Transcript Highlights:

• <00:26:10.919><c> yes</c><00:26:11.799><c> right</c> contract yes right contract yes right right<00:26
• Uh, the next item is for some fencing contracts.
• contracting out for um skill sets to contracting out for um skill sets to help<01:11:22.440><c> us</c
• Then the fifth position is not an engineer; it is a contracts assistant to...
• Then the fifth position is not an engineer; it is a contracts assistant to...

Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Government Operations committees received a biennium budget preview from Keith Regan, Comptroller and Director of the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), who introduced department leadership and described DAGS’ broad responsibilities across accounting, public works, procurement, elections, archives, risk management, and other attached agencies. He emphasized that DAGS supports nearly every state department and cited ongoing workforce challenges, while noting progress in reducing the department-wide vacancy rate from 21% in 2023 to 17.7% in 2024. He also highlighted recruitment efforts, including new salary schedules for engineers and architects, job fairs, internships, and outreach to retiring federal employees. A major focus was modernization of the state’s aging financial systems, especially the 55-year-old FAMIS platform and the Enterprise Financial System (EFS) project. DAGS said it expects to release the RFP for the FAMIS replacement by the end of January and is seeking a second tranche of CIP funding, including $35 million, plus position augmentation and creation of a Business Transformation Office to manage EFS and future modernization work. The department also described major capital projects such as the Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Wahiawā Civic Center, Kauaʻi Civic Center, and Ahuimanu Community Correctional Center, and reported that Public Works is managing 455 projects statewide valued at more than $2.5 billion. Other budget requests discussed included funding for cemetery operations, with DAGS asking for two positions and $1 million in operating funds to support maintenance of eight cemeteries; a $200 million ceiling increase tied to anticipated insurance proceeds for West Maui fire-related recovery and rebuilding; and several staffing and operating items for district offices and facilities. These included full-year funding for positions in West Hawaiʻi and East Hawaiʻi, support for a small business coordinator at the State Procurement Office, funding for cloud hosting and PeopleSoft licensing, six positions and staff augmentation for the EFS project, electricity costs, and security-related funding. DAGS also noted that two requested reductions totaled $7.9 million, including transferring the security contract to the Department of Law Enforcement and reducing nonrecurring expenses; members discussed whether some security funding should remain with or be moved to DLE, and DAGS said it would not object to that transfer. No votes were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, we're told the first quarter of 2027 is what our contracts are.
• So these are not temp FTEs or contracted FTEs. These are full-time FTEs.
• We do have a combination of contract staff, temp staff, and full FTEs for that.
• So it was still the best decision to contract with the Alzheimer's Association?
• Chairman, Best decision to contract with the Alzheimer's Association.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 18 minutes, and then received a series of updates on major health-related projects and programs. CHI St. Alexius representatives reported progress on behavioral health buildouts in Bismarck, Williston, and Grand Forks, including demolition and construction milestones, staffing plans, and timelines. The Bismarck project remains on track for completion in June 2027 with about $346,500 spent to date. Williston reported construction underway, a $750,000 unbudgeted air handler replacement, active recruitment for psychiatrists and other staff, and a projected substantial completion in early 2027. Grand Forks reported about 30% completion, weather-tight status expected in August, and continued staffing ramp-up as the facility expands from its current 24-bed operation. The Department of Health and Human Services then reviewed a set of technical line-item transfers, emphasizing that they were administrative corrections with no net change in funding. The department also walked through the Salaries and Wages Block Grant and FTE counts, noting overall staffing remained within appropriated limits and that behavioral health staffing had increased. Members asked about vacancies, consultant use, and the mix of in-state versus out-of-state expertise for the Rural Health Transformation Program. HHS said it had posted 12 funding opportunities, received 422 applications, obligated $8.4 million so far, hired 26 people, and was preparing additional grant rounds and a CMS budget submission. The department said the program is structured around workforce, prevention/healthy living, care closer to home, and technology/data, with ongoing stakeholder engagement and community forums. The committee also heard on the certified community behavioral health clinic implementation plan, SNAP payment error rates, and the state laboratory project. HHS said CCBHC certification is being implemented in four regions—Williston, Minot/North Central, Fargo/Southeast, and Dickinson/Badlands—with care coordination expanding and baseline data still being collected. On SNAP, the department reported a 2025 payment error rate of 9.89%, acknowledged cost impacts under HR1, and said it is using training, system changes, and pre-authorization quality checks to reduce errors toward a 6% target over the next 6 to 12 months. Finally, Public Health reported the state laboratory reached substantial completion on June 12, with total costs at $69.95 million of the $70 million budget, though a service elevator issue will require a new lift to be added using contingency funds.

