Transcript Highlights:

• homes, workforce home uh, manufactured homes, workforce home ownership<01:02:18.240> program,
• We are, I believe, ready for a motion.
• Well, let's we're ready for a motion.
• We provide a little bit of money for a project readiness for corridors of commerce project readiness
• highway fund for project readiness highway fund for project readiness activities<01:48:24.800>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Begin when you're ready.
• > ready<00:29:57.679> Dr.
• okay whenever you're ready ready Dr. okay whenever you're ready ready Dr. Bailey.
• for the information and being ready for the information and being ready right<01:00:33.920> out
• uh and diversify our teacher workforce. uh and diversify our teacher workforce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• approval took her 8 weeks despite having 20 years of practice a clean record and moving to Florida ready
• This data comes from the Florida Behavioral Workforce dashboard that is available through USF.
• I would also like to share from the Florida physician workforce State.
• We do not have the workforce to continue meeting the demand of the needs of the people of our state.
• According to the 2025 Florida physician Workforce report from the Florida Department of Health.

Transcript Highlights:

• With that, I'll stand ready for any questions that you might have.
• I certainly would be ready to answer any questions you may have and reserve the right to close.
• We know parental leave programs are incredibly crucial not only to families, but to our workforce.
• This initiative aims to provide a secure environment that supports both the healthcare workforce and
• And additionally, on weekdays, we have up to 5,000 workforce employees coming through our doors.

Bills: HB334, HB583, HB605, HB1327, HB1646, HB2115, HB2379

Keywords: family leave, leave pool, county employee, sick leave, vacation leave, family care, pandemic, guardianship, fencing, reservoirs, local government, regulation, land use, conservation capacity, property regulation, fence regulation, reservoir safety, county authority, fencing regulations, counties

Transcript Highlights:

• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• The needs are that great, and this is again a tool that will help build single-family homes, workforce
• It'll build workforce housing in Greater Minnesota, manufactured housing, and multifamily housing.
• If you could share your name and title for the record and proceed whenever you're ready.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So what does our current landscape look like for workforce right now?
• Currently, there are just over 18,000 people in the manufacturing sector workforce.
• It's not that there are people that are not participating in the workforce.
• And we already know we have an aging workforce.
• The one thing that’s always undertaken is workforce availability. Well, no.”

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• [laughter] >> So, once you're ready, Mayor, please go ahead with your presentation when you're ready.
• And so for many workforce disruptions.
• <01:07:38.480> for they provide a stable workforce for they provide a stable workforce for
• Um, but there were certainly workforce disruptions.
• there were certainly uh workforce there were certainly uh workforce disruptions. disruptions. disruptions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You want to oversee this workforce and you want to put the workforce in trauma?
• In your comments about the federal workforce, I find disqualifying on that basis. Thank you, Mr.
• But you were talking about the federal workforce.
• So you were talking about you want the federal workforce to be... traumatized.
• Vought, do you know that Head Start promotes school readiness for children from birth to age five?

Transcript Highlights:

• Justice-involved individuals, so whenever you're ready, Dr.
• The workforce, uh, are they not developing a plan of action?
• And I think, are we ready? Or maybe not just yet.
• So, whenever you're ready, presenters. Silence. Good morning. Thank you.
• Yes, the workforce is a major issue, and there are specific allocations looking at what workforce means

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have a skilled and dedicated workforce consisting of tribal and non-tribal employees, many of
• Um, but would love to present before you when you're ready to discuss infrastructure and give you some
• If this 1st 7 goes, goes well, we're looking at applying through the Department of Workforce Solutions
• The workforce can come from the undergraduate students, graduate students, and also it include uh maybe
• Lunch is ready.

Transcript Highlights:

• I just had a question, Mary, if you all are ready to take a couple of questions. Sure.
• workforce.
• And the goal really is, how do we get more people into the workforce?
• things, we had about $14 million that goes out to all the 10 workforce development areas.
• And that when those people are involved in the workforce, that they're going to make a salary.

