Transcript Highlights:

• So we know that exposure is happening, and we have been doing outreach to educate communities and refer
• them to healthc communities and refer them to healthc care<00:50:13.440> providers<00:50:14.079
• And then we have been doing outreach to libraries, public libraries in communities, health fairs, to
• <01:34:08.480> In<01:34:08.719> most<01:34:08.960> cases, refer to as jaundice
• In most cases, refer to as jaundice.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• session advocating for 12th legislative session advocating for that.<00:42:51.280> So,<00:42:
• Thanks to funding provided by the 2023 legislation, we were able to recover somewhat.
• :13:48.400> passing<01:13:48.719> the thank the legislators for passing the thank the legislators
• <01:15:54.640> was As you know, when the legislation was As you know, when the legislation
• , be hearing bills about libraries, be hearing bills about libraries, American<02:03:10.960> Indian

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Wyoming Department of Education, do you have any comments on this legislation?
• <00:08:29.680> Are<00:08:29.919> there comments on this legislation?
• Are there comments on this legislation?
• continued hard work on this legislation continued hard work on this legislation knowing<00:15:52.320
• legislation that addressed those issues. legislation that addressed those issues.

Bills: SF0035, SF0090, SF0072

Keywords: education, cell phones, smart devices, school policy, student conduct, school property, rental fees, youth activities, education policy, Wyoming legislature, teacher licensure, teacher mobility, interstate compact, education compact, licensure reciprocity, reciprocal certification, teacher certification, professional teaching standards board, out-of-state teachers, military spouse

Transcript Highlights:

• I may make a slight pitch here at next legislative session.
• I may make a slight pitch here at next legislative session.
• So for the next legislative session or part of the current $15 million?
• And I'll refer back to this project vision.
• I will never be the legislator that says we should increase fees on students. Right.

Summary: The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results. In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system. The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• These actions actually disrupted the legislative hearing.
• This legislation would give the region a viable GSA.
• And I remember saying exactly what you said about one-size-fits-all legislation.
• As with all legislation of this magnitude, there is more work to do.
• Previous legislation has unsuccessfully tried to mandate the separation.

Summary: The Assembly Local Government Committee heard a long agenda of housing, water, and local finance bills, with the chair repeatedly reminding attendees about hearing rules and noting that several measures were being heard without a quorum at first. Early items included AB 407, which would broaden eligibility for state-run loan and financing programs to help small businesses fund environmental, seismic, and ADA upgrades, and AB 93, which would require data centers to estimate and report water use and follow state best practices. AB 93 drew support from water advocates and local government groups, while the Data Center Coalition opposed it, arguing the bill could be overly restrictive, difficult to retrofit, and raise trade secret or security concerns. The committee also heard AB 650 on housing element review, AB 1044 on creating a new Tulare County groundwater sustainability agency, and AB 523 on allowing proxy voting for single-representative member agencies on the Metropolitan Water District board; all drew broad support from local agencies and related stakeholders and no recorded opposition in the room. Several housing bills were presented as part of a broader fast-track housing package. AB 507 would streamline adaptive reuse of office buildings into housing, especially in downtowns with high vacancy; supporters said it would revive urban cores and help meet housing and climate goals, while the League of California Cities and a few cities opposed it unless amended, citing concerns about one-size-fits-all by-right approval and fee limitations. AB 1294 would create a universal housing application and limit early application requirements; it drew strong support from housing and business groups, with the American Planning Association and League of California Cities seeking more flexibility and input. AB 610 would require local governments to disclose housing constraints in their housing elements and limit new constraints after certification for three years unless disclosed; supporters said it would improve transparency and certainty, while opponents warned it could chill legitimate local policy choices and inclusionary housing requirements. Both AB 610 and AB 698, which would require analysis of the housing and property tax impacts of proposed transfer taxes, were moved out of committee on 7-0 votes after discussion and amendments. The committee also heard AB 1112, which would repeal an outdated Riverside County property tax provision affecting Rancho Mirage; the city argued it was the only qualifying no-low property tax city not receiving the standard minimum and sought equal treatment. After quorum was established, the bill was passed 6-0 with amendments and sent to Appropriations. AB 1021, heard later, would make it easier for school districts and other local education agencies to build employee housing, with the author citing teacher recruitment and retention problems and support from education stakeholders. Throughout the hearing, members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized the need to balance housing production, local fiscal tools, and infrastructure needs, and several authors accepted committee amendments and committed to continued negotiations with opponents.

