Transcript Highlights:

• You guys cooperate.
• <00:47:46.599> guys happening this time again you guys happening this time again you guys cooperate
• 48.599> prepared<00:47:49.040> when<00:47:49.200> you<00:47:49.400> get cooperate
• you are prepared when you get cooperate you are prepared when you get here<00:47:50.680> um<00
• can<00:48:09.119> I<00:48:09.640> again It's not my leadership; it's your guys' cooperation

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and it will actually be able to investigate receivers of the funds too, not just the payees they cooperate
• They will cooperate, and they'll have the ability to share information back and forth.
• It will actually be able to investigate receivers of the funds too, not just the payees they cooperate
• They will cooperate, and they'll have the ability to share information back and forth.
• They will cooperate, and they'll have the ability to share information back and forth.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting focused on a package of anti-fraud bills and oversight reforms. House File 3 would direct the Office of Legislative Auditor to compile existing audit and recommendation data into a matrix or numeric score showing how well agencies have implemented past recommendations over a five-year look-back period, with the goal of giving legislators a clearer, more usable accountability tool. Supporters said it would not create new data, only aggregate what already exists, and estimated the bill’s cost at about $240,000. They argued it would help lawmakers identify agencies that repeatedly fail to address waste, fraud, and abuse. House File 2 would require state employees and agencies to immediately report suspected fraud to law enforcement and to legislative committee leaders, require unannounced in-person site visits for grant recipients, and add criminal penalties for failing to carry out those duties. House File 1 would create an independent state Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud in state government, with subpoena power, authority to stop payments, and the ability to share information with other agencies. Speakers said the new office should be independent and nonpartisan, separate from existing agency inspector general functions, and more focused on investigations than the Legislative Auditor. Members also discussed the new fraud and oversight committee, which will meet on Mondays and plans to invite DHS Commissioner Jodi Harpstead to testify. The committee said it will work alongside standing committees, create a whistleblower reporting website, and investigate issues as they arise. In response to questions, Robbins said HF 3 already had a fiscal note and HF 2’s fiscal note was still pending. She also said the committee is considering AI tools to flag irregularities in state programs, and that such tools might have detected problems like those seen in Feeding Our Future.

Transcript Highlights:

• While the PSC doesn't fully regulate publicly owned municipal and cooperative electric utilities, we
• do have jurisdiction with regard to rates. ...and cooperative electric utilities, we do have jurisdiction
• jurisdictional for both us and our federal partner, and then we receive payment for that work through a cooperative
• jurisdictional for both us and our federal partner, and then we receive payment for that work through a cooperative
• Through a cooperative agreement with those entities, the Commission has consistently met and exceeded

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• [Captioning made possible by the National Captioning Institute, Inc., in cooperation with the United
• [Captioning made possible by the National Captioning Institute, Inc., in cooperation with the United

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Friday, March 21, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody cooperating. Thank you. Everybody cooperating. We appreciate these kinds of bills.
• Thank you all for cooperating with each other.

Bills: HB17, HB21, HB24, HB41, HB42, HB45, HB1134, HB1237

Keywords: HB 17, District Attorneys' Retirement System, retirement system, reemployed retiree, reemployment, supplemental retirement benefit, service credit, benefit suspension, public retirement, district attorney, assistant district attorney, Louisiana District Attorneys' Association, employer reporting, annual report, retirement benefits, state employees, local funds, state funds, Municipal Employees' Retirement System, part-time retirees

Transcript Highlights:

