Transcript Highlights:

• Michelle, who's an expert on capital outlay because it's so complicated, and the anti-donation clause
• And so, Madam Chair and experts, I forget, Colonel Link, okay, great. And then Ms. McGrill.
• is, if you have someone who happens to reside in Tennessee, for instance, that's a subject matter expert
• Forensic report from the forensic accountants on my desk. I think that was in 2018-2019.
• Of that forensic audit, but I would love to see that.

Committee: House Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• We do a lot of work in the children forensic interviews, so those are children who have been abused,
• And then we also support the forensic nurse examiner programs to pay for their administrative costs,
• The forensic lab architects determined that approximately 53,000 square feet would be the projected need
• So they have officers that are trained by our ICAC forensic professionals that will teach them how to
• We don't have to have a federal partner because our folks are considered experts in the federal court

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is very specific to forensic or criminal detainees that have been charged with or convicted of
• Chairman, it's a really good question, and yes, outside of Title 7 or the forensic side of the state
• Chairman, it's a really good question, and yes, outside of Title 7 or the forensic side of the state
• Chairman, it's a really good question, and yes, outside of Title 7 or the forensic side of the state
• </c> state hospital, we do pay forensic state hospital, we do pay forensic evaluators<01:03:17.359><c

Bills: SF0032 , SF0010 , SF0001 , HB0001

Committee: House Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:

• It's going to provide that the expert report is subject to the criteria for use of expert evidence as
• Three, when we're listening to expert evidence and gathering expert evidence, it meets the standards
• So when the death row inmate comes forward with an expert, the expert may do two, three, four IQ tests
• So when the death row inmate comes forward with an expert, the expert may do 2-3-4 IQ test. and then
• what are Forward with an expert.

Committee: House Administration of Criminal Justice

Summary: The committee first handled several housekeeping items, voluntarily deferring HB 123, HB 255, and HB 994 without objection. It then took up SCR 3 by Senator Brock Myers, which would delay and revise implementation of a state police rule affecting criminal history background checks for licensed ambulance personnel and certain health care workers. After adopting Amendment Set 434 to remove a provision involving parish and local law enforcement checks, the committee reported SCR 3 as amended favorably. The committee also heard HB 978 by Rep. Lecombe, which as amended raises the population threshold for municipalities required to remit certain special costs to the District Indigent Defender Fund from under 5,000 to under 9,000; with support from the town of Addis and related stakeholders, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then considered HB 967 by Rep. Moore, which sought to remove language limiting parole eligibility for certain pre-July 2, 1973 life-sentenced offenders to those who had pleaded guilty, thereby allowing a small group of elderly inmates convicted at trial to seek parole consideration. Supporters argued the bill would only create an opportunity for review, not release, and cited rehabilitation and fairness concerns; opponents, including district attorneys and corrections officials, argued the 2022 law already addressed the intended group and that the current bill would reopen cases involving serious violent crimes. After extended debate, the motion to report HB 967 favorably failed on an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee took up HB 1107 by Rep. Melerine, a bill on determining intellectual disability in capital cases. The bill, as amended, raised the burden of proof to clear and convincing evidence, set an IQ threshold framework, required expert reports and Daubert-type reliability review, and limited the article to post-conviction capital cases. The Attorney General’s office and district attorneys supported the bill as a way to create clearer procedures and speed resolution of Atkins claims, while criminal defense lawyers, disability advocates, clergy, and medical experts opposed it as inconsistent with current clinical standards and potentially unconstitutional, warning that rigid IQ cutoffs and presumptions could wrongly expose people with intellectual disabilities to execution. The transcript ends during closing remarks on HB 1107, with no final committee vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• 00:10:22.320><c> are</c><00:10:22.519><c> mental</c><00:10:22.839><c> health</c><00:10:23.560><c> experts
• </c><00:10:24.560><c> uh</c> people who are mental health experts uh people who are mental health experts
• it was just this this are experts it was just this this ability<00:27:08.320><c> to</c><00:27:08.600
• Those steps, whether it's toward that 300-bed forensics facility that came before us at the end of the
• </c><01:24:28.400><c> resource</c> well were policy experts resource well were policy experts resource

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• States Senate have connected AI chatbot interaction to cases involving suicide, with parents and experts
• We're going to need our resource experts in K-12.
• This is real information coming from actual experts with real science.
• No one’s really an expert. We’re all trying to figure our way through it.
• Because we just don’t think there’s an expert out there. We don’t think there’s a product.