Transcript Highlights:

• can see up there the states in green have eliminated subminimum wage, meaning that they passed legislation
• The states in orange are in the phase-out progress, and they've all enacted a legislative process to
• So, some of the most common things we've seen is there's a legislative process that kicks this off.
• There needs to be annual progress reports submitted to the governor and legislator tracking up provider
• So, tai chi class is going to farms, going to civic groups, going to libraries.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• John Spangler, Deputy Secretary for Legislation at the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
• We know that As we speak, there is some legislation going through, so there's a lot happening, but I
• The department recently published a legislatively requested report on the condition and health of in
• , you know, keeping close attention to what legislative districts would be most affected because obviously
• We are partnering with the California State Library on that and their digital concierge program, and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So either way, it's important for some of the legislative conversations, but it's also just important
• So either way, it's important for some of the legislative conversations, but it's also just important
• And then from then you'll see a suite of additional legislation really creating this system of care.
• Um, HB 1573 and SB 47—I don't recall the numbers, I just recall the legislative discussion around this
• recall the the the legislative recall the the the legislative discussion<00:22:43.080> around

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• But I know it's in process. really to have that legislation bring a really to have that legislation bring
• going to um, ask for some legislative going to um, ask for some legislative recommendations.<01:
• There's new legislation that was agency.
• Now with our new legislation, county.
• <01:36:36.239> to I'm sorry, but when they referred to I'm sorry, but when they referred to

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I’m sorry, reference to that point, if we could avoid the medians that were done in Havasu, that would
• I’m sorry, reference to that point, if we could avoid the medians that were done in Havasu, that would
• Chair, Madam Vice Chair, members of the legislators, thank you.
• And this U.S. 95 is referred to as the Red Smaid. So thank you very much for this time. Perfect.
• I know there are some school districts; you can name school districts or libraries.

Bills: HB2067, HB2068, HB2127, HB2164, HB2200, HB2201, HB2242, HB2283, HB2284, HB2285, HB2286, HB2287, HB2304, HB2306, HB2399, HB2601, HB2609, HB2760, HB2761, HB2859, HB2887, HB2892, HB2893, HB2894, HB2978, HB4027, HCM2012, HCM2016

Keywords: appropriation, transportation, infrastructure, Apache Junction, funding, Show Low, road extension, special license plates, nonprofits, charitable contributions, Reay Lane, Graham County, HB 2200, State Route 89, SR 89, Chino Valley, Arizona Department of Transportation, ADOT, road widening, highway expansion

Summary: The committee heard an ADOT presentation on Interstate 11, SR 347, the I-10 Wild Horse Pass corridor, and the I-40/US 93 West Kingman project. ADOT said the I-11 corridor remains under a federal lawsuit covering the full 280-mile route from Mexico to Nevada, with a Tier 1 reevaluation underway and public outreach expected later in the year, concluding in early 2027. ADOT said segmentation of the corridor would add time and cost, and that current work is limited to pre-NOI Tier 2 activities and other allowed planning steps. For SR 347, ADOT described widening, intersection upgrades, two grade separations, and a schedule that could begin construction in summer pending clearances. For I-10, ADOT outlined four widening projects adding a third lane each way, interchange reconstructions, a new interchange at Coley Road, and corridor-wide freeway management systems, with completion expected by late 2029. For the West Kingman I-40/US 93 project, ADOT said the $106.5 million project is about 60% complete and should finish in early 2027; members asked about temporary traffic control near Beale Street and possible additional signage or signals on the corridor. Members also raised local traffic and safety concerns on the SR 347 and I-10 projects, including signal timing, median barriers, construction hours, truck traffic, and the need for clearer driver education and digital signs. ADOT said it would look into signal optimization, possible temporary fixes, and additional signage, and noted the I-10 corridor total cost is just under $1 billion, funded through a mix of MAG, federal, and state money. On I-40, members also discussed a possible temporary traffic light near Beale Street to improve safety and access. The committee then moved to a series of transportation appropriation bills and announced a mass-motion process for the projects. Staff explained HB 2067 for Apache Junction ($29.4 million), HB 2068 for the Wolford Road extension in Show Low ($6.5 million), HB 2164 for Ray Lane improvements in Graham County ($3.73 million), HB 2200 for SR 89 widening in Chino Valley ($36 million, contingent on a $1 million local commitment), HB 2201 for Sedona SR 89A/Forest Road/Ranger Road projects ($8.03 million), and HB 2304, the ARTEC bill, which appropriates about $473 million for multiple highway projects statewide. Witnesses from Show Low, Eloy, Coolidge, Casa Grande, Lake Havasu City, Clarkdale, San Luis, Yuma, and Yavapai County testified in support of their local projects, emphasizing congestion relief, freight movement, emergency evacuation, safety, economic development, and local matching funds. No final votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair indicated the committee would proceed with a mass motion on the project bills after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, being here, this would be the third state that has actually legislated this into their legislation
• So, being here, this would be the third state that has actually legislated this into their legislation
• So, being here, this would be the third state that has actually legislated this into their legislation
• So, being here, this would be the third state that has actually legislated this into their legislation
• this into their legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• You're referring to this consideration of the cost and benefits, is that...?
• Well, I mean, your legislation is making it more complex to operate in the space.
• My name is Vince Agrew, State Legislative Director with Sheet Metal Workers Local 104.
• Hi, Jim Lindberg, Friends Committee on Legislation California, in support. Thanks.
• Committee on Legislation California, in support. Thanks.