• Everybody cooperating. Thank you. We appreciate these kinds of bills.
• Everybody cooperating. We appreciate these kind of bills. There's no question on the board.
• Thank you all for cooperating with each other.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Retirement met on May 5 with four members present. HB 41 was deferred until the following week, and the committee approved the April 20, 2026 minutes. The committee then took up several retirement-system bills, many of them negotiated measures involving municipal police, firefighters, teachers, district attorneys, and judges. HB 45, by Rep. Bacallat, was amended and reported favorably. It makes changes to the Municipal Police Employees Retirement System, including retention bonuses, recognition of out-of-state police service, benefits for three officers killed in the line of duty before full enrollment, a DROP fix, and more competitive accrual rates. Testimony from the Louisiana Municipal Association, MEPERS, police representatives, and Mayor Helena Marino was strongly supportive, emphasizing that the bill resolves longstanding disputes and litigation. HB 1237, also by Rep. Bacallat, was reported favorably after testimony that it eliminates partial dissolution penalties for municipal police and adjusts related firefighter provisions; witnesses said it was a negotiated fix supported by municipal and fire stakeholders. HB 42, concerning phased retirement in the Teacher Retirement System, was reported favorably as a permissive framework allowing universities to offer phased retirement options. HB 17, by the District Attorneys’ Retirement System director, was reported favorably to add the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to the definition of employer and require annual reporting on the rehire statute. HB 21, a cleanup bill for the Municipal Employees Retirement System, was also reported favorably. HB 1134, creating a backdrop retirement option for certain judges whose positions are abolished, was amended and reported favorably after LASERS raised questions about early retirement eligibility and the need to bar future judicial candidacy. HB 24, by Rep. Owen, drew the most discussion. It would allow retired or certified teachers to return to work through contracts with school systems, with a three-year sunset. The sponsor argued it would help keep qualified teachers in classrooms and avoid midyear departures, while TRSL, the Louisiana School Board Association, and committee members raised concerns about fiscal impact, contractor status, workers’ compensation, leave rules, and overlap with a separate bill being worked on by the chairman. After an amendment clarifying the independent-contractor definition was adopted, the committee chose to hold the bill in committee for further work rather than advance it immediately. The meeting ended with a motion to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So yes, what we've done over the last 10 years is we worked with a cooperative agreement through the
• a percentage of it needs to go to school routes, for example; a percentage of it needs to go to cooperative
• programs, arterial programs, and county cooperative programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm also on the Oyster River Cooperative School Board. I'm representing myself today.
• <01:52:06.239> School with the Oster River Cooperative School with the Oster River Cooperative
• Um, and then it says, um, forward on to page 14 regarding those cooperative school districts.
• I'm on the Orville Cooperative School District School Board. I'm here speaking for myself.
• Orville Cooperative School District Orville Cooperative School District School<04:44:05.120>

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman Guthrie, Ranking Member Caster, and all of my colleagues, I appreciate our cooperation and our
• These rural cooperatives and municipal utilities are economic drivers for small towns and remote areas
• In Iowa's First District, rural electric cooperatives serve ratepayers across 20 counties and face the
• This bill ensures rural electric cooperatives, public power, and other small utilities have access to
• This is the type of common-sense bipartisan cooperation that we should all celebrate.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, June 29, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Extension Service Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award, Senator Howell. >> Does that conclude your
• <01:15:23.400> Extension<01:15:24.040> Service Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service
• Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Thomas<01:15:25.880> Poe<01:15:26.560> Cooper<01
• :15:27.040> Farm<01:15:27.560> Leadership<01:15:28.120> Award, Thomas Poe Cooper
• Farm Leadership Award, Thomas Poe Cooper Farm Leadership Award, Senator<01:15:29.400> Howell.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a cooperative agreement, not a grant.
• Um, this is<00:15:38.080> a<00:15:38.160> cooperative<00:15:38.720> agreement,<00
• :15:39.720> not<00:15:40.120> a is a cooperative agreement, not a is a cooperative agreement
• initiative leads in executing their initiatives and also ensuring that all of these initiatives cooperate
• and work together because cooperate and work together because uh<00:50:14.480> that'll<00:50:

