Transcript Highlights:

• While MassDEP's decision to delay the heavy-duty omnibus truck act and rule for model years 2025 and
• While the heavy-duty rule and act rule were initially implemented in 2020, Massachusetts residents, municipalities
• However, the reality is that implementing the act rule may unintentionally lead to more emissions while
• Additionally, a 2019 survey conducted by the Hope Center at Temple University of 13 public institutions
• As Bob mentioned, Massachusetts follows rules implemented by CARB, among those ACT and HTO.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight heard testimony on several bills. Senator Mike Moore supported S. 2185, which would delay implementation of the heavy-duty omnibus/advanced clean truck requirements while requiring the Commonwealth to purchase or lease electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles starting in 2025; he argued the delay is needed because infrastructure, grid capacity, vehicle availability, and costs are not yet ready. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2156/H. 3318, which would require free menstrual products in public buildings, with advocates and students describing period poverty and the need to treat menstrual products like other basic restroom supplies. Senator John Keenan testified for S. 2158, a bill to let municipal light plants protect proprietary and competitively sensitive information from public disclosure while keeping board meetings and minutes open, saying it would help level the playing field against larger competitors. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2125/H. 3384, the language access and inclusion bill. Testimony from the AAPI Commission, Mass Speaks coalition members, Mass Appleseed, MLRI, ATASK, MAPC, the Boston Bar Association, Mass Advocates for Children, and others described barriers faced by limited-English-proficient residents in accessing MassHealth, DCF, courts, domestic violence services, schools, and other state services. Witnesses cited untranslated documents, inadequate interpretation, delays, and the burden placed on bilingual staff and children; several also pointed to recent federal moves toward English-only policy as making state action more urgent. Committee members asked questions about implementation, interpreter availability, and the role of technology and remote participation, and the chair noted the bill had been reported favorably in a prior session and intended to be again. The committee also heard testimony on time-zone legislation. Dr. Karin Johnson, representing sleep medicine interests, supported H. 3405 for permanent standard time and opposed S. 2157 for permanent daylight saving time, arguing that standard time better aligns with circadian rhythms and health, while permanent daylight saving time would worsen morning darkness and sleep disruption. Members questioned the strength of the scientific evidence and discussed school start times, geography, and whether Massachusetts should align with neighboring states. No votes were taken during the hearing, and testimony continued on additional bills as the session progressed.

Transcript Highlights:

• We thank you for another week that we've been able to conduct business.
• We've been able to conduct business.
• Right, I recognize gentleman from Rankin, chairman of rules.
• Rankin, chairman of rules. I believe we Rankin, chairman of rules.

Keywords: MS House Floor - 20 March, 2026; 9:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, and dispensed with the reading of the journal. There were no reports from select committees, and the chamber moved through routine introductions and recognitions of visitors, including students, family members of members, and guests from the Magnolia Bar Association and MML. Members also highlighted a few individual visitors and student achievements, including cross-country competitors from Forest Hill. On the calendar, the only substantive action was on House Bill 4073, the sole item on the supplemental calendar. The House agreed to the motion to invite conference on the bill. No other calendar items were taken up. Before adjournment, a member announced a post-adjournment wellness-related event in Room 401 for the first day of spring. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 4:00 p.m. on Monday.

Transcript Highlights:

• Before we begin with today's agenda, I'd like to once again remind everyone that the Assembly has rules
• We apply these rules consistently to all people who participate in our proceedings.
• facilitate the goal of hearing as much from the public within the limits of our time, we will not permit conduct
• that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of legislative proceedings.
• Accountancy, CPAs authorized to practice public accountancy in California under existing interstate practice rules

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maryland and Rule 9 of the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Maryland and Rule 9 of the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• Maryland and Rule 9 of the Minnesota Rules of Criminal Procedure.
• traffic stop in Minnesota is conducted traffic stop in Minnesota is conducted fairly<01:12:40.520
• <01:14:37.760> with that traffic stops are conducted with that traffic stops are conducted

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• with the house rules. with the house rules.
• <00:07:59.640> a Inventory Commission to conduct a Inventory Commission to conduct a comprehensive
• But as a general rule, we've always tried to do what is right by the property owner.
• Rules Committee at the clerk's desk. Rules Committee at the clerk's desk.
• and the Rules Committee at the<00:59:21.000> clerk's<00:59:21.240> desk.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House convened, received the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The clerk also announced Senate passage of Senate Bills 59, 137, 177, and 199 and requested concurrence. The chamber then moved into second reading, reporting a slate of bills and resolutions on health care, energy, child welfare, Medicaid, workplace violence, and coal/energy assessment, before proceeding to third reading and passage of several measures. A major focus was House Bill 542 on eminent domain. The sponsor described it as a transparency measure to improve communication with property owners, require better notice, prohibit misleading statements, allow owner-paid appraisals to be used throughout negotiations, and account for agricultural improvements and access. Members discussed the bill’s intent to treat property owners fairly and reduce court costs; the House adopted House Committee Substitute 1 and passed the bill 89-0. House Bill 565 on fire protection was presented as technical cleanup to clarify enforcement authority for local fire appeal boards created last year, and it passed 91-0. The House also passed House Bill 611 on domestic relations, which creates a 10-year interpersonal protective order for certain felony assault convictions involving family members, unmarried couples, or dating partners, and updates domestic violence data reporting requirements; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed 91-0. House Bill 657 on professional licensing background checks was explained as giving five licensure boards authority to obtain FBI ORI numbers so they can receive fingerprint background checks and comply with interstate compacts; it passed 91-0. House Bill 762 on legal representation was amended on the floor to avoid excluding appellate attorneys, then passed 91-0; it was described as clarifying Department of Public Advocacy representation and related salary provisions. The House also passed House Bill 108 on solid waste management, which its sponsor said closes a loophole allowing residual waste landfills to be sited in a different county from the industry without local input; it passed 79-8. House Bill 67 on schools, a cleanup measure to prior legislation requiring traceable communication systems for school employees, was introduced with a committee substitute and discussed as clarifying definitions and exemptions while preserving protections for students; the transcript cuts off before the final vote on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our first official order of business is the adoption of the committee rules.
• The rules were distributed to the members of the committee.
• Do we have a motion on the committee rules? Second. We have a motion and a second.
• So I want to preface by saying there are a lot of great changes in these committee rules.
• Fong... 11 to 0, rules are adopted. We'll let folks add on. Let's see first up.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee met on March 19, 2025, adopted its committee rules unanimously, and then heard a series of housing, insurance, and disaster-recovery bills. Early bills focused on wildfire relief and insurance issues, including AB 238 on mortgage forbearance for Los Angeles County wildfire survivors, AB 493 on insurance payout interest for homeowners, AB 597 on consumer protections after disasters, and AB 226 on strengthening the California FAIR Plan’s liquidity tools. Supporters generally framed these measures as necessary protections for disaster survivors and market stability, while opponents and concerned witnesses raised issues such as investor guidelines, compliance conflicts, and market disruption. Several members also noted equity concerns and the need to balance relief with consistency across the state. The committee also heard a cluster of housing-production bills. AB 306 proposed a six-year pause on new state building code updates affecting residential construction and limits on local code modifications, drawing strong support from housing and building industry groups who argued it would reduce costs and improve predictability. It also drew opposition from code, environmental, and clean-energy advocates, who warned about safety, local control, and the loss of important code updates. AB 253 would allow licensed third-party professionals to perform plan checks if local review takes 30 days or more, and AB 301 would impose state-agency permitting timelines similar to those already applied to local governments; both were presented as ways to reduce delays and speed housing development. AB 462 would exempt ADU construction from coastal development permit requirements in Los Angeles County, especially to aid fire recovery and expand housing supply. After hearing testimony and brief member discussion on each measure, the committee placed the bills on suspense or advanced them as appropriate. In the suspense hearing at the end of the meeting, the committee took up the suspense-file bills and reported AB 226, AB 238, AB 301, and AB 306 out with due pass recommendations on roll call votes. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The rules of conduct for members of the public include no engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs
• , or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing.
• No engaging in conduct that disrupts, disturbs, or otherwise impedes the orderly conduct of this hearing
• And in fact, my children—we have a rule that we don't have phones at the table.
• And conduct mandatory follow-up site visits to ensure unlawful services have been stopped.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't know everybody knows the rules.
• We'll just make sure we maintain decorum and so that... ...knows the rules.
• Property managers often conduct background checks, but these aren't foolproof.
• I'm encouraging you, please, this rule doesn't give you bang for your buck.
• At Mercygate, we are not trained or equipped to conduct rescues ourselves.

