Transcript Highlights:

• Stan McLean, Senate District 9, all of Marion and all of Levy and part of Alachua County.
• Johns County, Flagler County, Putnam County, and part of Volusia County.
• Johns County, Flagler County, Putnam County, and part of Volusia County.
• This is another system that was modernized as part of Phase One.
• that these vehicles aren't rebuilt using stolen parts.

Summary: The committee met to receive a base budget overview for agencies under its jurisdiction, which include the Division of Emergency Management, Department of Commerce, Department of State, Department of Transportation, Department of Military Affairs, and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Staff explained the budget format and noted that the Legislature appropriated more than $20.2 billion to these agencies in the current fiscal year, a 66.7% increase over 10 years. The Department of Transportation then presented on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, describing it as a $7 billion effort to advance 20 major congestion-relief projects statewide. Secretary Jared Perdue said the department is ahead of schedule, with 14 of 20 projects expected to be underway by the end of the calendar year. He highlighted major projects including I-4 in Polk and Osceola counties, I-75 improvements, Southwest 10th Street in Broward County, Fruitville Road, Capital Circle in Tallahassee, and I-275, and discussed innovations such as aggregate supply grants, modified phase design-build, workforce hiring events, and voluntary acceleration. Senators asked about business impacts from construction, tourism-related transit funding, aggregate sourcing, and labor shortages; the secretary said FDOT works with local businesses and that additional revenue sources for transit would require legislative action. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reviewed motorist services, revenue collection, licensing, vehicle titling, specialty plates, insurance compliance, driver safety, and commercial driver licensing. Officials said the department collected about $2.9 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2023-24 and described modernization efforts, including electronic verification systems, Real ID compliance, mobile licensing units, and a planned digital driver license. Members asked about the driver license backlog in Miami-Dade and Broward, and the department said service delays were driven by growth and staffing constraints but should improve with $7.5 million in recent funding and the eventual transition of services to county tax collectors. Questions also addressed temporary paper licenses and birth certificate fraud prevention. The Department of Commerce presented on the Job Growth Grant Fund and Visit Florida. Commerce said the grant fund, created in 2017, has awarded $257 million to 70 projects in 37 counties since 2019, with demand exceeding supply about four to one. Officials emphasized that the program supports targeted industries and workforce and infrastructure projects, and they highlighted examples in CDL training, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and health care. Senators raised concerns about small businesses affected by transportation construction, and Commerce said it has an Office of Small Business Innovation and other tools, though the grant fund is limited by statute to targeted industries. Visit Florida then described its public-private tourism marketing role, saying the state’s $80 million appropriation is matched by private investment and that the latest EDR review found a $3.30 return in tax revenue for every state dollar spent. Visit Florida reported record visitation and tourism spending, along with hurricane recovery marketing and rural promotion efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's part of the governor's budget recommendations that the team is together.
• traditional Financial crimes it's part traditional Financial crimes it's part of<00:07:20.639>
• Part of the reason for the delay, so this bill will be appearing this afternoon.
• Well, I think it's part of the long, I mean, in the governor's tenure.
• <00:50:05.280> of unacceptable and so I this is part of unacceptable and so I this is part