Transcript Highlights:

• contracting mechanism to get, again, more competition into this process to get a better solution.
• Then we'd go into contract negotiations, and then after that, by September at the very latest, we will
• have a master contract or contracts executed.
• At the latest, we will have a master contract or contracts executed.
• They write their statement of work, and they go into a separate contract with that vendor.

Summary: The committee held a series of informational briefings on information management and technology issues. It first heard from ACLU representatives on data privacy, who argued that Oregon should strengthen protections against private data brokers, government purchases of personal data, reverse warrants, automatic license plate readers, and local police surveillance. They urged data minimization, limits on data sales and retention, and broader transparency and accountability measures. Members asked about practical uses of license plate readers, state sales of data, and how Oregon’s approach compares with other states; the presenters said similar proposals have been adopted elsewhere, including data minimization in Maryland and a state version of the Fourth Amendment Is Not for Sale Act in Montana. The committee then received a detailed update from the Department of Administrative Services and Enterprise Information Services on licensing system modernization for 14 boards and commissions with the most immediate need. DAS said it is seeking a shared procurement approach through an RFP that would create either one scalable system or two tiers of systems, depending on agency needs and security requirements, with contracts expected by September. Committee members emphasized the need for a more unified, user-friendly statewide login and service experience for businesses and residents, and raised concerns about small agencies “figuring it out on their own” without sufficient cybersecurity or technical expertise. EIS said it is overseeing the investment review, security and architecture review, and future implementation planning, and noted that multiple agency requests may still come back to the legislature in the next session. The committee also discussed a revised cybersecurity incident notification concept. Staff explained that the earlier bill had raised stakeholder concerns, so the co-chairs directed further interim work with the Oregon Cybersecurity Advisory Council and other local government and K-12 stakeholders. The goal is a narrower, voluntary “911-style” notification process that would let public bodies alert peers and potentially receive assistance after cyber incidents; a temporary voluntary process is being tested now, with a work group developing language for possible 2027 consideration. Finally, the committee heard updates from the new state chief data officer on data governance, data sharing, geospatial work, and the state transparency website, followed by a briefing on data centers from NCSL and the Technology Association of Oregon. The data officer described efforts to expand data inventories, data governance plans, data literacy, and interagency sharing, along with statewide aerial imagery, geospatial standards, and the open data portal. The data center discussion focused on national and state trends, including rapid growth in data centers, rising electricity and water demand, and legislative responses such as new rate classes, reporting requirements, and cost-allocation rules to protect ratepayers. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• These figures do not include the contract workforce who saw work go away, and we're waiting to see what
• While some employers could provide 60 days, I've seen other contracts ranging from 10 to 30 days.
• Thankfully, their contract includes a 60-day notice period.
• Thankfully, their contract includes a 60-day notice period.
• AB 2653 requires AI companies who enter into contracts...

Committee: House Labor and Employment

Transcript Highlights:

• For schools that have contracts with food service management companies, the PED recognizes that they
• Some of the things that we need to contract, people that we need to contact are the processing plants
• Like in McKinley County, they sole source one contract for one contractor to sole source every other
• contract underneath them, which is really illegal.
• If, when you go to bid or GSD sends out a contract, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><02:38:12.000><c> that</c> mean, we have we have contracts that mean, we have we have contracts that
• </c> contract. That's line um 11 and 12. Mhm. contract. That's line um 11 and 12. Mhm.
• as well that had nurses will sign contracts with them in nurses will sign contracts with them in it.
• The problem is a lot of people sign contracts and then they feel that they're being held by a contract
• <03:57:35.760><c> with</c><03:57:36.080><c> the</c> contract with the contract with the uh<03:57:37.680

Summary: The committee discussed House Bill 185, which would amend RSA 3109 to add timelines for OPLC’s complaint review and investigation process. Members reviewed the existing five-year limitation period for misconduct complaints and noted that the bill would add a 30-day deadline for the office to make a recommendation to the board and a 90-day deadline to complete investigations. Some members raised concerns that the new deadlines could conflict with the existing statute of limitations, create pressure to dismiss cases too quickly, and potentially undermine the separation between OPLC’s investigative role and the boards’ adjudicatory role established by House Bill 655. Nicholas Fry, OPLC general counsel, testified that the agency’s fiscal note originally assumed it would need roughly double its staff to meet the proposed deadlines, though a later amendment reduced that estimate somewhat. He said OPLC would still need additional personnel, including investigatory paralegals and a physician investigator for the Board of Medicine, to meet the timeframes. He also explained OPLC’s current complaint and hearing procedures, including new consumer-friendly correspondence, website guidance, and efforts by the enforcement division to improve transparency and communication with complainants and licensees. Bob Quinn of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors testified in support of the bill’s basic goal of speeding up intake and investigation, saying the 30-day intake/review period was reasonable and that the bill would not change OPLC’s role in that first step. He argued, however, that the investigation step is where delays occur, especially for lower-priority complaints, and that some cases have remained unresolved for years. Committee members also questioned how the added staffing costs would be paid, with discussion of whether they would come from license fees or the general fund. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's the placement contracts for kids in foster care. So that's why you also see that.
• We are not filling them with contract employees.
• So we're not using contract employees to fill those vacancies. Okay. Thank you.
• , but that third-year contract was eliminated.
• , but that third-year contract was eliminated. that particular ESOL. eliminated.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's includable in our service contracts with them. >> Yeah. Okay. All right.
• :45.039><c> only</c> Again, that statutoable contract only Again, that statutoable contract only guarantees
• It's a contract that that we Humanana.
• </c><00:59:35.599><c> and</c> covered under the inviable contract and covered under the inviable contract
• That gain-share still exists in our contract.

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants. Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation. TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear. Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> vendors to sign those contracts vendors to sign those contracts uh<00:12:07.760><c> when</c><00:
• or they contract with contractors to do it.
• </c><00:27:04.240><c> with</c> themselves or they contract with themselves or they contract with contractors
• Um, as you know, we contract with KPMG for the annual audit of the state's financial statements.
• </c> 2024, the liquor commission contracted 2024, the liquor commission contracted with<01:20:34.880>

Summary: The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state. A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item. The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's owing money to a person they contracted with via a contract.
• </c><00:53:55.360><c> with</c> a person they contracted with a person they contracted with via<00:53:
• </c> Via a contract.
• And the contract.
• I'm not sure if they've gone contracts.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• The awards are announced and grant contracts are signed.
• The awards are announced and grant contracts are signed.
• We ensure compliance with the contract and provide support to grantees.
• We ensure compliance with the contract and provide support to grantees.
• </c> We ensure compliance with the contract We ensure compliance with the contract and<00:08:12.639><

Bills: HF4072 , HF3691 , HF4613

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Keywords: workforce development, journalism, local news, internships, media training, emergency management, essential employees, public safety, law enforcement, workforce, economic development, appropriation, Twin Cities Marathon, Explore Minnesota, grants

Transcript Highlights:

• Government-mandated PLAs invalidate privately negotiated union labor contract agreements and replace
• He continued that merit shop workers should have equal opportunity for public contracts.
• for public contracts it will directly<00:19:13.720><c> save</c><00:19:14.039><c> taxpayers</c><00:19
• He said construction firms should be awarded state contracts that are the best value for the State of
• I agree that a 40E service contract to sell real estate is predatory.

Committee: Senate Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• My team and I are also responsible for oversight of the system's procurement and contract management
• System contracting and procurement practices and processes shall be transparent, fair, and consistent
• My team and I are also responsible for oversight of the system's procurement and contract management
• </c><00:21:15.120><c> management</c> procurement and contract management procurement and contract management
• </c><00:21:32.679><c> and</c> Pursuit system Contracting and Pursuit system Contracting and procurement

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> administrator is simply a contracting administrator is simply a contracting and<02:28:26.720><c>
• the</c><03:02:07.040><c> state</c> contract contracted rate with the state contract contracted rate
• Uh and asked the contract of them.
• ,<03:08:07.120><c> reduce</c> contracts, reduce contracts, reduce competition<03:08:09.840><c> over</
• I don't have the contract in front of me. And a follow-up: is that contract publicly available?

Committee: House Education Policy and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• they entered into... ...of public safety subcommittee, but specifically at DOC, they entered into contracts
• I know that they have a contract that they operate essentially as a pass-through for that.
• federal government. ...of public safety subcommittee, but specifically at DOC, they entered into contracts
• I know that they have a contract that they operate essentially as a pass-through for that.
• I know that they have a contract that they operate essentially as a pass-through for that.

Bills: SB1177

Committee: House Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Summary: The Joint Appropriations and Budget Committee took up Senate Bill 1177, the main budget bill, and first adopted the committee substitute as the working version. Chairman Caldwell presented the bill as the measure funding state government and answered a series of questions about major budget items, including CareerTech funding, child care, school security, teacher pay raises, the state plane purchase, Medicaid, mental health, veterans’ homes, and higher education projects. He said CareerTech received increased funding, child care funding was increased by roughly $12 million over last year, school security funding was continued at $50 million, and teacher pay raises were included through a mechanism that would raise the state minimum by $2,000. He also explained the $3 million state plane item as a restructuring of state aviation assets, and said the budget did not cut law enforcement funding tied to 287(g) agreements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some years, if there is a surplus in the market, less barley is contracted, so the acres are down.
• So because the Less barley is contracted, so the acres are down.
• And if they have too much on hand, if there's a global surplus, then they'll contract less the next year
• Contract labor up another 10%, and property taxes and fees were up 5%.
• Contract labor up another 10%, and property taxes and fees were up 5%.

