Transcript Highlights:

• Those can have discrete populations where we cover those, and they are subject to an evaluation.
• program areas to ensure that the needs of Native American children are being addressed in a culturally competent
• We are evaluating that to see if that also is a retention effort to keep our foster parents.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you can actually evaluate those products against the screw worm.
• As I understand it, TDA is working with the folks down in Panama to evaluate the new technologies that
• Each one of us is very competent and a specialist in our fields. We have parasitologists on staff.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, we have implemented regular evaluations of each campus's Title IX program.
• convened the University Now initiative, a regional academic planning effort intended not to replace or compete
• Funding cuts that were made were based on the Department of Finance's directions to evaluate discretionary

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance met to review CSU and State Library budget issues, enrollment trends, the Capital Fellows program, and a Title IX update. Chair David Alvarez opened by stressing that CSU faces serious financial pressure, including a systemwide deficit and proposed cuts that he and several members said were too large and likely to harm access, course offerings, and student services. Public comment focused heavily on the Braille Institute Library, with patrons, staff, veterans, and advocates urging restoration of funding and warning that the proposed cut would severely affect blind and visually impaired Californians across Southern California. Several CSU faculty, staff, and union representatives also opposed the proposed reductions and warned of larger class sizes, fewer sections, and layoffs. On the CSU core operations item, the Department of Finance explained the Governor’s proposal to reduce ongoing General Fund support by about $375 million and defer a 5% base increase, while the LAO said CSU core funding would be roughly flat once tuition and targeted augmentations were considered, but warned that rising costs and prior shortfalls would still force campuses to cut spending. CSU’s Chancellor’s Office said the proposed cut would deepen existing problems, citing prior-year budget gaps, job losses, reduced course sections, and student-service reductions. Members pressed Finance and the LAO on whether cuts could be made more surgically, especially at the Chancellor’s Office or in institutional support rather than in instruction, and the LAO said the Legislature has flexibility to target cuts more specifically. CSU also described ongoing consolidation efforts, including shared services among campuses and the planned Cal Maritime/Cal Poly San Luis Obispo integration, while cautioning that savings are not yet fully known. The committee then discussed CSU enrollment. The LAO recommended holding enrollment targets flat because the budget does not add new funding, while CSU reported strong recent growth, including more California residents, record first-year enrollment, and expanded direct admissions and transfer pathways. Members questioned why some campuses with high demand turn away many applicants while others continue to lose enrollment, and CSU said it is shifting resources from campuses with sustained declines to those with demand, using a 10% below-target threshold. The committee also discussed whether enrollment declines mirror local population trends, how to improve marketing and program alignment, and whether lessons from Cal Poly Humboldt’s conversion could inform other campuses such as Sonoma State. The Capital Fellows item drew a Finance proposal for a salary increase and an LAO counterproposal for a smaller raise plus future COLA language; the committee kept the item open. Finally, CSU reported progress on Title IX compliance, saying it has completed most State Auditor recommendations, expanded civil rights staffing, and increased training, prevention, and case-management efforts, though members asked how proposed budget cuts might affect those services.

Transcript Highlights:

• states, we're also competing on quality of life as well.
• <03:50:49.000> with is shrinking um and we're competing with is shrinking um and we're competing
• states we're also competing neighboring states we're also competing on<03:51:29.800> quality<03
• That would directly compete with their retail sales.
• That would directly compete with their retail sales.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The committee met in executive session and first discussed scheduling, noting that Town Meeting Day would cancel the next Tuesday meeting, that they would meet Wednesday instead, and that remaining bills would be handled through subcommittees and a likely final executive session on the 19th to meet the deadline for committee action on the 20th. The committee then took up several bills, with repeated roll calls and votes, often placing measures on the consent calendar after committee approval. House Bill 185 on ambulance reimbursement rates was described as a perennial issue and was voted inexpedient to legislate, with members noting concerns that an any-willing-provider approach would make premium impacts hard to evaluate. House Bill 186 on cannabis legalization was retained for further work, with members saying the bill addressed stopping marijuana arrests but that the sales and implementation details still needed more development. House Bill 241 on treatment alternatives to opioids was also retained because the sponsor could not attend and the committee wanted more time to continue work. The committee then considered House Bill 302 on state treasury investments in digital assets and precious metals. The amendment narrowed the proposal, removing more complicated provisions like stable tokens and staking, lowering the authorized allocation from 10% to 5%, and limiting eligible digital assets to those with very high market capitalization; members discussed volatility, the treasurer’s discretion, and oversight through bond-rating concerns. The amendment and the bill as amended both passed, and the bill was placed on the consent calendar. Other measures moved quickly: House Bill 451 on a paint product stewardship program was amended to remove direct funding and framed as manufacturer-run enabling legislation, then passed and was placed on consent; House Bill 499 made technical corrections to insurance laws and passed unanimously; House Bill 538 on relocating Liquor Commission positions passed unanimously; House Bill 552 on children covered under the state retirement insurance plan was cleaned up to remove a student requirement and passed unanimously; and a blockchain/digital currencies bill was amended to address noise and local regulation concerns for data mining operations, with supporters emphasizing energy-use issues, municipal authority, and a separate commission studying regulation. That bill also passed and was sent to consent.

