Transcript Highlights:

• Each program is in the Texas government code authorized by the legislature to serve our veterans.
• We work together with the Texas Veterans Commission.
• veterans and we also work with the veteran treatment courts.
• It recognizes its author, Senator Hancock, to explain the bill.
• So we're going to work on the fiscal note. I think it's a good idea, thank you.

Bills: SB651, SB897, SB1814, SB1818

Keywords: SB 651, Texas Government Code, Section 434.032, veterans county service office, county veterans services, commissioners court, county executive official, county administration, local government, veterans affairs, veterans benefits, county oversight, reporting structure, public administration, large counties, population 200,000 or more, mental health, veterans, community support, grant program

Transcript Highlights:

• So we continue to work that.
• My real question is: are you all working, and I know CareerSource supposedly working with people who
• We work very closely together. We take pride in our work product.
• They have not worked with us in providing... ...providing Our sworn troopers are about 1,982 authorized
• So keep up the good work. I got to go. I appreciate it. So keep up the good work. I got to go.

Summary: The Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee met to organize for the session, take roll, and hear introductory remarks from members and agency heads. Members briefly introduced themselves and their districts, with several noting transportation, economic development, emergency response, military, and hurricane recovery issues in their areas. Chair Shove then outlined the subcommittee’s jurisdiction and current-year budget, noting a total of about $20.3 billion, with most funding coming from trust funds and only a small share from general revenue. The committee also heard that upcoming meetings would include presentations from major agencies in the subcommittee’s purview. The first agency presentation was from the Department of Military Affairs and the Florida National Guard. Major General John Haas described the Guard’s three missions—supporting national security, responding to state emergencies, and adding value to the state—and highlighted deployments for hurricanes, border security support, and ongoing support to the Department of Corrections. He emphasized that the Guard is understrength relative to Florida’s size and demand, said recruiting is strong, and identified force structure growth as the main challenge. Members asked about aircraft, funding sources, and recruiting; Haas explained the Guard’s helicopter and fixed-wing fleet, said aircraft purchases are funded through legislative appropriations, and reported strong interest in the Florida State Guard’s recruiting pipeline. Executive Director Mark Thieme then described the Florida State Guard’s expansion into air, ground, and maritime capabilities, including Black Hawks, boats, drones, canine search-and-rescue teams, and ground support units. He said the agency supported immigration enforcement and hurricane response, and asked for continued legislative support to expand aviation, maritime, and medical capabilities. Members praised the Guard’s disaster response work and asked about aircraft, funding, and staffing. Secretary Cord Byrd of the Department of State followed, focusing on election administration, election security, the SunBiz and voter registration IT systems, arts and culture, corporations, libraries, and historical resources. He said Florida’s election system remains a national model, reported two prosecutions for non-citizen voting, and discussed modernization needs for legacy IT systems. The committee also asked about voter lookup tools, password privacy for SunBiz, and arts funding vetoes. Secretary Alex Kelly of the Department of Commerce described the agency’s broad portfolio, including workforce, economic, community, and international commerce functions, plus housing recovery, broadband, small business support, rural infrastructure, defense-community grants, and law enforcement recruitment bonuses. He said access to capital is the biggest barrier for small businesses and noted ongoing work with CareerSource, the Department of Corrections, and other partners on workforce and reentry. Secretary Jared Perdue of the Department of Transportation then outlined FDOT’s record budget and five-year work program, emphasizing emergency response, preservation and maintenance, safety, and major investments in roads, ports, airports, transit, and spaceport infrastructure. He said the department has removed millions of cubic yards of storm debris, is ahead of schedule on the Moving Florida Forward initiative, and faces a large unfunded project backlog. Members asked about supply chain issues, project priorities, and workforce needs, and Perdue said FDOT is open to collaboration on recruitment and retention.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I want to work with you.
• So we need to work on that Section E to clean it up.
• work throughout..."
• "For 28 years, and my practice focuses on landlord-tenant work, and I do work throughout the state.
• I try to always work with everybody. No, I'm sure.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That doesn't work.
• That doesn't work.
• That doesn't work.
• That doesn't work.
• That doesn't work for That doesn't work. That doesn't work for our<02:24:55.520> communities.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Friday, March 20, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with 38 members present and a quorum, then began with an invocation and several ceremonial introductions. The chamber recognized pioneering women of the Maryland State Police for Women’s History Month, including the original six female graduates and other firsts in the department, and also introduced the day’s doctor and a student intern. The Senate agreed to journalize the remarks honoring the Maryland State Police guests. The body then took up several Finance Committee bills, adopting committee amendments and favorable reports without objection on Senate Bills 385, 387, 389, 753, 469, and 608, each of which was ordered printed for third reading. SB 385 concerns immunization, screening, and preventive-service recommendations and pharmacist administration; SB 387 restricts predatory pricing and use of personal data by food retailers and delivery services; SB 389 makes transit-oriented development changes; SB 753 addresses financial exploitation protections for seniors and vulnerable adults; SB 469 authorizes a Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund affordability program; and SB 608 requires coverage for pharmacogenomic testing. Senate Bill 626, dealing with birth certificate sex designation changes and related identification documents, was briefly set aside at the request of a senator seeking possible amendments, with the presiding officer agreeing to hold it until the next session. Senate Bill 739, a climate change, homeowners insurance, and emergency management study bill, was also introduced with one amendment and sparked debate over its scope and funding, including discussion of a $150,000 Strategic Energy Investment Fund allocation and whether the study would examine the General Assembly’s own climate policies. The transcript ends during that discussion, before any final action on SB 739.

