Transcript Highlights:

• activity bonds allocation process for qualified residential rental projects, updating affordable standards
• So the goal now is if we have a standard.
• or 5 of the project, um, my inquiry is what kind of monitoring goes on and if you don't meet the standard
• country, Texas stood out as not being as harmed as other states, and many people credited all the standards
• Yes, I'm Charles Ortiz, district engineer in-house with Laguna Madre Water District.

Bills: HJR40

Keywords: Medicaid, healthcare access, Affordable Care Act, federal funding, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:12:20.160> um, engineering, um, engineering, um, from<00:12:21.280> the<00:12:21.400
• > engineering<00:12:22.000> profession<00:12:23.000> because from the engineering
• profession because from the engineering profession because he<00:12:23.600> wanted<00:12:24.040
• And he, um, prepared students with engineering courses to go into that profession.
• You don't hear of public standards.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what I'm hearing from some other county and city engineers.
• <00:26:17.360> That's other county and city engineers.
• That's other county and city engineers.
• <00:27:06.120> and<00:27:06.240> the County and city engineers and the engineering
• I hear that from my county engineer as well.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, it could be helpful to maybe standardize that a little bit. Thank you.
• Council approval to amend the current 2023-2024 standards-based award language.
• In your books, summary, you see 26 standards based on applications.
• I see 14 of the standards-based projects are in the top 50.
• We find ourselves already with engineering drawings put together.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're built to strict standards. They ought to be treated like any other form of housing.
• They're built to strict standards. They ought to be treated like any other form of housing.
• He said socioeconomic diversity is a really strong engine of upward mobility.
• I read that as 51%, so the other 49% of the town can set whatever standards you want.
• Then you really realize you do need a soil scientist or a civil engineer to help navigate.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Housing Committee heard testimony on HB 577, a bill to expand accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in New Hampshire. The sponsor and supporters described the state’s housing shortage and argued the bill would make it easier for property owners to build ADUs by right, up to 950 square feet, either attached or detached, while still requiring compliance with building codes, septic/water limits, and other local requirements. Supporters said the measure would help seniors age in place, provide housing for young adults, caregivers, and workers, and make better use of existing property such as garages and barns. Representative Reed raised concern that removing language related to short-term rentals could allow ADUs to be used for that purpose rather than long-term housing. The sponsor said he was open to clarifying language on short-term rentals, and another witness explained that current law already allows municipalities some choice on ingress/egress requirements, while the bill would standardize that and leave the design choice to the property owner. Several supportive witnesses followed, including the New Hampshire Home Builders Association, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, the Business and Industry Association, AARP, Housing Action New Hampshire, 603 Forward, and New Hampshire Youth Movement. They emphasized affordability, property rights, workforce housing, intergenerational living, and the need for statewide consistency. A Derry resident testified that his existing garage space could be converted into an ADU under HB 577, but current local rules prevent that because it is detached; he said the bill would let him rent it affordably. Supporters also argued that ADUs can increase property values and help homeowners cover mortgages and taxes. In opposition, the New Hampshire Municipal Association said the bill would impose a local zoning mandate, could add density pressure on already stressed infrastructure, and did not guarantee that new units would be affordable or workforce housing. No vote or final committee action was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• We gave them some really good data as far as engineers, people that are familiar with rate-making cases
• , that have engineering degrees, or they've worked in pipeline structure, management, safety.
• We gave them some really good data as far as engineers, people that are familiar with rate-making cases
• , that have engineering degrees, or they've worked in pipeline structure, management, safety.
• 07:37.160> to<01:07:37.280> make<01:07:37.600> sure<01:07:38.440> the standards

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received a message from the House announcing passage of House Bills 364, 534, 600, and 662 and requesting concurrence. The chamber then took up second-reading reports, placing several bills on the Rules Committee calendar, and briefly recessed for caucus meetings before returning to floor business. The first major floor action was Senate Bill 11, a residential safe room rebate program aimed at rural tornado preparedness. Supporters described it as a way to use FEMA or private funds to help homeowners build personal storm shelters that could also serve neighbors; one senator opposed it over a fiscal note and concerns about unintended consequences in rural areas. The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed SB 11 by a vote of 33–3. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 8 on public utilities and PSC intervention procedures. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted to clarify intervention standards, limit delay tactics, allow written comments from non-intervenors, and revise transmission-line approval thresholds; supporters said the changes would improve PSC efficiency and protect ratepayers, while some senators objected to a provision moving records from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to the state auditor as politically motivated. SB 8 passed 30–5. Senate Bill 94, dealing with dealer compensation for warranty and recall work, was also amended and passed unanimously after supporters said it reflected agreement between auto dealers and manufacturers. Finally, Senate Bill 197 on economic development incentives was amended to create county tiers, expand incentives for distressed areas, allow cross-border projects near state lines, and correct clerical errors; it passed 36–0.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is not, I haven't found a standard one.
• But I have not found a standard one, so if somebody wants to create a business, I think that might be
• a common practice there's a a standard a common practice among<00:31:56.080> the<00:31:56.240
• Uh, what is the standard of uncertainty? Is it 30? Is that close enough to 35? Is 40 too many?
• um uh human factors engineering um uh human factors engineering background<01:27:39.440> or