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am ready to be part of that difficult work at the commission.
• <00:09:21.399> of proceedings I am ready to be part of proceedings I am ready to be part of
• uh, part of that plan to increase energy assistance programs?
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.
• assistance, or LIHEAP, that is part of the utilities bill assistance program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• this is not I mean this part-time this is not I mean this part-time teacher<01:10:29.440> um<
• It's part of our culture.
• It's part of our culture.
• It's part of our culture.
• It's simply a part of our history.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um the subgrant part I thought we should Um the subgrant part I thought we should know<00:09:55.000><
• I I missed that part. I Thank you. I I missed that part.
• ,<01:26:44.560> um,<01:26:44.639> it Um, part of their reasoning, um, it Um, part of
• facility fees and then the second part facility fees and then the second part would<01:32:29.520
• <01:37:03.920> of a part of a part of this.<01:37:05.679> So,<01:37:05.920> the<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And in some parts of the state, higher education institutions are an essential part of a vibrant ecosystem
• And some parts of the state higher education institutions are an essential part of a vibrant ecosystem
• This is part of our goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
• A co-op is part of your academic program that's generally six months long and paid.
• A co-op is part of your academic program that's generally six months long and paid.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on the economic impact of Massachusetts higher education institutions, with opening remarks noting the significance of September 11 and the role colleges and universities play in the state’s economy, workforce, and research ecosystem. UMass leaders testified first, describing UMass as a major employer and economic driver that educates large numbers of Massachusetts residents, supports thousands of jobs, and generates billions in annual economic activity. They emphasized the importance of research funding, warned that federal grant cancellations, suspensions, and slowdowns were harming research operations and talent retention, and voiced strong support for Governor Healey’s proposed DRIVE initiative as bridge funding to protect research capacity and jobs. Committee members focused heavily on workforce preparation in emerging fields such as AI, cyber, quantum computing, and engineering. UMass leaders said AI is being embedded across curricula and research, but also warned that financial constraints forced reductions in PhD admissions, especially in computer science and engineering, which could weaken the future workforce pipeline. They also described the practical effects of grant uncertainty, including reduced graduate admissions and concerns about losing researchers to institutions abroad. Members asked for more detailed data on grant timing, funding gaps, and where students and researchers were going. A second panel from private colleges and universities, including AICUM, Suffolk, Smith, and Clark, highlighted the broad economic and civic contributions of private higher education. Testimony cited large annual economic impacts, job creation, tax revenue, community service, legal clinics, dual enrollment, entrepreneurship support, sustainability investments, and access programs. Speakers also discussed enrollment pressures, COVID-related social and mental health challenges, student visa and federal policy concerns, and the need to preserve liberal arts alongside career-focused training. The committee then heard from MIT, where testimony focused on research commercialization, biotech spinouts, and the role of federal, philanthropic, and industry funding in sustaining innovation; members pressed for more data on funding sources and asked what state policy could do to keep talent and businesses in Massachusetts. The hearing continued with additional public higher education testimony, including Bridgewater State, Bristol Community College, and Northeastern, which emphasized workforce-aligned programs, social mobility, apprenticeships, co-op education, and the need for better coordination between higher education, employers, and state workforce systems.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's good to be with you and delightful to be a part of this.
• I do thank you for again being here, being a part of this.
• But that's part of it coming here.
• But that's part of it coming here.
• But statistics only tell part of the story.

Summary: The committee met at NDSU and approved the April 9 minutes. The main purpose of the meeting was an informational presentation from NDSU President David Stewart and university leaders on the university’s priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, commercialization, and use of New Horizons funding. Stewart emphasized a “One NDSU” approach, thanked legislators for past support, and said the university will focus on recruitment and retention, a new strategic plan, and growing research and tech transfer while serving North Dakota’s workforce needs. University leaders said NDSU is using tuition waivers more strategically and will work to reduce them over time through scholarship optimization. Provost Sherry Vale described academic portfolio reviews, program closures or consolidations, strategic hiring, and workload policies aimed at aligning resources with demand. They also highlighted student outcomes, including high completion rates, strong employment placement, and NDSU’s role in producing a large share of the state’s engineers, nurses, and agriculture graduates. Several students testified about how NDSU’s mentoring, internships, research, and support services helped them succeed. The committee also heard from partners on New Horizons-related collaborations: Gateway to Science described K-12 STEM outreach in rural and tribal areas, and Sanford Research discussed joint research efforts, including COBRE-related work, obesity and GLP-1 studies, and a joint biostatistics hire. Later speakers highlighted Governor’s School and NDSU’s research and commercialization efforts, including growth in research expenditures and invention disclosures. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We reimburse hospitals for patients, and I think part of that is the increase in the number of people
• and I think part of that and just part and I think part of that and just part of<00:05:15.039>
• There are parts of the state where, when you could be traveling across the state and say you're going
• There are parts of the state where, when you could be traveling across the state and say you're going
• the worst and and part of that is<00:10:05.440> the<00:10:05.600> seniors.

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The program focused on two major Senate efforts: emergency support for Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and modernization of the state’s human services software systems. On HCMC, Senator Rich Draheim said the hospital is a critical level-one trauma center and a key part of Minnesota’s safety net, warning that its closure would overwhelm the rest of the system. He argued the state should prioritize stabilizing HCMC and other hospitals rather than expanding programs that he считает are not adequately fixed, and he opposed raising taxes such as Hennepin County’s sales tax to fund the hospital, saying property-tax and cost-of-living pressures are already too high. The Senate’s Health and Human Services Supplemental Budget Bill includes a one-time $150 million appropriation to stabilize HCMC, with accountability and reporting requirements. The segment also noted DFL Senator Ann Rest’s bipartisan Senate File 4986, which would direct Hennepin County sales tax revenues to HCMC after certain county obligations are met. Draheim and others emphasized that HCMC’s finances are strained by uncompensated care and low reimbursement rates, and that rural and metro hospitals alike are under pressure. The second half of the program highlighted Senate File 4719, sponsored by Senator Melissa Wicklund, to create a Human Services Systems Steering Committee. Wicklund said outdated, siloed Department of Human Services systems slow access to SNAP, medical assistance, and other basic-needs programs, create errors and inefficiencies, and make fraud harder to detect. She said the committee would bring counties, state agencies, and IT officials together to prioritize modernization. She also said the upgrades would be expensive, citing a child welfare system replacement estimated at nearly $80 million, but noted federal matching funds are available and that failing to modernize could lead to penalties. Wicklund also discussed a longer-term bill, Senate File 5020, to create an IT funding account and planning process for future system upgrades.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so educating our grantees about that was part of their contract.
• And so educating our grantees about that was part of their contract.
• So a part of that is that we’ve said it’s incumbent on users.
• “I’m sorry, repeat the last part.”
• As part of our challenge... ...two years' progress, because part of our challenge in my first 23, 24,

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an update on the California Education Learning Lab, which the administration wants to move from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation to the Government Operations Agency and fund at $4 million annually. The Learning Lab and a UC Davis faculty lead described intersegmental grants supporting teaching innovation, including an AI-focused project involving UC, CSU, and community college faculty. The Department of Finance supported the proposal as a way to align higher education and workforce efforts, while the LAO recommended rejecting it, arguing the work is hard to scale, overlaps with existing campus and segment-wide professional development, and could be wound down to save General Fund dollars. Members questioned the program’s outcomes, administrative costs, and whether it fills a gap not already covered elsewhere; the item was held open. The committee then considered funding for the new Office of Civil Rights in GovOps to implement AB 715 and SB 48, with a request for $3.5 million in 2026-27 and $2.8 million ongoing. Administration staff said the office has been set up, positions posted, and space and equipment secured, but acknowledged that detailed program guidance cannot yet be developed until subject-matter staff are hired. The LAO had no concerns, but several senators raised concerns about the office’s placement in GovOps, the lack of guidance for schools, the pending litigation and possible follow-on legislation, and whether the staffing structure matches the workload across different discrimination categories. The administration said it would coordinate with the Department of Education, develop outreach and guidance once staff are in place, and shift resources as needed based on workload. The item was held open. After public comment supporting the California Education Interagency Council, the subcommittee voted to approve several vote-only items: items 11 through 17 were approved unanimously, and items 6 through 10 were approved on a 3-1 vote, with Senator Nilo voting no. The committee then heard from the Office of Data and Innovation, which requested five positions and $1.25 million in reimbursement authority to expand its digital service delivery work. ODI described projects using data science and iterative design to improve state services, including reducing unauthorized EBT transactions and forecasting water system outages; the LAO had no concerns, and members expressed support while asking about privacy protections and data safeguards for vendor AI tools. The item was held open. Finally, the Department of Technology presented on the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, describing progress on the statewide open-access network, including 423 miles already active, more than 70% permitted, and a selected operator, Skyline Technology Solutions, to handle day-to-day operations. The LAO noted most of the $3.8 billion in appropriated funds is already encumbered and raised concerns about the new three-party structure, accountability, and long-term financial sustainability. Members pressed CDT on completion timelines, the need for a two-year extension of the encumbrance period, the legal basis for the operator arrangement, revenue projections, and oversight of the out-of-state operator. CDT said it expects about 5,300 miles completed by December 2026, with some work slipping into 2027, and said it will continue annual reports and quarterly advisory committee updates. The item remained under discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I part also. Uh with that, Mr.
• constituent is part of another district. constituent is part of another district.
• I thought it was just a part a state.
• This is part of our process.
• 01:39:24.800> organization<01:39:26.000> uh part of a transmission organization uh part

Bills: HB0002, HB0022

Keywords: building permits, local government, residential construction, permit timelines, code compliance, municipal officers, recall election, petition requirements, local governance, voter participation, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Lewis Army Museum remains part of sustaining our community for generations to come.
• So it's great to be part of it.
• of the country, certain parts of our state.
• of the country certain parts of our state so next slide Next slide, please.
• I think our clinic is part of the answer, but ultimately, What do we do about it?

Summary: The committee heard updates from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Navy Region Northwest, Fairchild Air Force Base, the Coast Guard, state licensing agencies, the Professional Educator Standards Board, the Washington National Guard, and a veterans behavioral health presenter. Across the military briefings, common themes were readiness, infrastructure, and quality-of-life issues for service members and families, especially child care, housing, food insecurity, medical and dental access, and military spouse employment. JBLM highlighted its role in Indo-Pacific readiness, ongoing PFAS cleanup, 212 new family housing units under construction, efforts to expand child care, and continued work to keep the Lewis Army Museum open. Navy Region Northwest discussed its major installations and economic impact, the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan, future carrier and submarine homeporting needs, and asked the legislature to continue support for licensure compacts, educational stability for military children, housing, and medical access. Fairchild emphasized its tanker and survival missions, child care shortages, food insecurity, aging housing, and concerns about wind turbine development near flight paths, while the Coast Guard focused on rebuilding Base Seattle for new icebreakers and on rural access to housing, medical care, and child care at dispersed stations like Neah Bay. Members repeatedly raised food insecurity and asked for follow-up on solutions. JBLM and Fairchild both described increased demand for food assistance during the shutdown, and committee members noted progress in getting mobile food vans onto JBLM. The presenters also praised state action on military spouse licensure and child care, including Senate Bill 5545 and related compact and portability efforts. The Department of Licensing reported about 9,000 self-identified military members or spouses licensed, with average time-to-license just under nine days, and said applications are prioritized when military status is self-identified. The Department of Health said its military-to-civilian crosswalk now covers more than 35 health professions, that temporary practice permits and expedited processing are in place, and that 1,300 credentials were issued to military spouses and domestic partners and 129 to military-trained health professionals in the last fiscal year, all within 30 days. The Professional Educator Standards Board explained that military spouses and service members can receive expedited teacher certification with reduced documentation, and that they are moved to the front of the review queue when they self-identify. Members asked about verification, and staff said the process relies on attestation with investigatory safeguards if needed. The Washington National Guard briefed on its dual state and federal mission, the impact of the recent shutdown on nearly 700 employees who worked without pay, and policy and budget requests including youth academy protections, alignment of the Washington Code of Military Justice with the UCMJ, making Civil Air Patrol a division of the Military Department, 911 funding, disaster assistance, and capital funding for headquarters and readiness facilities. The Guard also warned about drone threats and said it wants authority to identify, track, and monitor suspicious drones. A veterans behavioral health presenter, an Army combat veteran and clinical social worker, described high suicide risk, barriers to care, and the need for more culturally competent services, especially for women veterans and caregivers. He said Washington veterans’ suicide rate remains above the national average and emphasized that childcare, transportation, and provider shortages can prevent timely treatment. Members generally responded supportively throughout, asked for follow-up on food security and other issues, and encouraged agencies to bring forward legislative ideas for future sessions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would be able to have a consulting dentist that would be a part of it.
• Ongoing care and other kinds of things are part of that.
• That kind of delay has always been a part of the process.
• That also plays a part in how the funds in the HGAA are distributed.
• So, Madam Chair, that is part of the calculation.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I said that we use the MAP test as part of our TIA. Got it, thank you.
• That's the part I can't even figure out.
• That's the part where, right?
• Part of the truth is, too, now, until you ask the U.S.
• There are also some parts that cause a little bit of concern.

Bills: HB8

Keywords: HB 8, Texas public school accountability, school accountability, public school transparency, STAAR, state assessments, instructionally supportive assessment program, Student Success Tool, Texas Education Agency, TEA, accountability ratings, A-F ratings, through-year assessment, benchmark testing, norm-referenced assessment, college career military readiness, CCMR, local accountability plan, school district performance, campus turnaround

Transcript Highlights:

• Part of it is opportunity-based.
• Part of it is opportunity-based.
• I think I just would add that part of it is a timing thing.
• So the MDI itself is actually a very small part of that pie.
• Is that part of it? Certainly.

Summary: The hearing focused on the governor’s May Revision proposals for transportation, natural resources, climate, and related programs, with the Department of Finance and the LAO presenting competing views on the state’s fiscal condition. Finance said the budget remains balanced over two years, with major climate-bond, water, parks, transportation, DMV, and agriculture proposals, while the LAO argued the state still has a structural deficit and should reject or defer many new discretionary spending items, preserve reserves, and be cautious about ongoing commitments. The LAO specifically questioned the timing and scale of new spending for programs such as Clean California, Healthy Rivers and Landscapes, and the Golden Gate Fields acquisition, and urged more clarity on future obligations and revenue scenarios, including for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. A major portion of the hearing was devoted to the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes proposal for Bay-Delta water quality implementation. Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Finance described it as an enforceable, science-based alternative to a more traditional regulatory approach, with the state’s $25 million request intended to support early implementation, monitoring, habitat restoration, and environmental flows. The LAO countered that the Water Board has not yet adopted the updated Bay-Delta plan, that the proposal may be premature, and that the Legislature should wait for more information on the state’s total funding commitment and the program’s long-term costs. Several members expressed support for the program as a way to reduce conflict and protect water reliability, while others echoed concerns about timing and fiscal exposure. The committee also examined the proposed $125 million Proposition 4 contribution toward acquiring the Golden Gate Fields property for a shoreline park and habitat project. State officials said the acquisition is a time-sensitive, once-in-a-generation opportunity, with an appraised value of $175 million and additional philanthropic and local funding expected to close the gap. Members questioned whether the project had gone through the usual competitive process, whether the site is the best use of scarce park bond dollars, and how public access, habitat, and disadvantaged-community priorities would be protected. The discussion ended without a vote, and the committee moved on to transportation items including Clean California litter abatement, the Games Route Network, homeless encampment coordinators, and DMV modernization and field office proposals, with LAO recommending rejection or delay on several of those requests as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's part of the November 1st?
• <00:32:13.279> for um part part of the announcement for um part part of the announcement for
• As part of a similar effort wildfires.
• So, a two-part<00:38:17.680> question. two-part question. two-part question.
• Um, in response to your second question, DHS is part, or actually the Hawaii Attorney General is part

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Human Services and Homelessness received a briefing from Scott Morish of the Hawaii Department of Human Services on upcoming SNAP changes tied to the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1/OBBA) and on the federal government shutdown’s impact on November SNAP benefits. DHS described its SNAP workload and statewide participation, noting about 86,229 households and 168,947 individuals receiving benefits in September, with roughly $58–$60 million distributed monthly. Morish said DHS has already made system and policy updates in preparation for the November 1 implementation date. Most of the briefing focused on expanded able-bodied adult work requirements. DHS explained that the work rule now applies to additional groups, including adults ages 55 to 64, households with dependent children age 14 and older, people experiencing homelessness, veterans, and youth ages 18 to 24 who transitioned from foster care. The department said affected individuals must generally work or participate in qualifying activities for 80 hours per month, with noncompliance leading to a three-month benefit limit and a 36-month ineligibility period. DHS also reviewed exemptions, including for disability, pregnancy, caregiving, school or training, unemployment, and substance use treatment, and clarified that the new Indian Health Care Improvement Act exemption does not include Native Hawaiians. DHS said it received approval for Hawaii’s request for a non-contiguous-state exemption from payment error penalties through September 30, 2026, but must still make good-faith efforts to implement the work rules. Morish also outlined OBBA changes to non-citizen eligibility, saying that beginning November 1 only lawful permanent residents, COFA residents, and Cuban or Haitian entrants will remain eligible, while other previously eligible categories such as refugees, asylees, and some parolees will no longer qualify. He noted that ineligible non-citizens must still be included in household reporting and their income counted. The committee then discussed the federal shutdown’s effect on SNAP, with DHS saying USDA directed states to suspend November SNAP issuance because of insufficient funding; existing October benefits remain usable, and TANF and general assistance are not affected. DHS said it has posted FAQs and call-center messages, and is working with the Hawaii Food Bank on an additional $2 million in support and with nonprofit partners on a new Hawaii Relief program funded by TANF for families with dependent children. Members asked about eligibility for kūpuna and documentation for the relief program, and DHS said the TANF-funded program is limited to households with a child under 18, while FAQs are now available online.

Transcript Highlights:

• They play a very valuable part of that process.
• They play a very valuable part of that process. then they reached. them.
• They play a very valuable part of that process.
• The portion of the study that we're going to talk about has four parts.
• And then projecting, as a result, projecting potential revenue collections becomes part science, part

Summary: The committee met to receive updates from the Tax Commissioner’s office on property tax relief programs and related compliance work. Commissioner Brian Croshys reviewed the Homestead Property Tax Credit, Disabled Veteran Credit, and Primary Residence Credit, noting that the Homestead program expanded significantly after HB 1158, that some households are “adjusting out” of eligibility as incomes rise, and that the committee may want to consider indexing income thresholds. Members asked for additional data on bracket breakdowns, possible costs of eliminating income limits for seniors, and how many households are zeroed out by the combined programs. Croshys also discussed the simpler administration of the disabled veteran credit, the growth in participation, and the heavy workload and auditing safeguards built into the new primary residence credit system. He said the department found no material compliance findings and that the program is designed to be digital-first, with county auditors and the Tax Commissioner’s office both involved in review and notification. The committee recessed for lunch and later reconvened, with the chair noting that more detailed PRC information would likely be available at a September meeting. Shelly Myers then presented the statewide property tax increase, or “zero growth,” report and the 2025 statistical report. She explained how county auditors report levy and valuation data, how increases and decreases are counted, and which jurisdictions showed the largest percentage changes in countywide, citywide, school district, and park district levies. In the statistical report, she summarized recent trends in assessed values: agricultural values remained relatively flat, while residential, commercial, and centrally assessed property values increased over the past five years. She also reviewed statewide tax levies by property class and clarified that centrally assessed growth figures were annual averages. Members discussed how shifts in land use and annexation can make it appear that tax burdens are moving from ag to residential/commercial property. Myers then summarized the interim study on the 3% levy limitation under HB 1176, saying most counties complied without budget changes, while some used hiring freezes, deferred purchases, or reserve funds; 23% of counties had to reduce levies, and the affected funds were mainly general, road and bridge, and weed control. She said 12 counties reported zero new growth in the data and that 35 counties reported not using all of their cap. The committee also received an oil tax presentation from Croshys on the stripper well extraction tax exemption. He outlined the number of active stripper wells, the production and revenue implications of the exemption, and projections for future biennia under different tax scenarios. He said the exemption represents substantial savings to operators but also corresponds to production tax revenue that would otherwise be collected, and he emphasized that future outcomes depend on oil prices, well counts, and technology such as CO2 enhanced oil recovery. Nathan Anderson of the Department of Mineral Resources briefly answered a question about why Red River wells have a different production threshold than Bakken wells, explaining it was tied to completion costs and lateral length. The committee then heard from Charlie Gorecki of the EERC, who presented an analysis of typical Bakken well decline curves and argued that most oil is produced before a well reaches stripper status, but that keeping wells open and investing in refracturing or other interventions can recover additional production. No votes were taken during this portion of the meeting; the main actions were receiving reports, asking for follow-up data, and scheduling further discussion for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• No, I mean, those that are part of this leadership group. Oh, the fellowship.
• When they come into my classroom, they become part of my family.
• First part, I agree. Thank you. First part, I agree.
• So definitely concur in that journey and being a part of that.
• So I think two parts now, Mr. Secretary. One is ACEs. One is ACEs.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Senate and House Education Committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program from Department of Education staff and three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central. The teachers described the year-long fellowship for high-performing merit pay recipients, saying it provided collaboration with educators across the state, shared resources, and ideas they brought back to their districts. Members asked about the teachers’ experience levels, how they shared information locally, and whether the program should be expanded to more teachers and districts. A major focus of the discussion was third-grade reading, the new ATLAS testing system, and the state’s third-grade retention law. The teachers said they do not teach to the test, but use standards, data, interventions, small groups, and relationships to help students grow. They described progress monitoring throughout the year, early screening in K-2, and interventions such as before-school tutoring, RTI meetings, and co-teaching. One teacher reported that six students in a small group improved 10 to 15 points on ATLAS, and another said a student who started the year reading four words per minute improved significantly with targeted support. Secretary Jacob Oliva said the state is trying to create clarity and alignment through Arkansas Learns, science-of-reading support, literacy coaches, and faster test-result turnaround, with student scores now available within about 24 hours and district-level results expected later in the summer. Members also asked about student poverty, trauma, ACEs, DHS involvement, social workers, community supports, and the role of counselors. The teachers emphasized that relationship-building is essential, especially for students facing unstable home situations, and described local supports such as backpack food programs, church donations, fire department incentives, and family assistance. Oliva said the fellowship was intentionally small in its first year because it targeted top-tier merit pay recipients, but he expects participation to grow. He also said merit pay and fellowship eligibility spans many grade levels and subjects, including kindergarten and hard-to-staff areas, and that D and F schools receive state literacy coaches. No additional committee votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're going to be a part of a work group.
• They're part of the system and part of society.
• I also want to add this part.
• When I was part of the EOC, and I think Vice Chair Flores was part of that too, during Katrina and the
• Part of the bill going forward.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it was $1.6 million in... right so um part of the whole um think right so um part of the whole
• and eight part-time positions and eight part-timers<01:31:35.000> became<01:31:35.280> two
• I did not include part-time positions because part-time positions come and go.
• I did not include part-time positions because part-time positions come and go.
• I did not include part-time positions because part-time positions come and go.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures. A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions. Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service. The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.

Transcript Highlights:

• We do more and more out in the different parts of the state.
• , our part of HR, ...are part of finance, our part of HR, all of that.
• Interoperability was part of the RFP process. Interoperability was part of the RFB process.
• Interoperability was part of the RFB process.
• Total our part would be $2.5 million because they maxed out.

Keywords: 914, all

Summary: The Oklahoma 911 Management Authority met with a quorum and approved the April 2 regular meeting minutes and financial reports for February through April 2026. The board then adopted the FY 2027 budget, which included a 5% staff increase, reclassifying the 911-98 liaison into a training coordinator role, adding a GIS specialist position, higher funding for training, travel, NG911 deployment, cybersecurity training, recruitment, and the 911 coordinator workshop, along with increased GIS repository funding and a new technology roadmap allocation. The budget also set aside $3 million for a one-time PSAP distribution and maintained grant closeout and reserve funding levels. The board approved the $3 million PSAP one-time distribution and its guidelines, using the statutory population-and-land-area formula, with funds restricted to GIS, eligible technology items, or grant matching rather than salaries or construction. Members also denied Washington County 911’s request to waive the 20% match for a radio console grant after staff found the county had sufficient carryover and other funding sources. The board approved an in-person 911 telecommunicator training curriculum and simulator for technical schools, with a requirement for a full simulator and NENA-approved certification, and approved a $249,820 statewide recruitment campaign with ICG Advertising to promote 911 careers. On GIS compliance, the board authorized staff, with legal counsel, to begin enforcement steps against PSAPs that do not complete required GIS data remediation and repository uploads by the June deadline, including notice and possible escrow action by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The board also approved several individual grants, including projects for fiber/NextGen 911 transition, ADA furniture, NextGen 911 equipment, a consolidation feasibility study, recorder upgrades, and radio console upgrades for multiple counties and PSAPs. Committee and staff reports highlighted 911 Day at the Capitol, upcoming POP grant availability, new grant categories for FY 2027, cybersecurity training planning, NG911/GIS tool development, 988 outreach, and ongoing project and standards work.