Transcript Highlights:

• bills, that's Senate work, send it over. bills, that's Senate work, send it over.
• <00:12:44.920> state certain authority to the state certain authority to the state administrator
• various changes to the authorities various changes to the authorities authorized<00:13:12.200>
• > MDH<00:25:38.000> to The house amendments authorize MDH to The house amendments authorize
• , and we worked on it legislators here, and we worked on it for<00:36:00.960> uh<00:36:01.040>

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Thursday, April 9, 2026, 960, senate, all

Summary: The Senate first outlined its plan to clear pending concurrence items, focusing on Senate bills with House amendments and not taking up unamended House bills. Members then approved several motions not to concur with House amendments, including Senate Bills 514, 626, and 866, with the clerk reading the formal Senate messages in each case. The chamber also addressed an excused-vote question, with the presiding officer explaining that excused votes do not count as missed votes. The Senate then concurred in House amendments and passed a series of Senate bills, including SB 11 on campaign finance reporting and the Fair Campaign Financing Fund, SB 164 on the Pamela J. Kelly Tree Maryland program, SB 266 on local regulation of invasive trees, SB 509 on workforce Pell Grant implementation, SB 553 reestablishing the lithium-ion battery safety commission, SB 581 on statewide technology master plan reporting, SB 670 on polling-place authority, SB 848 on municipal election reporting, and SB 940 on water quality testing. Most of these House amendments were described as technical, clarifying, or conforming changes, and each bill received the required constitutional majority on final passage. The chamber also took up House Bill 862, a rail safety bill requiring certain freight trains to have crews of at least two under specified interstate conditions. After questions from the minority leader about the bill’s trigger conditions and effect on an Eastern Shore rail line, a senator explained support for the measure and the bill passed with 33 affirmative votes. Additional special-order House bills passed as well, including HB 497 on protective order durations, HB 552 establishing a commission on the House of Reformation and Instruction for Colored Children, and HB 573 on fair housing and discriminatory effect standards. Later, the Senate continued with more concurrence items from Finance, including SB 22 on Department of Disabilities housing programs, SB 412 on forensic review boards and community forensic aftercare, SB 413 on morticians and funeral directors board operations, SB 496 on Medicaid coverage for obesity treatment, SB 555 on dementia services and brain health resources, and SB 579 on no-cost preventive cancer screening for retired volunteer firefighters. These bills were generally amended in the House with clarifying or conforming changes, and the Senate adopted the amendments and passed the bills by constitutional majority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Very always appreciate the work. Oh, been a long day. Yep. I always appreciate the work of Dr.
• commissioner has the authority. commissioner has the authority.
• <00:18:13.200> and legislature does have that authority and legislature does have that authority
• <00:18:18.799> to this case to give certain authorities to this case to give certain authorities
• So, doesn't always work out that way.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our organization does work in prisons.
• I think this would probably be for the author, so I'll wait until the author comes back to get an answer
• I believe, or maybe it was the author, mentioned that inmates can help work on the A.C. systems.
• How's that working out for you? It works very well.
• The request, I guess, the authors authorizing and hopeful appropriation, like, yes.

