Video & Transcript : 'assessment practices' :

Page 141 of 500
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • of the statewide assessment.
  • Several years ago, everyone went statewide to online assessment, with the exception of special needs
  • These are supposed to be standardized assessments.
  • These are supposed to be standardized assessments.
  • Come find me or our property tax assessing expert with Cruz if you have any questions.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of bills and resolutions, with members frequently asking to pull measures from consent and noting party-line or unanimous votes. Topics included medical and vaccination restrictions (HB 2248, HB 2086), state investment and conflict-of-interest rules for the treasurer (HB 2303), budget and reporting requirements (HB 2688, HB 2015), procurement limits involving China-linked companies (HB 2170, HB 2134), homelessness administration (HB 2533), traffic and transportation measures (HB 2109, HB 2574, HB 2210), school testing and education policy (HB 2032, HB 2033, HB 2075, HB 2266, HB 2395, HCR 2003), and several health-care bills involving lactation services, gender-transition care for minors, abortion-related restrictions, and hospital immigration-status reporting (HB 2072, HB 2085, HB 2364, HB 2689, HB 2796). Members also discussed water policy, including desalination, groundwater transport, and water-use limits (HB 2052, HB 2056, HB 2098, HB 2758, HB 2328), as well as food and agriculture measures such as SNAP restrictions, cultivated-cell food labeling and bans, and the Beef Council extension (HB 2396, HB 2762, HB 2791, HB 2155). Several members criticized bills as unconstitutional, costly, or harmful to affordability, while sponsors described them as clarifications, consumer protections, or administrative fixes. The caucus also considered a number of bills affecting labor, property, and consumer issues, including unemployment eligibility changes, mobile home park submetering fees, appraisal management company rules, digital goods seller requirements, property tax clarifications, and protections for minors in online content creation (HB 2690, HB 2459, HB 2501, HB 2010, HB 2120, HB 2192, HB 2261, HB 2279). Other measures addressed sexual extortion penalties, name-change procedures for sex offenders, and restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and gender-transition procedures for minors (HB 2666, HB 2223, HB 2364, HB 2085). Members repeatedly raised concerns about federal preemption, constitutional issues, implementation costs, and unintended consequences, and several sponsors or members indicated they were working on amendments or stakeholder discussions. At the end of the meeting, the caucus also heard memorials and resolutions, including a proposal to limit voting centers and precinct voting, and memorials urging withdrawal from the United Nations and defunding the IMF (HCR 2016, HM 2001, HM 2004). The meeting concluded with caucus announcements, including an affordability-themed award recognizing Rep. Betty Villegas, a Black History Month sign-up request, and reminders about upcoming affordability and Latino Caucus events. No final floor votes were taken in the transcript, but multiple bills were pulled from consent or noted for opposition.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • Yes, well, give us your assessment now, first of all, of what we have learned, what our military has
  • Could you give the committee a brief assessment of the battlefield?
  • And they talk to me about the practical aspects of that. You're correct.
  • That is my assessment, Chairman. Who are the, what nationality are the pilots of those F-16s?
  • They have long-range aviation that practices daily moving out and doing strikes across.
Summary: The committee convened to discuss various bills and hear testimonies related to legislative matters, including public concerns and implications surrounding the proposed legislation. Notably, the members engaged in a vigorous debate over SB4, where several representatives shared differing viewpoints on its impact on local communities and the environment. Public testimonies were heard, with advocates arguing for the bill's potential benefits, while opponents raised significant concerns regarding the fiscal implications and land use. Following these discussions, the committee moved to vote on HB2214, which passed without issue, illustrating the bipartisan support for certain initiatives tied to public welfare.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Legislative Task Force on Child Protection 8/13/25

Minnesota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:08:41.760><c> and</c> identifying promising practices and identifying promising practices and
  • Once the local in policy or practice.
  • </c> office to identify existing practices office to identify existing practices that<01:55:59.920><c
  • once the assessment is complete.
  • </c><02:03:31.520><c> And</c> once the assessment is complete. And once the assessment is complete.
Keywords: 1183, house
MI

Michigan 2025-2026 Regular Session

Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety 26-06-18

Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • It would create standards of practice for attorneys receiving these appointments, including caseload
  • I know there's some best practices about how you access federal dollars and going after those as well
  • As a physician... ...practicing clinically, I've had to take care of people whose lives were changed
  • and risk mitigation best practices.
  • This is where I get into my risk assessment bag here.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety met with a quorum and adopted the June 4, 2026 minutes. The committee first took up Senate Bill 712, adopting the S-2 substitute, which expands residency requirements to include adjoining districts and removes a provision allowing a district to appoint someone employed by the district. The committee then reported SB 712 to the floor. It also considered House Bills 4025 and 4026, described as safe storage tax exemption bills; the committee heard one supportive written card and reported both bills to the floor, each on a 5-1 vote. The committee next heard testimony on Senate Bill 885, which would create a statewide Parent and Child Legal Representation Commission and Office within LARA to address child protective legal representation. Senator Singh and Alicia Moon of the Michigan Supreme Court described the current county-by-county system as uneven, with attorney shortages, inconsistent pay, and limited specialized training. They said the bill would set standards for training, caseloads, client contact, and compensation, while requiring public comment and future appropriations before implementation. Testimony and written cards from a broad range of organizations and judges supported the measure, and the committee reported SB 885 to the floor on a 6-0 vote. The committee then heard extensive testimony on Senate Bills 1015 and 1016, which would create an Office of Community Violence Intervention and Prevention within MDHHS and establish a grant program to support community violence intervention efforts statewide. Sponsors and witnesses from Force Detroit, D-Live, Seize the Smoke, Advance Peace, public health, law enforcement, and advocacy groups described CVI as a public health and public safety strategy that reduces shootings, supports survivors, and saves public costs. Several witnesses cited local data showing reductions in shootings and homicides in Detroit and Lansing, while one witness from the Michigan Sheriff's Association opposed the bills as written. The committee voted to report both SB 1015 and SB 1016 to the floor, each on a 5-0 vote with one pass, and then adjourned after additional testimony and reading of support cards.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Agenda Jan 22nd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • What you would like to see is, on the out years, structural balance practically means you have a delta
  • And practically what we mean by that is that we're hoping to suggest long-term financial...
  • Practical what we mean by that is that we're hoping to suggest long-term financial stability.
  • updated those projection lines to incorporate the report that the Economic Outlook and Revenue Assessment
  • Practically, about $18 million of those are for the Department of Correction.
Summary: The House Revenue and Taxation Committee met on January 22, 2012, for budget briefings from Legislative Services Office staff. Keith Bybee gave an overview of Idaho’s general fund structural balance, explaining that recent revenue projections for FY 2026-2028 still show pressure on the budget if spending continues to grow at historical rates. He reviewed how prior surpluses were used for stabilization funds, transportation, building projects, and other one-time investments, and noted major budget drivers such as Medicaid expansion, the state public defender system, and water-related spending. He also walked through the state’s cash position, explaining beginning balances, reappropriations, carryforwards, reversions, and the governor’s proposed use of cash transfers and temporary spending reductions to help balance the budget. Members asked questions about whether JFAC discusses raising revenues versus cutting spending, whether the figures were inflation-adjusted, and how sales tax exemptions affect the overall picture. Bybee said the charts were nominal, not inflation-adjusted, and estimated sales tax exemptions and exclusions at about $2 billion, with current collections around $3.3 billion. He also addressed contract inflation and health insurance costs, saying health care growth is driven more by actual program costs than contract terms. The committee then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Idaho tax conformity, with Bybee summarizing Tax Commission estimates for provisions such as the standard deduction, overtime, tips, senior deductions, car loan interest, and research and experimentation expensing; members also raised questions about bonus depreciation and the possible budget impact of conforming to federal changes. Christopher LaHocet then demonstrated LSO budget and revenue tools available online, including the general fund budget monitor, daily updates, the budget book, sales tax distribution tables, and the base budget dashboard. He explained that these resources help track revenue performance, legislative budget actions, and the buildup of agency base budgets over time. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after announcing a follow-up RS hearing on tax conformity for the next morning.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • What's the impact assessment?
  • So that's the assessment.
  • So I just want to say I do think, you know, I appreciate the assessment.
  • I appreciate that and I would also add that there wasn't data on the impact assessment.
  • This is a longstanding best practice in other states, and we urge your adoption.
Summary: The subcommittee heard an extensive presentation on the administration’s housing reorganization proposal, which would centralize multifamily affordable housing finance under the new Housing Development and Finance Committee (HDFC) and align it with the Governor’s trailer bill language. Administration officials said the plan is intended to create a one-stop application and award process, reduce duplicative timelines and costs, and pair state subsidy with private activity bonds and federal tax credits more efficiently. They also described proposed changes to the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities program, including shifting a larger share of funding toward housing-related awards while preserving a portion for sustainable communities investments. The Legislative Analyst’s Office generally supported the streamlining concept but recommended changes to the proposed bond set-aside timing and urged flexibility for integrated applications and future reporting on demand. Senators, especially Senator Cabaldon, raised concerns that the proposal could weaken the original climate-and-transportation purpose of the sustainable communities program and that the reorganization would be undercut by the lack of new housing production funding in the budget. The item was held open without a vote. The committee then received a report from the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee on federal and state housing tax credits. Staff explained that the federal H.R. 1 change lowering the bond-financing threshold from 50% to 25% greatly expanded the number of projects able to use the 4% federal tax credit, allowing California to fund many more projects and units. They also described the state low-income housing tax credit as an important gap-filling tool for projects that still need additional subsidy, and noted existing set-asides for rural, homeless, at-risk, and extremely low-income projects. Members discussed rehabilitation as well as new construction, and the item was informational only. Finally, the Civil Rights Department reported on the effects of federal civil rights policy changes and on three programs facing expiration: California vs. Hate, the Community Conflict Resolution Unit, and Investigations and Conciliation Enhancement. Director Kevin Kish said federal cuts and policy shifts have reduced support for fair housing and other civil rights functions, while CRD’s caseload has grown from about 8,700 open matters a year ago to more than 12,000, with a six-month wait for interviews despite overtime triage efforts. Senators expressed strong support for continuing the programs and concern about the broader federal rollback of civil rights enforcement. The department said it is using overtime, intake triage, and outreach partnerships to manage the workload and direct Californians to appropriate state, local, and nonprofit resources.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 4/28/26

Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,</c> literature on pre-trial practices, literature on pre-trial practices, conducted<00:04:50.080><c
  • These hearings typically lasted only a few minutes with no real assessment of whether the person could
  • of whether the person no real assessment of whether the person could<00:10:14.000><c> safely</c><00:
  • In practice, this often means that people can only exercise their constitutional right to release if
  • </c><00:16:52.959><c> of</c> system lacks substantive assessment of system lacks substantive assessment
Keywords: 1183, house
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/07/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • to add to: Dutchess County was the first county in the State of New York to use these lethality assessment
  • TO ADD TO, DUTCHESS COUNTY WAS THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK TO USE THESE LETHALITY ASSESSMENT
  • And the assessment looks at things such as, has your significant other made threats to you or your pet
  • AND THE ASSESSMENT LOOKS AT THINGS SUCH AS, HAS YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER MADE THREATS TO YOU OR YOUR PET
  • THE RIGHT MEDICATION CAN BE LIFESAVING BUT CURRENT INSURANCE PRACTICES OFTEN FORCE A PATIENT TO DO A
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate met on May 6, 2026, approved the prior journal, and accepted a Rules Committee report advancing the government appropriations bill to third reading. The chamber then took up the tenth budget extender, which sponsor Senator Serrano said would keep state government operating through Monday, May 11 and contained $482 million in new spending, bringing the total across extenders to $20.3 billion. In questioning, Senator O’Mara and Senator Helming pressed Serrano for details on the reported $268 billion budget deal, policy outcomes, revenue raisers, and whether local governments, schools, and rural health programs would receive certainty; Serrano said final budget bills were not yet in print and declined to speculate on unresolved issues. The extender passed 60-1, with Senator Weik voting no. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the North Tonawanda High School girls varsity basketball team, the Tappan Zee High School girls basketball team, and SUNY student Chriss-Ann Pryce. Members praised the teams’ state championships and Pryce’s academic and leadership achievements through the Educational Opportunity Program. The chamber then returned to legislation and passed a bill designating May 9 as Overdose Awareness Day in New York; Senator Fernandez said it recognized the harm of overdose and the need to continue funding harm reduction and recovery services. Additional bills passed included a statewide domestic violence lethality assessment measure, with Senators Murray, Rolison, Webb, and Ramos describing it as a tool to identify dangerous situations and prevent fatalities; a mental health insurance bill limiting step therapy/prior authorization for serious mental health medications, supported by Senator Fahy; and measures on education, real property tax, election law, general business law, kitchen incubator economic impacts, public buildings, state finance, and mental hygiene. Several bills drew recorded opposition, including the real property tax bill and the election law and general business law measures. The Senate concluded by adjourning until Monday, May 11 at 3:00 p.m., with intervening days designated legislative.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • She previously practiced full time for nearly 14 years at Integra Southwest Medical Center and continues
  • One of my concerns is that when we look at property tax or assessment and evaluations, I I applaud the
  • to my local counties, Beckham County specifically in 2025, assuming that all equipment that was assessed
  • equipment was assessed at zero.
  • Do you see any issue with the constitution, Article 1, where it talks about a standard assessment or
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 13th, 2026 at 10:30 am

Agriculture & Natural Resources

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so today we're going to be talking and getting an update on a situation assessment of Washington's
  • committee this year and so today we're going to be talking and getting an update on a situation assessment
  • We did a needs assessment in relation to marketing: how do we enter into these markets?
  • The contractor identified, and again, part of their work was to assess DNR's lands and identify where
  • But through the piloting of that program, WSDA is incorporating some of those practices into their food
Keywords: 904, all
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 17th, 2026 at 09:37 am

Senate Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • I also, in my mediation practice, have Mediated cases involving wrongful death.
  • And I I practiced under it in Mexico. Lawyers have practiced for decades before me.
  • And so this Exaggerated assessment of what were the medical expenses impacts the PCF as well.
  • So this definition of occurrence becomes pretty important in our practice.
  • I'm trying to maintain the law that we've all practiced with for decades. Right.
Keywords: 996, all
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/02/2026 - Senate Floor Session

Arizona Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • HB 2032, statewide assessment testing window revisions; Education.
  • When we look at merit and hiring practices, and especially recruiting practices, we really should be
  • Establishing the public property towing impound practices study committee.
  • And when we look at just the practical things that need to be done, it includes smart measures.
  • HB 2033, statewide assessment written form requirements. Education.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and received House messages and first-read bills. The chamber moved through multiple Committee of the Whole calendars, considering a range of measures on solar energy, public safety, insurance, health care, agriculture, gaming, education, child welfare, and real property. Several bills were retained on calendar, while many others were advanced with committee amendments and floor amendments. On Calendar 2, SB 1419 on solar energy inspection contractors drew the most debate. A floor amendment by Sen. Sundareshan sought to require utilities to protect ratepayers from costs associated with large energy users such as data centers; supporters argued it would help keep electricity affordable, while opponents called it a hostile amendment. After a division vote, the amendment failed 12-15, and SB 1419 was reported do pass as amended. SB 1498 (DPS appropriation) and SB 1502 (unlawful flight/reckless endangerment) also advanced. The Committee of the Whole report was adopted, but a later attempt to add the failed Sundareshan amendment to the report on SB 1419 was defeated 13-14. On Calendar 1, the Senate advanced SB 1165, SB 1206, SB 1212, SB 1215, SB 1290, SB 1291, and SB 1347, mostly with committee amendments. SB 1178 on naturopathic physicians and prescription drug pricing saw a contested Sears floor amendment aimed at stopping price gouging on essential generic drugs; supporters said it would lower drug costs, while the sponsor objected that it was not germane. The amendment failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1186 on document retention and donations also drew a Sundareshan amendment on transparency and implementation; it failed, and the bill passed as amended. SB 1286 on veterinary visits and electronic prescriptions advanced after a proposed Kavanagh floor amendment was defeated on division. The Senate then adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and moved on to additional calendars. On Calendar 4, the chamber passed SB 1004 on ESA students and interscholastic activities, SB 1116 on AHCCCS access/behavioral health, SB 1162 on health care institution licensing complaints, SB 1179 on developmental disability/health monitoring, SB 1475 on school district governing boards and eligibility, SB 1821 on DCS training and child placement, and SCR 1012. A request to hold SB 1475 for a reinstatement process was rejected. The Senate also took up an additional Committee of the Whole for SB 1077, SB 1479, and SB 1566; SB 1077 advanced with a Payne floor amendment, SB 1479 advanced with a Carroll amendment classifying certain forged real-property recordings as a class five felony, and SB 1566 began consideration with a Petersen amendment to remove part of a prior amendment. Throughout, the chamber repeatedly adopted committee reports and advanced the bills for further action.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jan 27th, 2026

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • Well, the residential class percentage of our assessed value went from 81 to just under 72 percent.
  • Well, the residential class percentage of our assessed value went from 81 to just under 72 percent.
  • We're just looking to continue a practice that we've been following, not only for the three years but
  • We're requesting some relief to continue what we've been doing, which has been past practice, and hope
  • But if this doesn't happen, our taxes are still not low because we've got very high assessed values.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • is already a framework for what happens—both what are the requirements on local law enforcement to assess
  • In practice, it's not my status that keeps me safe; it's my race.
  • In practice, it's not my status that keeps me safe; it's my race.
  • as to whether or not they're appropriate for the treatment... ...assessed as to whether or not they're
  • it would be, I guess, as they say, in business, a nice problem to have if we had so many people assessed
Summary: The Military Affairs and Border Security Committee heard two bills. SB 1055 would require immediate notification to ICE or CBP when a person unlawfully present in the U.S. is arrested by state or local law enforcement for a state or local offense. Supporters said it simply strengthens cooperation with federal authorities and clarifies existing law; opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona and several public commenters, argued it is redundant with current statute, could pressure officers to prolong stops or arrests, and would increase fear, racial profiling, and distrust of police in immigrant communities. Members debated whether the bill conflicted with SB 1070-era law and whether it would create new legal liability or merely add a reporting requirement after arrest. The committee voted 4-3 to give SB 1055 a do-pass recommendation. The committee then considered SB 1065, which appropriates $300,640,000 in FY 2027 from the general fund for a Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Military Veterans Fund. Senator Rogers described hyperbaric oxygen therapy as a non-drug treatment that could help veterans with PTSD and improve quality of life, while supporters emphasized the need to explore options for veterans’ mental health and trauma care. Some members said they supported moving the bill forward but had budget concerns or wanted more detail on how veterans would be selected for the program. The committee approved SB 1065 unanimously, 7-0, with a do-pass recommendation, and then adjourned until the following week.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Apr 10th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • CFO's office to track incidents of suicide among firefighters and to develop mental health best practices
  • It introduces a mandatory balancing test by the Department of Environmental Protection to assess whether
  • Specifically, it changes the due dates for semi-annual assessments to allow financial...
  • Specifically, it changes the due dates for semi-annual assessments to allow financial... the due dates
  • for semi-annual assessments to allow financial institutions two additional months to calculate...
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government heard and advanced a large slate of bills, beginning with SB 978, which directs DEP to report on large sewage disposal facilities, rank them for wastewater treatment upgrades, and provide progress reports; it was reported favorably without public opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and favorably reported SB 1388, which restricts vessel safety inspections without probable cause, creates a five-year safety decal, addresses spring protection zones, and bars FWC fishing licenses for commercial vessels owned by alien powers. Members raised some questions about spring protections and boating access, and one public witness urged further review of the spring-zone language. The committee then favorably reported SB 880, designating the American flamingo as state bird and the Florida scrub jay as state songbird, after testimony supporting both birds as symbols of Florida’s identity and conservation values. Several other measures were heard and passed. SB 830, dealing with lost or abandoned migrant vessels and aligning with House language, was amended and reported favorably. SB 1326, which requires local plans to maintain hurricane evacuation clearance times and allocates building permits in Monroe County and nearby municipalities, was amended to spread allocations over at least 10 years and then passed. SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility to correctional officers and correctional probation officers and exempting certain public safety personnel from the waiting period for rifles and shotguns, was reported favorably after support from the Florida PBA. SB 26, an uncontested claim bill for injuries from a 2022 crash, also passed, with one member suggesting future consideration of health insurance coverage for victims in similar cases. The committee additionally approved SB 98 on securities regulation and fingerprinting requirements, SB 1212 on firefighter health and safety, SB 196 on labeling food and cosmetics that contain vaccine materials or certain chemicals, SB 1300 restricting oil and gas drilling structures in sensitive areas, SB 1612 on financial institution assessment and stock offering timelines, and SB 492 on mitigation banking and wetland conservation easements. SB 1212 drew strong support from firefighters, while SB 492 drew both support and opposition from environmental and development interests, with concerns raised about wetland function, credit release timing, and conservation easement releases. Finally, the committee unanimously recommended confirmation of 12 appointees to water management district governing boards and adjourned after members recorded individual votes on selected bills.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Session - 2026-05-14 - 1:00PM

Vermont House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And finally, to align Vermont law with current enforcement practice.
  • </c> current enforcement practice. current enforcement practice.
  • Current<00:36:48.880><c> DLL</c><00:36:49.440><c> practice</c><00:36:49.920><c> is</c><00:36:50.240><
  • </c><00:36:57.440><c> Section</c> Section 1007 modifies current law to be in line with this practice
  • </c><00:43:18.079><c> whether</c> enforcement needs and assess whether enforcement needs and assess whether
Keywords: 926, house, all
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am

Higher Education Institutions Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • Assessment and benchmarking, putting those in place.
  • Zimmerman, that is a common practice. Chair Sickler and Ms.
Keywords: 908, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • And their accounting practices.
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • So the cloud readiness assessment, what did we really find?
  • Assessment and benchmarking, putting those in place.
Summary: The committee met on the Minot State campus for a presentation from President Shirley and several university leaders on enrollment, academics, workforce initiatives, and partnerships. Shirley reviewed the university’s financial audits, noting mostly clean results with only minor technical findings in recent years, and highlighted Minot State’s major programs, specialized accreditations, and ties to Minot Air Force Base and NCAA Division II athletics. Members asked about education workforce shortages, athletic tuition waivers, dual credit incentives, and the university’s in-state tuition policy for all students. Shirley also discussed the university’s recruitment efforts, including the Hometown Pride and Academic Excellence scholarships, campus visit growth, and the Emerging Scholars dual-credit reimbursement program. A major focus was workforce development and new academic offerings supported by legislative Workforce Education Innovation Funds. Shirley described the new Innovation Engineering program, which was developed with industry input to train broadly skilled engineers for western North Dakota, and said it had already drawn more applicants than expected. Dr. Crystal St. Peter presented a new master’s program in counseling that integrates mental health and addiction counseling to address statewide provider shortages, with a hybrid format to reach rural students. Members asked about licensure requirements, internship hours, and job placement for graduates. Shirley also outlined a new nursing simulation center and health sciences space in downtown Minot, made possible by state support and the purchase of the former Trinity Health Center West building. The committee also heard about Minot State’s efforts to build pipelines into education and special education, including the Aspire program for rural high school students and an online paraprofessional-to-special-education degree pathway. Shirley said these programs, along with new articulation agreements and a large Bush Foundation grant, are intended to address teacher shortages and keep students in North Dakota. No formal committee votes or actions were taken during the presentation; the session consisted of informational updates and member questions.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York State Senate Session - 05/26/2026

New York Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • AND SO THIS IS PRACTICE AND YOU KNOW, IT IS THE WAY THAT AGAIN, COMMISSIONS HAVE BEEN STRUCTURED FOR
  • AND I'M SURE IN YOUR PRACTICE, YOU HAVE DEALT WITH CLEAR LIABILITY ON A REAR END 25 MILE, AND YOU'RE
  • And through you, Madam President, what's the purpose of the annual NYSERDA special assessment?
  • >> What is the purpose of the NYSERDA special assessment?
  • One is the NYSERDA special Assessment.
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior journal, and then moved through a series of budget-related and ceremonial items. The chamber accepted Rules and Finance Committee reports and took up several budget extender and budget implementation bills, including the main appropriations extender and later a transportation, economic development, and environmental conservation budget bill. Senators questioned the sponsor extensively about the status of the remaining budget bills, the use of messages of necessity, and the absence of joint budget conference committees. The extender bill passed 59-2, and later budget-related measures were advanced after reconsideration and amendment. A major portion of the session focused on the environmental and energy provisions in the budget bill, especially changes to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Senators debated extending emissions targets, the role of cap-and-invest, utility affordability, ratepayer impacts, and the structure of a proposed blue-ribbon commission. Supporters said the changes were needed to give the state more time to implement the law and to protect affordability, while opponents argued the bill was a political delay that would not lower energy costs and relied too heavily on subsidies and future planning. The bill also drew questions about electric vehicle rebates, thermostat control programs, emergency diesel generation for Micron, and how imported electricity and out-of-state emissions would be treated. The Senate also adopted several previously adopted resolutions honoring the 50th anniversary of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, India Independence Day, the New York State Veterans Hall of Fame, and the 50th anniversary of Interfaith Works of Central New York. Senators spoke in support of each resolution, highlighting the contributions of Black legislators, Indian-American communities, veterans, and refugee and interfaith service organizations. The Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony was specifically noted as a chamber event, and guests were recognized from the floor and gallery. In addition, the Senate restored recalled bills to the third reading calendar through reconsideration votes and amendments, including a highway law bill and another recalled bill, and then stood at ease for scheduled conferences and a Veterans Hall of Fame ceremony before resuming session. The transcript ended with discussion of a separate bill affecting automobile insurance serious-injury standards, with questions about what claims would remain available and whether the change would improve affordability.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Senate Legislative Session May 5th, 2026

Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • He also practices internal medicine, and, as I told you, does a lot of great research in autoimmune diseases
  • President, could parents get a private assessment if they chose to? Thank you, Mr. President.
  • Could parents choose to have their student get a private assessment? Thank you for the question.
  • It's based in our theological convictions that are expressed in our practice of how we bury.
  • And so then I would have you all consider what happens when we shift that in practice.
Summary: The Senate convened, established a quorum, offered prayer, and recognized a doctor, a nurse, and a student hero who rescued a driver from a burning vehicle. The chamber also welcomed a new group of pages and adopted a motion to reject House amendments to Senate Bill 1546 and request conference. Senators then adopted Senate Resolution 44 recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week, and heard remarks honoring educators in the gallery. Senator Goodwin also announced the death of former Representative Don Ross and offered condolences to his family. The Senate then took up House Concurrent Resolution 1027, setting a target sine die date of May 14 at 5 p.m. The resolution drew opposition from Minority Leader Kurt and Senator Jett, who argued the chamber still had unfinished business, but it passed 28-17. The Senate also passed SJR 50, SJR 52, and SJR 53, all related to agency rules, including expanded provider types, removal of a physician-visit cap, and medical marijuana packaging requirements. Additional measures passed included HB 1185 on preserving military and historic firearms for honor guards and museums, HB 1937 on student-employee communications and due process, HB 2035 on funeral transportation protection agreements, HB 2137 on involuntary medication procedures for competency restoration, and HB 2166 on legal newspaper distribution without a USPS permit. Later, the Senate approved a series of bills on business, licensing, public safety, and state operations. These included HB 3148 on VIN inspections by dealers, HB 3323 on removing notarization for certain electronic Service Oklahoma documents, HB 3466 eliminating petty cash at the Corporation Commission, HB 3498 updating corporation and LLC statutes, HB 3661 extending a forestry equipment sales tax exemption, HB 3678 expanding the definition of public official for electronic harassment protections, HB 3710 revising the Rising Scholars Award Program, HB 3977 updating state veterinarian qualifications, HB 3986 expanding a tax exemption, HB 4104 strengthening penalties for repeat voyeurism-related offenses, HB 4108 adding airport operational areas to critical infrastructure, HB 4142 covering conspiracies to use bombs or explosive devices, HB 4274 allowing military children to attend non-zoned schools, HB 4275 allowing case managers and peer support specialists to work for local public agencies, HB 4322 removing dual certification for funeral directors in charge, HB 4336 updating interventional pain management rules, HB 4484 allowing certain state vehicles to be used between home and work, HB 3880 on Tourism Department compensation and Oklahoma Today publication discretion, and HB 1687 creating the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act with an amended effective date. The chamber also passed HB 2959 requiring school administrators to report abuse allegations to law enforcement within 24 hours and before school questioning, with emergency passage approved. HB 3718 was then taken up with an amendment clarifying timelines for special education evaluations tied to the Lindsay Nicole Henry Scholarship; discussion centered on the new 15-school-day meeting timeline and the 45-day evaluation period. The transcript ends during questions on that amendment, before final action on HB 3718 is shown.