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• local Department of Public Health has required that captured rainwater be treated to drinking water standards
• exposure, preventing further environmental contamination, and aligning California with global health standards
• I mentioned the DTSC is currently reviewing the class of chemical engineering.
• FDA has set the standards for success different between the health care and consumer products.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• today, nor so we did not build the facilities at that time that necessarily reflect what today's standard
• project in the Commonwealth that if you hit the threshold, you're required to upgrade to today's standards
• These numbers here are very high level and not the result of detailed engineering analysis at the sort
• does their own projects, is required to use the Designer Selection Board to procure architects and engineers

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Correctional Consolidation and Collaboration met on October 17 with members attending in person and virtually. The commission approved the September 15 minutes and then heard a detailed presentation from DCAM Commissioner Adam Bakey on the correctional facilities portfolio, including the age and condition of DOC and sheriff facilities, deferred maintenance, ADA compliance, decarbonization mandates, and how capital funding is allocated. Bakey said the correctional portfolio includes 36 facilities, with average ages over 50 years, and described how older, rapidly built facilities from the tough-on-crime era now face significant maintenance and replacement needs. He also explained the distinction between catch-up deferred maintenance and ongoing keep-up needs, and noted that construction costs and code thresholds have made projects more expensive. Commissioners and sheriffs asked about ADA requirements, aging and overcrowded facilities, hazardous materials, parts availability for obsolete systems, plumbing and health risks, and whether a newer, more modern correctional facility should be considered. Bakey said many projects trigger broader code upgrades, that some dormant facilities remain in the portfolio, and that health-care and correctional construction are among the most expensive building types. He outlined current funding, including annual deferred maintenance allocations for DOC and formula-based five-year commitments for sheriffs, plus a new competitive capital program for larger sheriff projects. He also explained the Designer Selection Board and “house doctor” process used to procure architects and engineers. The commission then shifted to planning its next steps, focusing on public input. Members agreed the next meeting should likely be a public hearing or include public testimony, with possible input from people with lived experience and consideration of facility tours, especially of women’s facilities such as Framingham. Members emphasized the need to define the commission’s scope clearly so testimony stays focused on structural and consolidation issues rather than all correctional policy topics. The meeting ended with plans for the co-chairs to coordinate the public process and a motion to adjourn, which passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• that focus at the beginning on the desired end point of the job itself, we will be kind of reverse engineering
• We will be kind of reverse engineering that back to the training completion and so on.
• security in all of our schools, collecting and disseminating information, safety needs, training standards
• , schools, collecting and disseminating information, safety needs, training standards, and funding.

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on May 18, 2026, with eight members present and began by noting the state’s projected REC budget deficit and the need to consider fiscal impacts carefully. The committee first advanced HB 12, which extends the $250,000 surviving spouse benefit to reserve officers killed in the line of duty. Members noted the bill is prospective and that it draws from the same capped fund as other related bills, but it was reported favorable without opposition. The committee also adopted an amendment and reported HB 874 favorable as amended; the bill allows colleges, technical schools, the Louisiana Bar Association, and additional credentials to be added to LA Wallet, with the amendment changing mandatory language to permissive language. HB 951 was then reported favorable, creating an employer-facing workforce unit within Louisiana Works, to be funded through repurposed state and federal funds and existing staff, with a floor amendment expected to rename the unit. The committee also reported HB 979 favorable with amendments after reducing the proposed increase in survivor benefits because members learned several bills were drawing from the same $5 million fund, and HB 1193 favorable as amended, after striking a section that would have extended IDIQ authority to supply contracts for CPR. The committee then heard HB 909, which would require commercial payers to cover behavioral health crisis services. Representative Spell and LDH officials said the measure is intended to support crisis response centers and steer patients away from emergency rooms when appropriate, and they testified that it should be cost-neutral or absorbed within existing funding. Despite concerns raised by Senator Andrews about premiums, the bill was reported favorable after discussion of its potential savings and a possible pilot in Acadiana. HB 222, requiring Medicaid to cover dental procedures when needed to complete another medically covered procedure, was also reported favorable; LDH said it would absorb the cost within its existing budget and draw down federal matching funds. HB 291, which prevents health plans from penalizing hospitals when an out-of-network physician is involved in an otherwise covered hospital service, generated extensive debate over a disputed fiscal note and the No Surprises Act. OGB officials said any network “leakage” could cost the plan money, while supporters argued the policy is preventative and that the fiscal estimates were speculative. The committee adopted amendment 3941 to exempt OGB from the bill, then reported HB 291 favorable as amended. Later, the committee took up HB 145, which expands the authority of the law enforcement and firefighter survivor benefit board to cover extraordinary medical and dental expenses. Because members learned it also draws from the same fund as HB 12 and HB 979, an amendment reduced the amount from $50,000 to $25,000, and the bill was reported favorable as amended. HB 430, a local bill for Lafayette to continue paying health insurance costs for surviving families of fallen officers until Medicare eligibility, was reported favorable. Finally, HB 821, which establishes the Louisiana Center for Safe Schools within the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Administration and transfers related duties from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, was introduced and discussed as a move with a one-time general fund expenditure already included in HB 1. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• incarcerated, then there were a bunch of kung fu movies, then we were all model minority math whizzes and engineers
• incarcerated, then there were a bunch of kung fu movies, then we were all model minority math whizzes and engineers
• co-chair of the California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee, helping to set professional standards
• It is that lack of standardized and scientifically proven treatment for GM1 that makes early diagnosis