Bills: HB1826, HB2854, HB3006, HB4614, HB5261, HB5639

Keywords: mental health, women's health, county jail, depression screening, criminal justice, HB 2854, Pokuaa-Flowers Act, parole, mandatory supervision, electronic monitoring, releasee, parole officer, hospital visit approval, general hospital, law enforcement notification, DSHS, Department of State Health Services, corrections, public safety, liability immunity

Transcript Highlights:

• And whereas Lori McDonald's work with the Department of Human Services has spanned multiple leadership
• Every day we come to work and we do our best, right?
• For both the contract and the premiums and deductibles, the subcommittee authorized ALC co-chairs to
• finalize the authorization by emergency action, and those actions are attached to your report.
• By this report, the ALC co-chairs report emergency actions taken May 18, 2026, as authorized with the

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Council met and first adopted the previous meeting minutes, then honored Lori McDonald of the Department of Human Services for nearly 28 years of state service. Members read a resolution recognizing her legislative, constituent, and leadership work at DHS, and the council adopted it unanimously. McDonald thanked members for their support, and the Senate also presented her with a citation, a flag flown over the Capitol, and a commemorative coin. The council then received the May 2026 revenue report, which showed gross adjusted collections of $7.76 billion year-to-date, up 4.4% from the prior year, and net available for distribution of $6.36 billion. The Bureau of Legislative Research noted collections were running above last year and that the updated forecast reflected a surplus. The Executive Subcommittee report was adopted after members were told it had approved captive insurance premiums and deductibles, a claims administration contract, emergency DHS rules, waiver requests, committee fund allocations, and the cancellation of the regular July ALC meeting in favor of only meeting for urgent matters. Several subcommittee reports were then adopted, including Administrative Rules, Game and Fish and State Police, Hospital/Medicaid/Developmental Disabilities, Lottery Oversight, Occupational Licensing Review, Peer Review, Review, State Insurance Programs Oversight, and Personnel. During the Administrative Rules discussion, members questioned the Department of Education about delays and vendor performance under the ClassWallet contract; department officials said they were meeting regularly with the vendor, keeping expense review in-house, and would consider other options if needed. In Personnel, the Department of Commerce clarified that a reallocation request was part of a broader departmental realignment and shared services move, not the Arkansas Workforce Connection waiver. The council also reviewed and took action on several communications, including filing retirement system investment summaries as reviewed, approving rural community grant funding, giving favorable advice for state park acquisitions/expansion, approving special maintenance funding for state parks, and filing proposed Office of State Technology service rates as reviewed before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Dita, you've got an estimate of 8 hours here. working its way through the house right working its way
• large projects that we're working on. large projects that we're working on.
• I think we can work I think we can work I think we can work I think we can work a<00:06:54.200><
• want to be clear that we have authority want to be clear that we have authority to<00:51:39.600>
• What works in Laramie doesn't necessarily work in Worland.