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, beginning with SB 1003, which would create pro-housing enhanced infrastructure financing districts to help local governments fund infrastructure needed for housing developments. The author and supporters argued that infrastructure costs often prevent projects from penciling out, while the chair expressed support and said the bill would be taken up later when quorum was available. SB 1014 followed, proposing new disclosure requirements for local jurisdictions to provide good-faith estimates of on-site and off-site improvements within 30 days of application, with supporters saying it would reduce late surprises and opposition from several cities citing implementation concerns with the 30-day timelines. The committee then took up SB 802, a Sacramento-region bill requiring a joint powers authority to coordinate housing and homelessness services. Senator Ashby and former Mayor Darrell Steinberg argued that Sacramento’s fragmented system has failed for years and that a JPA would improve accountability, coordination, and use of state funds. The bill drew broad support from local officials, service providers, business groups, and advocates, while some county and city representatives registered opposition or neutral concerns about state-mandated local governance. Several committee members said they were persuaded by the need for regional coordination, though some raised concerns about local control; the chair noted the bill would be moved when quorum allowed. The committee also heard SB 1092 and SB 1093, both focused on mobile home park residents after disasters or park sales. SB 1092 would give residents a right of first opportunity to match a sale offer for a park, with supporters saying it protects vulnerable seniors and preserves affordable housing, while park owners and their representatives argued it would devalue property and raise constitutional and financing concerns. SB 1093 would require more transparent communication, access to property, and consideration of rebuilding or closure after a disaster; supporters cited the long uncertainty faced by Palisades residents, while opponents warned about liability, safety, and burdensome review requirements. Members split along similar lines, with some emphasizing property rights and market impacts and others stressing the need to protect residents and preserve scarce affordable housing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent the 28th Legislative District, which includes Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
• So proud to be on the committee in the 31st Legislative District.
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr. Not.
• And then I also am very interested in some of the legislation that Dr.
• Senator Gildon has a question or has a comment on legislation. Yeah, sure.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs heard presentations on several military and veterans-related topics. Dr. Dan Calvert briefed the committee on the JBLM Sentinel Landscape Partnership, explaining its voluntary conservation work to reduce encroachment around the base by protecting prairie habitat, supporting agriculture, and managing sensitive species. He described REPI funding, recent and proposed projects, and possible policy support such as state designation, dedicated funding, management endowments, prescribed fire flexibility, and water-right transfer tools. Members asked about seed sourcing, the distinction between natural-resource encroachment and development-related encroachment, and the impact of federal REPI staffing cuts. David Puente of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs updated the committee on plans for a new state veterans cemetery in the Tri-Cities area and a replacement Spokane Veterans Home. He said the cemetery project has two candidate sites near Richland/West Richland, with pre-design funded by the legislature and a future request expected for land purchase and construction; he also noted the current cemetery funding source is limited and would not support a second cemetery without additional state operating funds. On the Spokane home, he described the current facility’s limitations and said the replacement would be a 120-bed, small-house model on a larger site, with the VA expected to cover 65% of construction costs if the state provides the match. He also reviewed agency budget reductions, including vacant positions, reduced outreach, cuts to counseling and wellness funding, and reduced support for veterans service organizations. Blue Star Families’ Puget Sound chapter also presented on its programs for military-connected families, including Coffee Connects, a children’s book club, outdoor programming, career support, and Blue Star Welcome Week. The group said it is expanding beyond the South Sound and is using local outposts and online networks to reach more families, while also helping with food insecurity through grocery gift cards and partnerships with local nonprofits. Committee members discussed the need to expand the organization statewide and the ongoing food-security challenges facing military families. During the final discussion on potential legislation, members raised ideas including restoring Washington National Guard retention efforts, expanding E-CAP eligibility to military families, revisiting the composition of the Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and addressing veterans’ preference issues for service members who have not yet received a DD-214. The committee did not take any formal votes or actions, but members and presenters discussed future policy and budget requests, and the chairs thanked the presenters and staff before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because that's what we're doing when we vote for this piece of legislation.
• This legislation serves as an equalizer.
• This legislation is very important for our state.
• I worked with the gentleman from LaClead on similar legislation.
• This is truly a bipartisan piece of legislation.

