Transcript Highlights:

• So we have the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant and Child Care and Development Fund.
• Without intentional opportunities for learning across competency domains, workforce development may become
• Without NPs and PAs in rural areas in particular, but even in the urban areas, we would be in big trouble
• So it's— In rural areas in particular, but even in the urban areas, we would be in big trouble.
• , increasing behavioral health workforce recruitment, retention, and training capacity; developing youth-specific

Summary: The committee first approved the February 11, 2026 minutes and then received an update from the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency on the interagency council on homelessness and continuum of care funding. Testimony described rising homelessness tied to tight housing markets, low incomes, aging homelessness, barriers to rental assistance and public benefits, and limited shelter and case-management capacity. Members discussed the need for more affordable housing, continued one-time funding for the North Dakota Homeless Grant and Housing Incentive Fund, better coordination with Health and Human Services on economic assistance and human service zones, landlord engagement, recovery housing, and reentry housing. The committee also heard that federal continuum of care funding remains uncertain, with possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing and housing-first models; members asked for a future update on the impact if federal rules reduce the share available for permanent housing. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind or visually impaired. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described current screening and service delivery, including infant referrals, regional staff, short-term programs, and collaboration with vocational rehabilitation. He said the targeted screening system is working, recommended maintaining the current model, and noted ongoing challenges with staffing, public awareness, and accessible state websites and documents. Public testimony from a visually impaired resident and a deaf resident emphasized barriers such as CAPTCHAs, inaccessible PDFs, employment forms that screen out applicants based on driver’s license status, shortages of interpreters, and the need for video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training for users and agencies. Finally, the committee heard a final report on the study of child care provider licensing from HHS Early Childhood Director Kay Larson. The report summarized provider input and committee discussion on simplifying North Dakota’s child care licensing structure, reducing administrative burden, and balancing that with health and safety standards. Key topics included licensing categories, child care assistance eligibility, food program sponsorship, staff qualifications, training requirements, ratios and group size, age bands, and preschool exemptions. The committee’s recommendations included streamlining to three provider types plus a preschool designation, revising ratio and age-band rules, and carrying forward certain preschool outdoor-space exemptions. Larson noted that any changes would require statutory changes, rulemaking, and a transition period before new licensing rules could take effect.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, I will give an update on the workforce.
• But we would love to develop more programs.
• Do you also work with your local workforce boards?
• But that's a very broad area to try and cover.
• They develop meaningful relations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some of the more historical areas within the city of Burque and the unincorporated area of Bernalillo
• We're established in the South Broadway area.
• With the many professional development opportunities that I've noted, the Center has developed and offered
• This model was developed by a department of developing Hispanic-serving institutions.
• I've been fortunate to have actually benefit and work in both areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, Rob Black with the Economic Development Department.
• It seems like it's in some of the areas that are already doing a lot from an economic development standpoint
• I'll start with the kind of the workforce piece and Workforce Solutions and the participation level..
• . ...and Workforce Solutions and the participation level.
• in the area of media.