Keywords: 916, all

Summary: The joint Minerals Committee met to select interim topics and announced its meeting dates for April 27-28 in Casper, June 4-5 in Casper, and August 27-28 in Cheyenne. Members heard public testimony on several economic development and minerals-related topics and were asked to identify their top priorities for later ranking and consensus. No formal votes were taken during this portion of the meeting. A major topic was removing obstacles to energy development in Wyoming, including possible regulatory, bonding, and permitting barriers. Testimony from the Mining Association and Energy Capital Economic Development supported revisiting barriers to development, similar to the earlier Regulatory Reduction Task Force. Another related topic was industrial siting exemptions on coal mine property, with testimony arguing that mineral-related projects such as rare earths, uranium conversion, and ferroalloys should not have to go through the full industrial siting process when communities have already dealt with similar development. Members also discussed industrial siting bonding requirements, including whether bonding or advance payments should be used to cover impacts on local services and emergency response, especially for projects like solar farms or battery storage. The committee also discussed coal bed methane industrial sovereign zones, tied to House Bill 120, with testimony seeking to include coal bed methane in value-added manufacturing zones. The sponsor said the goal was to create industrial zones that support economic development while protecting scenic values and limiting industrial sprawl. Another topic was sourcing curling stones in Wyoming, which was presented as a lighthearted but potentially useful way to promote Wyoming stone and broader dimension-stone quarrying; a state geologist testified that Wyoming has granite with similar mineralogy to stone used for curling stones elsewhere. Child care as an economic driver was withdrawn. The committee also heard support for a Business Council restructure review, though several members said the Minerals Committee should do the substantive review because the Business Council falls within its jurisdiction, while still coordinating with Appropriations. Finally, the committee heard a proposal for a domestic preference in residential general service contracts, extending Wyoming preference concepts beyond construction into goods and services, with testimony emphasizing local economic multipliers and possible exceptions for federal funding or other procurement limits.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise to request that AB 28 be taken off the inactive file at the request of the author.
• I have a question of the author. Will the author accept a question? Yes? Please.
• Well, first of all, will the author take another question?
• I was honored to be an author with the Assemblymember... ...bare minimum that we could do.
• He never backed down in a fight for working people and for his members, and he was committed to working

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and recognized several birthdays and guests. The body then handled procedural motions, including a successful motion to advance measures reported by the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee and to adopt authors’ amendments, both on 28-8 votes. AB 28 and AB 2539 were moved to the inactive file at the request of the authors. The Senate also confirmed two gubernatorial appointments: Maggie Hallahan to the Bodina Waterways Commission and Kansasaki to the Building Standards Commission, both by unanimous roll call. On third reading, the Senate adopted SR 112, designating June 14-20 as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Awareness Week, with remarks emphasizing the importance of family health history, early screening, and cancer prevention. The chamber also adopted SCR 181, declaring June 10 Family Justice Center Day in California; supporters described Family Justice Centers as trauma-informed, wraparound service hubs for survivors of domestic violence, elder abuse, child abuse, and human trafficking, and several members and advocates from the California Family Justice Center Network were introduced in the gallery. The Senate then debated and passed SJR 18, a resolution opposing Citizens United and urging limits on corporate and dark-money spending in elections. Supporters argued that unlimited political spending undermines democracy and transparency, while opponents raised concerns about unions, nonprofit advocacy, and the need for broader campaign finance reform; the resolution passed 28-8. The consent calendar and special consent calendar were adopted without objection, with item 93 receiving a 35-0 vote and the remaining consent items passing unanimously. The session concluded with adjournment-in-memory tributes for Larry Mazzola, Sr., a longtime San Francisco labor leader; Steve Zaley, a longtime county and state public servant; and James J. McClain Sr., a retired Air Force master sergeant and postal worker. The Senate announced it would recess and reconvene on Monday, June 15, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• , Lower Neches Valley Authority, Trinity River Authority of Texas, and the Texas Ethics Commission.
• We will begin with the Angelina and Neches River Authority and Lower Neches Valley Authority.
• That concludes the voting on these two river authorities.
• The next agency we're voting on is the Trinity River Authority of Texas.
• That concludes the voting on these two river authorities.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Actually, it's us funding the great work that we did.
• I'd like to remind everyone, though, that this is a work in progress.
• And once again, this is a work in progress.
• There is a huge amount of work that goes into building a budget.
• Great work.

