Transcript Highlights:

• So, in a pure three-tier system, Minnesota has a modified version of a three-tier system.
• <00:13:54.959> uh<00:13:55.079> you<00:13:55.199> have system uh you have system
• <00:14:02.399> of able to uh uh create a fair system of able to uh uh create a fair system
• I think it's fair to characterize Minnesota's three-tier system as a modified three-tier system, and
• as a modified three-tier system.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Barr calls this systems change.
• It takes about three years for a school to move from their current operating system to the bar system
• Take it out of the old system, drop it into this new system, and everything will work better.
• therapy systems.
• It's a systems model.

Summary: The committee met to hear presentations on dual credit programs from North Dakota higher education leaders, a school superintendent, and teachers. Valley City State University described its dual credit model, emphasizing quality control through annual teacher training, syllabus and outcomes alignment, faculty qualification review, school visits, and pathways aimed at the College Studies Certificate. Members asked about teacher employment, course scheduling, revenue, scholarships, and whether a centralized model might improve efficiency; VCSU said most instructors are K-12 employees, online offerings are still small, and centralization could weaken local relationships and choice. Lake Region State College similarly stressed access and partnerships, noting about half of its headcount is still in high school, with both online and face-to-face dual credit options, district reimbursement arrangements, and support for rural schools. Lake Region also said dual credit helps students who might not otherwise see themselves as college-bound, but reduced tuition can still be a barrier for some families. Fargo Public Schools reported continued growth in dual credit, with 50 courses offered in partnership with several NDUS institutions and a 12.61% increase in participation. The superintendent highlighted a growing education pathway, including students completing Introduction to Education and field experience, and said the district is exploring a grow-your-own teacher pipeline. He also raised concerns about inconsistent institutional processes, teacher credentialing requirements, and transfer clarity, arguing for more aligned statewide systems. In response to questions, he said AP and dual credit can coexist, with AP often better for highly selective out-of-state colleges and dual credit better for students targeting North Dakota institutions, and he described some use of Arizona State online courses in earlier rural partnerships but said Fargo is focused on local institutions. Two teachers then testified on the classroom perspective. A West Fargo anatomy and physiology teacher said dual credit has expanded access, lowered costs, and prepared students well, but agreed that foundational science courses may be more effective when taken later in high school to reduce knowledge loss before college. A Drake-Anamoose English teacher, who has taught dual credit for more than 20 years, said the program has supported many students who went on to a wide range of careers and emphasized that small rural schools rely on dual credit to provide opportunities they otherwise could not offer. No formal votes or actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• systems we already have in place. systems we already have in place.
• our distribution system.
• our distribution system.
• :24:13.440> system.
• Uh but our distribution system.

Bills: HF3830, HF3688

Keywords: utilities, rate cases, cost recovery, reporting requirements, gas infrastructure, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:57.360> as which classified geothermal systems as which classified geothermal systems
• time, the upfront cost of these systems time, the upfront cost of these systems remain<00:05:09.759
• This will ease the initial systems.
• just about too much money in the system. just about too much money in the system.
• And that weakens trust in our system. And that weakens trust in our system.

Bills: HF4348, HF4186, HF4202, HF4455, HF3884, HF3883, HF3882, HF3881, HF2688, HF3295, HF3862, HF3362, HF4242, HF3798

Keywords: HF4186, Minnesota local government finance, housing and redevelopment authority, HRA, public investment authority, qualifying government, State Board of Investment, SBI, index mutual fund, multifamily housing development, long-term equity investment, investment-grade fixed income, federally insured securities, government-sponsored entities, municipal investing, local government investments, housing finance, public funds, investment policy, risk of loss

Transcript Highlights:

• > blocking<00:13:06.160> constituents school system were blocking constituents school system
• <00:29:29.200> are just a city versus a county system are just a city versus a county system
• facilities and the entire voting system facilities and the entire voting system is<00:57:49.839>
• <01:16:42.640> We used uh the heart voting systems. We used uh the heart voting systems.
• . system. system.