Transcript Highlights:

• The brief compares western United States tax policies in section one, pricing in section two, evaluates
• Wyoming's energy section two, evaluates Wyoming's energy revenue<00:38:40.800> streams<00:38:
• Um, because it really now is a regional marketplace that you'd be competing in.
• For those reasons, Wyatt competing in.
• So when you're really looking at those state-to-state comparisons, or I'm competing against a project

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They are how customers learn, how small producers compete, and how local brands survive against national
• , and how local brands survive compete, and how local brands survive against<02:27:32.800> national
• <05:38:18.718> that<05:38:18.958> accurately<05:38:19.600> assess evaluations that
• accurately assess evaluations that accurately assess necessary<05:38:20.958> contributions<05
• "I don't think I can competently speak to that question, but I expect that Secretary Scanland would be

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to<01:44:12.400> be<01:44:12.480> able<01:44:12.679> to<01:44:12.800> compete
• one is not going to be able to compete one is not going to be able to compete for<01:44:13.239><
• Jen Ross continued that DCYF has access to evaluations that can be provided to parents, children, and
• She added that if matters end up in court, DCYF has access to evaluations and providers, but DCYF social
• and assessments to those um evaluations and assessments to help<04:40:13.920> us<04:40:14.480

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The House Children and Family Law Committee met on January 28, 2025, and first heard House Bill 322, which would give a parent paying child support the exclusive right to claim the child as a dependent on taxes. Representative Barton, the sponsor, argued that because child support is no longer tax-deductible, the paying parent should at least receive the child tax credit. Committee members and later testimony from New Hampshire Legal Assistance raised concerns that the bill would override court discretion, could disadvantage low-income custodial parents, and would not account for cases where child support payments are small or where parents share support unevenly. Several members noted that judges already allocate dependency claims in divorce orders and can modify those orders when circumstances change. After testimony, the committee moved to ITL (inexpedient to legislate) HB 322. The motion was seconded, discussion continued, and the roll call was unanimous in favor of ITL. The committee then placed the bill on consent and ended the executive session on HB 322. The committee next took up House Bill 325, which would eliminate term and reimbursement alimony in no-fault divorces. Representative Barton testified that alimony in those cases was akin to involuntary servitude and should not survive dissolution of the marriage contract. The hearing then moved into questions about whether alimony is meant to compensate a spouse for sacrifices made during the marriage, such as supporting a partner through school or staying home with children, and the sponsor maintained that post-divorce support should not continue as a marital obligation. The transcript cuts off before any vote or further action on HB 325 is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• To recognize that level of expertise and to continue to be able to compete with other jurisdictions,
• <00:08:01.960> with<00:08:02.159> other um be able to compete with other um be able
• to compete with other jurisdictions<00:08:03.599> we<00:08:03.840> we<00:08:03.960>
• So we'll, we're, that is part of our evaluation.
• So we'll, we're, that is part of our evaluation.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, the department is also in this evaluation and rewriting some of the rules and regulations
• Success in any business is based on good people and competent performance.
• <00:16:19.399> good<00:16:19.639> people<00:16:19.959> and<00:16:20.199> competent
• based on good people and competent based on good people and competent performance<00:16:22.480><

Bills: HF1247, HF628

Keywords: child care, aides, supervision, child care centers, staffing regulations, childcare, day care, licensed child care center, early childhood education, child care licensing, director qualifications, staff ratios, group size, staff-to-child ratio, substitutes, volunteers, assistant teacher, teacher qualifications, infant care, toddler age