Summary: The committee first recognized Mark Roper of the Economic Development Department for his long service and retirement, with members and the secretary praising his work on economic development across the state. Secretary Rob Black then presented EDD’s budget and special appropriation requests, describing strong recent job and income growth and outlining the department’s strategy around science and technology, site readiness, workforce development, foreign direct investment, and rural/community programs. He highlighted wins in advanced energy, quantum, space and defense, and biosciences, and asked for funding for quantum/DARPA matching funds, additional site readiness work, LIDA closing funds, JTIP training support, New Mexico Partnership, and healthy foods and other community programs. Members asked detailed questions about the quantum proposal, site readiness, the new mapping tool for industrial sites, workforce participation, trade missions, foreign investment, tariffs, water and produced water, tribal site evaluation, and public engagement on major projects. Black said the quantum request was intended to match federal dollars and build a workforce pipeline, that the site-readiness software would be a set enterprise license, and that the department was working with tribes and local partners on future site evaluations. He also said tariffs have created uncertainty but New Mexico’s infrastructure and foreign trade zones could help attract manufacturing, and he acknowledged concerns about transparency and community input while noting that some projects, such as Pacific Fusion, had gone through extensive public processes. The committee also discussed specific projects and funding balances, including Mantis Space’s move to Albuquerque, the status of Virgin Galactic’s spaceport lease, and the current LIDA fund balance and encumbrances. Black and Deputy Secretary Isaac Romero said the department was trying to use State Investment Council-backed venture funds to attract companies and that the new investments were already producing deals and jobs. Members generally supported the department’s direction but pressed for more targeted expertise, faster deployment, and stronger community involvement in future economic development decisions. Later, Secretary de Blassie of the Department of Health presented the department’s budget request and progress report. He said DOH had improved revenue cycle management, reduced old Medicaid-pending cases, increased census at facilities, improved budget and contract timeliness, and responded effectively to the measles outbreak. The department requested additional base funding for epidemiology and response, the DOH helpline, the Vital Records Virtual Vault, state labs, and the veterans home, along with special requests for respiratory vaccinations and marketing and lab equipment replacement. He also noted progress on MOUD and the medical psilocybin program, and said the department was not seeking to launch new programs given the limited time left in the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• and state economic development workforce boards.
• Our teams are a workforce solution.
• involvement and career development.
• As we say, this is an absent workforce. But I feel like it’s, it’s, it’s… Absent workforce.
• That conversation they're having in the workforce development and the Governor's Council, too.

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The committee/task force met with several disability service providers to discuss integrated employment, transition services, and barriers to community jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Robin Arder and Belinda Stevens of ThinkAbility described creating their own businesses when community employers were not hiring their clients, and said rigid service rules, employer readiness, bullying, and reimbursement structures often force the person to fit the service rather than the service fitting the person. They said they have not seen clients lose benefits, but they do closely manage reporting to Social Security and related supports. Tina Hannah of South Central Industries described a broad business model that includes manufacturing, janitorial work, city beautification, state-use contracts, a food truck, and an entertainment trailer, along with an adult day program and residential services. She said many employers are hesitant because of productivity and cost concerns, and that businesses are often more open to contracting with her agency than hiring individuals directly. Miranda Figueroa of A New Leaf said her agency is moving toward a more person-centered model with sheltered work, volunteer sites, paid contracts, and a Transition Academy. She said the academy is a two-year program focused first on independent living and then on employment, with internships and an 85% placement rate, but funding is a major barrier because the program is not accredited and students cannot access traditional aid. She also cited dual diagnoses, inconsistent job coaches, and employer uncertainty as major obstacles. Angela Decker and Deborah Copeland of DRTC described DRTC’s long-running enclave contracts, a new Community Skills and Connections program, and a plan to phase out 14(c) subminimum wage use by the end of the year. They said the new program is designed to keep people engaged in community-based skill-building and networking while families still need day supports, and that DRTC has developed more than 100 community partnerships. Senator Kirt, Rep. Hefner, and participants discussed broader system issues, including the need for better school-to-work transition, more social integration, transportation, safety, and employer education. DRS staff said the agency is already required to provide pre-employment transition services in schools starting at age 14 and offers employer accommodations support and job-carving assistance, though they acknowledged federal reporting expectations and service rules can be restrictive. Several participants raised concerns about line-of-sight restrictions, congregate living rules, benefit cliffs, and the difficulty of moving from DDS to DRS services. The group also discussed the need for better data and possible working groups focused on in-school transition, program support and blending services, and community integration. No formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our members support the development of housing and house our local workforces, families, seniors, and
• And without this little amendment, the workforce housing development program would not be able to be
• little amendment, uh the workforce housing housing housing um<00:59:10.720> development<00:59
• housing development program workforce housing development program and<01:10:27.600> believe<01
• housing development program workforce housing development program and<01:12:54.560> believe<01

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're now able to get into not only our urban areas but deep into more rural and poor access areas in
• I mean, we talk about workforce, right? Has that helped in a workforce?
• I mean, we talk about workforce, right? Has that helped in a workforce? How has that helped?
• I mean, we talk about workforce, right? Has that helped in a workforce aspect?
• It's not just the numbers in the workforce.

