Transcript Highlights:

• We're also looking at these digital tools.
• We're also looking at these digital<00:15:58.000> tools.
• Again, one of our digital tools.
• prepared fact the fit of the digitally prepared dentures<00:23:37.720> is<00:23:37.880> better
• Um, what I really wanted to ask about, we had a presentation back a while ago about digital technology

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who is celebrating 20 years in business and employing more than 60 people, was on track for double-digit
• was on employing more than 60 people was on track<00:25:25.200> for<00:25:25.320> double-digit
• for double-digit revenue growth coming<00:25:27.080> into<00:25:27.280> 2026.
• We provided training in digital marketing and held space for community.
• We provided training in digital We provided training in digital marketing<00:28:22.720> and

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met to approve the April 7, 2026 minutes and then held a hearing on the economic impact of Operation Metro Surge and related ICE enforcement activity. Testifiers described broad effects on cities, small businesses, workers, and schools, and several speakers voiced support for House File 4477, which would create a targeted state relief program for affected businesses and communities. Metro Cities said member cities reported unexpected burdens on public safety, public works, emergency management, and other local services, and its board adopted a policy supporting state assistance for those costs. Northstar Policy Action presented data arguing the operation contributed to higher unemployment, reduced hours, lost wages, and business losses, including a reported $106 million in lost wages from reduced hours and an estimated $18 million per week in taxpayer costs. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said the city incurred nearly $1 million in direct costs and estimated small businesses lost about $16 million per week, with major drops in foot traffic and sales, especially among immigrant-owned neighborhood businesses. Other testimony emphasized impacts outside the metro area and on specific communities. Georgia Gallardo of Kerkhoven Cattle Butcher said rural small businesses also suffered, citing reduced sales and weekend traffic. The Minnesota Council of Latino Affairs reported that Latino-owned businesses support thousands of jobs and have seen sales declines of 40% to 90%, while WomenVenture and the Minnesota CDFI Coalition said CDFIs were seeing urgent demand for flexible relief and described businesses delaying hiring, reducing hours, or pausing expansion. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruly said federal agents’ conduct during the surge undermined trust, created public safety concerns, and led to overtime and other local costs, while also noting he supports federal immigration enforcement in principle. Fridley Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Lewis said the district lost 112 students since December, still had 72 not returned, and had to rapidly create a virtual learning option for students who did not feel safe attending in person. Across the hearing, witnesses argued the disruption was statewide, not limited to Minneapolis-St. Paul, and that state relief was needed to prevent business closures, job losses, and longer-term damage to communities.

Transcript Highlights:

• wasn't anything to work with at all when it came to defining a law enforcement agency in terms of digital
• really trying to address with this bill is how is it that the government is interacting with your digital
• in<00:33:07.360> terms<00:33:07.600> of<00:33:08.320> um<00:33:08.559> digital
• agency in terms of um digital agency in terms of um digital information.<00:33:09.519> And
• interacting with your digital interacting with your digital information?

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One of the things we're really proud of is we're in the process of digitizing the state's newspapers.
• But as we digitize those, you can do a word search and your research is that much more efficient.
• <00:09:06.200> the<00:09:06.360> state's process of digitizing the state's process
• of digitizing the state's newspapers<00:09:07.640> we<00:09:07.800> have<00:09:08.000><
• those you can do a we as we digitize those you can do a word<00:09:18.480> search<00:09:18.959

Bills: HF1234, HF1956, HF1025, HF1172, HF791

Keywords: payment transparency, public contracts, contractor rights, government accountability, construction payments, municipal finance, liquor store, audit requirements, state auditor, local government, historic flag, state flag, display standards, ceremonial, Minnesota Statutes, Ursa Minor, state symbol, Minnesota state laws, constellation, official state designation

Transcript Highlights:

• , from contraband cell phones to cryptocurrency transactions, we need modern tools to process the digital
• Our trained librarians have specialized knowledge of the wide variety of print and digital resources
• Our challenge is one challenge that we have is that, like they say, the digital revolution has come to
• Our challenge is, one challenge that we have is that, like they say that the digital revolution has come
• The average file size. say that the digital revolution has come to the courtroom.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee held its first hearing of the 89th regular session, adopted nearly identical committee rules from the previous legislature by a 15-0 vote, and began review of Senate Bill 1, the state budget for fiscal years 2026-27. Chair Huffman outlined the budget framework, emphasizing conservative spending, a $332.9 billion all-funds budget, and major priorities including property tax relief, public education, border security, health and human services, transportation, energy, and water infrastructure. She also introduced committee and leadership staff and described the hearing schedule and public testimony procedures. Comptroller Glenn Hager presented the biennial revenue estimate, saying the state has $194.6 billion available for general-purpose spending, including a $23.8 billion ending balance, but warned that revenue growth is returning to more normal levels and that lawmakers should avoid using temporary spikes for ongoing commitments. Senators questioned him extensively about the Economic Stabilization Fund cap, sales tax trends, inflation, and whether the state should consider raising the cap or using severance-tax revenues differently. Hager said the Rainy Day Fund is expected to hit its cap, which would leave more severance-tax revenue in general revenue, and he stressed that infrastructure needs remain significant. The Legislative Budget Board then gave a detailed overview of SB 1 and the budget’s major components. LBB staff explained that the bill includes continued funding for the Foundation School Program, $850 million for the Texas State Technical College endowment, $1.3 billion for the Texas University Fund, $6.5 billion for border security, salary increases for correctional officers and state troopers, $3 billion for dementia research, higher community attendant wages, expanded community-based care, $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, and funding to clear volunteer fire department grant backlogs. They also outlined supplemental priorities such as water infrastructure, retirement legacy payments, rail grade separations, wildfire aircraft, and emergency facilities, and said the current controlling budget limit is the tax spending limit. A major portion of the hearing focused on property tax relief. LBB explained that prior-session relief grew from an expected $18 billion to $22.7 billion because of higher-than-anticipated property values and interactions among hold-harmless provisions, and that SB 1 continues and expands relief with $51 billion in total property tax relief, including $3 billion more for compression, $3 billion to raise the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, and a $500 million placeholder for business tax relief. Senators discussed the automatic nature of some of these costs, the effect of the non-homestead circuit breaker, the role of federal COVID funds, and the need to maintain school finance commitments if the state continues to compress school tax rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 11 of the printed calendar, we come to Amendment 9, which provides funding for a digital services
• This is item 471 in the budget... ...which provides funding for a digital services team.

Keywords: June 29, 2026 - Special Session 1, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• percentage cap, or I was even thinking, if someone got a ridiculous— not, I won't say ridiculous— a double-digit
• ridiculous, not I won't say ridiculous, a, Someone got a ridiculous, not I won't say ridiculous, a double-digit

Summary: The committee first heard a Special Language Committee report from Senator McKee, who reported that the subcommittee adopted nine amendments related to Governor’s Letter 7 and 30, including amendments to HB 1005 and one sponsored by Senator Dismang. The committee then adopted the report and approved several items on the special language agenda, including HB 101 (Department of Corrections), HB 1017 (Department of Agriculture promotion boards), HB 1009 (Department of Public Safety), and SB 10 (Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services). During discussion of SB 10, members questioned a $10 million unemployment insurance modernization item, and Commerce/DFA explained it was a continuation of existing funding rather than a new increase. The meeting then turned to the Treasurer’s budget, where members raised concerns about prior and proposed salary increases in the office, especially the size of raises for senior staff compared with lower-paid employees. Committee members repeatedly asked whether the new appropriation would be directed to the investment team rather than top administrators, and whether special language could cap raises or otherwise limit how the money could be used. The Treasurer’s representative said the office was willing to discuss caps and that no final decisions on raises had been made, but several members remained dissatisfied and emphasized the need for the Treasurer himself to appear. Representative Lundstrum moved to hold the Treasurer’s budget, and the committee approved the hold. After that, the committee referred items with special language to the special language process and then batch-approved a series of supplemental and reappropriation bills, followed by individual due-pass actions on multiple bills, including HB 1006, HB 1013, HB 1016, HB 1033, HB 1048, HB 1050, HB 1053, HB 1065, HB 1078, and several Senate bills such as SB 2, SB 14, SB 19, SB 26, SB 32, SB 42, SB 52, SB 53, and SB 74. Near the end, members discussed filing deadlines and the need to suspend rules for late special-language items, and Senator Irvin released a hold on HB 1064 before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• percentage cap, or—I was even thinking, if someone got a ridiculous, not—I won't say ridiculous, a double-digit
• percentage raise in 2025, that A double-digit percentage raise in 2025, that maybe they would not get