Summary: The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity as part of a broader study of social service and workforce development reform under Act 145 of 2025. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, and “one door to work” system that would combine eligibility screening, service delivery, and workforce connections across DHS, workforce, and related programs. Much of the discussion focused on reducing administrative overhead, improving coordination, and using tools such as AI and centralized databases to help applicants learn about benefits, training, and job opportunities while still preserving case managers and in-person help for people without digital access. Members also emphasized targeting groups with low labor-force participation, including people in generational poverty, rural residents, individuals reentering from prison, and people involved in the court system who may be employable but are not currently connected to employers. Several members raised concerns about benefit cliffs, the burden of repeated paperwork across agencies, and whether the system should include performance measures tied to cost per person served and return on investment. The committee agreed that quantifiable savings and outcomes should be part of the study and future recommendations. The committee then considered and discussed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study. Bureau of Legislative Research staff explained that the contract would run through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000, billed on actual hours and expenses, and could be expanded by up to 10% if needed. Bishop said he could provide ongoing ROI updates and technical assistance based on his experience in other states. After discussion, the committee voted to move forward with the contract, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The second objective of this study is to concentrate really on re-entry in the workforce for victims.
• The main focus of this study is the reentry of victims into the workforce.
• The main purpose of the study is to help victims reenter the workforce.
• Senator Castaneda, are we ready with 1613 yet?
• Ready. And Senator Cory, are we ready with 1263? Madam Chair, we are.

Bills: HCR3028

Keywords: human trafficking, victim services, re-entry programs, legislative study, public safety, mental health, law enforcement, 908, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard and acted on several measures related to human trafficking, criminal procedure, and child protection. It first took up House Concurrent Resolution 3028, which would direct a legislative study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. The sponsor and supporters emphasized helping victims rebuild basic life and workforce skills and better understanding existing services; YouthWorks and the North Dakota Catholic Conference described current programs and the trauma victims face. The committee discussed overlap with other interim studies, then voted unanimously to give the resolution a due pass, with Senator Braunberger designated to carry it. The committee then considered House Bill 1263, concerning sealing criminal records, and moved it forward without changing the House version after members noted the House had removed presumption language and reduced the waiting period. That bill also received a due pass recommendation. Next, House Bill 1226, which revises the state’s mask law for public places, drew testimony from the sponsor and an expert witness who argued that masking to conceal identity during group criminal conduct undermines public safety and law enforcement. Members debated the House-added requirement that law enforcement request unmasking; the committee adopted an amendment to remove that language, then passed the bill as amended, with Senator Luick to carry it. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 1410, a study resolution on criminal conduct against children, including child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and the use of artificial intelligence in exploitation crimes. Supporters from the Child Sexual Assault Prevention Task Force, YouthWorks, and the Children’s Advocacy Centers of North Dakota said the study would help update outdated terminology, review AI-related issues, and improve investigation and prosecution tools. The committee approved the resolution with a due pass recommendation, and Senator Cory was assigned to carry it. The committee also received a brief report that, in a quick review, there were 82 active studies introduced, including 10 shall studies and 35 shall-consider studies, with limited overlap identified beyond the trafficking-related measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next challenge would be workforce. We are trying to recruit skilled workers from targeted states.
• We think— obviously, when we bring jobs to the state, it will also bring some workforce in, so this is
• It'll be ready for you when you start your session. Route 66 Centennial is next year.
• Are we ready for questions? Representative Sandoval here. Thank you, Mr.
• OK, members, we're ready to convene.

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce on its FY26 priorities, recent performance, and budget requests. Commerce said it had helped announce about 8,000 direct jobs and nearly $14 billion in investment year-to-date, while noting challenges such as tariffs, workforce recruitment, staffing/FTE management, and the condition of its 100-year-old office building. The agency highlighted projects and initiatives including a new Taiwan trade office, Route 66 Centennial planning, the National Main Street conference in Tulsa, Olympic-related coordination, census outreach, and continued improvements to its grants and CRM systems. Requested funding included $8.3 million for building repairs or relocation planning, census support, $300,000 for EDGE, $135,000 for IT/cybersecurity upgrades, $250,000 for the Taiwan office, and additional support for Head Start, senior nutrition, and the Strategic Air and Space Commission. Members asked about the meaning of the investment totals, the building condition, delays in senior nutrition distributions, and staffing vacancies; Commerce said the investment figures reflected formal company capital announcements, the building had significant facade and roof damage, delays were due to multiple contracting layers, and several open positions were expected to be filled soon. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department then presented its FY26 budget and goals. New director Amy Blackburn and special advisor Sterling Zearley said the department oversees 38 state parks, six lodges, seven golf courses, and nine travel information centers, and emphasized tourism’s economic importance. They reported savings from bringing marketing and tracking functions in-house and from shared services, but said the department faces more than $271 million in deferred maintenance needs, staffing shortages, and connectivity problems at parks. Their goals include increasing park visitation to 10.2 million, raising occupancy to 36%, and growing travel to Oklahoma, with major marketing tied to the Route 66 Centennial, America 250, the FIFA World Cup, the Olympics, and other events. The department also discussed a request to raise its purchasing exemption cap from $25,000 to $75,000, a possible TravelOK.com redesign, and efforts to improve restaurant operations at lodges through a new RFP structure. Members questioned the apportionment cap, the size and timing of deferred maintenance requests, park revenue, and the use of parking pass funds; tourism said annual park-related revenue is about $32 million to $34 million and parking pass revenue is about $2.5 million. Finally, the OSU Veterinary Medicine Authority presented its budget request and program updates. The authority said it supports the veterinary teaching hospital and related student training, and that its FY26 budget is entirely state-appropriated. It requested continued support for hospital operations, the large animal scholarship program, and a new $12.5 million annual payment tied to the $250 million Legacy Capital Fund authorization for the veterinary teaching hospital, along with additional funding to expand in-state enrollment. Officials said in-state enrollment had increased from 58 to 69 students after prior funding, with a goal of reaching 90 of 106 total seats, and that there were 195 in-state applicants this year. Members asked whether standards would be lowered; the authority said academic standards would not change and noted strong board-pass rates and retention outcomes. It also said accreditation concerns tied to faculty shortages and off-site teaching had been addressed by bringing students back to the main campus and improving staffing. The committee ended by thanking the presenters and announcing its next meeting date.