Summary: The committee held a panel discussion focused on how Florida health care organizations are working to improve access, quality, and affordability. Panelists from Florida Community Care/Independent Living Systems, Sunshine Health, AdventHealth, UF Health, and Nemours described their approaches, including Medicaid managed care, value-based contracting, community partnerships, mobile screening units, smart-room technology, telehealth, and specialized programs for maternal health, children, and complex chronic conditions. Several speakers emphasized that managed care and coordinated care can improve outcomes while reducing unnecessary utilization and costs. Members asked about the impact of Medicare’s V28 changes, mobile cancer screening, urgent care versus emergency room billing, pediatric specialty access, complaint resolution, Black maternal mortality, provider shortages, network adequacy, and the use of AI in prior authorization. Witnesses said V28 has affected providers and revenue, UF Health’s mobile screening program is expanding beyond a few cancer types, and its urgent care model bills patients at the appropriate level rather than both urgent care and ER rates. Nemours said it reduced specialty wait times through scheduling changes, telemedicine, and registry tools, while AdventHealth described postpartum coordination and maternal heart programs to reduce maternal complications and mortality. On complaints and access problems, panelists said their organizations use patient/member advocates, care managers, call centers, and escalation processes to resolve issues, and Sunshine Health specifically discussed a transportation complaint that was addressed with its vendor and the family. Sunshine Health also said it is not using AI for prior authorization, though it is exploring responsible uses elsewhere, and Florida Community Care said it is not using AI in utilization management. In closing, panelists identified workforce shortages, provider burnout, and high-cost drugs as the biggest ongoing challenges. The meeting ended with thanks to the panel and adjournment after Representative Brackett moved to rise, without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• job training, and workforce development.
• Pillsbury Workforce Development Fund to Pillsbury Workforce Development Fund to Pillsbury United<
• <01:10:02.040> Development opportunities this Workforce Development opportunities this Workforce
• Boulder Workforce Development Fund for Boulder Workforce Development Fund for Boulder options<01
• support Workforce Development Fund to support Workforce Development Fund to support youth<01:46:08.960

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that is on the back end on the workforce side.
• I would say there's a couple key areas that come to mind.
• So for us, that's one area. The other area is mainly on the application processing side.
• How closely have you been working with them in developing that methodology to develop that unique identifier
• time frame is when we plan to wrap up all development activities.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs received a Department of Children and Families update from CIO Cole Sousa on three major technology modernization efforts: ACCESS, CWIS, and FASMS. For ACCESS, he described the six-year, $205 million project to replace the aging eligibility system used for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid applications, noting completed releases such as the MyACCESS portal, document management, partner portal, workload management, and client registration modules. He said the system now supports mobile applications, multi-factor authentication, and bot detection, and that the next budget request is $36.625 million to continue moving workers off the mainframe, modernize notices, and complete more worker-portal functions. Members asked about performance data, interoperability with other systems, and the relationship to the FX project and APD; Sousa said API-based real-time exchanges are the goal and that current average case processing time is about 30 days, though he would provide a more exact figure later. The committee then heard about CWIS, a four-year, $75 million child welfare modernization project. Sousa said phase one is complete, including hotline intake, investigations, mandatory reporter, youth, parent, and mobile portals, along with mobile field tools, e-signatures, and customizable dashboards. Current work is focused on case management, assessment and safety planning, licensure, and placement modules, with collaboration from community-based care providers through advisory sessions. For the next fiscal year, DCF is requesting $28 million and expects to finish development by summer and launch in September, while continuing change management and training. Senators pressed on interoperability with ACCESS, FX, and FASMS, the use of a single unique identifier, and whether CBCs would be required to use the statewide system; Sousa said the department’s goal is one statewide system, with licensing costs absorbed by the state and no plan for dual systems after go-live. Finally, Sousa gave a brief update on FASMS, the financial and services accountability system used by managing entities. He said it remains in maintenance mode while DCF prioritizes ACCESS and CWIS, and that modernization of FASMS is still being planned with partner agencies. He estimated current maintenance costs at about $1.3 million and suggested a future modernization could cost roughly $5 million to $7 million, though no firm timeline has been set. The committee expressed support for using data and interoperable systems to improve decision-making, and the meeting adjourned without any votes or formal actions beyond adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a report back on that and then on workforce development, I represent one of the state hospitals and
• also an area that has a very high cost of living.
• Are they different in rural areas compared to more populated areas?
• The Workforce Initiative includes five distinct behavioral health workforce development programs.
• These areas include access, workforce development, practice, SUD integration, automation of non-treatment

