Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Senate Nomination No. 463, Rita Teresa Ray, Mississippi Public Procurement Review Board, 4-year
• Miss Ray is a reappointment to the Public Procurement Review Board.
• </c> Mississippi Public Procurement Review Mississippi Public Procurement Review Board.<00:40:22.960>
• Miss Ray is a reappointment to the Public Procurement Review Board.
• </c><00:40:48.880><c> I</c> Public Procurement Review Board. I Public Procurement Review Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, just as a quick refresher, that might be a good thing to review as time allows.
• One thing we did add in ...I sure that might be a good thing to review as time allows.
• The department's organizational chart has been distributed for your review.
• They spent three weeks reviewing applications.
• They spent three weeks reviewing applications and had six meetings.

Summary: The Budget Section’s Commerce and Legal Services division met to review the Department of Commerce base budget and current program activities for the 2027-29 biennium. Legislative Council staff first walked through a new “blue sheet” summary explaining what is included in Commerce’s base budget, with emphasis on salaries, operating costs, and especially grant authority funded largely by federal dollars. Members asked about how grant funding is coordinated across agencies, and staff noted that some programs, such as LIHEAP and UAS-related work, involve interagency collaboration and federal budget authority that may not match exact cash received. Commerce Commissioner Chris Schilke then presented on grant administration, the department’s transparency page, and several grant programs, including Destination Development and Automate ND. Members questioned how many entities apply for grants, what criteria are used, whether return on investment is tracked, and how long grant awards take to reach recipients. A lengthy exchange followed over whether Commerce must follow state procurement law or instead administer grants using its own “best practices” process; the commissioner said the department’s approach was based on legal guidance and competitive grantmaking, while some legislators argued the process should more closely reflect legislative intent. The department also highlighted the North Dakota Development Fund, child care loans, and workforce initiatives. Commerce described Development Fund investments, including examples of successful projects and a child care loan program that has supported 43 active businesses serving 3,754 children. Staff also outlined a new non-primary-sector lending framework and said a workforce and housing sub-cabinet are working on more coordinated statewide strategies. Workforce Director Katie Ralston Howell presented a broad workforce-system assessment, a new shared vision, and task forces focused on simplifying entry, improving warm handoffs, and building a public dashboard of shared metrics; members discussed higher education alignment, career pathways, and the need for better handoffs from schools to employers. No formal votes were taken, and the meeting ended with plans to continue these budget discussions in June, including the Attorney General budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, your Committee on Fiscal Review, to which was deferred House Committee Substitute for House
• Speaker, your Committee on Physical Review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for House
• School Review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375, begs leave to report
• They passed out of legislative review unanimously. They passed out of fiscal review unanimously.
• In conjunction with that ruling, a thorough review of the England gender dysphoria treatment approach

Summary: The House met with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for February 5, 2026 by roll call vote, 134-2. During personal privilege remarks, a member recognized Bridget Williams, the first Black woman to lead the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City, in honor of Black History Month. The chamber then took up several bills. House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2273, 1946, 1814, and 2551, a large anti-trafficking package addressing sex trafficking, grooming, sextortion, terminology changes from “child pornography” to “child sexual abuse material,” a statewide anti-trafficking council, training requirements, expungement for some trafficking victims, and related criminal penalties, was debated at length over constitutional concerns but ultimately passed third reading 148-2. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1757, which helps school districts identify gifted students by the end of third grade, passed 142-8. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2375, a workers’ compensation reform measure clarifying the burden of proof and compensability standards, passed 86-62 after supporters said it would streamline claims and opponents called it unnecessary. House Committee Substitute for House Bill 1788, regulating recurring political donations and increasing transparency, passed 134-16. House Bill 1628, a cleanup bill updating higher education and workforce development statutes and repealing outdated provisions including the Vietnam Veterans Survivors Grant, passed unanimously 153-0. The House also perfected House Committee Substitute for House Bills 2033, 1608, 1672, and 1854, a package centered on removing the sunset from the SAFE Act and continuing Missouri’s restrictions on gender-related medical treatment for minors; debate was sharply divided, with supporters citing child protection and opponents arguing it harms transgender youth and intrudes on parental and medical decision-making. The House then announced upcoming committee meetings and adjourned until February 10, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Finally, the legislature wishes to review the exemptions in House Bill 212 or the PFAS Protection Act
• We strongly encourage that any such review and report be conducted through a transparent, participatory
• Finally, the legislature wishes to review the exemptions in House Bill 212 or the PFAS Protection Act
• We strongly encourage that any such review and report be conducted through a transparent, participatory
• I have stacks of NIH and other peer-reviewed articles to confirm all of this.