Summary: The Senate took up the 2026-2027 budget and related implementing bills. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented a $115 billion General Appropriations Bill, saying it reduces overall spending from the prior year, preserves reserves, and includes a 3% raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major budget areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental/agricultural agencies. Highlights included increased funding for school safety, teacher and scholarship funding, workforce education, Medicaid and kid care, corrections operations, judgeships, affordable housing, hurricane recovery, Everglades and water quality projects, and arts and cultural grants. Members asked detailed questions about several items. Senators discussed the Emergency Management Trust Fund, cultural arts grant allocations, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salary support, charter school capital outlay funding, Bright Futures and EASE funding, New College funding, DOC deficits and inmate health care/food service costs, the ADAP HIV drug program, Medicaid reductions for non-critical access hospitals, and the use of opioid settlement and COVID relief funds. Chairs explained that some apparent reductions reflected shifts below the line or reclassification, that the ADAP appropriation would only cover about six months, and that some vacant positions were being removed as part of a right-sizing effort. Questions also covered lottery staffing, concealed weapons permit processing, elections security funding, and arts grant selection and proviso language. The Senate then substituted House bills for the Senate budget and implementing measures, amended them into the Senate posture, and passed them. HB 5001 (the appropriations bill), HB 503 (implementing bill), HB 5201 (collective bargaining), and HB 5205 (retirement) all passed 36-0 and were sent to conference. Other budget-related bills also passed, including SB 2506 on fuel taxes, SB 2508 on the state agency law enforcement radio system surcharge, SB 2510 on court trust funds, SB 2512 creating 13 circuit and 12 county judgeships, SB 2514 on K-12 education, SB 2516 on higher education, and SB 2518 on health. Most of these passed unanimously, with the Senate requesting the House either pass the Senate versions or include them in budget conference.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'm glad to know that you're still working on the bill.
• So I'm glad to know that you're still working on the bill.
• that authority, then it could possibly circumvent the superintendent's authority, especially if the staff
• So we're working on it.
• In Volusia County, that model is working.

Summary: The committee first heard SJR 1104, a proposed constitutional amendment on voluntary religious expression in public schools. Senator Massullo said the measure would protect students and school personnel from discrimination for lawful religious expression, while not requiring prayer or religious activity. Questions focused on whether the proposal would change existing law, whether it could be used to protect coercive conduct by school officials, and whether the staff summary accurately reflected the bill. Public testimony included support from religious-freedom advocates and opposition from American Atheists and some senators who said the measure could make minority-faith students uncomfortable. The committee voted to report SJR 1104 favorably. The committee then took up SB 1738 on educational facilities, which directs state education offices to review facility requirements and recommend design and construction practices to improve safety and accountability. Senator Yarborough offered and the committee adopted an amendment removing crime-prevention-through-environmental-design language and adjusting the bill to preserve safe spaces during emergencies. The bill was reported favorably after brief discussion about balancing transparency, access control, and emergency safety. The committee also adopted a delete-all amendment to SB 824 on charter schools, replacing it with a transparency measure requiring districts to submit annual reports on unimproved land holdings to the Department of Education, which would publish a statewide report; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee next approved confirmation recommendations for appointees on tabs 7 and 8, then took up SPB 7036, a committee bill sponsored by Chair Simon. The package included school turnaround and early literacy changes, updates to school safety and health policies, early learning revisions, instructional changes, and educator pipeline provisions. The most contentious part was a proposal to let the state develop instructional materials; several senators questioned costs, guardrails, and whether the state should enter the textbook business. Simon said that portion was still being considered and that the bill would need safeguards if it moved forward. The committee adopted a motion to submit the bill as a committee bill and reported it favorably. Finally, the committee heard SB 1620 on public education, described by Senator Leak as a “school board members’ bill of rights.” The bill would give individual board members direct access to district documents and staff, limit district attorneys’ ability to represent both the board and administration, strengthen nepotism rules, and prohibit nondisclosure agreements for employees. Testimony from Volusia County board members, educators, and advocates was sharply divided: supporters argued the bill would improve transparency and protect minority board members, while opponents warned it could undermine superintendent authority, expose confidential student or personnel information, and create confusion in district operations. After debate, the committee voted to report SB 1620 favorably. The committee then heard SB 1170 on cameras in self-contained special education classrooms, with an amendment changing the proposal from a statewide mandate to a district policy allowing parents of students with disabilities to request cameras. Testimony was overwhelmingly supportive, centered on protecting non-speaking and vulnerable students and documenting abuse; one witness opposed the bill as an unfunded mandate. The committee was still in debate on the bill when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Or what member is working on it?
• Any questions for the author? Mr. Gueren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
• Chairman Harris, I know you and I are working together, too.
• The General Counsel's also here who's been working with the author, so I'll probably defer questions
• It's inexpensive, and it works.

