Transcript Highlights:

• I do have a phenomenal social Worker and counseling team in my district.
• One of our social workers is in charge of that at the high school, and she's done a phenomenal job.
• Students in our construction pathway work at Habitat for Humanity.
• To be able to see themselves socially within those constructs.
• You know, I'm in the construction business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we run our Workforce Development programs and the dislocated worker program.
• program we're often dislocated worker program we're often the<00:04:36.960> public<00:04:37.240
• <00:05:15.080> who<00:05:15.199> are accredited uh social workers who are accredited
• uh social workers who are actually<00:05:15.680> providing<00:05:15.960> Mental<00:05:
• That I think that's one of our biggest concerns is that child protection workers are not abundant.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am curious about what percentage of our state workers work from home?
• Now I get what you're thinking is why are there social workers here today?
• Now, I get what you're thinking, is why are there social workers here today?
• Now, I get what you're thinking is, why are there social workers here today?
• But social workers are trained to mold the needs of a community.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh we're buildings under construction.
• <00:37:22.000> and funding of re of construction and funding of re of construction and renovation
• reconstruction or re or construct reconstruction or re or construct renovation<00:37:32.880>
• or construction of CCT renovation or construction of CCT centers.<00:37:35.280> So,<00:37:35.680
• High having closed its construction High having closed its construction trades<00:39:45.359>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Amendment number one would change the rule of construction on page two.
• I’m a member of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council.
• Landry on issues because I'm not in construction. Construction law, but not construction.
• Brad Hassert from the Louisiana Construction...
• Brad Hassard from the Louisiana Construction Board, wait, Contractors Board, and Construction Code Council

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they have acknowledged the problem, they've developed a plan, and it's not just the end worker, but
• So they have acknowledged the problem, they've developed a plan, and it's not just the end worker, but
• So please tune in, especially if you're in Minor, or Fargo or Bismarck, workers.
• I'm interested in the Grant Marsh Bridge and the construction of it, and I like to give feedback.
• The subcommittee offered a rough construct of a qualification framework, which is in the appendix, and