Keywords: Discussion of BR 25 (2026 RS) 04:15 Presentation on voting systems by ES&S 48:14 Presentation on voting systems by Hart InterCivic and Harp Enterprises 01:13:07, 958, all

Summary: The committee met, approved the October 21 minutes, and then took up BR 25 for the 2026 regular session, a proposal to prohibit the use of tax dollars and public resources to advocate for or against ballot questions, including constitutional amendments. Senator Rawlings and the other presenters argued the current law already bars such advocacy but lacks meaningful enforcement, citing the 2024 school choice amendment campaign and other examples where public officials and school systems allegedly used taxpayer-funded resources to influence voters. They said the bill would add civil and criminal penalties, while preserving First Amendment rights for public employees acting in their personal capacities. Much of the discussion focused on whether the bill should be limited to school districts or broadened to cover other public entities, and on how to define terms such as “advocating in impartial terms.” Members raised concerns about possible effects on county and city lobbying through groups like KLC and KCO, on legitimate factual explanations by public officials, and on whether the bill could unintentionally restrict needed representation for local governments. The sponsors said the measure was intended to be narrow, would be vetted further, and would not bar individuals from speaking on their own behalf. Several members suggested revisions. Representative Lockett asked that schools and school employees be specifically named, and suggested separating the lobbying restrictions from the ballot-measure provisions into different bills. Representative Layman questioned the meaning of the bill’s language and whether it would cover factual testimony by officials. Representative Heen asked about a Jefferson County example involving legal fees used to challenge petition signatures; counsel said that situation would likely be allowable under the bill as drafted, though some members thought it should be covered. No final vote was taken on BR 25 during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would give our current system an F.
• It goes beyond setting up the system.
• Currently, you're in the system. That's not the case.
• There's the level of care system, right?
• When child welfare systems lack capacity or clarity, use, demand access and outcomes across the system

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , finance and accounting systems, and human resources systems, including onboarding and payroll.
• new system.
• new uh system help configure those the new uh system help configure those systems<00:20:28.240> uh
• These are complex systems.
• And again, if we were to simply invest in our current system, which is an antiquated system, it’s a system

Keywords: This meeting will take place upon adjournment of both chambers today. There is not an exact time, there for the live stream has been created with a place holder time of 4:00 PM est., 958, all

Summary: Chairman Hart called the meeting to order, confirmed a quorum, welcomed Representative Rachel Roarx, and the committee approved the February 11 minutes. The committee then moved through its agenda of PSC and related contract items, including a motion to consider the reviewed contracts without objection. One Department of Highways item was deferred when the virtual representatives were not yet available. The committee first took up Kentucky Housing Corporation contracts. Members questioned outside legal services for foreclosures and bankruptcies, why the work was not handled entirely in-house, and how much of the workload and cost it represented. Witnesses said the agency’s need was largely geographic rather than a lack of expertise, that less than 1% of the loan portfolio is referred out for foreclosures, and that many fees are reimbursable through FHA. Both Kentucky Housing Corporation items were approved. The committee then considered a Department for Community Based Services contract tied to a protest and a temporary renewal with PCG. Witnesses said the contract increase was needed to bridge the gap while the protest and RFP process were unresolved, and that the initial vendor received no funds. The committee approved the item, with Senator Douglas explaining his vote as a preference for straightforward answers. The committee also heard a Northern Kentucky University contract for a Workday ERP replacement, including implementation consulting and separate license fees. University officials explained the move from SAP to Workday, the complexity of the systems, and the need for a consulting partner; they said the total effort would span 10 years and that the contract was priced below comparable institutions. After extensive questioning about cost, budget, and value, the vote ended 4-4 and the chair noted the contract would move forward through the Finance Committee if no disapproval motion was made. Finally, the Office of Inspector General presented a contract for culture change training in nursing facilities funded by civil monetary penalties; witnesses said the goal was to improve staff satisfaction, communication, and resident outcomes, and that the CMP fund balance was about $38 million. Discussion also covered survey backlogs and CMS restrictions on the funds, with the item still under review as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• this by classifying geothermal systems this by classifying geothermal systems as<00:24:57.200>
• higher than traditional energy systems. higher than traditional energy systems.
• , of government to bond for these systems, of government to bond for these systems, this<00:30:39.400
• So if if technicality of the systems.
• , of system, of system, uh<00:36:38.000> which<00:36:38.320> then<00:36:38.960>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are moving water through the system.
• systems in the Delta.
• systems.
• And so since 2019, we've been able to consolidate over 140 drinking water systems to neighboring systems
• There may not be a system close by.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on water and coastal resilience heard an overview of the governor’s Proposition 4 spending plan, with presentations from the Department of Finance, the State Water Resources Control Board, the Department of Water Resources, the Legislative Analyst’s Office, and later coastal agencies. Members discussed the water chapter’s major allocations for drinking water and wastewater, recycled water, tribal water infrastructure, groundwater recharge and SGMA implementation, dam safety, flood protection, integrated regional water management, Salton Sea projects, and water data/stream gauges. The LAO noted that many programs are established and have clear funding processes, but some newer or less-defined programs may warrant more detailed future budget requests and reporting. No votes were taken on the agenda items. Members raised concerns about groundwater subsidence, water deliveries from the Delta, the pace of water storage investments, instream flows, and whether bond dollars were being used to backfill General Fund reductions. Administration witnesses said groundwater recharge spending is being paced because prior years already funded substantial SGMA work, that Delta operations are governed by water quality, salinity, and species requirements, and that Proposition 1 storage projects have moved slowly because they are locally led and require permitting and financing. The Water Board and DWR said they use public needs assessments, annual plans, and existing grant processes to prioritize projects, and Finance said some General Fund programs were shifted to Proposition 4 to help balance the budget. Members also asked for clearer public tracking of bond spending and more concise future reporting. In the coastal resilience portion, the Ocean Protection Council and Coastal Conservancy described Proposition 4 funding for sea level rise adaptation, coastal flood management, habitat restoration, public access, and San Francisco Bay projects, with a multi-year rollout based on project readiness and recent large state investments. The Conservancy said it would use its existing rolling grant process, while OPC said its sea level rise grants would build on existing programs and new technical assistance. The Department of Fish and Wildlife explained its proposed use of bond funds for climate-ready fisheries, hatchery modernization, salmon monitoring, whale- and turtle-safe fishing gear, and a specific hatchery operations request tied to the Friant settlement. The LAO said the coastal chapter’s proposed first-year spending is relatively modest but generally reasonable given staffing and project readiness, while members emphasized oversight, transparency, and coordination across agencies and jurisdictions.