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Medi-Cal asset limit was a significant cut, as were cuts to the 980 suicide and behavioral health
• the legislature rejected many of the harmful cuts targeted towards older adults by reinstating the asset
• preserving long-term care within the Medi-Cal program, especially for the modified proposal to the asset
• We want to especially mention the Medi-Cal asset test and the HomeSafe.
• We encourage you to enter the Backup Assets Program. Thank you. Name and affiliation, please.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I was wondering if the committee discussed digital asset transactions.
• I was wondering if the committee I was wondering if the committee discussed<03:59:51.359> digital
• <03:59:51.760> asset<03:59:52.160> transactions.
• discussed digital asset transactions. discussed digital asset transactions.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• portraying a sexual performance by a minor, and then we have AI or computer-generated or some kind of digital
• 40:00.640> of AI or computerenerated or some kind of AI or computerenerated or some kind of digital
• 00:40:03.920> do<00:40:04.160> we<00:40:04.320> not<00:40:04.560> also digital
• Um do we not also digital uh format.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 306, sponsored by Representative Michael Meredith with the Kentucky Chamber, which would define “workplace” and clarify threatening behavior in workplace violence/trespass cases. Supporters said the bill would better address repeated threats or trespass incidents at workplaces and strengthen penalties for subsequent offenses; one member questioned whether adding language could weaken existing protections, while another asked whether it would cover hospital workplace violence. The bill passed on a roll call vote, 15-0 with one pass, and was reported favorably. The committee then considered House Bill 312, sponsored by Representatives Savannah Maddox and Josh Bray, to allow law-abiding Kentuckians ages 18 to 20 to obtain a provisional concealed carry license with background check, training, and proficiency requirements. Supporters argued the bill recognizes adults’ rights and adds safety through training, while opponents raised concerns about putting more guns in younger people’s hands and public safety/self-harm risks. Several members explained yes votes as supporting training and constitutional rights, and the bill passed 15-3 with no passes, reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 320 on human trafficking, presented by Representative Jason Neimus with a title amendment adopted at the start. Three students from Sager Heart Model School explained their project and urged equalizing penalties for committing and promoting human trafficking, saying the current law treats promotion less severely. A Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers representative warned the statute could be too broad and sweep in solicitation cases, urging a carve-out or narrower language; members discussed possible wording changes, including removing “patronize” and reconsidering mens rea language. The sponsor said the bill was intended to make penalties equal for those who promote trafficking, not to address broader definitional issues. The bill passed unanimously, 18-0, and was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And you'd rather have people sit in a queue and get kicked off that queue digitally as often happens.
• Chairman, you do know that in rural areas and urban areas the digital divide is real, correct?
• You do understand that in rural parts of Texas and urban parts of Texas that the digital divide...
• Knowing that, because I'm in my district, the digital divide is real and some people just don't have

Bills: SR5, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35, SB5, SB11, SB12, SB25, SB26, SB28, SB35

Keywords: redistricting, Senate procedures, public input, Texas Legislature, amendments, Texas Senate, congressional districts, legislative procedures, legislative transparency, Senate rules, public hearings, committee procedures, hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes

Summary: The meeting centered around the discussion of congressional redistricting, where the committee established the procedures to ensure a fair and transparent process. Led by Senator King, the session focused on adopting a resolution that authorized a special committee dedicated to congressional redistricting and allowed for regional hearings to gather public input via videoconferencing. Concerns were raised about ensuring adequate notice for public participation, especially from marginalized communities potentially affected by proposed changes. Disagreements emerged regarding the timeline for regional hearings and how to address the implications of the redistricting process on minority districts. Overall, participants acknowledged the complex nature of redistricting and the importance of engaging constituents in the legislative process.

