Transcript Highlights:

• It's a structural distortion of the marketplace.
• but please stick around to our AG team. but please stick around to our AG team.
• As for the timeline, the research team has completed a literature review and proposed methodology.
• <01:19:48.280> has As the timeline, the research team has As the timeline, the research team
• at the top which leaves all structured at the top which leaves all sorts<01:44:36.920> of<01:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have worked in partnership with Chief Craig Reny and his team at the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails
• We have worked in partnership with Chief Craig Reny and his team at the New Hampshire Bureau of Trails
• is that, as it says in the title of this bill, it's a pilot program, so that kind of gives us the team
• here a little more incentive to do team here a little more incentive to do a<01:27:49.000> good
• uh uh fiscal gaps we've got structural uh uh fiscal issues<01:41:24.280> in<01:41:24.440>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas regulatory system is structured to maximize market participation by allowing flexibility, both
• Today I will provide an overview of Tuiya's purpose, history, and and structure.
• They're calculated based on the cost of replacing structures. in those particular counties or what?
• My testimony was specific to Tuya, now, of course, our general manager and Management team oversee the
• It's not what I described for TUYES, and one element of its funding structure. are the authority to assess

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You're getting input from treatment teams there.
• You're getting input from treatment teams there.
• team, anybody who's another patient, also have the right not to be harmed in that situation.
• team, anybody who's another patient, also have the right not to be harmed in that situation.
• <01:21:42.040> is best use of the commission structure is best use of the commission structure

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why we're going to continue to keep it structured this way. Initial questions on the bill.
• Removes the provision for what you all probably have heard of as the Heroes Literacy Instructional Team
• So it removes that pilot provision of this legislation and it allows that Heroes team that's been built
• here at the end of this year but for now this is just removing the pilot provision and allowing the team

Bills: SB1189, SB1295, SB1297, SB1330, SB1333, SB1338, SB1341, SB1344, SB1355, SB1377, SB1378, SB1546, SB1859, SB1946, SB1990, SB1998

Keywords: school security, funding, public schools, security enhancements, resource officers, domestic violence, fatality review, revolving fund, database, public safety, Oklahoma, census accuracy, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, federal census, grassroots outreach, marketing campaign, water infrastructure, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, grants, environmental compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• It was ruined by having a man on her team and in her injustice.
• It was ruined by having a man on her team and in her spaces.
• The blast radius effect of having one man on a women's team is immeasurable.
• They are no longer allowing men on the women's team and apologized.
• So what is a woman in the CDC and Chaddip team?

Bills: SB7, SB14

Keywords: gender designation, civil penalties, private civil rights, multiple-occupancy spaces, Texas Women's Privacy Act, law enforcement, confidentiality, personnel files, employee records, misconduct

Summary: The Committee on State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 7, the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, with the author and committee substitute explaining that the bill would require public facilities to designate multi-use private spaces by biological sex, restrict access to women’s restrooms, locker rooms, showers, sleeping quarters, shelters, and correctional facilities, and create civil penalties and enforcement mechanisms. Members asked about how the bill would apply to family violence shelters, children in mixed-family settings, venue layout, and venue for lawsuits; the author said the bill was similar to prior legislation but with stronger penalties and the 15th Court of Appeals as the exclusive intermediate appellate court for challenges, while clarifying that trial venue should generally be local except for state agencies. The committee also heard that the bill would be amended to better address local venue concerns and shelter-related issues. Invited testimony was largely in support of the bill from witnesses who described personal experiences in women’s sports, prisons, shelters, and public facilities, arguing that single-sex spaces are necessary for privacy and safety. Supporters included parents, former incarcerated women, a Republican county chair, a legal advocate, and a prison educator, who cited incidents involving transgender-identifying individuals in locker rooms, shelters, prisons, and restrooms, and said the bill would restore sex-based boundaries and protect vulnerable women and girls. One witness from Texas Values said the bill was needed despite the recently enacted Women’s Bill of Rights, and another ADF witness said the measure would protect privacy in schools and shelters. Opponents testified that the bill would harm transgender and intersex Texans, create harassment and “gender policing,” and expose cisgender women and children to invasive enforcement. Several witnesses argued there is no evidence that transgender women pose a restroom safety threat, while others said the bill would worsen mental health, employment, and school conditions for trans people and could conflict with prison standards and federal law. Family violence advocates urged changes to protect shelter operations and clarify that children can stay with parents, while other witnesses said the bill would create barriers for victims seeking help. The hearing featured extensive public testimony on both sides, but no final vote or committee action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• funding would target historic structures funding would target historic structures still<00:35:33.359
• <00:54:53.359> pollution systems, um, ponds, structural pollution systems, um, ponds, structural
• <01:13:28.400> U these important historic structures.
• U these important historic structures.
• . structures. structures.