Transcript Highlights:

• All of this money comes from the school finance system so the school finance system the first funding
• But we do know that the existence. of a public rating system that as a tiered performance rating system
• On the underlying scale methodology of the performance rating system and the accountability system in
• If 1,200. govern school systems.
• having on the entire education system?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They're trying to navigate a complex school district system, a system that individuals with law degrees
• Members, again, school systems are the ones who maintain the records.
• Yet under our current system, Children on a day-to-day basis.
• If it increases the cost to the systems, that's a fiscal note.
• Rouge or any other school system would be contacted to suggest...

Summary: The Senate Education Committee met to hear several education-related measures. It reported favorably, without objection, on House Bill 1215, which would transfer certain removed historical statues and monuments to the Office of State Parks, prohibit re-erection in the parish where they were removed, and require interpretive signage. The committee also advanced House Bill 682, which creates a school guardian program for honorably discharged veterans employed or contracted by local school systems or charter schools; testimony emphasized that guardians would be unarmed, trained, and used for mentoring and school safety. House Bill 1079, giving enrollment preferences in charter schools to children in early childhood programs, military families, foster children, and children in custody disputes, was also reported favorably, as was House Concurrent Resolution 81, directing the Department of Education to study options for districts facing declining enrollment. The committee then took up House Bill 1084, which would allow public postsecondary institutions to raise tuition and mandatory fees by up to 15 percent annually, with higher increases requiring Board of Supervisors approval. The bill drew extended debate over affordability, TOPS, student retention, and whether universities should have more autonomy to set prices. Members raised concerns about fee burdens on families and whether the state should first study the issue; supporters argued the bill would increase transparency and let institutions respond to funding needs and market conditions. Senator Mazzell offered an amendment lowering the cap from 15 percent to 10 percent, and the committee adopted the amendment before reporting the bill favorably as amended. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 342, which would shift the burden of proof in special education due process hearings from parents to local education agencies. The author and parents testified that the current system places an unfair burden on families of children with disabilities, who often lack access to records and legal resources, and that schools already control the documentation and should have to show compliance with IEP obligations. Jefferson Parish school officials opposed the bill, arguing it would increase legal costs, require more staff and attorney time, and potentially lead to more hearings; they also questioned the fiscal note. The Legislative Fiscal Office said the fiscal impact was indeterminable, and the committee continued hearing testimony from parents and school representatives as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1379 is an attempt to fix a broken system in my home county of Riverside.
• The current system in Riverside County is not only unjust, but also costly.
• We cannot stand idly by, and we owe taxpayers a system that they can trust.
• Our health care system 30 years later is not working as it should.
• Our health care system 30 years later is not working as it should.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard a long series of housing, land use, infrastructure, and local governance bills, beginning without a quorum and briefly operating as a subcommittee until members arrived. SB 1003 by Senator Grayson would create an Infrastructure Partnership Financing Program to help local governments and developers fund infill housing infrastructure; it drew support from housing advocates and senior housing groups, while Senator Seyarto questioned whether the state would actually fund another program. The bill passed 3-1 and remained on call. The committee then adopted a consent calendar containing SB 1169, SB 1086, SB 1126, and SB 1439 through SB 1442. SB 1014, also by Senator Grayson, would require local jurisdictions to provide early estimates of on-site and off-site improvements and limit later surprise requirements; supporters said it would reduce costly late-stage changes, while the City of San Mateo and county/city groups raised concerns about estimates being too speculative at the preliminary application stage. It passed 4-2 and remained on call. SB 1036, another Grayson bill, would require credit for prior site uses under the Mitigation Fee Act for redevelopment projects; it had broad support and passed unanimously. SB 1145 would streamline CEQA and surplus land procedures for the Concord Naval Weapons Station reuse project; supporters emphasized the long-planned 10,000-home transit-oriented redevelopment and labor agreements, while housing legal groups sought stronger affordability enforcement. The bill passed 6-0. The committee also heard SB 908 by Senator Wiener, which would streamline permits for energy-code-compliant window replacements and limit local and HOA design restrictions; supporters framed it as a way to lower energy bills and help affordable housing providers, while local government groups warned about overbroad state preemption and possible litigation exposure. It passed 3-1 and remained on call. SB 1172 by Senator Hurtado would place guardrails on tax-sharing consultant agreements, with the City of Shafter and League of California Cities supporting the measure as a taxpayer protection; it passed 4-0 and remained on call. SB 1379 by Senator Cervantes would separate the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner and create an independent medical examiner in response to high in-custody death rates; supporters cited transparency and public trust, while the sheriff’s association and county representatives argued it would override local control and increase costs. The bill passed 4-1 and remained on call. SB 1283 by Senator Ashby would expand ministerial approval for EV charging stations to include canopies and on-site energy storage; supporters said it would modernize permitting and help fill charging gaps, while cities and counties raised safety, liability, and local review concerns. It passed 4-0 and remained on call. Later, SB 1414 by Senator Reyes proposed an independent redistricting commission for San Bernardino County. Supporters from Common Cause and the League of Women Voters said it would improve transparency and remove conflicts of interest from supervisorial map-drawing, while the county opposed the bill, citing its existing advisory commission and an estimated $2 million implementation cost. Senators Ashby and Arreguín voiced support for independent redistricting, and the committee continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• a third-party inspection system.
• It covers systems all throughout Florida. It's a five-year recertification program on the systems.
• newly installed systems.
• newly installed systems.
• newly instructed systems.

Bills: S0558, S1294, S1468, S1474, S1682, S1628

Keywords: stormwater systems, environmental standards, municipal infrastructure, engineering certifications, local compliance, Florida Department of Transportation, biosolids, agronomic rate, land application, environmental protection, Florida statutes, nutrient management, recordkeeping, farming, compost products, wastewater treatment, environment, sewage disposal, pollution control, reporting requirements

Summary: The committee took up several environmental bills, beginning with SB 1682 on local administration of vessel restrictions. Senator Trumbull said the bill would give cities and counties tools to address abandoned, derelict, and long-term anchored vessels while following state standards and FWC guidance. Members from affected areas spoke in support, citing recurring derelict vessel problems and the difficulty and cost of removal once vessels sink. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then heard SB 1468 on advanced wastewater treatment, which would require DEP to compile a detailed statewide report on wastewater treatment plants, including construction age, treatment levels, contaminant data, spill history, flood risk, and receiving waterbody impairment information. Florida Rural Water Association testified that any move to require advanced treatment for all plants over one MGD could create major financial burdens without dedicated funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 1294 on biosolids management, with a strike-all amendment adopted. Senator Bradley said the revised bill would require bulk Class AA biosolids fertilizer and compost products to be land applied only at agronomic rates and, absent a bona fide sale, only at permitted DEP-approved sites, with a transition date moved to July 1, 2028. Supporters said it would protect water quality and legitimate fertilizer and compost markets, while rural utilities asked for funding and flexibility. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1628 on net zero policies by governmental entities. Senator Avila said the bill would prohibit local governments and other governmental entities from adopting or funding net zero policies, imposing related fees or taxes, or operating cap-and-trade or carbon trading programs. The committee adopted an amendment clarifying the definition of carbon dioxide. The bill drew extensive debate: supporters argued it would protect residents and businesses from higher costs and preserve predictability, while opponents said it would block local climate and clean-energy policies, including electric buses, energy-efficiency measures, and climate resilience planning. After public testimony on both sides, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 1474 on biosolids management, which Senator Gates said would require biosolids and septage to be treated at the highest practical level when wastewater treatment facilities are reasonably accessible and would bar Class B land application within 50 miles of a permitted wastewater facility. An amendment applying the statutory definition of septage was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 558 on stormwater system standards. Senator Burgess said it would create statewide standards for municipal and county stormwater systems using FDOT guidelines and third-party inspections, with an amendment making technical changes and broadening who may perform inspections. Supporters said uniform standards could improve safety and reduce failures, while contractors, engineers, and industry groups warned it could raise costs, delay projects, and preempt stronger local standards. The bill remained under discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• That person would fall under the merit system.
• That person would fall under the merit system.
• <00:24:09.760> uh leave the organization in the system uh leave the organization in the system
• uh at a cost of uh printer system uh at a cost of $66,000. $66,000. $66,000.
• <00:27:04.880> uh conditioning uh and heating system. uh conditioning uh and heating system