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, is there any representative from the unions, HGA, or competers?
• the<00:24:02.159> unions<00:24:02.799> HGA<00:24:03.440> or<00:24:03.760> competers
• them to evaluate off-site construction. them to evaluate off-site construction.
• help us evaluate off-site construction. help us evaluate off-site construction.
• And generally, we've evaluated several AI companies that say that they can do this as a tool, and they

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• > commerce benefit evaluation process, commerce benefit evaluation process, commerce determines
• <00:05:15.600> uh or complexity of the evaluation. uh or complexity of the evaluation. uh
• > by<00:18:33.679> the the evaluation conducted by the the evaluation conducted by the
• as these mandates are being evaluated. as these mandates are being evaluated.
• followed follow the process to evaluate followed follow the process to evaluate the<01:30:32.239

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the funding in this bill will be made available to the Office of Legislative Auditor or the BCA to evaluate
• with the to evaluate compliance with the requirements<01:44:57.920> of<01:44:58.000> this<
• of these grant funds to be designated and used by the Office of Legislative Auditor or the BCA to evaluate
• of these grant funds to be designated and used by the Office of Legislative Auditor or the BCA to evaluate
• There are three things the funds could be used for: to evaluate compliance with the requirements of the

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate was called to order, a quorum was established, and remote voting was authorized for several members. The body adopted committee reports except those related to Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, gave Senate File 4067 a second reading, and referred newly introduced bills as listed on the agenda. It also adopted a motion to strike and re-refer House File 3379 to the Committee on Finance, and then moved into special orders and floor debate. The main floor action was on House File 2358, a public safety bill providing enhanced criminal penalties for certain coercion offenses. Senator Lang described it as creating a Minnesota crime targeting sexual extortion of children, including online extortion. Senator Maye Quade supported the bill and spoke about the tragic constituent story behind it. The Senate took a roll call and passed the bill 67-0, with its title agreed to. The Senate then began debate on Senate File 4511, which would clarify Minnesota gambling law to prohibit prediction-market style betting disguised as futures contracts. Senator Marty argued the bill was needed to stop companies such as Kalshi and Polymarket from using futures-contract language to evade state gambling restrictions and to protect existing regulated gambling businesses. Senator Johnson initially offered the A10 amendment to delay action until federal jurisdiction issues are resolved, but withdrew it after debate. He then offered the A8 amendment to preserve longer-term weather-related hedging contracts, which Senator Marty supported as a distinction from short-term, manipulable bets; the A8 amendment was adopted. Debate continued with questions about the bill’s scope, including whether it would reach election-related or financial contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• This does not mean that if a sport requires tryouts or an evaluation for placement, that they are prohibited
• Instead, we should be allowing students to compete at the highest levels that they are capable of.
• My daughter, Kendi, competes in gymnastics. My daughter, Kennedy, competes in gymnastics.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chosen surrogate can approve a donation, especially for a living donation by someone who is not competent
• orientation, we are investing to improve student health outcomes, increase nurse confidence and competency
• important step to ensure that every child in our school has access to well-prepared, confident, and competent
• So HCR requests that LDH and DOE conduct a coordinated statewide evaluation of autism services, identify

Summary: The committee heard a personal privilege update on HB 1227, which Representative DeWitt said would return next week as a proposed HCR for a two-year study of the three-doctor panel after discussions with Dr. Nia Colotta. Better Louisiana also presented its new Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Program, describing it as a data-driven leadership initiative focused on health care workforce, rural access, chronic disease, and other system issues; members discussed whether the program could also help generate policy research, including on managed care organizations. The committee then considered SB 427 on anatomical gifts. After adopting technical amendments, Senator Presley and Dr. Jeff White explained that the bill would strengthen organ donation law by creating a decision registry that records both yes and no choices, clarifying the legal effect of refusal, and codifying ethical principles such as the dead donor rule. Questions focused on organ viability, registry procedures, minors, and a Monroe case involving a disputed donor designation. Supporters included LOPA and the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the bill was reported favorably. HB 946, dealing with hospital price transparency and compliance with federal pricing rules, drew extensive testimony. Representative Landry and a witness from Patient Rights Advocate described it as a consumer transparency measure, but the Louisiana Hospital Association opposed the bill’s state-level enforcement and debt-collection provisions. Landry offered an amendment removing the debt-collection and affirmative-defense language, but after debate the substitute failed on a 5-6 vote and the bill was voluntarily deferred. The committee also reported favorably on SB 109, which revises membership qualifications for the Louisiana Emergency Medical Services Commission; SCR 20, urging federal flexibility on Medicaid redetermination for elderly and disabled beneficiaries; SB 216, allowing coroners to rely on licensed practical nurses for medical pronouncements of death; and SB 45, exempting certain gratuitous hospice houses from licensure, with testimony from hospice house operators and supporters. Finally, HCR 71 by Representative Chasson sought an LDH study of how Louisiana’s law and guidance on pregnancy-related emergency medications is working in hospitals, urgent care, and retail settings. Supporters said providers are hesitant to use medications such as misoprostol because of stigma and uncertainty, while opponents from Louisiana Right to Life argued the resolution was unnecessary and could create controversy. The discussion centered on whether the study should be narrowed or made more objective, but no final action on the resolution was reached in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• out of Texas classrooms when instruction is underway, the bill ensures teachers can teach without competing
• this demand continues, industry will continue to receive economic signals to open new operations to compete
• And that is a very competent reason why we want to do this study and report before we take any action
• It will evaluate the potential impact of wildfires on residents, property, businesses, and the state