Keywords: 1183, house

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

Transcript Highlights:

• just like our oil and gas industry, which just turned 75 years this year, EERC are the physical structures
• just like our oil and gas industry, which just turned 75 years this year, EERC, are the physical structures
• Our team was out there doing some engineering analysis, drilled a well, pulled core samples, and was
• So the advantage, if you're interested in the detail of this, the I, And structures.
• Okay, yeah, but we can take it back to the team and see if there's, that's a use case we can evaluate

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• know their name, who their legislator is in this order, what high school you go to, and what your team
• the pages need to state their name, their legislator, what high school they go to, and what their team
• Our team name is the Wildcats, and my legislator is Liz Ryers, I think.”
• laws and so in a way that respects our laws and our<00:37:37.040> fiscal<00:37:37.440> structure
• our fiscal structure. our fiscal structure.

Bills: HF3611, HF3659, HF3909

Keywords: taxation, income tax, damage awards, sexual harassment, abuse claims, immigration enforcement, taxpayers, file income tax return, Minnesota-source income, tax regulations, detention facilities, gross revenues, private prisons, Minnesota law, 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes and then laid over House File 3611 for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill. Representative Finke described HF 3611 as creating a state income tax withholding deduction for damages awarded to individuals in lawsuits against federal agents such as ICE or CBP, including emotional and financial awards. There was no public testimony or member discussion on the bill before it was laid over. The committee then took up House File 3909, which Representative Hansen said would impose a 50% tax on the gross receipts of detention centers operated by private nongovernmental entities. Hansen argued the measure would recapture public money, deter what he characterized as misuse of taxpayer dollars, and target profits made by private detention contractors such as GEO Group and CoreCivic. He also cited projected revenues and profits for those companies and said the bill was a response to human rights and civil rights concerns tied to private detention operations. Testimony on HF 3909 included support from Nancy Fitz Simmons, a Minnesota State University, Mankato social work professor, who said social workers see the effects of these issues across the state and that the bill could return money to Minnesotans in need. Representative Swedzinski opposed the bill’s impact on the Appleton facility and emphasized local jobs and economic opportunity, while Representative Lee said Minnesota should seek better economic options than jail-related work. Representative Holland supported the bill as a way to offset costs to families and the state from detentions and deportations. Representative Weiner questioned the bill’s revenue potential and criticized the 50% gross-receipts tax as politicizing taxes. Representative Hansen responded that similar proposals were being explored in Washington and California and that the bill was intended to stand up to large corporate interests. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2026 tax bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• we could, Most viable, and the other 40 were also, that we could have, as I understand it from my team
• Some institutions found efficiencies and made this a dual possibility, and they did, you know, team teaching
• this opportunity, but also for our credential program providers in incorporating this into how they structure
• can't remember what program specifically, but I think in the past sometimes these programs were structured
• Sometimes these programs were structured where, rather than having a specific subject shortage, it would