Bills: HB2246, HB2119, HB1929, HB1953, HB1572, HB2549, HB2594, HB2551, HB2595, HB2548, HB2459, HB1931, HB1604, HB1616, HB1736, HB2233, HB2241, HB1891, HB1803, HB2567, HB2534, HB2399, HB2172, HB1595, HB1811, HB2168, HB1780, HB1781, HB1785, HB2122, HB2012, HB2398, HB1779, HB2296, HB1894, HB1925, HB2019, HB1896, HB2294, HB2298, HB2300, HB2344, HB2345, HB2391, HB2037, HB2201, HB1941, HB1635, HB1943, HB2325, HB1926, HB2490, HB1710, HB2545, HB1976, HB2173, HB1804, HB1563, HB2015, HB1619, HB2475, HB1889, HB2367, HB2187, HB1765, HB1452, HB2231, HB1700, HB1705, HB1626, HB1897, HB1642, HB1523, HB2593, HB815, HB1655, HB1596, HB1732, HB1842, HB2476, HB2478, HB2022, HB1588, HB2575, HB1163, HB2153, HB772, HB1519, HB2050, HB2309, HB2147, HB2329, HB2274, HB2280, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2306, HB2148, HB2088, HB1764, HB2438, HB2117, HB1860, HB2604, HB2118, HB2017, HB2155, HB1832, HB2216, HB1601, HB1934, HB2297, HB2397, HB1893, HB2533, HB1890, HB2454, HB2004, HB2427, HB2207, HB1810, HB1840, HB1644, HB1645, HB1946, HB1648, HB2324, HB2323, HB1509, HB1514, HB1515, HB2164, HB2165, HB2283, HB1691, HB2386, HB2423, HB2121, HB1984, HB1593, HB1671, HB2619, HB1481, HB2314, HB2319, HB1643, HB2558, HB1864, HB1898, HB2214, HB2167, HB2488, HB2009, HB2007, HB322, HB1964, HB2218, HB2616, HB1535, HB1574, HB1977, HB2054, HB2046, HB146, HB2094, HB2181, HB2250, HB2515, HB2444, HB2385, HB1740, HB1724, HB1733, HB1799, HB1725, HB2049, HB2161, HB1970, HB2519, HB1790, HB2416, HB1873, HB2001, HB2151, HB1603, HB1880, HB1753, HB2198, HB1511, HB1991, HB2546, HB1615, HB1939, HB2140, HB2429, HB1870, HB1850, HB1782, HB2137

Keywords: agriculture, federal grants, Hawaii, grant administration, revolving fund, department of agriculture and biosecurity, grant compliance, financial support, coffee, pest control, subsidy program, coffee berry borer, coffee leaf rust, economy, biosecurity, invasive species, Molokai, advisory board, quarantine, environmental protection

Transcript Highlights:

• Cooper — here. Crago — here. Crum — here. Driskill — here. French — here. Gierau — here.
• Cooper, >> No. Cooper, >> No. Cooper, >> No. >> No. >> No. >> No. >> No. Crago, >> No.
• Cooper. No. Crago. I. Driskill. I. Ide. I. French. I. Gierau. No. Hicks. No. Hutchings. I. Jones.
• Cooper. No. Crago. I. Driskill. I. French. I. Gierau. No. Hicks. No. Hutchings. I. Jones. I. Kolb.
• >> No.<00:39:34.800> Cooper. >> No. Cooper. >> No. Cooper. >> No.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative
• That's to provide financing for farmers with limited capital that want to buy stock or, in a cooperative

Bills: HF770, HF857, HF38, HF1500, HF43

Keywords: HF770, Rural Finance Authority, RFA, capital investment, state bonds, general obligation bonds, bonding bill, agricultural loans, farm loans, beginning farmer, new farmer, seller-sponsored loans, loan restructuring, agricultural improvement loans, livestock expansion, modernization loans, rural development, Minnesota agriculture, farm credit, chapter 41B

Transcript Highlights:

• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation
• that she pushed us to start here and continuing to lead this committee with bipartisanship and cooperation