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I will now call the Careers and Workforce Subcommittee to order.
• we think every school, not just public or private, and there are public schools on the list about ready
• But let's require all schools to assist students in getting ready to sit for that NCLEX.
• We ensure that they're ready to embark on their adult journey with confidence.
• And again, it can help them for their career and their workforce.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee heard three bills. HB 919 on nursing education programs would tighten accountability for nursing schools with low NCLEX pass rates by shortening the probation period, requiring remediation plans, mandating free remediation for students who fail, and requiring tuition reimbursement for programs with very low pass rates. The sponsor argued Florida’s nursing pass rates are unacceptably low and that stronger consequences are needed; opponents warned the bill could shut down programs, worsen the nursing shortage, and unfairly target private schools, while supporters said it would protect students and improve outcomes. After debate, the bill was reported favorably by a vote of 18-0. The committee then heard PCS for HB 1261, the “Smart Living Act,” a student-driven proposal from Jefferson High School in Hillsborough County to expand personal financial literacy and practical life-skills instruction in high school. Students and school officials testified that the bill would better prepare graduates for adulthood by covering topics such as budgeting, credit, loans, FAFSA, resumes, interviews, and basic household skills. Members praised the students’ work and the bill’s practical focus, and the PCS was reported favorably 18-0. Finally, the committee considered HB 809, which would exempt school social workers from educator certification requirements for general and subject-area knowledge. Supporters from Lee and Broward counties said the current testing requirement is unrelated to social work, creates financial and recruitment barriers, and has contributed to staffing shortages. Members from both parties supported the measure as a simple way to remove an obstacle to hiring and retaining school social workers. HB 809 was also reported favorably by a vote of 18-0, and the meeting adjourned after all agenda items were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• units units for affordable and Workforce units units for people<00:13:57.199> with<00:13:57.360
• Dan, do you have it at the ready, or can we get back to you in just a moment? Sure.
• Our members support the development of housing across our entire state and house our local workforces
• repair and these are uh work Workforce repair and these are uh work Workforce uh<00:36:38.040>
• local economy and the Workforce local economy and the Workforce Development<01:15:02.480> in<

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:16.760> for expected skills to be ready for expected skills to be ready for kindergarten
• Madam Chair, when you're ready. Senate File 1232 actually came about.
• time period out until we are ready for that.
• time period out until we are ready for that.
• time period out until we are ready for that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But for 1716 and MQA, this bill aimed to grow Florida's health care workforce by establishing various
• Spencer, whenever you're ready, you're recognized. Good afternoon, everyone.
• Holloway, you're recognized whenever you're ready. Thank you. Fun fact, I am not Shea Holloway.
• The two project areas in the legislation are sickle cell workforce development and education, and the
• There were two grant awards for the workforce development and education project area and three grant