Bills: HB1455, HB1777, HB2101, HB2136, HB2609, HB3142, HB3552, HB3846, HB4155, HB4514, HB4879, HB4995, HB5014, HB5139, HB5228, HB5436, HCR40

Keywords: mental health, jail diversion, law enforcement, reporting requirements, criminal justice, data collection, criminal justice reform, intellectual disability, mental illness, data reporting, public safety, reporting, substance abuse, sex offender, driver's license, identification, gunshot detection, unreported gunshots, municipal police, crime investigation

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and heard several bills, generally leaving them pending after testimony. HB 4995 would create a training/certification program allowing licensed physicians and certain EMS personnel assigned to tactical units to carry firearms during high-risk deployments, with supporters saying it would protect tactical medical staff and improve emergency care; the committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill left pending. HB 2609 would repeal the OmniBase/failure-to-appear-or-pay license hold program; the author and supporters argued it unfairly compounds debt and traps drivers in noncompliance, while judges and municipal court representatives said it is an effective, voluntary tool that prompts court appearances and reduces warrants. HB 4879 would create a grant program to help local law enforcement pay for lab testing of suspected hemp/THC substances, and HB 5436 would allow licensed auto recyclers to purchase certain untitled vehicles for scrap or parts to curb illegal sales, VIN cloning, and chop shop activity; both bills drew supportive testimony and were left pending. The committee also heard HB 1777, which would place a discrete sex-offender designation on driver’s licenses and state IDs for registrants under Chapter 62. The author said the marker would help law enforcement and businesses quickly identify potentially dangerous offenders and cited other states and research in support, while opponents argued it would function as a scarlet letter, increase harassment, and punish people who are already complying with the law. HB 4155 would create a Family Violence Criminal Homicide Prevention Task Force in the Governor’s Office to study risk factors, coordinate agencies, and recommend policy changes; the author, HHSC, TCFV, and a survivor testified in support, emphasizing the number of family violence homicides and the need for coordinated, data-driven prevention, and the bill was left pending. Finally, HB 4514 would authorize DPS to use facial image verification, with consent and confidentiality protections, to help businesses verify identities and combat fraud. Supporters from the lumber and identity-verification industries said it would reduce losses from fake IDs and organized theft, while the author stressed privacy safeguards and limited, consent-based use. The committee substitute was withdrawn and the bill was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• She was approved by the Rules Committee on May 13. I respectfully ask for your aye vote.
• By the Rules Committee on April 29th, I respectfully ask for your aye vote. Thank you.
• Well, I haven't ruled, but just a moment. I kind of know what's coming.
• If that's your ruling, I'm going to appeal the ruling of the chair.
• So, again, I did not rule against you.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> All persons not entitled to the privileges of the floor under the rules of the Senate must now vacate
• the rules committee for further action. the rules committee for further action.
• between qualifying disqualifying conduct between qualifying disqualifying conduct and<01:22:30.400
• Next order of business is meeting of the rules committee and committee on committees.
• rules committee committee on committees. rules committee committee on committees.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think some folks weren't aware of that, and they're able to conduct those investigations.
• And so there wasn't even a full investigation conducted.
• And so there wasn't even a full investigation conducted.
• The intermediate step of having the Secretary of State effectively complete a report and also conduct
• That way, we don't run afoul of any conflict of interest rules, and that way, if somebody is a candidate

Keywords: 909, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce housing is described in rule as below-market housing addressing demand for workforce housing
• This agency, I can assure you, conducts its business in the most honest and integrous way.
• Slot machines are running every day because we are conducting the race meet for 365 days a year.
• Some get the rules, some don't. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• As I just described it, a race meet and live race days conducted within that period of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to conduct a needs assessment: What is the true need of this workforce in New Mexico?
• Additionally, we conduct a number of variety tests for different crops, including alfalfa.
• Slide 13 shows some of the outcomes of the research that has been conducted using that wastewater.
• The commission, when they have a docket and they're in a rulemaking, usually has a proposed rule.
• The proposed rule basically references virtual power plants.

Transcript Highlights:

• I request unanimous consent to suspend assembly. rule 45.5 to allow assembly members Chen and Calderon
• I request unanimous consent to suspend assembly rule 118A to allow assembly member Hart to have a guest
• Pursuant to assembly rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer the following bills.
• It would allow homeowners and developers to hire licensed third party professionals to conduct plan checks
• But it would take the local building department more than 30 days to conduct that same review.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rule 10.05 is amended to read. I recognize the member from Anoka, Representative Niska.
• Please join us today in suspending the rules. Thank you, Madam Speaker.
• I do support the suspending of the rules.
• There are also rules in Mason's rules that you shouldn't be interrupting a legislator when they're making
• It's the same concerns that I had in Human Services because of the federal rules that are In admin rule

Transcript Highlights:

• Those providers, according to a large number of rules that are in statute and subregulatory guidance.
• In the next area, the department provides STD, HIV, and tuberculosis statistics and reports, conducts
• In the next area, the department provides STD, HIV, and tuberculosis statistics and reports, conducts
• <00:37:14.119> pre statistics and reports conducts pre statistics and reports conducts pre
• activities and conducts prevention activities and conducts disease<00:37:17.160> investigations

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The meeting was an informational walkthrough for the Health Finance and Policy Working Group, focused on committee structure, budget basics, and major health-related accounts and programs. Staff explained the roles of House Research and House Fiscal, then reviewed key funds used by the committee, including the general fund, government special revenue fund, federal funds, the health care access fund, remediation account, and drinking water revolving fund. They also outlined the committee’s main budget areas, noting that medical assistance is the largest general fund item and that the Department of Health is a substantial agency funded by a mix of federal, general fund, and special revenue dollars. A major portion of the presentation covered subsidized health coverage programs. Staff described Medical Assistance (Minnesota’s Medicaid program) as an entitlement for eligible Minnesotans, with no premiums or cost sharing, and explained its managed care and fee-for-service delivery systems. MinnesotaCare was presented as a separate federal-state basic health program for people who are not eligible for MA, with income limits, premiums for adults age 21 and older, and cost-sharing requirements; staff noted that federal premium tax credit changes affect MinnesotaCare premium ranges. The presentation also summarized MNsure’s role in the individual market and in determining eligibility for premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, MinnesotaCare, and MA. The committee also received an overview of health-related licensing boards and occupational regulation. Staff said Minnesota has 16 health-related licensing boards, funded mainly through the state government special revenue fund and subject to legislative appropriation, and explained that health occupations may be regulated by the Department of Health, the Office of Emergency Medical Services, or the boards under chapter 214. Interstate licensure compacts were briefly noted as a way to ease practice across states. No bills were debated and no votes or formal actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Miami-Dade, as an example, has stuck to the three-mile rule.
• In addition, both are required by Florida law for certain buildings, and both should be conducted by
• In addition, both are required by the Florida law for certain buildings, and both should be conducted
• by license, And both should be conducted by licensed professionals.
• This dynamic raises an important question: Are inspections conducted by private providers as impartial

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on condominiums, focusing on recent statutory changes, building safety, reserve studies, inspections, insurance, and related enforcement issues. Pete Dunbar, speaking for the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, reviewed the evolution of Florida’s condominium law and recommended several refinements, including allowing boards to levy special assessments and borrow for post-inspection repairs, easing termination when repair costs exceed value, clarifying treatment of nonresidential condominiums, strengthening recall procedures, clarifying reserve and inspection standards, addressing conflicts of interest, improving electronic participation, and cleaning up notice and disclosure requirements. He also suggested revising insurance provisions so a third coverage option could be used more effectively. Ron Liseca and engineer Mr. Noguera explained the milestone inspection and Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SERS) process, emphasizing that milestone inspections assess structural deterioration while SERS estimates long-term repair and reserve funding needs. They described the 25- and 30-year inspection timelines, the lack of a central statewide database, and the practical challenges of finding qualified professionals and educating associations. Secretary Melanie Griffin said DBPR oversees 27,750 condominium associations, has increased outreach and complaint resolution, and has seen a 39% increase in complaints this fiscal year. She reported that about 11,270 associations self-reported buildings three stories or higher, and that as of early February DBPR had received 4,096 SERS completion submissions after follow-up outreach, with a median reported SERS cost of $6,000, though she cautioned that much of the optional data is unreliable. Emilio Rodriguez, a contractor, stressed the cost and capacity challenges facing associations and contractors, warning that some projects are delayed by board disputes, legal challenges, and a shortage of qualified labor, which can lead to higher assessments and repeated repairs. Members asked about enforcement, insurance availability, coastal deterioration, sinking and foundation issues, and private provider conflicts of interest. Witnesses generally supported more uniform standards, better local and state coordination, and possible tighter oversight of private providers, while cautioning against frequent statutory changes that could add confusion. In closing discussion, members highlighted the burden on older residents and fixed-income owners, the need to keep communities habitable, and the importance of clearer allocation of assessments and stronger board accountability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Provided that, before the sale, required tele-audiology testing and procedures are conducted by an audiologist
• Eye Institute in Miami were all negative, and he could not tell me what caused it, but he did not rule
• Eye Institute in Miami were all negative, and he could not tell me what caused it, but he did not rule
• Our client has taken, over the last several years, some steps to conduct a comprehensive study ranging
• As it stands now, with the rule, the Board of Pharmacy can change the rule anytime they want to in collaboration

Summary: The Senate Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and heard five bills. SB 126, on prescription hearing aids, would remove Florida’s prohibition on mailing hearing aids when required tele-audiology testing and procedures are completed before sale. The sponsor said the bill would improve access, especially for people with travel or geographic barriers. The Florida Academy of Audiologists expressed support in concept but said it was still working with the sponsor on an amendment for consumer safety. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 152 would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during certain surgical procedures. Supporters, including the Florida Nurses Association and several nurses, described surgical smoke as a workplace and patient safety hazard containing harmful chemicals, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants, and said evacuation technology is available and already required in some settings. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 264 would expand step-therapy exemptions for severe mental illness, including certain postpartum and pregnancy-related mental health conditions, so physicians would not have to require patients to fail preferred drugs in specified circumstances. Support came from Otsuka Pharmaceuticals, NAMI Florida, and several medical and pharmacy groups, who argued that delays in effective treatment can worsen crises and increase hospital and crisis-care costs. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 342 would create a public-records exemption for current and former AHCA employees and certain family information, citing threats and harassment directed at inspectors and regulators. President Gaetz said he generally opposes such exemptions but supported this one because the employees are not elected officials and face real safety risks. The committee voted the bill favorably. SB 294 would limit the Board of Pharmacy’s ability to add heart failure, coronary heart disease, and cardiac rhythm disorders to the list of chronic conditions eligible for collaborative pharmacy practice, keeping those conditions under direct physician management. The Florida Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, Florida Medical Association, and the Florida chapter of the American College of Cardiology supported the bill, while the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacists opposed it. The committee voted the bill favorably. Senator Trumbull asked to be recorded in support of SB 126 and SB 152, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it has zero impact on our ability to conduct our ethics investigations.
• the compact, and again, if a state decides that they want to vote to modify that authority or those rules
• conduct our ethics in investigations. conduct our ethics in investigations.
• that can happen at the state rules that can happen at the state legislature<00:05:01.919> level.
• with the rules of the compact.<00:05:20.479> Article<00:05:20.960> 11<00:05:21.600>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 3635, the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, and House File 3638, which would make several changes to teacher licensing and related agency operations. Dr. Yolena Bailey walked through the compact, explaining that it would let teachers move more easily among member states while preserving Minnesota’s authority over licensing, data, discipline, and rulemaking. She emphasized that the compact must be adopted without changes to be effective and that it would still require eligible teachers to hold a qualifying license, pass a state background check, and meet any compensation-related documentation requirements. Testifiers from school administrator groups and Western Governors University supported both bills. They said Minnesota’s teacher shortages, especially in special education, make it difficult to fill classrooms and often force districts to rely on substitutes or leave positions vacant. Supporters said the compact would speed licensing for qualified out-of-state teachers without lowering standards, and that the Tier 2 change in HF 3638 would help candidates enrolled in out-of-state teacher prep programs, including working adults and rural students, access Minnesota licensure pathways. WGU said the Tier 2 barrier affects its students and partnerships, including special education pipeline efforts and Teach For America collaborations. For HF 3638, Bailey described operational changes that would move the voluntary pair professional credential to MDE, allow a data-sharing agreement with the Board of School Administrators, let the agency use forfeiture fees for IT needs, update mental health training language and rulemaking, expand Tier 2 eligibility to some out-of-state teacher prep students, and extend the timeline for an online licensing system project by two years. Members asked whether the compact would add requirements for Minnesota educators or reduce licensure quality; Bailey and Representative Hill said it would not add classroom requirements and would mainly reduce paperwork while maintaining standards. The bills were laid over for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• To conclude, Communist China doesn't play by the rules.
• Happy to play by the rules, 100%. Can I just follow up with you?
• I think those are the rules. That's how it works.
• But there's no rule of law in Hong Kong.
• There's no rule of law in mainland China that stands up to our rule of law.

Keywords: Chinese Communist Party, retirement security, investment risks, SEC enforcement, Bipartisan action

Summary: The meeting primarily addressed concerns regarding the impact of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on American investments and the financial security of retirees. The chair discussed legislation aimed at ensuring the protection of American investors against the risks posed by Chinese companies. There was a consensus among the members regarding the necessity to enforce existing policies that require compliance from foreign companies wishing to trade on American exchanges. The discussion included testimony from various stakeholders highlighting the urgent need to limit exposure to the CCP in retirement portfolios. Additionally, there were calls for increased accountability of regulatory bodies such as the SEC to better shield American investors from potential loss.