Committee: House Agricultural Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• mortgage lending fraud prosecution account are used by the Department of Financial Institutions to contract
• The account revenues are used by the Department of Financial Institutions to contract with county prosecutor's
• The Department of Financial Institutions would spend those new revenues on additional contracts with
• We manage an ECAP contract for about 1,440 ECAP slots in Snohomish County that are located in schools
• In 2018, the legislature authorized DSHS to contract with the consumer-directed employer, or CDE, to

Bills: SB5109 , SB5835 , SB6065

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, retirement, lump sum payment, benefits, pension, financial security, SB 6065, school district transportation, transportation vehicle fund, pupil transportation, school buses, electric school buses, zero-emission buses, bus fleet electrification, charging stations, vehicle replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what they have in their contract.
• We have one employment contract. And that's with our city manager.
• They received 250 responses, and over 150 city managers in the state of Texas have employment contracts
• Those employment contracts have severance provisions.
• That's just my experience, both in the private world and what I've seen here now with two city contracts

Bills: SB1079 , SB1243 , SB1504 , SB1579 , SB1708 , SB1844 , SB1851 , SB1879 , SB1921 , SB1951 , SB2237 , SB2238 , SB2406 , SB2407

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 1079, Texas, county government, commissioners court, Local Government Code, Chapter 263, surplus property, salvage property, data storage device, hard drive, electronic media, digital records, confidential information, protected information, privacy, records retention, information security, data destruction, device disposal, sensitive data

Summary: The meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government was marked by significant discussions on multiple bills aimed at enhancing governance and protecting taxpayer interests. Among the notable legislations was SB1951, where Senator Paxton emphasized reforms to reduce erroneous penalty notices imposed by appraisal districts, eliminating the financial incentive for such penalties. The session concluded with public testimonies that highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in taxpayer dealings. Additionally, Senator Middleton presented SB1504 and SB2237, focusing on the operational frameworks of local authorities and executive severance payments, respectively, both of which sparked considerable debate among committee members.

Transcript Highlights:

• it hasn't been immediately renewed, so there is no gap, then you forfeit the entire value of that contract
• Current law obligates a contractor to be licensed at all times during the performance of that contract
• Therefore, if a contractor is unlicensed at any time during the performance of the contract, it is entirely
• paid to it, even if it was properly licensed for some period of time during the performance of the contract
• precluded from recovering for work while unlicensed for some period during the performance of the contract

Bills: SB342 , SB1303 , SB1347

Committee: House Business and Professions

Keywords: naturopathy, medical licensure, California Board of Naturopathic Medicine, healthcare services, fictitious-name permit, pupil health, albuterol inhalers, emergency medical aid, respiratory distress, local educational agencies, childcare programs, school safety

Summary: The Assembly Business and Professions Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 1347, which clarifies that stock albuterol may be authorized in all public schools, including preschools. The bill was presented as a technical cleanup to existing law and received support from the California Society for Respiratory Care and the American Academy of Pediatrics. There was no opposition, and the committee approved it on a due pass vote. The committee then considered AB 2772, the sunset bill for the California Council for Interior Design Certification. Supporters said it would extend the council’s sunset date and recognize its quasi-public status by applying transparency and accountability requirements. Opposition came from the International Interior Design Association, which argued the council had not complied with open meeting laws and objected to expanded authority to levy civil penalties. The committee nevertheless concurred in the Senate amendments and passed the bill. SB 1303, the sunset bill for the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine, was heard next after major amendments removed disputed scope-of-practice language. The board and its supporters emphasized consumer protection, title clarity, and enforcement against unlicensed activity, while several medical and professional groups that had opposed earlier versions said they were removing opposition or moving to neutral. The committee passed the bill as amended. Finally, SB 342, the Contractors Licensure Fairness Act, was presented as a measure to allow contractors to recover payment for work performed while licensed, even if there was a lapse in licensure during a long project, rather than forfeiting the entire contract value. Supporters said this would prevent unfair windfalls and reduce litigation; opponents, including Los Angeles Unified School District and local government groups, argued it would reward contractors who fail to maintain licenses and weaken consumer and public protections. The committee approved SB 342 as amended. The meeting also included extended thanks and farewell remarks for committee consultant Bill Lewis, who was retiring after many years of service.

Transcript Highlights:

• Corporation, relating to reporting requirements for natural gas pipeline projects, relating to approval of contracts
• by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, and in... ...projects, relating to approval of contracts by
• gas pipeline projects, creating the Alaska Affordable Heating Fuel Fund, relating to approval of contracts
• Corporation, relating to reporting requirements for natural gas pipeline projects, relating to approval of contracts
• gas pipeline projects; creating the Alaska Affordable Heating Fuel Fund; relating to approval of contracts