Summary: The Health Professions and Program Subcommittee met for an introductory and oversight briefing from the Florida Department of Health on implementation of several 2024 laws. The committee heard first from Jennifer Winhold on practitioner-regulation measures, including SB 1716 and SB 1600, which expanded workforce pathways through foreign-trained physician licensure, area-of-critical-need temporary certificates for APRNs and physician assistants, graduate assistant physician licenses, interstate compacts, and a new universal licensure-by-endorsement process. She also reviewed HB 197 on massage therapy enforcement, HB 975 on broader background screening, HB 1561 on office-surgery and liposuction safeguards, HB 159 on pharmacist HIV post-exposure prophylaxis certification, and HB 1063 on chiropractic dry needling and foreign degree licensure. Members asked about compact scope, foreign graduate requirements, massage enforcement overlap with DBPR, and registration thresholds for liposuction procedures. Dr. Emma Spencer then outlined implementation of SB 76 and related programs, including changes to the FRAME and dental loan repayment programs, the volunteer health care provider program, the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, the Health Care Innovation Council and revolving loan program, and the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program. She said the department had updated portals, posted forms, launched or was developing public search tools, and submitted required reports and contracts. Members questioned whether loan repayment funds were reaching rural and underserved areas, how nonprofit applicants were being informed about the Alphonse screening grant program, the short application window for that grant, and how the department would evaluate whether the programs were improving recruitment and retention. A third presentation, delivered by Mike Mason standing in for Shea Holloway, covered maternal and child health and other public health initiatives. He reported on the telehealth maternity care program’s expansion from a pilot in Duval and Orange counties to 23 counties, the pregnancy-and-parenting resources website required by HB 415, CMV newborn screening requirements under SB 168, sickle cell registry and research grants under HB 7085, and the swim lessons voucher program under SB 544, which received nearly 10,000 requests for 3,500 vouchers and enrolled 86 facilities. Members asked about utilization, marketing, website launch timing, and how the department was promoting these services. No bills were voted on; the meeting concluded with the chair noting that more committee presentations and bills would follow and that briefing materials would be distributed to members.

Transcript Highlights:

• it aligns with New Hampshire workforce it aligns with New Hampshire workforce trends<00:18:39.679
• our healthcare workforce solution. our healthcare workforce solution.
• > and<00:19:03.280> especially workforce that's growing and especially workforce that's
• discretionary funds tied to workforce discretionary funds tied to workforce policy<00:20:54.080>
• are not ready to go yet. are not ready to go yet.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, an impasse might be good for us as far as cuts go, but we will see, and we'll be ready.
• Of course, next slide very quickly is the health care workforce discussion.
• Development and and focus on Workforce Development and and Workforce<00:20:49.880> wellness<00
• Improvement of of the State Workforce Improvement of of the State Workforce through<00:21:50.080
• determinance of Health um Workforce determinance of Health um Workforce Wellness<00:21:55.840>

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Seeing none, you're ready for the question.
• Has it ready to go right away, or has staff been hired?
• Has it ready to go time for all this?
• How much is is to increase workforce?
• All right, I guess we are ready then to move on to the audits.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 20, 2026, first approving the minutes and then adopting the consent calendar as amended, with item 26045 removed for separate consideration. The committee then heard item 26045 from the Department of Health and Human Services on the Real Health Transformation Grant for Go North. HHS explained that the first-year award is $204 million, with most funds passed through to Go North and only limited administrative and audit costs retained by HHS. Members asked about staffing, procurement, the program’s spending plan, and whether future grant amounts would be fixed. HHS said Go North will administer the grants, staffing is expected to be about 20 positions, procurements will be competitive, and future awards will depend on federal review of performance and spending. The commissioner said the money is intended to create transformative changes that must be sustainable after the grant period. The committee then approved the item. The committee next took up regular calendar item 26041 from HHS and adopted it without discussion. It also approved two adjusted items on tab 11, FIS26028 and FIS26029. Item 26027 from the Department of Transportation was adopted as well. Item 26034 from the Department of Corrections was withdrawn, and members noted that any request for new overtime money would be closely scrutinized, especially given the tight budget and the need to explain how existing salary funds were being used. Committee staff said they would follow up with Corrections on vacancy rates, available funds, and other class lines and provide answers to the committee. The committee then received audit presentations on the state’s college savings plans, including the Unique College Investing Plan and the Fidelity Advisor 529 Plan. Auditors reported clean opinions, no material weaknesses, no audit adjustments, and no unadjusted items requiring reporting. The State Treasurer said the plans are performing well, now total more than $32 billion in assets under management, and are expected to generate about $20 million in revenue this year, with the proceeds supporting scholarship programs for low-income students. The committee placed the audits on file and released them in the usual manner. In other business, members set the next Fiscal Committee meeting for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., and then adjourned.