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance heard an extended discussion on state efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain teachers, with a focus on whether current programs are sustainable and well targeted. Testimony from the Learning Policy Institute, the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Department of Education, and the Legislative Analyst’s Office described persistent shortages, especially in special education, math, science, bilingual education, and high-need schools. Speakers emphasized that residency programs, Golden State Teacher Grants, National Board incentives, classified employee pathways, and undergraduate teacher pipelines have helped increase preparation and retention, but many of these efforts rely on one-time funding and lack long-term certainty. Committee members repeatedly raised concerns about the “leaky pipeline,” working conditions, the burden of student debt, and whether the state should simplify and institutionalize support for aspiring teachers rather than rely on a patchwork of grants. The agencies presented data showing continuing shortages and uneven distribution of fully credentialed teachers. CTC reported projected hiring needs of roughly 20,000 to 25,000 teachers annually, with the highest needs in self-contained classrooms, special education, and certain regions of the state. It also noted that emergency permits, waivers, and intern credentials remain high, and that teachers entering through those routes have higher turnover. LPI cited research showing residency-prepared teachers are more effective and more likely to stay, and argued that Golden State Teacher Grants attract candidates who might not otherwise enter teaching and help them complete preparation. CDE stressed that most new demand comes from attrition and urged support for multiple entry points, tuition assistance, and campus-based coursework. Several members also discussed the role of community college pathways, dual credentialing, and support for school leaders as part of retention. The LAO recommended rejecting the educator pipeline proposals under discussion, citing limited evidence of effectiveness and suggesting that any new spending should be more narrowly targeted to the highest-need schools and long-standing shortage subjects. The LAO also said that if the Legislature funds new programs this year, Proposition 98 would be preferable given the state’s fiscal condition. Committee members pushed back on the idea that declining enrollment or layoffs would solve shortages, noting that shortages and layoffs can coexist in different subject areas and regions. The discussion ended with agreement that staff would continue working with agencies on how to make teacher pipeline investments more consistent, coherent, and easier for candidates to navigate. The committee then turned to the Golden State Teacher Grant Program. Finance proposed $50 million in one-time General Fund support to extend the program for one additional year, while the LAO recommended rejecting the proposal because the first CSAC evaluation is not due until later in the year and because the funding would be non-Proposition 98. CSAC supported the extension, saying demand has been strong, over 20,000 aspiring educators have been served since 2021, and the agency had to pause applications after receiving more than 9,200 this year; it also said more than 2,500 candidates had already expressed interest for next year. Members asked how many students the new funding would serve, and CSAC estimated just under 5,000 awards at $10,000 each. The discussion also covered whether the grant could be moved into Proposition 98 and how the one-time nature of the funding affects confidence among prospective teachers.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:54.720> is budget recommendations that team is budget recommendations that team is
• For three FTE and software advancements, there will be one investigator added to the OIG team.
• You can send them to somebody on my team.
• Thank you, Madam Chair, and I'll let the rest of my team go next.
• let the rest of my team let the rest of my team go<00:50:52.280> next<00:50:52.559> we

Bills: HF1470, HF1310, HF1837

Keywords: opioids, substance use, addiction recovery, mental health, state cabinet, HF1310, Office of Cannabis Management, cannabis, marijuana, tribal consultation, government-to-government relationship, Minnesota tribes, Tribal governments, state government, consultation, rulemaking, Indian affairs, cannabis regulation, tribal sovereignty, state-tribal relations

Transcript Highlights:

• Talk about that one that Lieutenant Governor Patrick visited and your team visited the same day.
• We have 21,000 retailers and relatively, compared to that small enforcement team.
• So the sales team is, are. in every retailer and that's their contractual requirement.
• I'm a senior director at International Gaming Technology, or IGT, Manage Our Team.
• Most of my leadership team has been election judges for a long time.

Bills: SB 28, SB 687, SJR 34, SCR 9, SB 523, SB 62, SB 847, SB 706, SB 869, SB 890, SB 992

Keywords: lottery, gambling, internet gaming, mobile application, criminal offenses, SB 687, land surveyor, land surveying, surveying services, construction contract, anti-indemnity, indemnity, hold harmless, defense obligation, standard of care, professional negligence, civil practice and remedies code, local government code, governmental agency, public contracts

Summary: The meeting was a crucial session for discussing several important bills including SB992, which aims to establish a clear time frame for the Attorney General's approval on outside legal counsel for state agencies. Senator Nichols presented the bill, emphasizing its necessity for timely responses to ensure efficient legal processing. Another notable discussion centered around SB523, which seeks to allow parole and probation officers to use a business address on their driver's licenses for safety and security purposes. This bill passed favorably out of the committee, with public testimony supporting the need for such provisions due to the risks these officers face.

Transcript Highlights:

• The team and belief in the mission.
• 03.120> sheep Nearby rocky structures attract sheep Nearby rocky structures attract sheep heads
• America's team to win it all. Guns up. America's team to win it all. Guns up.
• :54:13.200> in consensus first team all-American in consensus first team all-American in 1968,
• leadership created the structures, leadership created the structures, culture,<02:09:59.440> and<

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um for Quest Eladine Oliva and her team.
• Uh for Nichols here and her team.
• <00:05:11.039> Uh have uh Leia Diaz and her team. Uh have uh Leia Diaz and her team.
• We're one team. >> Yes. Good thing. Yes. We're one team.
• Um and we're yeah we don't own team.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they don't have the authority to change the penalty structure attached to a controlled substance.
• My team tells me they started construction several years ago, but production has already begun.
• The amendment simply creates a more structured process for addressing unsafe electrical conditions and
• It's been very good to work with you and your team.
• And again, I think what this is doing is creating additional structures.

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:

• I'm very grateful for the amazing team that I have at the Office of the Assistant Secretary.
• We began developing this map last month in partnership with our Communications team.
• And we know that, again, each community will need a structure and a pathway that fits.
• Team. So I'd be happy to share that with you as it becomes available.
• Our website is another focus that we've been developing with our team as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have $61 million currently estimated based on discussions with the field team.
• At the department, I do think it's important that maybe we think through some structures or standards
• everyone in from our finance team to do the reconciliation.
• Of the team members assigned, each member has been assigned specific bonds.
• The teams hit the road, including Sean Murray, myself, Claude Morelli, John Valdez, and Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• You must notify the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 90 days before building a structure over 500
• or structures will have on wildlife and provide mitigation measures.
• If the person wishing to construct a structure is not willing to implement those measures, the person
• But in an all-or-nothing situation, the committee substitute House Bill 3556 covers only structures.
• I asked my produced water team, what is the volume of this water?

Bills: SB3074, HB49, HB2440, HB3556, HB3619, HB3866, HB4042, HB4112, HB4271, HB4413, HB4426, HB5033, HB49

Keywords: SB 3074, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Water Code, permit applications, environmental permitting, administrative record, ex parte communications, legislative communications, governor, lieutenant governor, state legislators, district projects, public records, recusal, conflict of interest, substantial interest, agency transparency, environmental regulation, permit renewal

Transcript Highlights:

• So our committee team includes Rishi.
• A predictable framework is far more effective. than arbitrary or secretive rate structures.
• Are sort of built into that utility's cost structure.
• We're on the same team.
• But I'd love to understand the structure to the extent you can provide those to Jeff on the committee

Bills: HB3445, HB3448

Keywords: telecommunications, electric cooperative, rights-of-way, infrastructure, provider access, right-of-way, pole attachment, regulatory access, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have several members of our senior leadership team who are here with us.
• The next item we had on the base budget, the next line item, and that's how I structured the slides,
• So we do reviews of their Schedule Cs by our tax team.
• So we do reviews of their Schedule Cs by our tax team.
• If you saw, there's three people in the tax team.

Summary: The committee met to review the Attorney General’s budget and related agency operations, beginning with Legislative Council staff walking members through compliance reports and a blue-sheet base budget document. Staff highlighted current-biennium items such as FTE changes, one-time appropriations, litigation funding, opioid settlement receipts, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked for clarification on items including the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then gave an overview of the office’s structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal services to state and local government, and concerns about attorney pay lagging behind other agencies. Members discussed whether attorney compensation should be benchmarked more consistently across state government and whether some legal work could be consolidated within the AG’s office. Ness also addressed questions about AG opinion turnaround times, boards-and-commissions training, the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, office leases, and the state’s criminal justice information systems. The crime lab presentation drew significant attention. Director Jennifer Penner described severe space, safety, and infrastructure problems at the current lab, including cramped work areas, glycol leaks, outdated fire and burglar alarms, air-handling limits, and equipment failures that have delayed toxicology work. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that the preferred location would be near the current health department site, but in a new building. Members asked about possible evidence risks, backlog status, and whether the proposed building would solve the current problems; Penner said it would and noted backlogs have improved overall, though some delays remain. The committee also heard from the new Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director, who described the unit’s civil and criminal work, federal-state funding split, and examples of fraud such as billing for services not provided or upcoding. The gaming division reported continued growth in charitable gaming and e-tabs, with members expressing concern about large trust-account balances, site competition, and possible misuse of proceeds. Finally, BCI outlined its caseload, cybercrime work, missing Indigenous persons task force, and the surge in CSAM cyber tips; members asked about AI-generated CSAM, and the AG’s office noted that last session’s law increased penalties and expressly allowed AI-generated CSAM to be prosecuted like other CSAM. No formal votes or actions were taken beyond approval of the minutes.