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, heard an invocation, received a House message announcing passage of H.B. 500, and a gubernatorial nomination for the Upper Neches River Municipal Water Authority Board. The chamber adopted several resolutions, including SR 409 recognizing Blue Ribbon Lobby Day, SR 402 honoring the discovery of the woolly devil plant at Big Bend National Park, and recognitions for Operation Christmas RGV and Wilson County Day. The Senate also heard an announcement that the Committee on Senate Nominations action report had been placed on members’ desks. The body then took up and passed several bills. SB 2365 was passed to prohibit personal wireless communication devices by public school students during instructional time, with exceptions for health, special education, and safety needs. SB 1869 was passed to reaffirm the DSHS commissioner’s authority over controlled-substance schedule changes without rulemaking or judicial review. SB 1124 was passed to revise criminal discovery procedures in response to the Heath decision, with supporters saying it preserves exculpatory evidence protections while limiting suppression of inculpatory evidence when the defense already knew of it. SB 1758 was passed to create a Grayson County pilot study and temporary permitting hold concerning a cement kiln/quarry near a semiconductor wafer facility, and SB 2078 was passed to regulate composting in certain counties, after a clarifying amendment. The Senate also passed SB 33, barring governmental entities from transactions that support abortion assistance or out-of-state abortion procurement; SB 34, expanding wildfire preparedness measures, studies, equipment databases, and rural fire department funding; SB 1208, increasing the penalty for interference with public duties from a Class B misdemeanor to a state jail felony; SB 1030, removing the maintenance, repair, and overhaul tax for general aviation; SB 505, creating processes to address election irregularities; SB 2411, updating the Business Organizations Code and changing filing-method requirements; and SB 1333, addressing unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, or conveyance of real property. Most measures advanced on voice vote or recorded roll call after motions to suspend the regular order and the constitutional three-day rule, with several members raising questions or objections, especially on the criminal justice, abortion, and public duties bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• difficult for us as legislators<00:13:11.240> to<00:13:11.440> really<00:13:11.720> evaluate
• <00:13:12.720> um<00:13:13.279> you legislators to really evaluate um you legislators
• to really evaluate um you know<00:13:13.800> the<00:13:14.199> the<00:13:14.399> impact
• CEOs say the number one competency missing in the next generation is these soft skills or universal skills
• and social-emotional competencies, so that's what we're building.

Bills: HF110, HF111, HF263, HF105

Keywords: HF110, Adrian Independent School District, Independent School District No. 511, school construction, sales tax exemption, use tax refund, refundable exemption, construction materials, capital improvements, school roofing, playground remodel, retaining walls, plumbing, bathroom remodel, locker room remodel, window replacements, local tax relief, general fund appropriation, Minnesota chapter 297A, retroactive tax refund

Transcript Highlights:

• But anyway, so I don't think competent.
• /c><02:34:15.439> have<02:34:15.600> the not competent, they don't have the not competent
• So, my final analogy on competencies.
• everyone, this is based on a competency everyone, this is based on a competency system.<02:35:14.080
• assuming that your business uh competes assuming that your business uh competes with<03:25:36.800