Summary: The House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee met on February 5 and heard three measures. House Bill 246 would provide state matching funds for local governments already approved for federal flood mitigation assistance to buy out and rehabilitate floodplain properties, especially in Lincoln County, to reduce repetitive flood damage and restore land to a more natural floodplain. Supporters included county officials, emergency management, and a racetrack lobbyist, all emphasizing public safety, reduced disaster costs, and community recovery. Some members raised concerns about pre-flood property valuation and anti-donation issues, but the bill passed on a do-pass motion. House Bill 271 would appropriate funds through the Office of Natural Resources Trustee for natural resource recovery and public land access, including disaster recovery projects and expansion of recreational opportunities. Supporters argued it would help restore watersheds, improve access to public lands, and support hunting, fishing, and local outdoor economies. Several members questioned whether the bill was too open-ended, whether it could affect grazing or other existing rights, and why the trustee’s office was the right vehicle; the sponsor and trustee said the office has a transparent public process and that the bill would not create new eminent domain authority or adverse changes to existing rights. The committee approved the bill 9-1, with one member explaining support but noting lingering concerns. House Bill 254 would allow investor-owned electric utilities to count avoided greenhouse gas emissions when evaluating the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency programs under the utility cost test. The sponsor and utility witnesses said this would help expand programs such as heat pumps, HVAC upgrades, and all-electric development, while opponents worried it could function as a rate increase or “double dipping” because customers already pay fees supporting efficiency programs. The committee passed the bill 7-3. Finally, House Joint Memorial 3 would ask the Environment Department to study PFAS exemptions and report back during the interim as rulemaking on the PFAS Protection Act proceeds. The memorial drew both support and opposition, with critics saying it conflicted with existing statute and was unnecessary, while supporters said it would ensure a thorough review of federal changes and consumer-product exemptions. The memorial passed 8-2, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, I will say that from just our cursory review of some of these programs, the sort of synchronous
• But from our review of some of the programming that's reported from some of these providers, there are
• And it allows us to also say that the legislature would like for us to review your contracts.
• Chair, Senator Brandt, we certainly do review budgets, but we do...
• But that does not include any sort of review of their contracts, their mini contracts that they may have

Committees: Senate Senate Finance , Senate House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• And so they have been reviewed and authorized with the architects, with all of our consultants and the
• We review everything, and of course the engineering is very important, especially what's happening with
• And so they have been reviewed and authorized with the architects, with all of our consultants and the
• ><c> authorized</c> They've been reviewed and authorized They've been reviewed and authorized with<00
• Uh we review everything there on site.

