Transcript Highlights:

• They have to take the reports? Do they take pictures? Like, what do they do? If it is...
• The division must maintain a central repository of all appropriately redacted reports.
• Other states actually published the redacted complaints as well as summary reports.
• As a result, it's been reported that as of December, about 25,000 pending complaints.
• Lastly, the resolution outlines reporting and administrative requirements.

Committee: Senate Senate Education Committee of Reference

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several education-related bills. SB 1572, the Return to Civics Instruction Act, would require Freedom Week, civics instruction on the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and a Declaration recitation for grades 3-12; it passed 3-2 after some members argued schools already provide civics instruction and that the legislature should not mandate curriculum. SB 1798, as amended, would require each high school to designate a FAFSA point person, post contact information, and implement a FAFSA awareness strategy; the Arizona Board of Regents supported it, while some members raised concerns about mandates on charter schools and staffing burdens. The committee also passed SB 1711, which directs the State Board of Education to develop and post age-appropriate resources on preventing and recognizing inappropriate contact, with testimony split between support for parent-accessible safety materials and concerns about sex-education compliance issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't have the CPS cases to report.
• with jurisdiction to investigate or prosecute the reported abuse or neglect of the report.
• So the distinction is the that you want the investigative report, not just the intake report. Okay.
• It's all reports immediately, all intake reports immediately to the DA.
• reporting, to make it where all reports were confidential.

Bills: HB741 , HB 1199 , HB2070 , HB2402 , HB2542 , HB2665 , HB2789 , HB3096 , HB3396 , HB3595 , HB3747 , HB4116 , HB4127

Committee: House Human Services

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a lot of it in our report. I saw it in the written report. Okay. Okay.
• . ...also paying that landlord's out-of-pocket expenses for running the screening report.
• I had to run a credit report. I did all the stuff.
• I had to run a credit report. I had to do all the stuff.
• Yeah, we did not touch monthly fees. We know that can be a controversial conversation.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's just a matter of publishing those numbers along with their other monthly reports at the county
• The first one was you have these reports going out monthly.
• You have these reports going out monthly.
• They report monthly at the county level, and to get that county number, they already have to have the
• Which is not collected on a monthly basis?

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Transcript Highlights:

• And so it's just a matter of publishing those numbers along with their other monthly reports at the county
• The first one was you have these reports going out monthly.
• You have these reports going out monthly.
• So they report monthly at the county level, and to get that county number, they already have to have
• So has it already been reported?

Committee: House Government Efficiency

Summary: The Committee on Government Efficiency held a public hearing on House Bill 1817, which would require the Department of Social Services to publish monthly public-assistance data at the municipal level for places with populations of 1,000 or more. The sponsor said the bill was intended to give local nonprofits, churches, and community leaders better information to target aid, measure whether their efforts are reducing dependency, and identify underserved areas, while avoiding identification of individuals in very small communities. Supporters echoed the transparency and planning benefits, saying the data could help nonprofits allocate resources, spot gaps, and coordinate more effectively. Several members questioned whether the bill was necessary, whether the data was already available through public records or existing reports, and whether it would create busy work or divert staff time. Others raised concerns about the 1,000-person threshold as arbitrary, the possibility of discouraging assistance applications, and whether the bill would really improve outcomes or reduce fraud. The sponsor responded that the data is already being collected, that the software had already been funded, and that the bill would simply make the information publicly available in a more useful format. Testimony in opposition was not presented, and the public hearing on HB 1817 was then closed. The committee then moved into executive session and took up House Bill 1641. A House Committee Substitute was offered and adopted after brief discussion. The substitute bill was then voted do pass by a roll call vote of 12 ayes, 1 no, and 4 present. Representative Burton stated a present vote was appropriate because of concerns with some language in the bill, while other members supported the measure’s intent.

Transcript Highlights:

• funds but only restored partial benefits, citing insufficient funds to cover the full $8 billion monthly
• For example, according to PPIC's November 2025 statewide survey, 30% of California adults report that
• There's some evidence from monthly data that monthly rates of food insecurity may even have declined
• At the monthly benefit allowance or monthly benefit issuance that we administer each month to the community
• Monthly to discuss some of the challenges, as my fellow panelists here have mentioned.

Summary: The joint hearing focused on CalFresh enrollment, food insecurity, and the effects of the recent federal shutdown and H.R. 1 on California families. Opening remarks emphasized that the shutdown delayed SNAP/CalFresh benefits for the first time in the program’s history, prompting emergency state, county, and local responses such as Operation Feed California, county emergency funds, food bank expansions, and Alameda County’s temporary food distributions and gift card support. Members also framed the issue as both a hunger and affordability crisis, noting that California produces abundant food but still has high rates of household food insecurity. The first panel reviewed food insecurity data and program impacts. PPIC’s Tess Thorman said about 13% of California households were food insecure in 2023, with higher rates among households with children and among Latino and Black households, and explained that CalFresh, school meals, and WIC significantly reduce poverty and hunger. Nourish California’s Betzabel Estudio described food insecurity as a policy choice and outlined state policy efforts such as Food for All, Thriving Transitions, and expansion of the CalFresh Fruit and Vegetable EBT program. The California Association of Food Banks said demand remains high, food banks are serving millions monthly, and federal cuts and reduced TEFAP food supplies are worsening the strain. The second panel gave a CalFresh program overview from CDSS and Alameda County. CDSS reported that CalFresh participation has improved, with California’s participation rate rising from 67% in 2020 to 81% in the latest federal data, and highlighted recent successes including the minimum nutrition benefit pilot and the revived fruit-and-vegetable incentive program. Officials also warned that H.R. 1 will add work requirements, reduce eligibility for some immigrants, and create future cost-sharing pressures for the state and counties. Alameda County described local caseloads, application declines tied to fear and uncertainty, and efforts to reduce error rates and support students, older adults, and other hard-to-reach groups. A student CalFresh ambassador testified about the burdensome application process and the need for more outreach and basic needs support on campuses. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational, with members discussing possible future legislation, outreach funding, and state backfill strategies.

Transcript Highlights:

• That completes my report, Mr. Chair. Without objection, we'll file this report.
• This completes my report, Mr. Chair. Without objection, we'll file this report.
• It's a 2024 report, and this is a private report.
• Monthly financial reports approved by the town council were not accurate. This is a repeat finding.
• Monthly financial reports were not provided to the town council.

Committee: All LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING-COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES

Summary: The committee approved the prior minutes and then received a series of audit and compliance updates. Staff reported on delinquent private water and sewer reports, delinquent 2013-2023 water reports, and several municipal accounting code noncompliance cases. Denning and Gum Springs were recommended to be removed from the 60-day clock after staff visits showed improved records, while Fargo, Lead Hill, Almy, Jericho, Haynes, Biggers, Gilmore, and Holly Grove were discussed for repeat findings involving missing audits, poor bookkeeping, unpaid or misapplied street funds, deficit balances, and other accounting deficiencies. Several of these entities were given additional time or had reports filed without objection, while others were deferred for later review. Fargo’s mayor said the town had been understaffed and was working to improve its accounting systems; the committee voted to defer the matter to the August meeting. Lead Hill’s mayor described efforts to complete overdue water audits and improve office procedures, and the committee also postponed action for 60 days. Almy’s mayor and recorder-treasurer were present, and the committee placed the town on the 60-day clock for repeat accounting issues. Biggers and Gilmore both acknowledged long-running audit problems and said they were working with auditors and the IRS; their reports were filed. Holly Grove’s treasurer said she had only recently taken the position, and that report was filed as well. The committee spent considerable time on the street-fund misuse cases for Jericho and Haynes. Jericho was found to have exceeded the statutory threshold tied to fines and costs, with staff noting the town had since become current on its repayment plan; the committee deferred the report to September. Haynes was also behind on its repayment plan for street funds, with staff saying the town had recently made up the shortfall and was current as of the meeting, but the committee still deferred the report to September. Members and staff also discussed how the speed-trap law is applied, whether certain fines and costs count toward the threshold, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in deciding whether to take further action. The committee then reviewed a special report on the Pulaski County Regional Solid Waste Management District, which had six findings involving board approval of payroll and contracts, credit card documentation, vehicle and cell phone use, competitive bidding, electronic funds controls, and unusually high advertising spending. District Director Craig Douglas said the board had delegated some authority, that receipts were missing during a temporary staffing gap, and that advertising was needed to educate the public; he also defended the sale of trailers and other equipment as a way to exit the trailer business. Several members questioned the explanations and the low resale value of equipment, but the committee ultimately deferred the report to September. The meeting also included a recognition of accounting students interning with audit staff and a final set of actions on deferred water and sewer reports: 11 were filed, seven were deferred for lack of proper responses, and a private report on Shannon Hills Water, Sewer, and Fire Department was noted as involving misappropriation by an office manager and inadequate internal controls.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> care with transparent flat monthly care with transparent flat monthly pricing. pricing. pricing.
• </c> a fixed monthly subscription of $80. a fixed monthly subscription of $80.
• </c><00:14:12.480><c> acute</c> our direct clinic line to report acute our direct clinic line to report
• </c> monthly premiums for insurance. monthly premiums for insurance. Thank<00:19:24.640><c> you.
• </c> people don't pay for their monthly people don't pay for their monthly subscription?

Bills: HF2400 , HF1724 , HF3437 , HF4333 , HF2874 , HF4052

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• To report. Yes.
• </c> uh rent reporting. uh rent reporting.
• </c> only on reporting on-time rent payments. only on reporting on-time rent payments.
• to report to a credit agency.
• credit reports as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• c> to</c><01:36:52.960><c> the</c> monthly reporting of incidents to the monthly reporting of incidents
• It's not something that gets dusted off on a monthly basis to report to the commission.
• It's not something that gets dusted off on a monthly basis to report to the commission.
• Hospitals in my district, and like you said, some are keeping monthly reports.
• It's not something that gets dusted off on a monthly basis to report to the commission.

Committee: Senate Executive Departments and Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• are to be appended to the measure, whether that be an actuarial report... ...reports are required to
• If the committee were to take jurisdiction and get the reports and then review the reports at the next
• If the committee were to take jurisdiction and get the reports and then review the reports at the next
• Once we get the reports back from the actuarial analysis at the next meeting, those reports will be presented
• So those are mandatory reports that we have to receive.

Committee: Joint Employee Benefits Programs Committee

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave policies, labor market conditions, and prevailing wage issues, then later took up committee rules and bill-draft jurisdiction. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the state has paid the full family premium since 1979, described cost-control and benefit-enhancement changes over time, and explained current plan options, wellness incentives, employer wellness discounts, and the upcoming bid process for the 2027-29 contract. HRMS then presented compensation comparisons showing state classified pay generally trails private and regional markets, with larger gaps at higher-level jobs, and reviewed benefits and leave policies, including the new enhanced annual leave and new-hire leave, the state’s unpaid family leave structure, and varying tuition reimbursement practices. Job Service reported on labor force trends, low unemployment, high labor force participation, job openings, and wage growth, and OMB said there are no state prevailing-wage requirements beyond federal Davis-Bacon rules for federally funded projects. The committee then considered a proposed amendment to Joint Rule 211 to better align the health insurance mandate review process with recent statutory changes. Members discussed how the rule should reference both the committee’s required actuarial reports and the Legislative Council cost-benefit analysis, and the amendment was adopted on a roll call vote. The committee also discussed how its jurisdiction decisions affect whether a bill draft receives actuarial analysis, with staff explaining that a decision not to take jurisdiction means the bill is not treated as impacting the relevant retirement or health plans for purposes of that analysis. After that, the committee began reviewing bill drafts for jurisdiction. The first draft, bill draft 33, would automatically renew pre-tax elections for dental and vision coverage during open enrollment instead of requiring annual re-election. Members debated whether it had any actuarial impact, noting the state does not pay those premiums directly, and the discussion was still underway when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I've entered in the $344 of gross monthly earned income for this client three times on this panel.
• So I've entered in the $344 of gross monthly earned income for this client three times on this panel.
• So I've entered in the $344 of gross monthly earned income for this client 3 times on this panel.
• We could have reports that said, hey, this question's been asked six times.
• Workers who tested the technology report saving 2 to 5 hours per week. workers tracked their time.

Committee: House Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• allows for five members to be paid that supplemental amount, so this provides for a rotation on a monthly
• </c> provides for a rotation on a monthly provides for a rotation on a monthly basis<00:03:58.319><c>
• <00:04:53.680><c> thing</c> monthly thing monthly thing correct correct correct yes<00:04:58.000><c>
• Sometimes for the committee reports that are coming out of those conference committees, so this would
• Minority Report to a committee<00:09:57.680><c> report</c><00:09:57.959><c> is</c><00:09:58.079><c> not

Committee: House Rules and Legislative Administration

Transcript Highlights:

• annual reports and facility-specific reports.
• </c> monthly annual reports and facility monthly annual reports and facility specific<00:03:08.280><c
• We also did 20 public reports: 12 of those were the monthly reports, and eight were facility-specific
• public reports 12 of those were<00:04:07.840><c> the</c><00:04:07.920><c> monthly</c><00:04:08.280><
• monthly reports and eight were were the monthly reports and eight were facility<00:04:10.480><c> specific

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the report, it said 23.
• Thank you, Katie, for a complete report.
• I noticed in earlier reports and these reports, there seems to be a point of emphasis, and I don't know
• That was a pretty in-depth report.
• Madam Chair, Senator Leach, as we report in our report, there's nothing that would prohibit the authority

Committee: Senate Senate Regulatory Affairs & Government Efficiency Committee of Reference

Transcript Highlights:

• OUR MONTHLY PACE REPORT DIRECTS THE AGENCY TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE COUNTY INFORMATION
• WE DRAFTED A NEW REPORT TEMPLATE TO IMPLEMENT THE REPORT AND WE ANTICIPATE UTILIZING THE FIRST REPORT
• AND CASH BALANCES TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE 15TH DAY OF THE MONTH FOLLOWING THE MONTHLY REPORT FOR THE
• MONTHLY REPORTING ON WITH THE FIRST REPORT.
• WE DID SUBMIT THE MONTHLY REPORT AND WE ARE ON TRACK TO SUBMIT THAT FOR EACH MONTH.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, is it possible to run a report?” “Do you guys have the data available?
• are required to be appended to the measure, whether that be an actuarial report... ...reports are required
• If the committee were to take jurisdiction and get the reports and then review the reports at the next
• Once we get the reports back from the actuarial analysis at the next meeting, those reports will be presented
• So those are mandatory reports that we have to receive.

Summary: The Employee Benefits Committee met to approve prior minutes, hear presentations on state employee health insurance, compensation, leave, and related policy issues, and then recess for lunch. PERS reviewed the history and structure of the state health plan, noting the long-standing state-paid family coverage, cost-control measures, wellness incentives, the current grandfathered PPO and high-deductible options, and the effects of recent benefit mandates such as insulin caps, prosthetic coverage, medication management, prescription copay changes, and ambulance balance-billing limits. Committee members questioned the fiscal impact of adding benefits and the possible cost of moving to a non-grandfathered plan, while PERS and HRMS emphasized that health insurance remains the top-ranked employee benefit and that any major plan changes should be considered carefully. HRMS also presented compensation comparisons showing state pay generally below private-market benchmarks, discussed targeted market equity adjustments, identified ongoing recruitment and retention concerns in fields like nursing, IT, engineering, and attorneys, and reviewed leave policies, tuition reimbursement, and family leave comparisons with neighboring states. Job Service provided labor market data showing low unemployment, high labor force participation, and wage growth that still trails some neighboring markets, and OMB explained that prevailing wage requirements apply to federally funded projects under Davis-Bacon, not to ordinary state contracts. After lunch, the committee took up the required process for health insurance mandate bills and adopted an amendment to Joint Rule 211. The amendment clarified that the deadline for submitting mandate measures is intended to allow time for all required reports, including both the cost-benefit analysis and any Employee Benefits Committee actuarial report, while leaving the existing deadline unchanged. The amendment was adopted on a roll call vote, with several members voting yes and a few no votes recorded. The committee then moved into its jurisdiction review of bill drafts, beginning with a bill that would automatically renew pre-tax dental and vision elections; members debated whether it had any actuarial or administrative impact on PERS or the state, and the chair explained that the committee’s role was only to decide whether further analysis was needed before later testimony and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then third, the bill required us to mandate new monthly reporting on individual outcomes and overall
• The report, the significant findings report, gets into those baselines for controls.
• You talked about how House Bill 633 requires monthly reports on outcomes... ...being published on the
• HB 633, the requirements of you putting the monthly report outcomes, I believe that Representative Partington
• report?

Summary: The subcommittee heard two Department of Children and Families implementation updates on measures passed in prior sessions. First, DCF reviewed House Bill 633, which increased oversight of behavioral health managing entities through biennial independent audits, standardized claims-based reporting, and new monthly outcome dashboards. The department said it had awarded the inaugural audit to Ernst & Young, found no significant waste, fraud, or abuse, but identified process risks involving financial controls, claims validation, data access, and system access controls. DCF also described its transition to standardized behavioral health coding and said the new public dashboard of 11 measures is posted on its website, though members asked for easier access and for hard copies of the audit report. Members asked about how the department distinguishes Medicaid-covered services from department-funded services, how duplicate payment risks are being addressed, and whether the new reporting and audit requirements would improve oversight without disrupting services. DCF said it is the payer of last resort for uninsured or underinsured individuals, that some overlap with Medicaid is expected because Medicaid does not cover all behavioral health services, and that new claims edits and cross-checks are being built into the system. The department also said it had not found significant negative feedback from providers and that the new requirements are intended to improve transparency and accountability. DCF then updated the committee on Senate Bill 7012, covering human trafficking data collection, domestic violence center certification, limited background-screening exemptions, expanded recruitment for child welfare staff, subcontractor liability protections, a four-year treatment foster care pilot, case management efficiency recommendations, and a statewide study of residential bed capacity for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The department said several items are already complete or underway, including limited exemptions in the screening clearinghouse, while others are in procurement or rulemaking. It identified Circuits 4 and 12 as the treatment foster care pilot sites and said the pilot will launch in January 2026. Members questioned recruitment metrics, pilot timing, and report deadlines; the department said final reports are expected by January and that some dates were flexible because of procurement and implementation timelines. The meeting ended after the presentations and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Rhonda Lopez with NMDOT District 5, and I am here to present the District 5 House Transportation report
• Secondly, even from the FIR report, I think the section that Representative Saenz talked about tried
• I mean, I brought the trip report, and I cannot support the bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• or my monthly or our monthly electric bills getting higher.
• Thank you, Representative. ...or our monthly electric bills getting higher.

Summary: The committee first received a detailed New Mexico DOT District 5 presentation from Rhonda Lopez. She reviewed District 5’s budget, staffing vacancies, completed and ongoing special appropriations from 2020 through 2025, active construction projects, maintenance work, STIP and local government funding, and equipment needs. Members asked about a guardrail issue near U.S. 64, the status of the 5% local match for Transportation Project Fund projects, and the New Mexico 371/Navajo Route 36 intersection; DOT said the match agreements were in place or waived where eligible, and that the Navajo Nation funding agreement was nearly finalized. The chair then moved the agenda to bills before finishing the remaining presentations later. House Bill 270, dealing with contributions to apprenticeship and training programs on public works projects, was presented by Rep. Borrego as a follow-up to the 2024 workforce development and apprenticeship trust fund law. The bill would remove an exclusion for street, highway, bridge, road, utility, and maintenance contracts and require contributions unless a trade classification has no approved apprenticeship program. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association opposed the bill, arguing it would raise road project costs and duplicate existing training programs. Members raised concerns about notice, added costs, and whether contractors with existing programs would be paying twice. A motion to table failed on a tie vote, and a later motion to pass also failed on a tie vote, leaving the bill in committee and available for reconsideration. Ranking Member Brown then presented House Bill 322, which would create a transportation trust fund and transportation program fund, with a planned distribution beginning in 2029, including a 5% use for federal matching funds. The bill would also dedicate a portion of the gross receipts tax on electricity and redirect part of the motor vehicle excise tax to grow the fund. Associated Contractors and the Asphalt Pavement Association supported the concept, saying it would help sustain DOT and address the state’s road maintenance gap. Members questioned the electricity tax component, its effect on ratepayers and data centers, the interaction with SB 2 and bond financing, and how projects would be prioritized. A motion to pass failed on a tie vote, and the ranking member suggested the bill could be reconsidered with an amendment removing the electricity portion. The committee then heard a District 4 DOT presentation from assistant district engineer Cruz Sudoste, covering the district’s geography, budget, staffing, completed and active projects, STIP and local government programs, and equipment replacement needs. Members asked about school district uses of transportation project funds and the impact of aging equipment on repair costs. The presentation concluded without any vote or other action on the district report.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:20:58.799><c> Yeah,</c> this the pro um the report. Yeah, this the pro um the report.
• But the other reports that we do on an annual, quarterly, monthly basis are those reports in regards
• 26:32.000><c> are</c> an annual uh quarterly monthly basis are an annual uh quarterly monthly basis are
• </c> that in terms of transparency reported that in terms of transparency reported online?
• </c> Education to provide a detailed report Education to provide a detailed report to<00:39:51.760><c

Summary: The Committee on Education heard three resolutions. STR 53 SD1 sought to have the Legislative Reference Bureau work with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunications access so residents can participate in the legislative process. Testimony from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure, emphasizing that many advocates cannot always travel to the Capitol and need better access. STR 117 SD1 urged the Department of Education to work with the Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the County of Hawaii to inventory bus stops on Hawaii Island used by students and develop safety improvements; DOE described an upcoming live route audit, noted the large number of routes and stops on the Big Island, and said some stops are on private roads. The Department of Transportation, Hawaii County Council, the mayor’s office, and others supported the measure, and members discussed whether the effort could eventually expand statewide. STR 134 asked the Department of Education to provide a detailed report on the true cost of producing school meals to improve transparency and avoid unnecessary price increases. DOE said it already tracks food, labor, benefits, supplies, equipment, and other costs to calculate per-meal costs, but does not currently include transportation costs in the same way; it stated its breakfast cost was $5.80 and lunch cost was $8.66. Support testimony came from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Appleseed, the Hawaii Children’s Action Network, the Hawaii Hunger Action Network, and others, who said clearer cost information is especially important amid funding uncertainty. In decision making, the committee amended and passed STR 53 SD1, reverting it to the original draft by replacing the Legislative Reference Bureau with the Controller and adding coordination with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and the Hawaii Broadband and Digital Equity Office, while removing references tied to the LRB and the public access room outreach clause. The committee also amended and passed STR 117 SD1, shifting the lead role to the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and adding a request for the County of Hawaii to consider funding the effort. STR 134 was passed unamended. Representative Souza was excused for the votes.