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 185, which would add timelines to Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) investigations. Senator Howard Pearl said the bill was prompted by concerns from the New Hampshire Association of Realtors about delays at the Real Estate Commission, and he explained that the proposal would require OPLC staff to make an initial determination within 30 days and, if misconduct is found, complete an investigation within 60 days. He said the goal is to improve transparency and give consumers and licensees more timely information, while preserving the board’s adjudicatory role. He also noted that the bill had been amended to delay implementation to give OPLC time to work through its backlog. Committee members questioned how the bill would work when an investigation is incomplete and whether the board could send a case back to OPLC without a firm deadline. Pearl said the board would have discretion to continue the investigation or make a final determination, and that the bill was intended to streamline OPLC’s process rather than impose a hard cap on complex cases. OPLC Executive Director Deanna Durus and General Counsel Nicholas Fry then testified that the agency has already changed its procedures under prior legislation, including a facial review of complaints and monthly board review of dismissal memos. They said the bill would substantially alter the current structure, could conflict with existing limitation periods and board duties, and would be difficult to implement without additional staff and funding. Durus said the agency’s backlog is large, that new complaints are being triaged and prioritized, and that some urgent matters are moved ahead based on risk and statutory deadlines. She said OPLC had completed a review of about 500 backlog cases that would now be dismissed under current screening standards, and that those cases are being turned into memos for board review. Board of Medicine public member Nina Gardner testified in favor of the bill but said the backlog is significant and that the agency needs more resources to make the process work effectively. She said the board is seeing progress, but not fast enough, and suggested the bill may not go far enough without additional staffing and funding. No vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• school district might decide that that is entirely appropriate for high school students who are competing
• <02:03:48.960> on<02:03:49.119> the<02:03:49.199> girls' was welcom to compete
• on the girls' was welcom to compete on the girls' teams<02:03:50.599> she<02:03:50.760> heard
• What about the rights of children who just want to compete in sports?
• What about the rights of children who just want to compete in sports?

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee opened a hearing on House Bill 148, with the chair limiting testimony to two minutes and asking for no outbursts so the committee could get through eight bills that day. Representative Kofalt, the prime sponsor, said HB 148 was the same as last year’s HB 396, which passed both chambers but was vetoed by the governor. He explained the bill would allow, but not require, separation by biological sex in bathrooms, locker rooms, houses of correction, and certain athletic competitions, leaving local school boards and administrators discretion to set policies. He argued the bill was meant to address safety and privacy concerns and cited a Milford incident and concerns in several school districts as examples of why local flexibility was needed. Committee members questioned the lack of a definition of “biological sex” and how the bill would be applied. Kofalt said he did not think a definition was necessary because males and females are generally understood, and he said the bill would give local policymakers latitude to make practical rules. He also said the bill was intended to address situations where people might misuse transgender claims to access spaces inappropriately. In response to questions, he said he was aware of issues in Kearsarge, Milford, and Mascoma school districts and had heard of discomfort in the State House, though he did not know all the details. Several opponents testified that the bill would discriminate against transgender and non-binary people and create enforcement problems. Executive Councilor Karen Hill said the bill would roll back New Hampshire’s anti-discrimination protections and conflict with the state’s Live Free or Die values. Alice Wade, a trans woman, said she had used women’s restrooms without incident and argued the bill would invite invasive enforcement and harassment. Representative La Selig said the bill was discriminatory and that bathroom concerns were being confused with unrelated harassment by cisgender males. Betsy Harrington supported the bill, citing a girls’ soccer game at Kearsarge that she said was disrupted by a boy playing on a girls’ team. Rosie Emer and her child testified against the bill, saying bathroom restrictions would increase anxiety and risk for trans and non-binary children. Stephen Scaer and Wendy Stallings supported the bill, arguing sex is biologically fixed and that excluding males from female spaces should not require genital inspections. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• 07:51.759> be children aged seven and older must be children aged seven and older must be evaluated
• Right now, OA has a program evaluation division and a financial audit division, and we have a special
• So, right now, OA has a<00:35:38.880> program<00:35:39.119> evaluation<00:35:39.760>
• evaluation division and a financial<00:35:40.960> audit<00:35:41.359> division,<00:35:
• Section three is regarding evaluations.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a cash deal that was $11 million over market evaluation by Haven Park.
• The intent of these laws was to give preservation-minded buyers a chance to compete when communities
• preservation-minded buyers a chance give preservation-minded buyers a chance to<00:47:41.359> compete
• when communities are for sale to compete when communities are for sale and<00:47:43.599> to<00
• So, yes, it would be great to be able to compete with private equity here, and I think opportunity to

Bills: HF4234, HF484, HF483, HF2614

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption