Transcript Highlights:

• But so next session in January, we’ll be asking the Legislature for approval to go out for a revenue bond
• next session in January, we'll be asking the legit, we'll be asking approval to go out for revenue bond
• We'll be asking approval to go out for a revenue bond to build a new dorm on campus for our students.
• The Fargo Airport Authority has been awesome to work with us. They're a great partner.
• beds and so we're looking at next session we'll be asking all of you for permission for approval to bond

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But so next session in January, we’ll be asking the legislature for approval to go out for a revenue bond
• next session in January, we'll be asking the legit, we'll be asking approval to go out for revenue bond
• We’ll be asking approval to go out for a revenue bond to build a new dorm on campus for our students.
• The Fargo Airport Authority has been awesome to work with. They're a great partner.
• We'll be asking all of you for approval to bond out for a new dorm. So how do we grow?

Summary: The committee reconvened at North Dakota State College of Science for a presentation from President Dr. Flanagan and college leaders about NDSCS’s mission, enrollment growth, workforce training, and facilities needs. Flanagan highlighted student success in national competitions, strong placement and retention, growing enrollment, and new or expanding programs in aviation maintenance, fire science, dental hygiene, community health worker training, surgical technology, HVAC/plumbing, and precision agriculture. He also emphasized the college’s partnerships with industry, including John Deere, Fargo Jet Center, Sanford, and Comdel Innovation, and said NDSCS plans to seek approval next session for a revenue bond to build a new dorm and to remodel the library into academic and allied health space. Allied health dean Deb Smith testified that her division is at capacity and needs a simulation center, more lab and classroom space, and expanded dental and OTA facilities to meet demand and accreditation needs. Committee members questioned Flanagan and staff about workforce shortages, especially faculty pay, and whether the college can staff additional growth. Flanagan said the biggest challenge is recruiting instructors because industry pays more, but noted some health care and adjunct hiring is possible because of schedule flexibility and benefits. He also discussed shifting resources away from lower-demand programs like power sports toward higher-demand areas such as automotive and aviation maintenance. Members also asked about the college’s identity as a technical institution, with Flanagan arguing North Dakota would benefit from a more defined tech-school system. The committee then received a University System presentation from Jamie Wilkie on the cost of delivering dual credit. Wilkie explained the methodology used to allocate direct and overhead costs across subsidized and unsubsidized dual credit, noting that dual credit and early entry account for about 5.9% of total credit hours and 2.7% of formula funding. The analysis showed subsidized dual credit tuition revenue of about $5.5 million and unsubsidized revenue of about $2.9 million, with some institutions showing margins and others losses depending on the model. Members discussed whether K-12 funding should also be reflected, how payments to high schools and teachers are structured, and whether tuition-free dual credit would require replacing both tuition revenue and the current dual credit scholarship. No votes were taken; the committee simply received the presentations and discussed the findings.

Transcript Highlights:

• the appropriation came at 18x the annual appropriation, and that's revenue, and it's funded with a bond
• And the state might also be happy that it's, since it's funded by a bond, it's revenue-neutral for the
• I would like to say that Senator Kalata-Ude moves that under Rule 2.1.1-3-2, the President has authorized
• Our family bond with the university is longstanding and meaningful.
• Our family bond with the university is longstanding and meaningful.

Summary: The committee first took up a confirmation for UCF trustee reappointment candidate Mr. Christie, who described his long service on the board, his UCF business-school background, and his focus on strengthening UCF’s financial foundation, workforce alignment, and engineering and technology programs. Members praised his service and asked about UCF’s future direction, including its role in Florida’s space and engineering sectors. He was allowed to leave early for a meeting with the governor. The committee then heard the Higher Education Appropriations budget presentation for fiscal year 2025-26. The chair outlined a proposed $11.5 billion higher education budget emphasizing workforce education, Florida College System operations, career and technical education, the GATE program, nursing education through the Florida Center for Nursing, UF/IFAS agriculture technology, tutoring, autism and neurodevelopment services, student financial aid, and $250 million for state universities through the Board of Governors. Senator Davis asked about line grant flexibility, and the chair said a conforming bill would address details. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical corrections and then adopted the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Appropriations Committee. The remainder of the meeting focused on confirmations for university boards, especially the University of West Florida, where several nominees were questioned about Title IX compliance, free speech, workforce readiness, military/veteran ties, and prior statements about privatization and higher education. Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, and Adam Kessel each described their backgrounds and goals for UWF; Kessel faced extensive questioning about his past writings on privatization, the GI Bill, and speech suppression, and said he would not recommend privatizing Florida universities and supported veterans’ education benefits. Public testimony on UWF was largely opposed, with speakers arguing the nominees lacked local ties and warning the slate would harm the university and community. The committee also heard from FAMU reappointment nominee Judge Belvin Perry, who emphasized student success, workforce quality, and FAMU’s continued rise, and from UCF nominee Mark Philburn and FSU nominee Peter Jones, both of whom highlighted their professional experience and commitment to student success and prudent stewardship. The meeting extended its time to 6:30 p.m. to continue hearing nominees and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• The other thing is, as far as the remediation and continued assessment work, is there a bond there?
• To continue to do this assessment, do we have to go and ask them for that money, or is there a bond sitting
• And we hold stuff sometimes as a bond.
• He's a foremost authority and could be invaluable.
• Usually, we don't get access to that money, authority to use it, until August, September, sometimes October

Transcript Highlights:

• needs trust in Clearwater lose over $100 million, and this bill has language in it saying that the bonds
• needs trust in Clearwater lose over $100 million, and this bill has language in it saying that the bonds
• This bill grants the state authority to legislate against political... I oppose SB 1632.
• This secret police of five people has been given too much authority according to this bill.
• This secret police of five people has been given too much authority according to this bill.

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard a long agenda of bills, beginning with several probate, civil rights, and claims measures. Senators Burgess’s SB 326 on curators of estates was explained as a modernization of probate law; an amendment narrowing the bill was adopted, and the committee reported the bill favorably 10-0 after limited public testimony, including opposition from Ray Contreras. Burgess’s SB 1096, clarifying filing deadlines under the Florida Civil Rights Act, also passed unanimously 11-0. The committee then approved several claims bills, including SB 28 for Reginald Jackson against the City of Lakeland, SB 6 for a child injured after DCF’s handling of abuse allegations, SB 18 for the estate of McKenzie Navarre against the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 26 for the estate of Mark Legata against FDOT, and SB 2 for the estate of Daniel Maudsley against DHSMV, with votes ranging from 10-1 to 11-0 and mostly no debate or opposition. The committee also took up trust and family-law related bills. Leader Berman’s SB 786 created a nonjudicial process for closing uncontested trusts and discharging trustees; after a technical amendment and testimony from Ray Contreras raising notice concerns, it passed 11-0. President Gates’s SB 50 expanded veterans’ courts statewide, drew broad support from veterans’ groups and advocacy organizations, and was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Simon’s SB 538 standardized extracurricular participation rules for public, private, virtual, and homeschool students; after multiple amendments on homeschool eligibility, fees, and coach compensation, it passed 11-0 with support and opposition from education-related groups. President Gates’s SB 1004, aimed at consumer protections in the sale of dogs and cats, also passed unanimously after testimony from humane organizations. The committee then considered broader policy bills. President Pro Tem Brodeur’s SB 1366 on claims against the government proposed raising sovereign immunity caps and adding CPI adjustments; local government, hospital, and school representatives supported the Senate’s lower-cap approach while warning against the House version, and the bill was reported favorably 11-0. Senator Jones’s SB 178 on athletics in public K-12 schools, as amended, would let head coaches provide limited personal support to student-athletes and require reporting of assistance; it passed 10-0. Senator Grohl’s SB 1178 on foreign influence and foreign countries of concern drew extensive supportive testimony from national security witnesses and was reported favorably 11-0 after a technical amendment and withdrawal of another amendment. Finally, SB 1632 on ideologies inconsistent with American principles prompted substantial debate and public testimony over domestic terrorism designations, Sharia law references, due process, and free speech concerns; the committee had not yet completed final action on that bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rachel Mercer Garcia, who is the um analyst for the CYFD block, Eric Chenier, who's the Healthcare Authority
• Madam Chair, I believe we should have the Healthcare Authority and the Department of Health come and
• in the other house, such as paid family medical leave, minimum wage, guaranteed basic income, baby bonds
• I do, I've been working on um some legislation too, so I'd like to be a part of that with the baby bonds
• This is, was their recommendation in order to maintain our authority as a state.

Transcript Highlights:

• The mountainscape that reminds us of your power and your authority over all things.
• Authorizing the Department of Transportation to inspect, review, audit, and investigate to ensure compliance
• Making an appropriation to the Health Care Authority for providing rate increases to service providers
• Harmful Material Act, defining terms, authorizing liability, and creating a private right of action.
• House Bill 55 requires the Health Care Authority to set a minimum Medicaid fee schedule for reimbursing

Transcript Highlights:

• MEMBERS, WE HAVE IN STATUTE A DEBT REDUCTION STRATEGY OUTLINED BY THE DIVISION OF BOND FINANCE.
• $250 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND EACH FISCAL YEAR TO ACCELERATE THE RETIREMENT OF THE BONDS
• REQUEST FOR THE STATE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION FOR ALL FUNDS THIS IS JUST THE WAY WE DO BOND
• IN OTHER WORDS, ARE WE TYPICALLY PAYING UPFRONT COSTS WHEN WE DO THE BONDS THAT WE ARE NOT CONSIDERING
• WHEN WE RETIRE THE BONDS?

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Covenants of the bond Covenants of the bond resolutions<00:45:52.280> um<00:45:52.440>
• <00:56:56.520> payments<00:56:57.280> recording<00:56:58.079> and authorization
• It also recommends that the department perform a periodic review of R and O system authorities.
• are compatible and limited authorities are compatible and limited to<01:01:19.440> only<01:01
• continuing on to page 22 authorities continuing on to page 22 observation<01:01:34.280> number

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on January 30, 2025, and first organized itself by electing Senator Jim Gray as vice chair, electing Representative F as clerk, appointing Michael Caine as legislative budget assistant, and adopting the committee’s rules and procedures. The committee also adopted an amendment to the rules allowing audits to be automatically released to the public once placed on the Fiscal Committee agenda, with members discussing that the change would improve transparency and reduce paper handling. The minutes from the November 15, 2024 meeting were approved, with members who were absent abstaining. The committee then worked through a consent calendar and several individual items. It removed or noted withdrawals on a few items, including item 25004 for further discussion, item 25016 withdrawn by the Department of Education, item 257 removed by Representative F, and item 25001 removed under Tab 4. Item 25004, concerning the newborn screening program, prompted testimony from the Department of Health and Human Services explaining that the program is mandatory with an opt-out provision; officials said 99.2% of newborns were screened in 2023, meaning the opt-out rate was under 1%. The committee also approved item 25007, related to DHHS community health workers and telework policy, after hearing that the workers are not placed in schools and that DHHS follows statewide telework policy. On the regular calendar, the committee approved a Department of Administrative Services request to extend the release date for fiscal year 2024 numbers to March 31, and approved a Department of Fish and Game item. It also approved winter maintenance funding for the Department of Transportation after hearing that the $5.7 million request might not last through the winter if additional storms occur; DOT said even a small storm can cost more than $1 million and that crews are dispatched based on road conditions and supervisory judgment. The committee then approved items for the Judicial Council and the Office of Legislative Budget Assistant. The final discussion focused on the Health and Human Services dashboard and the Youth Development Center claims. DHHS acknowledged a data error in the APS client line and said Community Mental Health Center caseload data is still not fully accurate because two centers are undergoing EHR conversions. Members also asked about the low census at the Sununu Youth Development Center and about the process for managing future claims related to the YDC settlement fund. Witnesses from the Attorney General’s office said the fund is handled through a unique arrangement involving DOJ appropriations and judicial branch staff, that current judicial budget cuts are not yet affecting the litigation pace, and that the average resolution so far has been about $500,000, though future claims may vary. No votes were taken on the discussion items beyond the approvals noted above.

Transcript Highlights:

• ID that says Minnesota Senate, there should be implicit trust that, in fact, that person has the authority
• It is for the exclusive use of the member of that district and, if authorized by the member, an employee
• I want to tell you I have some questions about it. >> Generally, we give the author the ability to get
• the ability to get the bill into author the ability to get the bill into the<00:04:53.320> order<
• Okay." authorizing the legislature to determine authorizing the legislature to determine uh<00:17:34.600

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• veterans burial provision modifications; and then my bill, 1704, State Army building commission, maximum bonded
• This is a very straightforward bill that simply increases the maximum bonded indebtedness allowed for
• authority from $15 million to $45 million.
• put state money, roughly about 25%, with increased construction costs, so we're asking for this authority
• So the current debt on our Minnesota State Armory bonding commission fund is about $5.1 million.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I personally spent a lot of time, people on both sides of the issue with prior authorization, spent a
• People on both sides of the issue with prior authorization spent a lot of time in a lot of different
• Care in the form of prior authorization.
• And let's just say you pass bond issue in your district builds.
• And then it goes into the fund that DED will authorize to the rural communities.

Summary: The House opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal for the prior day by a vote of 118-1. The rest of the session was dominated by points of personal privilege, including farewell remarks from several outgoing members. Those speeches focused on service, family, staff, veterans, law enforcement, integrity, and concerns about lobbyist influence, with members also thanking legislative assistants and recognizing guests and family members in the chamber. The chamber then took up several bills. Senate Bill 1019, dealing with hospital finance and investment authority, was amended to align workplace violence, telehealth, prior authorization, physician licensure, and Lyme disease language, then passed 110-31. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions bill affecting police retirement, MOSERS, EMPERS, and related board provisions, drew extended debate over how to handle retirement overpayments; amendments were adopted to address technical and policy issues, and the bill passed 129-14. Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 1196, concerning workforce diploma programs, Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grants, workforce Pell Grants, higher education funding, and university board residency rules, was amended and passed 115-20, but its emergency clause failed 2-132. The House also granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Committee reports were read on several other measures, including bills recommended to pass by Fiscal Review. Later, the House began considering Senate amendments to House Bill 2508, an LLC-related bill involving certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited circumstances, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit process for repeated ordinance violations.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, growing up where we gather together, camping, swimming, hiking, fishing, hunting, we built bonds
• We built bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.
• And those bonds today... When grown men say, hey, I love you, brother, that means something.
• And those bonds today still can't be broken.
• Other classes come as well because we built those relations and we built those bonds, Mr.

Keywords: March 14, 2026 - Regular Session, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have Senate bond initiatives number 18.
• Clerk will read the bond initiatives. >> Number one, Senator McCay, Accident Volunteer Fire Department
• , Budget and Taxation. >> Majority leader moves so be considered the reading of the bond initiatives.
• We have Senate bond initiatives number 19.
• Should we consider the reading of the bond initiatives?

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard an invocation from Rabbi Deborah Wexler of Pikesville, and journalized the prayer without objection. The chamber also recognized several visitor groups, including Maryland Realtors Day, Maryland March for Change participants advocating for infant and maternal health, and students, faculty, and staff from Avalon School. Senators briefly highlighted upcoming committee meetings and caucus events, including a Legislative Black Caucus press conference, Aviation Day, and a reminder about protocol dues. On legislation, the chamber read Senate Bill 955 on real property, condominiums, and homeowners association election rules and referred it to the Rules Committee. Two Senate bond initiatives were also read and sent to the Capital Budget Subcommittee. Senate Bill 888 was announced as reassigned to the Rules Committee. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 46 concerning state veteran cemeteries, where Senator Simon offered a floor amendment. Senator from District 7 explained the bill was prompted by concerns about how caskets are moved at veteran cemeteries, describing a practice he found disturbing and saying the issue should be addressed separately from the bill. The amendment and the amended report were both adopted without objection, and the bill was ordered printed for third reading. The Senate then handled a brief procedural exchange when a senator asked about speaking on the reassigned bill, and the presiding officer ruled the matter out of order because it had already been reassigned. After additional committee announcements, the Senate remained in session with 40 members present and then moved to recess until noon in the House chamber.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trumbull: BUT THE LIVE LOCAL STILL USES THE TRADITIONAL BOND PROCESS JUST LIKE SAILORS. >> DEPENDING
• ON THE TRANSACTION BOND PROCESS JUST LIKE SAILORS. >> DEPENDING ON THE TRANSACTION FOR THE MOST PART
• CAN DO A TRANSACTION WHERE YOU ONLY NEED THIS PERCENTAGE OF SALE AND YOU CAN MAKE UP FOR IT WITHOUT BONDS
• THAT'S WHEN WE ISSUE BONDS TO HELP FINANCE FIRST MORTGAGES.
• THAT PREPAYMENT SPEED ON HOW FAST THESE BONDS WILL PAY OFF COMES INTO PLAY SO WE TRACK THAT PRETTY WELL

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This can potentially create parasocial bonds that displace real relationships and the connection and
• It was originally authored by Rep.
• It was originally authored by Rep.
• It was originally authored by Rep.
• It was originally authored by Rep.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But obviously, with this tool, with Representative Fontenot's help authoring this bill, it allows us,
• We had the bill that was authored this year that you passed.
• So they're definitely qualified and licensed and bonded and all this good stuff.
• First, about Act 678, Vice Chairman Fontenose's bill, IDIQ contract authority.
• I think you mentioned that you have a two-year backlog on bridge repair and that this IDIQ authority

Keywords: 965, house, all

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or formal actions. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black outlined the department’s transformation efforts, emphasizing faster project delivery, improved transparency, and use of technology. They reported major reductions in contractor payment processing time, from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, and change-order approvals from about 40–45 days to around five days. They also described new tools such as inspection tablets, a project delivery dashboard, e-ticketing, a customer service portal, and a pilot using sensor technology on department vehicles to identify potholes and damaged assets. The department said it is reorganizing district staffing, replacing the old area engineer model with district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, without increasing total staff. Members focused heavily on local maintenance concerns, including potholes, drainage, culverts, mowing, overgrown ditches, and utility-related delays. Several legislators asked how to get quicker responses on routine maintenance and how to distinguish state responsibility from local jurisdiction. DOTD said it would meet with district administrators to address specific problems and clarify jurisdiction, and that the new customer service portal should help track complaints electronically. Members also asked about contractor accountability, utility relocations, and public communication on long-running projects; DOTD said it is improving internal KPIs, coordinating more closely with district staff and public information officers, and considering broader public updates beyond the website. The department also reviewed highway planning and funding. Officials said the Highway Priority Program is being reworked into a more fiscally constrained, staged process that starts earlier in concept development and gives legislators and constituents more feedback before the annual road show. They said the department is using new IDIQ contracting authority to bring in outside help for bridge maintenance and other work, and that bridge maintenance backlogs remain significant. DOTD reported that LTIF 1.0 and 2.0 together cover 91 projects statewide totaling more than $534 million, with over 40 complete, and that LTIF 3.0 adds 39 projects and about $165 million. Combined with other funding sources, the department said its upcoming construction program will include 385 projects worth about $1.73 billion. Legislators generally praised the department’s progress but raised concerns about lingering local problems and the need for clearer communication. Questions were also asked about a barge strike on the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge, with DOTD saying divers and staff were inspecting the damage and that emergency repairs would likely be needed. After the DOTD update, the new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, led by Archie Chesson, gave its own update on its first year, describing a small staff, heavy use of consultant and contractor pools, emergency procurement authority, and rapid delivery of rural bridge and roadway projects.

Transcript Highlights:

• a bill myself, Brett McGregor, Senator Rush, and Mayor Wu are also co-petitioners on, that would authorize
• a bill myself, Brett McGregor, Senator Rush, and Mayor Wu are also co-petitioners on, that would authorize
• And thirdly, H. 3723, which has to do with regional transit authorities.
• It comes at a critical time in advance of the next transportation bond bill and as we wrestle with how
• and the Worcester Regional Transit Authority, which has unfortunately meant that for many, many years

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on a wide range of transportation bills focused on rural microtransit, commuter rail fares and service, rail electrification, climate alignment, and safety. Several speakers supported H. 4054 and related microtransit proposals, arguing that rural communities need stable, permanent funding for services like the Tri-Town Connector and Quaboag Connector, which have strong ridership, high satisfaction, and measurable economic and health benefits. Testimony also supported a commission bill to study microtransit funding and definitions, with witnesses emphasizing that current grant programs are helpful but short-term and insufficient for long-term service planning. A major theme was commuter rail equity and expansion. Boston-area officials and advocates backed bills to make all Boston commuter rail stations Zone 1A, citing large fare disparities between nearby stations in Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Readville. Related testimony supported studying an Orange Line extension from Forest Hills to Roslindale Square and expanding The Ride to Foxborough, as well as restoring commuter rail service to Cape Cod via Middleborough to Buzzards Bay and beyond. Speakers said these projects would improve access, reduce car dependence, and better serve neighborhoods and regions that currently face limited rapid transit options. Multiple panels urged action on electrification and climate-focused transportation planning, including H. 3726, the Freedom to Move Act, and bills to electrify commuter rail, buses, school buses, and public fleets. Advocates from environmental, transit, and public health groups said transportation is the state’s largest emissions source and argued that statutory goals, coordinated planning, and streamlined permitting are needed to speed decarbonization while improving safety, affordability, and reliability. The committee also heard support for a bill to streamline rail electrification permitting, a bill to exempt certain transit projects from MEPA review, and a bill to improve commuter rail pedestrian safety with gates, fencing, and warning devices at at-grade crossings. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• folks in here and then, of course, the final thing we usually do on these even-numbered years is a bonding
• We're one of 13 states that are AAA bond rated.
• Do you support looking to bonding money for things like county infrastructure, the tech build-outs, or
• <00:10:31.960> money Do you support looking to bonding money Do you support looking to bonding
• One of the reasons Minnesota has had such stable budgets and been triple-A bond rated is our revenue

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• System for bond debt service and tunnel repair.
• This bill takes away that authority, which is one of the implementing authorities for the Chapter 72
• This bill takes away that authority, which is one of the implementing authorities for the Chapter 72
• <02:27:24.520> to back to that 1 15 a-8 the authority to back to that 1 15 a-8 the authority
• which is the one of the Authority which is the one of the implementing<02:27:32.000> authorities<

Keywords: 910, house, all