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Commonwealth’s Attorneys, County Attorneys, Prosecutor’s Advisory Council 00:00:18 Approval of Minutes 00:20:09 State Treasurer 00:20:33, 958, all

Summary: The meeting began with testimony from representatives of the Prosecutor’s Advisory Council, including county and commonwealth attorneys, on their proposed budget. They described the scope of their work in district and circuit court, juvenile and dependency cases, specialty courts, guardianship, involuntary hospitalization, and the Rocket Docket program. The witnesses emphasized that their budgets are overwhelmingly personnel costs and warned that proposed cuts could lead to layoffs, reduced retention, and loss of recently added positions. They also said the General Assembly’s recent salary classification plan had improved recruitment and retention, and that underfunding could reverse those gains. A major topic was the Rocket Docket program, which they said speeds lower-level cases through the system, reduces jail costs, and saves money for both counties and the state. They reported that in one circuit, average jail time for certain cases dropped from about 50 days to about 6 days. They also raised concerns that the Rocket Docket line item may not be clearly included in the committee substitute and asked for clarification on how the budget would treat it. In response, the chair said the intent was to move some of those items into the base budget, though the exact structure was still uncertain. The presenters also discussed a 2022 subsidy for county attorney employees tied to retirement contributions, saying it totals about $1.3 million and should not be reduced because the obligation remains. They said the budget would need to support the salary classification plan extensions, House Bill 8 subsidies, and a new case management system that they described as essential to modernizing operations and improving communication with victims and law enforcement. The chair thanked them for the testimony and indicated the committee would continue reviewing the budget. The committee then heard from Deputy State Treasurer Russell Weber, who reported that the treasury has now returned more than $90 million in unclaimed property to Kentuckians. He said the office faces ongoing fraud issues and requested funding for a dedicated legal counsel and a fraud investigator, along with outreach money to educate the public about unclaimed property. He also outlined several capital requests, including the final year of a printer-system lease and replacement of HVAC equipment in the treasury building. Members briefly joked with him about a mineral-rights bill and coal, but no votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and adjourning the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• system food system, a emergency food system that<00:15:08.560> has<00:15:08.720> grown
• emergency food system is that the system emergency food system is that the system really<00:40:50.720
• systems. They haven't been advanced. systems.
• This system is another DCYF-managed system to some degree.
• system for child well-being. system for child well-being.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a common response for fish in these flood-prone systems.
• The system is a little better than the appropriations room system, I must say, but maybe has a different
• The local alarm systems did not go off, and people were unaware.
• Otherwise, I think we should look at multiple redundant systems.
• I've heard of those systems doing that, especially these tornado-type systems.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• South Dakota's system, which uses a statutory funding policy that has adjusted.
• And then the Tennessee system, which is a managed risk hybrid plan.
• It made everybody very nervous because once that money goes into the system, it's in the system.
• We've done that for a number of systems. So, if...
• And so our data works off the 73 largest pension systems in the country.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the largest system of any in the United States.
• We've developed this new inventory management system so that it interfaces with our other systems at
• Will be responsible to use the system.
• on a registered paper plate system?
• Federal Aid Highway Act, which started our interstate highway system.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are essential to our system.
• And by systems, I mean both the, agency, frankly, did not have the systems in place.
• They are essential to our system.
• Our system is going through...
• Our system is going through a major upgrade, so it’s difficult to make system changes to make it really

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• vendors apply to have their systems vendors apply to have their systems tested<00:25:54.039>
• <00:26:10.840> must voting equipment systems must voting equipment systems must demonstrate
• systems and in Minnesota election systems and software<00:26:31.760> democracy<00:26:32.320><
• <00:41:06.240> that focused on the uh the systems that focused on the uh the systems that
• protecting and securing those systems protecting and securing those systems and<00:41:22.480>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security. Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges. Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.