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee met for an organizational hearing focused on introductions, committee jurisdiction, and a presentation from Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Commissioner Jennifer Ho. Members described their priorities for the session, including addressing HOA issues, senior housing affordability, manufactured housing exploitation, first-time homebuyer access, housing and health connections, homelessness protections, downtown conversions, and expanding starter homes, ADUs, and smaller multifamily housing. Chair Port emphasized bipartisan collaboration and the committee’s focus on removing barriers to housing production and expanding homeownership. A substantial portion of the meeting was devoted to remembering Senator Carrie Dietz, with Chair Port, Senator Draheim, and Commissioner Ho each describing her deep knowledge, behind-the-scenes leadership, and role in major housing accomplishments. They highlighted her work on fire sprinkler requirements in high-rise buildings, rental housing safety, public and nonprofit housing repairs, protections against predatory investors, manufactured and workforce housing, tenant protections, down payment assistance, local affordable housing aid, homelessness services, and the Bring It Home program, which helped pave the way for Minnesota’s rental voucher program. Advocates’ letters honoring her contributions were also made available to members. Committee staff then reviewed the panel’s jurisdiction, including housing and homelessness prevention, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency oversight and budget matters, housing bond allocation authority, housing infrastructure bonds, manufactured housing, rent control, transitional housing, and homeless prevention. Chair Port said the budget overview would be held for a later hearing. Commissioner Ho introduced her staff and outlined Minnesota Housing’s mission as a statewide mission-driven financial institution that finances affordable housing, homeownership, supportive housing, homelessness prevention, and manufactured housing through partnerships with lenders, developers, service providers, tribes, and local governments. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at this meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Let them cooperate to restore the ecological soundness of Mother Earth.
• Let all of humanity cooperate to create a good future for their children and grandchildren.

Transcript Highlights:

• Your bill does enjoy a do pass as amended recommendation, and thank you for cooperation with the committee
• Your bill does enjoy a due pass as amended recommendation, and thank you for cooperation with the committee
• obviously, unlike a vehicle that we would drive, humans would drive, there's just nobody there to cooperate
• automobile industry, the traditional automobile industry, up to this point, has done a tremendous job of cooperating

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for in this resolution, so it would be a perfect pilot, and the Department of Ag and Biosecurity cooperation
• Department of Ag and pilot, and the Department of Ag and Biosecurities Biosecurities Biosecurities cooperation
• c> this<00:25:55.160> is<00:25:55.320> essential<00:25:56.320> because cooperation
• in this is essential because cooperation in this is essential because they<00:25:57.160> we<00

Bills: HCR206

Keywords: data centers, electric utilities, Hawaii State Energy Office, renewable energy, environmental impact, regulatory safeguards, ratepayers, grid reliability, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees met on several concurrent resolutions focused on energy, agriculture, water, and food security. Testimony on HCR 206 HD1 concerned the Hawaii State Energy Office and data centers, with comments submitted by the PUC, the Energy Office, and others; the measure was recommended for passage without amendment, though one committee deferred formal action until a later meeting because of quorum issues. HCR 31, recognizing 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in Hawaii, received strong support from the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, which emphasized managed grazing, groundwater infiltration, and food production; it was recommended and adopted as passed unamended. HCR 33, on the Pua Kōloa sewage project, was amended to add UH Hilo as a stakeholder and resource for research, monitoring, and technical assistance, then recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also heard and advanced a series of resolutions on environmental and land-use issues. HCR 36 establishing a sister-state relationship with Okayama, HCR 19 designating March as March for Water Month, HCR 162 creating an arts and data mapping task force, HCR 61 on reforestation investment, HCR 106 endorsing Waikiki as a world surfing reserve, and HCR 178 urging a Maui water set-aside were all recommended for passage as is and adopted. HCR 14, authorizing a perpetual non-exclusive easement for drainage purposes, was recommended for passage with technical, non-substantive amendments. HCR 179, addressing the Aha Moku Advisory Committee, was amended to create a working group with legislative, Aha Moku, DLNR, and OHA representation to report back for the 2027 session, and was recommended for passage with amendments. In the agriculture and environment hearing, HCR 117 on statewide food security drew testimony from a high school student and others stressing Hawaii’s vulnerability to supply disruptions and the need for local food resilience; it was passed as is. HCR 103, supporting expanded tree canopy and shade trees to reduce urban heat islands, also passed as is after a member noted storm damage concerns and suggested careful plant selection. HCR 180, urging the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to explore co-locating renewable energy projects with agricultural reservoirs and irrigation infrastructure, received strong support from Molokai Clean Energy Hui and others describing the Kalaupapa Reservoir floating solar project and its community planning process; it was passed as is. HCR 144 HD2, calling for a comprehensive statewide food security strategy, was also recommended and adopted without amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• energy provider in the Southeast, and the largest supplier of renewable energy to electric rural cooperatives
• renewable energy to electric rural of renewable energy to electric rural electric<00:11:37.800> cooperatives
• electric cooperatives. electric cooperatives.