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first few areas that I wish to discuss with you are in the areas of behavioral health, for the
• <00:05:22.759> of<00:05:22.919> Behavioral areas of Behavioral areas of Behavioral Health
• <01:02:21.839> a Workforce a Workforce a raise<01:02:23.880> we<01:02:23.960> are
• pandemic that decimated our Workforce pandemic that decimated our Workforce our<01:02:27.559>
• <01:26:26.760> your legislators as you're developing your legislators as you're developing

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• , frontier areas, and urban areas... ...to work with providers, physicians, and advanced practice nurses
• How Alzheimer's develops or dementia develops in the brain at the microcellular level.
• And maybe what areas of the state are receiving those?
• Rio Grande, a lot of different areas in the area.
• Certified in that area. And then the next slide.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Chair: I WILL CALL THE CAREERS AND WORKFORCE SUBCOMMITTEE TO ORDER. LET'S CALL THE ROLL.
• MOST ARE CLUSTERED AROUND THESE AREAS.
• THIS IS AN AREA THAT HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO THE BOARD.
• ONE OF THE KEY PRIORITY AREAS IS ELEVATING STUDENT SUCCESS.
• THE BOARD STAFF WORKED WITH THE CHANCELLOR AND THE CHAIR TO DEVELOP THE ACTUAL PLAN.

Transcript Highlights:

• In a certain area, obviously, a city will have a plan in the general plan for which area will be residential
• So there has to be a carved-out area, even though that specific large 10-acre, 20-acre area has been
• Rural areas in California are losing residents at twice the rate of urban areas, driven by a lack of
• development.
• I'm the Director of Economic Development and Legislative Affairs.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we can come things at work, our economic development and our workforce areas in regional as can get
• workforce.
• things, we had about $14 million that goes out to all the 10 workforce development areas.
• So our goal, really, for this committee was to look at social program and workforce development reform
• We're looking at all the myriad, probably 40 different workforce development programs and about 80 social

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:

• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• These systems are rapidly developing to handle more ambitious problems, and this development shows no
• <00:13:12.440> are society uh and these developments are society uh and these developments
• Medical Technology um this is an area Medical Technology um this is an area which<00:42:01.760><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SamTrans is also invested heavily in workforce development, fueling, and maintenance infrastructure to
• support this transition, starting... ...workforce development, fueling, and maintenance infrastructure
• from a workforce development standpoint that we're very focused on.
• Labor Chair here in the State Senate, also sitting on the Workforce Development Board, to help us think
• And to remember, workforce development is so important in this element, including everyone equally across

