening exemptions, expanded recruitment for child welfare staff, subcontractor liability protections, a four-year treatment foster care pilot, case management efficiency recommendations, and a statewide study of residential bed capacity for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The department said several items are already complete or underway, including limited exemptions in the screening clearinghouse, while others are in procurement or rulemaking. It identified Circuits 4 and 12 as the treatment foster care pilot sites and said the pilot will launch in January 2026. Members questioned recruitment metrics, pilot timing, and report deadlines; the department said final reports are expected by January and that some dates were flexible because of procurement and implementation timelines. The meeting ended after the presentations and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• controls or a lack of internal controls.
• </c> so that we can see that those internal so that we can see that those internal controls<00:17:18.040
• </c> decisions as to how well internal decisions as to how well internal controls<00:17:29.400><c> are
• </c> based on the perhaps great internal based on the perhaps great internal controls<00:19:03.600><c
• </c> controls or a lack of internal controls. controls or a lack of internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• , coming from international food producers in China, India, and South America.
• So what can we control?
• So what can we control?
• We do need to look at what's going on with international trade policy.
• I currently serve as president of the International Interior Design Association's International Board

Bills: HB2721 , HB2616

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Business

Keywords: commercial interior designer, interior design licensure, registered interior designer, NCIDQ, Washington State Board for Architects, professional regulation, title protection, firm registration, seal and signature, continuing education, building code, nonstructural interior design, space planning, interior architecture, design profession, public safety, occupational licensing, architects, engineering scope, permit review

Transcript Highlights:

• Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and Tampa International
• Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and Tampa International
• Airport, Orlando International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, and Tampa International
• I mean, we're at Orlando International.
• of international passengers, there’s an expectation in the international world of a certain level of

Committee: Senate Transportation

Summary: The Transportation Committee met to consider two bills and then held a lengthy discussion on Florida airport infrastructure. SB 246, presented by Senator Rodriguez on behalf of Senator Gruters, would authorize a UFC specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the UFC Foundation’s charitable work. A UFC Foundation representative described community beneficiaries and said the plate would help raise funds for local charities. With no questions or debate, the committee voted SB 246 favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7012, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles public-records exemption bill that would remove the October 1, 2026 repeal date for certain active investigatory records. Senator Avila moved to submit it as a committee bill, there was no objection, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The remainder of the meeting focused on the Comprehensive Airport Infrastructure Program. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue outlined Florida’s aviation system, the department’s airport funding programs, and the state’s role as a financial partner in safety, capacity, preservation, and economic development projects. He said Florida has 128 public-use airports, 21 commercial-service airports, and four large-hub airports, and noted that airport funding is largely supported by gas-tax-related revenues, with additional support from documentary stamp revenue and other fees. He also discussed the new airport infrastructure planning requirements created last session and said all required airports had submitted plans. Committee members asked about the loss of aviation fuel tax revenue, workforce development, project timelines, and how FDOT prioritizes funding, with Perdue emphasizing safety, preservation, capacity, economic return, and matching funds. A panel from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa international airports then described major capital programs, passenger growth, and funding needs. The airports highlighted terminal expansions, parking, baggage systems, airfield rehabilitation, people movers, and other modernization projects, along with the importance of maintaining aging facilities while accommodating growth. They said FDOT and FAA grants are helpful but increasingly insufficient for runway and taxiway costs, and several panelists said passenger facility charges and other revenue tools are important to future self-sufficiency. Members also asked about workforce shortages, small-business participation, landing-fee negotiations, and non-aeronautical revenue. The panel said workforce challenges are most acute in trades and maintenance, small-business programs are active at each airport, and landing fees are negotiated with airlines to keep airports competitive while funding needed improvements.