Summary: The House took up a series of conference committee reports and third-read Senate bills near the end of session, with several members also recognizing House drafters and research staff. The chamber first adopted and finally passed Senate Joint Resolution 87, which drew debate over whether the measure would remove the City of St. Louis sheriff as an elected office; supporters said the change also applied to other charter governments, while opponents argued it reduced local autonomy. The report and final passage both succeeded on 95-46 votes. Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a package combining a wholesaler/real estate transparency measure with a land bank provision. Senate Bill 1421, a broad public safety bill, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; supporters highlighted provisions on clean slate, masked intimidation, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl, gift card fraud, unmanned aircraft, and other public safety items. The conference report passed 116-18, the bill finally passed 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5. The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a combined conference report that included insurance consumer protections, court administration updates, treatment court and judgeship provisions, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act. Senate Bill 1408 was stripped back to a single issue authorizing MoDOT to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, and it passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending several agriculture tax credits and adding a short line railroad credit, prompted extended debate over tax credits, budget pressures, and whether such incentives should be extended now or later; a proposed child tax credit amendment was withdrawn, and the bill ultimately passed 107-30. The House then began debate on Senate Bill 1553, a critical minerals and pharmaceutical manufacturing incentive bill, with supporters framing it as a jobs and supply-chain security measure and opponents raising questions about tax incentives and local impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Mary Kunesh, and as a former library media specialist, this is an especially hard choice to
• There's a way that we in Minnesota can look at these types of federal legislative bills for us to enact
• bills for us to enact legislative bills for us to enact similar<00:13:34.680> Solutions<00:13
• I also serve as the legislative tri-chair for the Minnesota Administrators for Special Education.
• The bill as amended is recommended to pass and re-referred to Education Finance.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would welcome and appreciate legislative guidance.
• You just told me that you didn't think it important. to refer to the legislature, the legislation that
• Finally, let me say thank you to you legislators.
• We made a commitment and we passed legislation.
• This is a number of legislators.

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:

• As reflected in this legislation, Mr.
• > is<00:31:17.000> about The legislation before you is about The legislation before you
• - we'll refer this to Finance.
• library.
• The Legislative Reference Library keeps records of these reports, and it's important for the public that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:59.600> House highways to which was referred House highways to which was referred House
• Representative Carol legislate.
• 1590 filed last year that was referred 1590 filed last year that was referred to<00:55:34.160>
• is inexpedient to legislate is inexpedient to legislate representative<01:22:49.120> Jerry
• Sen of is inexpedient to legislate.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, we think those legislative visits, uh, when legislators come out to the individual communities, our
• > when legislative visits, uh, when legislative visits, uh, when when<00:19:03.600> legislators
• is in a very important legislative is in a very important legislative district,<01:09:29.040>
• house items from every legislative house items from every legislative district<01:10:07.840>
• location as part of that legislation. location as part of that legislation.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 5 minutes, then heard a presentation from Balig Engineering on cost drivers for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure in small Minnesota communities. The testifier said most Minnesota communities are small, and that limited local staff, complex funding requirements, and the need to combine multiple funding sources make projects expensive and labor-intensive. He cited examples of aging infrastructure, including a Tracy street collapse and failing water mains, and said federal funding can help but often requires extensive reports that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of staff hours. He also pointed to inflation, supply-chain disruptions, colder climate requirements, higher material and labor costs, limited competition among contractors and suppliers, and newer treatment requirements such as PFAS removal and cybersecurity controls as major cost drivers. Members asked whether reduced bonding or less frequent state funding would lower prices, whether annual bonding bills provide market certainty, how regionalization could be encouraged, and whether tightening specifications adds costs. The testifier said stopping work would likely drive contractors out of the market and reduce competition, which could raise prices later, and that consistent funding helps keep contractors in Minnesota. He said regional water systems such as Red Rock Rural Water and Lincoln Pipestone Rural Water are already helping lower costs and that legislators could encourage more regionalization through incentives. He also said some specifications and federal requirements, especially around treatment plant controls and cybersecurity, increase costs, though some standards like deeper water-main burial are necessary. The committee then moved on to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, where John Kelly began presenting the governor’s 2026 capital budget recommendations and described the department’s mission, statewide network of veterans homes and cemeteries, and service to nearly 300,000 veterans and dependents.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm with the Legislative Counsel Service.
• To my right, in the back, is Joanne Montague, who is our Legislative Counsel librarian, an incredibly
• To my left is William Mason, also with the Legislative Council Service.
• So we house one with our lending library, which is another branch of our technology services.
• So, coming to securing AI, there are a thousand pieces of legislation passed last year.