Transcript Highlights:

• , she's run three written articles in The Independent, which is one of the largest newspapers and digital
• 00:04:43.759> and is one of the largest newspapers and is one of the largest newspapers and digital
• 04:45.840> in<00:04:46.080> the<00:04:46.240> UK<00:04:46.960> talking digital
• online outlets in the UK talking digital online outlets in the UK talking about<00:04:47.520> everything

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100, then heard from the Kentucky Department of Tourism on a contract with the United Kingdom and other European markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar international marketing contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the work includes marketing, public relations, familiarization trips, and media outreach. After questions about costs and effectiveness, the contract was approved by roll call. Members then reviewed Finance Cabinet facilities contracts 29 and 48 for engineering and architectural services tied to project design, including a specialized lab expansion project. The chair raised concerns that the fees seemed high for services that do not include construction, while the agency explained the work covers design for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and architectural planning, and that the lab project’s specialized pathogen-related work limits the pool of firms. The committee voted to approve the contracts. The Attorney General’s office then presented an opioid abatement agreement. Senator Meredith asked how the commission coordinates with other state behavioral health efforts, and staff explained that the commission allocates settlement funds based on applications and includes related agency representation to help avoid duplication. The contract was approved. The committee also approved a behavioral health contract for 988 chat and text services, which will expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage to 24/7 and move more of the state’s calls, chats, and texts from a national center to local specialists. A related amendment for the Voices of Hope overdose response contract was approved after staff said the increase simply extends services into the next fiscal year. Finally, the committee approved a DCBS contract for the Building Bridges Initiative, which provides training and peer mentoring for residential child care providers, and then approved three contracts for the Council on Developmental Disabilities. Those contracts were explained as necessary because the council is the designated state agency for federal DD Act funding, and one questioned item involving an advocacy and sexuality initiative was described as part of the council’s five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, systems change, and capacity building. The committee also discussed a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit, with staff saying the organization was chosen for its statewide network and ability to gather raw data, while members raised concerns about whether the study should distinguish between lack of food and poor diet. All of the reviewed contracts were approved by roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• , she's run three written articles in The Independent, which is one of the largest newspapers and digital
• 00:04:39.520> and is one of the largest newspapers and is one of the largest newspapers and digital
• 04:41.600> in<00:04:41.840> the<00:04:42.000> UK<00:04:42.720> talking digital
• online outlets in the UK talking digital online outlets in the UK talking about<00:04:43.199> everything

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion. Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved. Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have House Bill 472, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 2, relating to digital identification.
• draft<02:04:14.400> 2<02:04:14.639> relating<02:04:14.960> to<02:04:15.119> digital
• draft 2 relating to digital draft 2 relating to digital identification.<02:04:17.440> On<

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First up, we have House Bill 472, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 2, relating to digital identification.
• House draft 1, Senate draft 2, relating House draft 1, Senate draft 2, relating to<02:25:23.040> digital
• to digital to digital identification.<02:25:25.280> On<02:25:25.439> behalf<02:25:

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• can tell me: at the time, I think we did not get through the registry part where it could be on a digital
• <00:34:54.839> a<00:34:55.599> platform<00:34:56.480> a<00:34:56.720> digital
• <00:34:57.200> platform<00:34:58.119> so on a on a platform a digital platform so on
• a on a platform a digital platform so no<00:34:58.520> matter<00:34:58.839> where<00:34

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:09:30.120> this<00:09:30.400> lasting<00:09:30.840> public<00:09:31.240> asset
• <00:09:31.600> is to ensure this lasting public asset is to ensure this lasting public asset
• In addition to funding and preserving the city's downtown assets, the downtown tax also helps pay down
• In addition to funding and preserving the city's downtown assets, the downtown tax also helps pay down
• And they can use that to address the downtown assets it owns, unlike the stadium, which is owned by the

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to $3,000 in assets to qualify, the partnership allows you to increase that asset protection up to your
• assets that you can protect. assets that you can protect.
• shielding of assets is so very<00:18:36.360> important.
• <00:19:00.920> So, asset, that is greatly appreciated.
• So, asset, that is greatly appreciated.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And you put your assets, and I recommend it if you don't have one.
• So you really still have control of the assets. It's just a function.
• And you put your assets, and I recommend it if you don't have one.
• All the assets of that person locked in.
• sure that people live and shift assets sure that people live and shift assets and<01:37:49.920><

Keywords: 1191, senate, all