Bills: HB381, HB259, HB393, HB399, SB358, SB362, SB363, SB348, SB187

Keywords: 923, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.
• Thank you for cooperating and working so closely with us as elected officials.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the prior journal and took up motions and resolutions. Senator Gianaris moved to reconsider and restore Senate Print 3179A, an Environmental Conservation Law bill, to the third reading calendar, and amendments were also received on Senate Print 8491. The chamber then considered and adopted Resolution 1716, designating March 2026 as Greek History Month in New York, with remarks from several senators about Greek heritage, Greek independence, immigration, and the contributions of Greek Americans. The Senate also adopted Resolution 1607, proclaiming March 2026 as American Red Cross Month, with extensive testimony praising Red Cross disaster relief, blood donation, preparedness work, and volunteers; several senators highlighted local volunteers and urged greater support for the organization, including budget resources. The Senate welcomed guests, including Red Cross representatives and students from Brooklyn, and later opened the resolutions for co-sponsorship. The chamber then moved through the calendar and passed multiple bills, including measures affecting mental hygiene, elder law, penal law, public authorities, labor, public service, correction, education, election law, alcoholic beverage control, and state administrative procedure. Most bills passed by wide margins, though some drew recorded opposition, including the public authorities bill and several election, public service, and correction measures. Senator Ramos explained her support for the labor bill as a workplace dignity and anti-bullying measure, and Senator Ryan explained his support for the small-business regulatory website bill as a way to simplify access to agency rules and guidance. Senator Skoufis’s Public Health Law bill was also recalled from the Assembly, restored to the third reading calendar, and amended. The Senate then adjourned until Thursday, March 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Senator Barry, I assume Cooper Extension Service is okay with doing these. >> Yes, Jonathan Moon.
• Senator<00:10:38.399> Barry,<00:10:38.800> I<00:10:38.959> assume<00:10:39.680> Cooper
• <00:10:40.079> Extension >> Senator Barry, I assume Cooper Extension >> Senator
• Barry, I assume Cooper Extension Service<00:10:40.640> is<00:10:40.880> okay<00:10:41.120

Keywords: Agriculture - Room 210, 3 February, 2026; 2:00 P.M., 925, all

Summary: The committee first discussed a bill codifying herd-share/custom slaughter practices for small livestock producers. The sponsor proposed amending the bill to change “sale and/or purchase” to “deposit” and to allow pricing by live weight, dressed weight, or final weight. Members raised concerns that allowing payment by dressed weight could trigger federal USDA inspection requirements and conflict with existing federal rules. After discussion, the committee agreed to keep only the first change, striking “purchase” and inserting “deposit,” and to leave the weight-pricing language unchanged. The sponsor then withdrew the broader amendment, and the bill was reported out with a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee next took up a bill authorizing Mississippi State University Extension to assist poultry farmers with management plans, citing delays caused by short staffing at NRCS and DEQ. Members asked whether the extension service was comfortable with the role and were told the assistance would be voluntary and not mandatory. The bill was reported out on a title-sufficient do-pass motion. The committee also approved a bill to allow crawfish farms to be licensed, and a bill on district livestock shows that would let the northeast district show be held at any facility within the county rather than only at the Verona livestock center, which the sponsor said was no longer suitable for the children involved. The committee then considered a meat-labeling bill making technical amendments to last year’s law on cultured meat and related products. After an initial vote was set aside because of a communications problem, the committee reconsidered the bill and adopted an amendment changing a funding reference from “special” to “general fund.” The bill was then reported out as amended. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2631, creating a voluntary Mississippi Grain Indemnity Act to protect grain producers if elevators or buyers fail financially. The sponsor said the program would be funded by a per-bushel assessment, capped at $25 million, with possible state seed money still under discussion. Members asked about the source of any additional funds and the history of recent grain failures, and the bill was then moved forward on a title-sufficient do-pass motion.