Summary: The Capital Project Overview Committee approved the minutes from its February 24 meeting and then received a briefing on the legislative parking garage from Terry Poff, Chief Operating Officer for the General Court. He reported that the pre-stressed concrete garage, being built with panels fabricated by Unistress in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, remains on schedule, with erection expected in late July through August and functional occupancy targeted for March 17, 2026. He said the garage will provide 409 spaces, security cameras, a communications repeater, and a maintenance plan developed from the outset. In response to questions, he explained nearby street excavation is for drainage vaults and oil-water separators, and that temporary closures will be needed during panel deliveries. He also said the garage was designed with future EV charging infrastructure in mind, but current charging stations would need to be located outside the secure facility; he has begun discussions with city officials about possible curbside charging options. The committee then heard and approved a $754,000 capital request for Cannon Mountain/Franconia Notch State Park maintenance projects. The request, recommended by the Cannon Mountain Advisory Commission, covers lodge exterior repairs, lift maintenance, snowmaking pipe replacements and pump controls, and equipment purchases to improve maintenance operations. The committee approved the item after brief discussion. Next, the Department of Transportation presented two toll-credit requests. The first, CAP 250007, sought toll credits to support transportation planning, regional planning commissions, GIS and asset-management work, and related federal planning requirements; members asked about coordination with Granite data and the effect of a prior budget decision on regional planning officers, and staff said the request would not affect the regular federally funded program. The committee approved the item. The second, CAP 25010, sought $245,000 in toll credits for bus terminal improvements, regional mobility management, a statewide transit assessment, and an intercity bus pilot intended to connect Keene with southern New Hampshire or Concord. Members asked about the subsidy structure and ridership reporting; staff said the intercity service would be a net-cost subsidy and agreed to provide updated ridership and route information. The committee approved this item as well. At the end of the meeting, the committee noted that a quarterly capital projects report from DAS and the community college system was informational only, and members opted not to hear a separate presentation that day. The next meeting was set for September 29 at 9:00 a.m., with a request to invite HHS to discuss closed-loop referral system projects. Members also asked for future updates on the planned sale of the Cenuunu Center, and the committee adjourned after a motion carried.

Transcript Highlights:

• This stage also includes a script and content review.
• The Film Commission staff completes an initial review of this documentation, including the local spend
• If this review shows any discrepancies or issues, the staff notifies the applicant.
• Monitoring for a detailed audit review.
• Once the financials have been verified, the Texas Film Commission team reviews all recommendations.

Bills: HB4568 , HB5458 , HB4543 , HB2703 , HB3728 , HCR113 , HCR126

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: film industry, incentives, grants, Texas, moving image, economic development, production companies, content standards, HB 5458, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, TPWD, chronic wasting disease, CWD, cervids, deer, elk, moose, wildlife management, game animals, disease management

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 7020, a bill to be entitled an act relating to a review under the Open Government Sunset
• Review Act.
• Review Act.
• Review Act.
• Relating to a review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act. The debate on the bill.

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, pledge, and several recognitions, including visiting student groups, chambers of commerce, and apprenticeship participants. Senators also observed a moment of silence for a fallen Walton County deputy and later for the late John Pasadoma. The chamber then moved through a long third-reading calendar and special order calendar, with most bills passing overwhelmingly and several amendments adopted along the way. Among the major measures, SB 234 on criminal offenses against law enforcement officers passed 37-0 after debate and an amendment clarifying “good faith” in an officer’s duties; SB 7020 on open government and cybersecurity information passed 37-0; SM 1488 urging Congress to create a U.S. sovereign wealth fund was adopted by voice vote; SB 944 reducing insurance overpayment claim deadlines for psychologists passed 37-0; SB 878 expanding misdemeanor probation treatment provisions to controlled substances passed 36-1; SB 538, the state court system package, passed 37-0; SB 480 on nonprofit agricultural organization medical benefit plans passed 32-4; SB 472 on correctional-facility education credit for licensure passed 37-0; and SB 56 on geoengineering and weather modification passed 28-9 after extensive debate about enforcement, federal preemption, and the bill’s purpose. Later, the Senate passed CS/HB 421 on peer support for first responders 37-0 after substituting the House companion, and SB 164 on vessel accountability advanced with a technical amendment. SB 166 on administrative efficiency in public schools drew the most extended debate and multiple amendments; it changes testing, promotion, teacher evaluation, certification, and facilities rules, and passed 37-0. The chamber also passed SB 282 on warranty association financial requirements 36-0, SB 316 creating series LLCs 35-1, and SB 384 on annexing state-owned lands 36-0. At the end of the day, the Senate waived rules to immediately certify all passed bills to the House, received budget schedule guidance from Appropriations Chair Hooper for SB 2500 and SB 2502, and adjourned until April 9.