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• She's not a social worker, but she's a case worker that's going to help us with the investigation of
• health workers, again, as it is right now, they are gaining a lot of traction.
• But it interests me that we have, you know, community health workers.
• But it interests me that we have, you know, community health workers.
• Wow, we have some worker bees here that are ready to take on some pretty big things for us.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a detailed annual presentation from Dr. Thomas Arnold, chair of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, on maternal mortality trends and review findings. He explained the committee’s structure, the de-identified review process, and the distinction between pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related deaths. He said national maternal mortality has declined from its 2021 peak, but mental health conditions, substance use, overdose, suicide, cardiovascular disease, hemorrhage, infection, and embolism remain major causes. He emphasized that many deaths are preventable, with especially high rates among non-Hispanic Black women and in the American Indian/Alaska Native population, and noted that a large share of deaths occur after 42 days postpartum. Committee members asked about suicide, domestic abuse, pregnancy testing in unexplained deaths, and the role of home births and midwife training. Dr. Arnold said the committee is adding a caseworker, exploring post-mortem pregnancy testing in suspicious cases, and working with coroners and forensic officials; he also said home births and untrained midwifery pose safety concerns and that better public education and facility-based care are important. The committee then heard from State Fire Marshal Dr. Matt Clark on cigarette ignition propensity standards and fire prevention. He recommended updating North Dakota’s cigarette ignition legislation to the current national standard and also considering legislation requiring fast-breakaway oxygen tubing, citing fatal fires involving smoking around home oxygen. He explained that his office verifies manufacturer testing and maintains certification for cigarettes sold in the state, but does not itself conduct the testing. Members asked about implementation, cost, and whether the standards apply in tribal communities; Clark said he would follow up with cost information and additional details, and that he had not seen evidence of a major issue on tribal lands but would look further. Christine Greff of the Department of Health and Human Services presented the North Dakota Stroke System of Care report. She described the statewide network of two comprehensive stroke centers, four primary stroke centers, and 30 acute stroke-ready hospitals, along with the stroke registry and quality-improvement efforts. She reported that most strokes are ischemic, that the median stroke patient age is 71.5, and that common risk factors include hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, and diabetes. She highlighted improvements in door-to-CT, thrombolytic treatment times, dysphagia screening, EMS pre-notification, and interfacility transfer performance, and said new priorities include hemorrhagic stroke quality measures and standardized EMS stroke screening tools. Members asked about the VA hospital’s participation, and Greff said she would pursue outreach. After a break, the committee heard testimony from Taha Khan of Vertex Pharmaceuticals as part of the prior authorization study, focused on non-opioid pain treatment. He argued that prior authorization can delay access to acute pain treatment and may push patients toward opioids, especially in the critical 24- to 72-hour post-discharge window. He cited data showing that even short opioid exposure can increase the risk of long-term use and said prior authorization is often a barrier for physicians and patients. Khan recommended open access with a quantity limit rather than prior authorization, suggesting a 14-day limit supported by the product’s data and an episode-of-care approach. Members asked about dental use, payer discussions, and cost; he said the product’s wholesale acquisition cost is about $16.10 per tablet, with patient assistance available, and that he would follow up on payer and comparison-cost questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• workers.
• of farm workers who deserve the same things as every other worker.
• and adult workers.
• and adult workers.
• under 18, and workers at employers with fewer than 25 workers.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Workers is outrageous, only half the story because it is the mission of those workers at the VA to care
• Our title exceeds our $1 billion construction.
• Our title exceeds our $1 billion construction.
• Our title exceeds our $1 billion construction.
• IT'S FOR HOURLY WORKERS WORKINGOVER TIME.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• Our construction group has put together a lot of really good construction specifications and how to build
• We're currently under construction on that.
• The impacts with the construction traffic, the people that are coming into the area, how many construction
• construction.
• Every year, skilled workers leave this state.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Energy Development and Transmission Committee met in interim session and approved the November 6 minutes. Chair Novak outlined the committee’s study agenda, including large energy users such as data centers, geothermal, landowner relations, wind and solar, and other energy topics across the state. The meeting was framed as informational only, with no bills or formal legislative action taken beyond the minutes approval. Testimony focused first on landowner relations. Oliver County Commissioner Dave Berger described the county’s energy history and local support for coal and related development. North Dakota Farmers Union President Matt Perdue emphasized proactive, face-to-face communication with landowners, respect for property rights, and the need for developers to be transparent about tradeoffs; he also discussed insurance and liability concerns tied to easements. Committee members asked about eminent domain, local versus state authority, and how communities can better understand the revenue and infrastructure implications of energy development. Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Tom Bodine then described the department’s ombudsman programs for pipeline restoration and reclamation, wind restoration, and royalty oversight. He said the programs provide confidential, third-party assistance on reclamation and royalty disputes, but do not provide legal advice. Senators raised concerns about post-production deductions in royalty leases and whether the ombudsman can explain them; Bodine said the program can clarify statements and deductions but cannot resolve legal disputes. He also said the department has not received requests related to fiber lines. Representatives from Grid United and One Oak described their project development and landowner engagement practices. Grid United’s Brent Johnson discussed the North Plains Connector transmission project, its route selection process, voluntary acquisition approach, and efforts to avoid eminent domain by working closely with regulators, counties, townships, and landowners. One Oak’s Danette Welsh and Tom Giltner described the company’s midstream operations, extensive North Dakota footprint, and emphasis on direct landowner communication, consistent local regulation, careful construction practices, and post-construction reclamation. Members asked about setbacks, zoning consistency, invasive species prevention, outside advocacy groups, and eminent domain use; One Oak said it has not used eminent domain on its North Dakota projects, largely because most gathering lines are negotiated easements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, now we're going to go to the Workers' Compensation Administration.
• The Workers' Compensation Administration gets its revenue from a payroll tax.
• The Workers' Compensation Administration, over the last, I would say, at least three fiscal years, has
• The worker contribution is $2.25, and the employer contribution is $2.55.
• It would also cover the actual cost of construction management software subscriptions that have been

Transcript Highlights:

• Escorted by Assemblymember Patel is Karen Leilani Parlin, an accomplished social worker dedicated to
• Responses in advising the worker should not be subject to subpoena.
• But by allowing evidentiary privilege between workers and union representatives, we can help ensure the
• These communications focus on workers' rights and support California's fair employment standards.
• AB 87 would ensure that concessions gained through the construction of housing cannot be used on hotels

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Furthermore, they worked on construction stormwater permits, getting additional permits from the PCA
• So the A7 amendment would prohibit the construction of oil wells.
• So the A7 amendment would prohibit the construction of oil wells.
• , projects for bidding and construction, projects for bidding and construction, especially<00:37:
• Storm water in constructed we know now.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we don't let them get to a point of disrepair, where we have to do full construction.
• We get our construction guys out there to oversee those short-duration projects.
• coming up next construction season.
• bit constructability reviews.
• As far as when construction is set to begin, I do not know the details on that.

Transcript Highlights:

• Tiffany Whitewood, SEIU California, representing over 750,000 workers across California, including workers
• Once our worker went out to investigate it, she noticed that actually he was Once our worker went out
• from the community and a social worker from an agency, trauma has begun.
• Our county workers have checks and balances and accountability.
• And so please, let's make sure that we continue to have constructive dialogue.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Human Services held an informational hearing on child welfare, foster care, child support, and related prevention efforts. The chair opened by emphasizing mandated reporting reform, foster care system improvements, and community-based prevention, and noted that no votes would be taken. Public testimony focused first on mandated reporting, where a lived-experience advocate and several organizations argued that the current system overreports families, especially Black, Native, and Latino families, causes trauma, and should be reformed through standardized training, clearer thresholds, and stronger community supports rather than more hotline referrals. Casey Family Programs cited data showing nearly 90% of reports are unsubstantiated, while CDSS said it is already forming a Mandated Reporting Advisory Committee, updating training, and exploring community pathways and possible changes to the list of mandated reporters. CWDA and SEIU supported training and alternative response concepts but stressed child safety, county capacity, funding, and the need for careful implementation and accountability. The committee then discussed a proposal to create a foster care multi-agency office within the California Health and Human Services Agency, led by a chief foster youth advocate with authority to coordinate across departments. Advocates said foster youth often need services from education, health, housing, and behavioral health systems that do not coordinate well, and argued that a central office with real authority could improve placement stability and access to services. CDSS responded that existing structures already provide coordination, including AB 2083 interagency teams, the Child Welfare Council, complex care steering committees, and the foster care ombudsperson, but said it was open to technical assistance. Members raised concerns about whether the new office would have enough authority and funding to avoid becoming another layer of bureaucracy, and the chair emphasized the need for real “teeth” and better interagency action. The final major topic was the continuation and expansion of Promise Neighborhoods. A community leader described strong early results from the state-funded neighborhoods, including improved kindergarten readiness, reduced chronic absenteeism, higher graduation rates, food access, housing supports, and mental health services, but warned that current funding sunsets in June 2025 and that a fiscal cliff could jeopardize staff and services. CDSS said the four funded neighborhoods have reported positive outcomes and valuable flexibility, but also noted challenges with one-time funding, student mental health, and long-term planning. Assemblymember Mia Bonta urged continued investment, saying the place-based model is difficult to rebuild once lost, and the chair asked LAO to help identify the minimum funding needed to preserve the existing infrastructure while evaluation results are still pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• because ADUs cost less to build, they are less to rent, and are often located in urban areas where workers
• says, such ordinance may not require that the owner of the parcel on which the dwelling unit is constructed
• understand fully that additional parking requirements are a significant cost that is added on to the construction
• understand fully that additional parking requirements are a significant cost that is added on to the construction
• presidential library, we should roll out the welcome mat and offer the president maximum flexibility to construct