Bills: HB346, HB1360, HB1510, HB1606, HB1804, HB1805, HB2156, HB2391, HB2767, HB3022, HB3044, HB3272, HB3293, HB3493, HB3809, HB3824, HJR110, HB2463

Keywords: expedited service, business records, veteran-owned businesses, franchise tax, fee schedule, Texas Ethics Commission, election reporting, campaign finance, violation categorization, penalties, public disclosure, Texas Utilities Code, electric utility, retail electric provider, municipally owned utility, electric cooperative, vegetation management, tree trimming, line clearance, transmission line

Transcript Highlights:

• regulate and to have a little bit more authority over who comes and who can participate in events.
• regulate and to have a little bit more authority over who comes and who can participate in events.
• regulate and to have a little bit more authority over who comes and who can participate in events.
• Keading may have comments just about the center as well in terms of how that process works.
• process works. process works.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:07 Attendance Roll Call: 00:14 SB 68 Discussion 01:21 SB 68 Vote 04:40 SB 20 Discussion 05:34 SB 20 Vote 08:12 Adjournment: 09:15, 958, all

Summary: The Senate State and Local Government Committee met and first took up Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Senator Maize Bledsoe. The bill would give the Kentucky Horse Park authority to bar or restrict participation by individuals sanctioned by the U.S. Center for SafeSport, with supporters saying it would help protect young athletes, adult athletes, and visitors at the multi-use state facility. Testimony from the Horse Park and the U.S. Equestrian Federation emphasized that the measure would have no fiscal impact and would be implemented through existing horse mounted police operations, without actively checking every visitor against the sanction list. The committee then considered Senate Bill 20, sponsored by Senator Maiden and presented with the Kentucky League of Cities. The bill would amend the city training incentive program statute to let cities set different incentive amounts for appointed and elected officials and remove the current statutory minimum and maximum amounts, giving local governments more discretion by ordinance. Senator Maiden said the measure is intended to encourage training for city officials and improve local government operations, and noted it had passed the Senate unanimously the previous year in similar form. Both bills were approved by the committee without opposition. Senate Bill 68 passed 10-0 with favorable expression, and Senate Bill 20 passed 9-0 with favorable expression. During the vote on Senate Bill 20, Senator Elkins explained his aye vote, saying he appreciated that the bill used permissive language and did not create an unfunded mandate. The committee then moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the only thing we really worked on now is this IRS, and we are working on it. It's cleared up.
• So the only thing we're really working on now is the IRS, and we are working on it now to get it taken
• Archer, is that authorized?
• So we are working on it. We've been working diligently on them.
• We are working with them.