Transcript Highlights:

• as well as and oftentimes better than their peers who dissected animals according to a systematic review
• So when they're able to review this information, they're able to look ahead in the book and then have
• And so being able to review that information, the parent can take it home and say, all right, let me
• I'm reviewing the language in the bill and current law does not apply to all. Thank you.
• Ensuring that parents have the right to come in and review it.

Committee: House Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Also in 2006, the Legislature directed the Commission to review a wide-ranging review.
• The commission and its niche EA did a review of the performance of the utility systems that were affected
• This result of extreme weather and wind blowing debris from that review.
• Those were those reviewed last year identified and put in motion. motion.
• Then it should be approved and see review and not the public interest standard.

Transcript Highlights:

• This encompasses all requests for payment and purchase card expenditure review.
• But also the felon review process, which we try and do a really good job of, that's—we've had to staff
• Once the Department of Revenue receives our budget, they do an extensive review.
• Once the Department of Revenue receives our budget, they do an extensive review.
• A copy of the audit is also given to the County Commission for their review.

Summary: The Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee met to review how county budgets are developed and how constitutional officers fit into that process. Davin Suggs of the Florida Association of Counties gave an overview of county budgeting, explaining the statutory framework, the role of property taxes and TRIM notices, the fiscal-year timeline, fund balances and reserves, and the Department of Revenue’s oversight. He emphasized that county budgets include the board’s budget plus the budgets of constitutional officers, and that relationships and communication are critical to resolving budget issues. A panel of constitutional officers then described their offices’ budget processes and responsibilities: Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons discussed law enforcement budgeting and the importance of negotiated agreements with county commissions; Alachua County Property Appraiser Aisha Solomon explained the June 1 budget deadline, valuation methods, and the appeal process for property assessments; Manatee County Clerk and Comptroller Angelina Coleniso outlined the clerk’s court and finance duties, the county-side budget process, and the clerk’s personal liability under section 129.09 for unlawful expenditures; Leon County Supervisor of Elections Mark Early described the cyclical nature of election costs, staffing, equipment, and the impact of turnout and election law changes; and Columbia County Tax Collector Kyle Keene explained that tax collectors’ budgets are reviewed by the Department of Revenue, with fee offices funding themselves through service charges and budget offices relying on county support. Members asked about personal liability for unlawful spending, conflicts between clerks and county commissions, property valuation and storm damage adjustments, reserve levels, and whether tax collectors can retain excess fees. Responses noted that clerks must refuse illegal expenditures, property appraisers use market-based assessments with VAB and court review available, counties should maintain healthy fund balances for cash flow and emergencies, and tax collectors generally must zero out year-end balances and distribute excess revenues to taxing authorities. The committee took no votes and adjourned after thanking the panelists for their testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been working on streamlining the application reviews for these types of projects.
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff.
• We've been working on streamlining the application reviews for these types of projects.
• After projects are placed in service, projects have to be re-reviewed by staff.
• But the review—there's a review clock, but oftentimes when we review an initial application, there may

Transcript Highlights:

• before we begin and jump into the topic at hand, I have a couple of housekeeping items to briefly review
• or the community's ability to challenge that review in court.
• And then also... ...challenge that review in court.
• It does provide critical environmental review.
• It does provide critical environmental review.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on California’s transportation fuels sector, especially the risk of refinery closures, fuel supply stability, and how the state should manage a long transition to cleaner transportation. Committee chairs and agency leaders said California’s fuel market is becoming more fragile as demand declines, refinery capacity shrinks faster than demand, and the state relies more on imports and a smaller number of critical pipelines. Professor Emily Grubert framed the issue as a managed transition problem in which the public already bears much of the risk and should also capture benefits from any state intervention. CARB Chair Leanne Randolph reviewed California’s climate and air-quality framework, including AB 32, the low-carbon fuel standard, clean vehicle rules, and the state’s at-berth regulation for port vessels. She said these programs are intended to reduce fossil fuel demand while protecting public health, and she noted that California remains in litigation over federal attempts to block some waivers. CEC Vice Chair Sivagunda described the administration’s market-stabilization work, saying the state is trying to preserve fuel supply and investor confidence during a “mid-transition” period. He said the CEC’s recommendations fall into three broad areas: stabilizing the existing fuel system, aligning regulatory tools such as a possible pause on the CEC’s margin cap, and planning for worker and community impacts. Department of Conservation Director Jennifer Lucasey outlined the administration’s petroleum market stabilization proposal, centered on returning California crude production to a 125 million-barrel annual stabilization target to support pipeline throughput and domestic supply. The proposal would codify the ban on hydraulic fracturing, validate Kern County’s oil and gas permitting ordinance, create a temporary CEQA exemption for new wells in existing fields paired with a two-for-one plug-and-abandon requirement, and strengthen spill prevention and pipeline safety rules. Several members questioned the CEQA exemption, tribal consultation, environmental review, and whether the proposal would adequately protect communities and workers. Mayor Steve Young of Benicia testified that a Valero refinery closure would sharply reduce city revenue and jobs, while also creating redevelopment and remediation challenges; he said the city wants a cleaner future but needs time and support to manage the economic loss. No formal vote was taken at the hearing, though CEC officials said a vote on a margin-cap pause was expected at an upcoming business meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Libraries generally, for example, review Libraries generally, for example, review print<00:37:34.720
• </c><01:24:11.600><c> the</c> and a half hours to review the and a half hours to review the information
• For me to review all of the conduct reviews and all of the ethics complaints is a heavy lift without
• For me to review all of the conduct reviews and all of the ethics complaints is a heavy lift without
• Um for me to review all of the<01:43:07.920><c> conduct</c><01:43:08.400><c> reviews</c><01:43:08.880

Bills: HF3776 , HF3557 , HF3585

Committee: Senate Education Policy

Keywords: screen time, preschool, kindergarten, early childhood education, digital media, tablets, smartphones, educational technology, EdTech, classroom devices, publicly funded preschool, school policy, child development, special education, IEP, 504 plan, IFSP, Minnesota education law, climate literacy, education

Transcript Highlights:

• First, classified employees do not currently have a clearly defined impartial review process.
• First, classified employees do not currently have a clearly defined impartial review process comparable
• SB 1083 further enhances hiring safeguards by requiring schools to obtain and review substantiated misconduct
• The bill also clarifies the Commission on Teacher Credentialing's authority to review substantiated misconduct
• Now, what we're seeking to do here is to create an ALJ process that will allow for independent review

Committee: House Public Employment and Retirement

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the starting point for that type of a review.
• And the next document that we'll review this morning is the three-way comparison agency detail.
• This was a review, a 10-year review of... Had been proposed in the House budget.
• This was a review, a 10-year review of prior period adjustments, which tend to fluctuate, and the two