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Select Committee on Hydrogen Energy held an informational hearing on California’s hydrogen leadership, with Chair Bob Archuleta framing hydrogen as a complementary clean-energy pathway for hard-to-electrify sectors and emphasizing the need for balanced policy, community benefits, and strategic use of public funds. The first panel of private-sector witnesses from the California Hydrogen Business Council, Bosch, Hyundai, and Sierra Northern Railway described existing deployments in buses, trucks, rail, ports, and industrial uses, and argued that the technology is commercially ready but needs stable policy, faster permitting, stronger demand signals, and more infrastructure. They highlighted projects such as Hyundai’s NorCal Zero freight trucks, Bosch’s hydrogen components and refueling technology, and Sierra’s hydrogen switcher locomotive, while also noting major cost barriers, especially for fuel and equipment, and the need for continued state incentives and coordinated infrastructure planning. Committee members focused on labor standards, community engagement, and the current scale of hydrogen vehicles and fueling infrastructure. Witnesses said they work with labor groups, building trades, and safety organizations, and that early community involvement and first-responder training are important. In response to questions, panelists estimated roughly 15,000 to 16,000 light-duty fuel cell vehicles in California, around 100 hydrogen trucks, and growing bus deployment, with South Korea cited as having much larger fleets. They also discussed hydrogen fuel costs, with one rail operator saying delivered fuel had fallen from more than $60 per kilogram to about $35 per kilogram but would need to drop below $10 per kilogram for broad commercial viability. CARB’s incentive and regulatory programs, including heavy-duty vehicle subsidies and low-carbon fuel standards, were described as important supports, though federal tax credit changes and uncertainty were said to be slowing progress. The second panel addressed hydrogen’s public-health, air-quality, and climate role. CAPCOA, the Coalition for Clean Air, the building trades, and a UC Berkeley researcher argued that hydrogen should be used selectively in the most polluted, diesel-heavy settings such as ports, freight corridors, rail yards, transit depots, and backup power for data centers. They stressed that fuel cell applications provide zero tailpipe emissions, but cautioned that hydrogen produced from fossil fuels or used in combustion rather than fuel cells reduces the environmental benefit. The UC Berkeley witness presented modeling suggesting large reductions in NOx and particulate exposure, with significant avoided premature deaths and health savings if hydrogen displaces diesel in heavy-duty sectors. Panelists also urged that hydrogen not delay direct electrification, that environmental justice be central to deployment, and that infrastructure and safety planning include community engagement and measurable local benefits. The final panel featured public-sector updates from SamTrans, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the Port of Long Beach, and the First Public Hydrogen Authority. SamTrans described its transition of more than 300 buses to battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses, including a large order of 108 hydrogen buses, but said the loss of expected ARCHES funding created a major gap for fueling infrastructure and that state support is needed for grants, tax exemptions, and axle-weight rule changes. GoBiz said the federal cancellation of ARCHES funding disrupted the market, but that private capital remains available if demand and cost-reduction signals are strong; it pointed to permitting streamlining and targeted state action as key next steps. The Port of Long Beach reported 106 hydrogen fuel cell trucks in port drayage, a $10 million hydrogen truck grant program, and a request for proposals for a public fueling station, while warning that high costs, fuel shortages, and the Colton incident have slowed momentum. First Public Hydrogen Authority described efforts to aggregate municipal demand, support green hydrogen production projects, and create long-term market certainty for suppliers and off-takers. Committee members repeatedly pressed witnesses on where state funding should go next, with several suggesting that near-term support for transit fleets, fueling infrastructure, and targeted high-impact corridors would be the most effective way to keep hydrogen deployment moving.

Transcript Highlights:

• It focuses on five areas. First, we must cut the red tape that burdens our defense workforce.
• Yes, CRs are very damaging to a rapid and agile workforce.
• As I've observed, the development of hypersensitivity...
• Not give a program a monopoly on a certain capability area.
• We can't talk about a workforce problem.

Transcript Highlights:

• indicators for that system area, and then it'll delve deeply into the issue area and what's happening
• development and adequate compensation are essential.
• To the workforce is supported.
• So our families are provided with a workforce pathway, leadership development, and wellness supports.
• And, you know, it came open in our area.

Transcript Highlights:

• A few years back, we also received funding for workforce development dollars, roughly $65 million over
• points: $2.2 million that was going to be included in the 2025-2026 budget for workforce development
• But that's all part of the packages related to workforce development.
• I am the Executive Director for Youth Development and Workforce Development at Safe Passages in Oakland
• Libby Abbott, Deputy Director for Health Workforce Development.

Keywords: 988, house, all