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:

• We've seen models that have worked. We've seen models that have worked.
• > at that work at OHA, people that work at that work at OHA, people that work at DHHL,<00:24:53.200
• Again, worked.
• models, it's what we think works best. models, it's what we think works best.
• Mahalo. worked out and um fixed and refined. worked out and um fixed and refined.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• so I have a question to the bill author so I have a question to the bill author so<00:14:25.120>
• I worked in the space.
• I worked in the space.
• forward to working with your looking forward to working with your representative<00:19:30.280> on<
• that have been working with EMS members that have been working with me<00:21:44.240> on<00:21

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's how current law works.
• I've worked on this bill. I've worked on this bill.
• I think the sponsor, Gowan, has worked on it diligently, and I've worked on it with him the past three
• by federal law, and they have lawful work authorization.
• Because of their lawful presence and lawful work authorization, if SB 1338 went into effect, the state

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate met in Committee of the Whole on several calendars, with opening prayer, pledge, attendance, guest introductions, and recognition of doctors of the day and student visitors. The chamber also approved the prior day’s journal and later adopted multiple Committee of the Whole reports assigning bills for further action. Several measures were retained on the calendar, including SB 1366, SB 1503, SB 1787, SB 1803, and SB 1628. On the first calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1232 on military compatibility permit zoning, SB 1493 on disciplinary action appeals for law enforcement officers, SB 1538 on civil traffic violations and warrant-related penalties, and SB 1618 on the military affairs commission, all with amendments. The chamber also advanced SB 1424 on firearm safety instruction in public schools, SB 1456 on state highways and routes, SB 1552 on a tax revision, SB 1554 on chiropractic claims, SB 1572 on civics instruction, SB 1633 on an income tax subtraction for a primary residence, SB 1684 on school liability for serious injury, and SCR 1004 on photo enforcement systems. SCR 1004 drew comments that the amended version would require photo radar to be put to voters in affected cities or towns in the 2028 election cycle. A substantial portion of the meeting focused on SB 1094, which would create civil liability for physicians performing irreversible gender-reassignment surgery on minors. Supporters argued it would protect minors and hold doctors accountable, while opponents said it would discriminate against transgender youth, increase malpractice costs, chill medical care, and reduce provider availability. The Senate also debated SB 1124 on psychiatric evaluations ordered by boards, SB 1496 on Department of Child Safety procedures and representative payees, and SB 1713 on AHCCCS procurement contracting, with concerns raised about access, delays, and agency discretion. SB 1813, dealing with the state hospital governing board and Maricopa County bed limits, prompted debate over litigation risk versus expanding capacity for people with serious mental illness. In later calendars, the Senate advanced SB 1246 on homeowners associations and foreclosure, SB 1271 on municipal authority and alarm-system reporting, SB 1338 on state and local public benefits eligibility, SB 1428 on county board membership, SB 1663 on freedom of speech and the Freedom of Speech Monument Committee, SB 1688 on membership association fees and disclosures, SB 1805 on county recorder/court claim deeds and notaries, SCR 1024 on legislative qualifications and residency requirements, and SB 1808 on homeowners associations and county flags. SB 1338 drew opposition from Sen. Kuby, who said it would remove refugees, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers from eligibility for state and local benefits. SCR 1024 was amended to require one year of party affiliation in addition to district residency, and the sponsor explained it was intended to align party and district requirements. Most measures were adopted from Committee of the Whole with do-pass recommendations, many as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the New Mexico Health Care Authority that we work with on this program.
• We have the New Mexico Health Care Authority that we work with on this program.
• So we're in really good shape to make this work.
• to go to work.
• I'd love to work with you on that.

Bills: SB21, SB42, SB81, SB101, SB139

Keywords: SB 21, Medicare supplement, Medigap, open enrollment, guaranteed issue, birthday month enrollment, health insurance, insurance regulation, senior health coverage, elderly, retiree, Medicare beneficiaries, preexisting conditions, underwriting restrictions, premium discrimination, New Mexico insurance law, superintendent of insurance, health care coverage, policy portability, healthcare