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• reflect beginning in 2021 20, especially 2020. 21. 22 the massive infusions of capital into the re engine
• of Lloyds is there to oversee the businesses and make sure that they're really standing up to the standards
• And I don't think that putting an arbitration clause in the UK policy would meet the UK standards so
• different people involved in that chains with sometimes there's an adjuster that's being difficult, an engineer

Transcript Highlights:

• The roadmap provides suggestions that could be part of a workable improvement plan, a way to re-engineer
• program processes and controls: enhance enrollment and provider screening at the front end, set standards
• The way to re engineer the state's approach to us to better prevent fraud in the future and to prevent
• area program PROCESSEES and controls enhance enrollment and provider screening at the front set standards
• We point is also working on standardization here. So there are consistent and fair approaches.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So when we use the USDA's 18-item questionnaire, which is the gold standard, we're able to classify a
• And I want to emphasize the value of having two powerful collaborative research engines here in the state
• First of all, they established national uniform eligibility and benefit standards, which is unusual for
• First of all, they established national uniform eligibility and benefit standards, which is unusual for
• it's one of the state's largest private sector employers, and it is the state's leading economic engine

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are going to have engine damage or transmission damage and need a lot more thorough inspection to
• Do we know, for getting the salvaged-title car back on the road, is it that same standard checklist,
• Yeah, and if there's no cap and it's not even standardized, I worry about consumer protection.
• And so from there, we apply the base rate and then a discount, which is standard.
• Vehicles may be in a location that it cannot move itself from, that a standard tow truck cannot access

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• in a bank in a normal regular bank account and the amount is in excess of $250,000, is that the standard
• So, like if a tire was low or an engine light came on, we would have that information.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the prior meeting. It then heard audit reports from Tom Bullington, including two reports with findings and three without findings, which were filed without objection. The Department of Public Safety FY24 audit had two findings: a duplicate vendor payment of nearly $3,700 that was later recouped, and a $2.5 million collateral shortfall tied to bank-held cash funds because securities were not properly pledged in the State Police’s name. Agency representatives from Arkansas State Police and the Department of Public Safety answered questions, and members discussed how collateralization works for deposits above FDIC coverage. The committee next reviewed the Department of Transformation and Shared Services FY24 audit, which contained five findings. These included an $800 career service overpayment caused by a rehire data entry error, delayed deactivation and inventory issues for assets including stolen cameras, a double count of more than $940,000 in year-end cash records, $10.3 million in health claims that should have been recorded as fiscal year 2024 payables, and repeated deficiencies in vehicle mileage logs. Agency officials explained that the stolen cameras were recovered through restitution, that inventory reviews are being expanded, and that the vehicle log problems are expected to be addressed through a statewide electronic GPS/telematics system. Members asked about the scope of audit testing, asset tracking, vehicle oversight, and whether the new vehicle system would allow monitoring of use, fuel purchases, geofencing, and possible sharing of vehicles across agencies. Shared Administrative Services said it would administer the statewide system, with departments retaining operational responsibility and access controls. After discussion, the committee filed the report without objection and adjourned, noting the next meeting would be held June 4.

Transcript Highlights:

• in a bank in a normal regular bank account and the amount is in excess of $250,000, is that the standard
• So like if a tire was low or an engine light came on, we would have that information.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The agreement is also an economic engine for the state of Texas, creating tens of thousands of jobs and
• and all of our facilities are Fairtrade certified, indicating our, you know, the highest in labor standards

Transcript Highlights:

• In the present environment, nuclear facilities possibly require years of licensing, engineering, financing
• One of the most legally significant standards underlying this authority is that regulated utilities have
• Your standard nuclear power plants, but also looking at small modular reactors and also microreactors
• that this is something that's been set up over time, over history, and you're talking about your standard
• We'd have to certify that emergency response plans are maintained and that they meet FEMA standards.

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I bring this bill as I would characterize this as a type of standardization of what we see in statewide
• Earlier there was some suggestion that there's no knowingly standard.
• When statutes rely on subjective notice standards, enforcement varies by jurisdiction.
• One is an aerospace engineer who graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
• One is an aerospace engineer who graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Bills: SB1012, SB1099, SB1234, SB1392, SB1489, SB1535, SB1570, SB1609, SB1627, SB1634, SB1661, SB1709, SB1723, SB1725, SB1743, SB1829, SCR1027, SCR1040, SCR1048

Keywords: concealed carry, firearms, restaurants, liquor licensing, public safety, defamation, private figure, public concern, statute of limitations, internet defamation, juvenile court, legal representation, appointed attorney, guardian ad litem, child welfare, election canvass, canvassing board, governing body, election inspection, election access