Summary: The conference committee on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998 received a detailed briefing from House and Senate budget coordinators on the operating budget conference report. They walked through comparison documents showing the Senate-passed budget, House-passed budget, and the conference proposal, including statewide totals, agency-level changes, revenue assumptions, transfers, and outlook impacts. The proposal uses the February 2026 ERFC forecast, includes an $880 million transfer from the Budget Stabilization Account to the general fund, and reflects various revenue-related bills and prior-period adjustment assumptions. The coordinators highlighted major spending and policy changes across several areas, including Working Families Tax Credit expansion, local government fiscal health funding, child care attendance policy changes, behavioral health facility and staffing adjustments, long-term care support for certain non-citizens affected by federal changes, health care and public health responses to H.R. 1, K-12 changes such as free school meals contingent on legislation, Running Start and transportation depreciation adjustments, higher education administrative reductions, corrections staffing and bed changes, and natural resources funding including wildfire response and low-income energy assistance. They said the conference report results in $80.2 billion in near general fund spending for 2025-27, with projected ending fund balances of $231 million in 2025-27 and $563 million in 2027-29, though fiscal year 2028 shows a negative near general fund ending balance. After the briefing, Senator Robinson moved to adopt the conference report and pass the bill, and the motion was seconded. Supporters said the budget reflected a compromise between House and Senate proposals and protected core services, while opponents criticized it as overly reliant on optimistic revenue assumptions, the rainy day fund transfer, and reductions in K-12 and other areas. The committee then voted 4-2 to recommend the conference report to the legislature, with Representatives Gregerson and Ormsby and Senators Robinson and Stanford in support, and Representative Couture and Senator Gildon opposed.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I did not go back and review those in the last 24 hours to see what each one referred to, but that's
• Um I did not go back<00:04:56.600><c> and</c><00:04:56.720><c> review</c><00:04:57.080><c> those</c><
• those in the last 24 back and review those in the last 24 hours<00:04:58.560><c> to</c><00:04:58.680
• We have those, we're reviewing those. So, this does not modify any of that.
• We have those, we're reviewing those. So, this does not modify any of that.

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Page two, lines 13 through 15, talks about a review for a violation.
• Page two, lines 13 through 15, talks about a review for a violation.
• The employing agency shall refer the matter to the Department of Public Safety for review and by the
• amendments, but it's like the fox being given the keys to the henhouse, rather than an independent review
• she has the ability—but will she send that to the Peace Officer Standards Commission for them to review

Committee: House Crime and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• Next on the agenda is a review of reports, and I'm going to recognize Mr. Bullington at this time.
• During our review of asset acquisitions, deletions, and observations, we also noted the following: Two
• that we did, we made the decision as an agency to review all of our employees that are receiving any
• And the second finding, during our review of the agency's various change fund cash account...
• And the second finding, during our review of the agency's various change fund cash accounts, the following

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-STATE AGENCIES

Summary: The committee first approved prior meeting minutes by motion and second, with a voice vote of aye. It then reviewed audit reports, beginning with the Department of Human Services FY24 report. DHS had three findings: improper disaster SNAP and Medicaid benefits tied to employee fraud, a delayed notification involving an altered and cashed warrant for nearly $610,000, and asset-control issues including missing or misidentified equipment and incorrect sales tax paid on tax-exempt vehicle purchases. DHS representatives said several fraud cases had been resolved or were pending, explained the warrant-notification delay as a misunderstanding, and said corrective steps were being taken, including policy and training changes. Members asked about missing items, the warrant delay, the vehicle tax issue, and whether procedures would be formally documented; the committee deferred the DHS report to the next meeting for follow-up. The committee next heard the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism FY24 report, which had two findings: nearly $3,500 in museum receipts believed stolen at the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, and cash-control exceptions at Daisy State Park and War Memorial Stadium, including a missing $100 and an $80 overage. Agency officials said they had implemented new controls, including a point-of-sale and reservation system, and explained that the War Memorial issue related to the mix of cash and bank balances after an event. Members questioned the theft, the statute of limitations, bond board coverage, and whether the agency had adequate oversight and procedures. The chair later noted updated information from the prosecutor that the Parks and Tourism matter remained open and active, with additional information still being requested from the agency, and the committee deferred that report to the next meeting as well. The meeting ended with adjournment and a note that the next meeting would be February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• I’ve been following this issue for years, and I have to ask: What is the purpose of a sunset review if
• Every sunset review identifies the same problems: refusal to conduct open meetings, weak governance,
• Having been through sunset review five times, we believe CCIDC’s reputation as an effective, efficient
• You know, there was a lot of conversation here about our process, and obviously we have a sunset review
• You know, there was a lot of conversation here about our process, and obviously we have a sunset review

Committee: Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development