Summary: The Committee on Community Affairs heard three measures. First, SB 184 by Senator Gates would require local governments to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas, with exceptions for planned unit developments and master-planned communities. The bill and its amendments were discussed at length, including parking restrictions, homestead exemption treatment, short-term rental concerns, impact and mobility fees, pre-approved designs, manufactured ADUs, and an OPPAGA study on mezzanine financing and tiny homes. Testimony from the Florida League of Cities raised concerns about parking, short-term rentals, and fee parity, while several senators supported the concept but asked for further refinement. The committee adopted the amendments and reported CS for SB 184 favorably. The committee then took up SB 118 by Senator Brodeur, which preempts regulation of presidential libraries to the state and defers regulation to the federal government, with the stated purpose of preventing local governments from imposing obstacles to a future presidential library in Florida. There was no debate or public testimony, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee considered SPB 7704, a proposed committee bill to repeal the sunset date on a public records exemption for property photographs and personal identifying information of applicants or participants in disaster-related housing assistance programs held by state and local housing entities. With no questions, debate, or public testimony, the committee approved the motion to submit it as a committee bill and reported it favorably. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It includes business, community groups, colleges, workers, and employers.
• And I know that the one I advocated for that's being constructed at my former college is UC students
• , and in fact, my team just brought this to me: California's career passport to connect qualified workers
• At Coalinga, we just recently hired 16 social workers.
• At Atascadero, we made conditional offers to three social workers and three rehab therapists.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas $600 million went to higher education, and whereas $279 million went to the construction
• Thank you to the oil and gas workers who are out there every day producing energy for us. Mr.
• Martinez (member_14249) and Dow (member_14063), an act relating to construction costs, requiring the
• Construction Industries Commission and the Construction Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing
• , requiring the Construction Industries Commission and the trade bureaus to produce cost studies for

Transcript Highlights:

• , the next bill before you is House Bill 27, relating to overtime for certain employees, domestic workers
• House Bill 27 provides overtime protections for domestic workers, including nannies, house cleaners,
• Speaker, the Governor... for domestic workers, including nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers.
• labor and employment, payment of wages, minimum wage and overtime wages, and misclassification of workers
• violates provisions relating to minimum wage, overtime wage provisions, the misclassification of workers

Keywords: April 22, 2026 - Reconvened Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when they calculated the cost, the significant rise still in construction cost.
• significant rise still in construction significant rise still in construction cost<00:27:07.679>
• It is not the construction cost.
• We would come back to you when we understand the full construction cost.
• <00:30:56.039> cost don't know what the construction cost don't know what the construction

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Minnesota Department of Administration on the governor’s capital budget requests. Commissioner Tamara Grundal described the state’s deferred maintenance backlog, saying Minnesota owns more than 4,800 buildings across 19 agencies, with an estimated replacement value of $11.2 billion and about $2.2 billion in deferred maintenance. She urged continued bonding support for asset preservation, CAPRA emergency repair funding, Capitol Complex security upgrades recommended by the ACAS advisory committee, and a budget-neutral account to help leverage federal funds for renewable energy storage and electric vehicle projects at state facilities. Members asked follow-up questions about prior security spending and CAPRA use. The commissioner said some 2018 security funds were used for items such as bollards, projectile-resistant glass, key card readers, and security kiosks, but specific details would be provided offline. On CAPRA, staff said recent projects included public safety upgrades, correctional facility repairs, water main and sewer work, roof repairs, lift station repairs, and boiler and steam trap replacements. The commissioner said the account has recently been used heavily, with about $1.9 million remaining, and estimated a typical target range of roughly $3 million to $5 million based on past spending and expected emergencies. A staffer said they did not know whether bonds had been issued ahead of time to fund the reserve and would follow up. The committee then heard from the Department of Public Safety on BCA capital projects. Commissioner Bob Jacobson and Superintendent Drew Evans said the governor’s proposal includes a new Southern BCA regional office and laboratory in Mankato, expansion of BCA regional office and lab space, and a new Minnesota State Patrol headquarters using trunk highway cash. Evans said the Mankato project is needed because of growth in DNA analysis, digital evidence, controlled substances, cyber tips, and sexual assault kit testing, and because the current St. Paul facility is over capacity. He said the new regional facility would improve turnaround times, reduce travel for scientists and law enforcement, support training, and improve evidence intake and crime scene response in southern Minnesota. Senator Pappas questioned the increase in the Mankato project cost from about $48 million to $68.6 million. Evans said the increase was driven by rising construction costs and additional specialized laboratory and support-space needs identified during design work with the Department of Administration. No votes or formal actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.