Summary: The committee met at Minot State to continue its study of artificial intelligence, with a focus on child safety, sexual exploitation, chatbot risks, and education policy. Members first approved the minutes and then received a Legislative Council overview of AI-related harms to children, including AI-generated child sexual abuse material, deepfakes, extortion, and chatbot companion risks. The memo reviewed North Dakota and federal law, recent state enactments, First Amendment limits, and examples from other states, including Connecticut’s AI companion safeguards and federal efforts such as the Take It Down Act. Members discussed whether North Dakota’s existing 2025 laws on minors and harmful material are strong enough in light of recent court decisions, and Legislative Council indicated it would provide additional comparison material before the next meeting. Superintendent Levi Bachmeier then presented on AI in education, arguing that schools need guardrails but should not ban AI outright. He said AI should be treated as a tool that can support instruction, teacher efficiency, and digital literacy, while warning against passive use, academic integrity problems, and overreliance on machines. He suggested embedding AI and digital literacy across subjects rather than creating a standalone class, and said schools should provide basic instruction when students receive one-to-one devices. Members asked about parent concerns, local control, higher education partnerships, and how to balance access with safety; Bachmeier emphasized a “threading the needle” approach and said the department would likely seek more guidance on digital literacy and cybersecurity. Special Agent Hellseth of BCI followed with testimony on AI and child exploitation. He said AI is already being used in North Dakota to create explicit images from innocent photos, impersonate children and adults, and facilitate grooming, harassment, and extortion. He described several cases involving AI-generated sexual images and said victims often suffer lasting trauma even when the images are fake. Hellseth explained that investigators use AI tools themselves to process large volumes of data and identify synthetic images, but that the workload is growing and victim services need expansion. He urged stronger accountability for companies, more resources for law enforcement and victim support, and continued training and public education. Members asked about cyber tip volume, staffing, false accusations, and corporate reporting obligations; Hellseth said every tip is reviewed, the unit is small but expanding, and current federal reporting laws are not proactive enough. Representative Porter suggested combining the Legislative Council memo and Bachmeier’s recommendations into a comprehensive bill draft for the next meeting.

Bills: HB2293 , HB2694 , HB2999 , HB3694 , HB3254 , HB4662 , HB5629 , HB5632 , HB5675 , HB5664 , HB5671 , HB5680 , HB5682 , HB5693 , HB4158 , HB5695 , HB4669 , HB5696 , HB5698 , HB5677 , HB5699 , HB5694 , HCR81 , HCR83 , HCR84 , HCR89 , HCR111 , HCR142 , HR868 , SB682 , SB1351 , SB1895 , SB1931 , SB2141 , SB3044 , SCR1 , SCR6 , SCR37 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , HB75 , HB5354 , HB4683 , HB4847 , HB1449 , HB3833 , HB265 , HB1845 , HB 108 , HB1960 , HB1955 , HB2512 , HB2581 , HB2803 , HB1738 , HB636 , HB2638 , HB2655 , HB871 , HB 1107 , HB1765 , HB1822 , HB3679 , HB4099 , HB3732 , HB3171 , HB3749 , HB2814 , HB3977 , HB4204 , HB4207 , HB4449 , HB1820 , HB1876 , HB1939 , HB1347 , HB2593 , HB2136 , HB2658 , HB2757 , HB2080 , HB3063 , HB3006 , HB2844 , HB3241 , HB3680 , HB3169 , HB2078 , HB2507 , HB4559 , HB3405 , HB475 , HB3463 , HB3441 , HB3520 , HB3178 , HB158 , HB2060 , HB4991 , HB1991 , HB5596 , HB2014 , HB2731 , HB2417 , HB2399 , HB2301 , HB3335 , HB3234 , HB3320 , HB4848 , HB4748 , HB4769 , HB4795 , HB2086 , HB2234 , HB4916 , HB5624 , HB4505 , HB5093 , HB5302 , HB5402 , HB5606 , HB4630 , HB4924 , HB3339 , HB3793 , HB3631 , HB4882 , HB5509 , HB5499 , HB5520 , SB1177 , SB1559 , SB746 , SB434 , SB1383 , SB1214 , SB1079 , SB3031 , SB2141 , SB2185 , SB1895 , SB1241 , SB901 , SB1883 , SB552 , HB 1249 , HJR218 , HB5623 , SB687 , SB1332 , SB458 , SB482 , SB927 , SB984 , SB651 , SB1620 , SB2124 , SB2448 , SB841 , SB843 , SB402 , SB2662 , SB2053 , SB2332 , SB2112 , SB745 , SB1247 , SB1789 , HCR76 , HCR127 , HCR9 , HCR40 , HCR118 , HR559 , HCR59 , HCR135 , HCR141 , HCR46 , HCR109 , HCR10 , SB3037

Keywords: Sweeny Hospital District, board of directors, local governance, elections, healthcare administration, Brazoria Drainage District, commissioners, vacancies, resignation, hydrogen vehicles, weight limitations, transportation, environmental impact, clean energy, deep fake, intimate depictions, consent, digital media, criminal penalties, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• , experts from outside of Massachusetts to bring that training to the Commonwealth.
• Many of these cases are now being solved using forensic genealogy.
• There are forensic examinations that don't get completed in a fast enough time.
• There are forensic examinations that don't get completed in a fast enough time.
• And the experts are much... And if we're gonna get paid, when are we gonna get paid?

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The hearing was held in Clinton Town Hall as part of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means’ budget review, with local officials welcoming legislators and noting the long agenda of many panels. The main presentation was from Secretary Terrence Reedy of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, who outlined the Healey-Driscoll administration’s FY26 proposal for the secretariat, including a $1.7 billion budget and a 7% increase over FY25. He described investments in emergency preparedness, hate-crime prevention, reentry programming, technology modernization, internships, and public safety training, while also noting some reductions driven by resource constraints, including cuts to certain grant programs and administrative costs. Committee members also raised concerns about federal uncertainty and how it could affect state budgets and public safety planning. A major portion of the questioning focused on the Department of Correction. Secretary Reedy and Commissioner Sean Jenkins said the biggest challenges are staffing, officer wellness, facility safety, and contraband—especially K2. They described steps taken at MCI Souza and other facilities, including reducing population at the maximum-security unit, changing management, removing metal products and free weights, improving screening and roll calls, adding a rapid response team, and increasing investigative and technological efforts to combat K2. They also discussed the closure of MCI Concord, saying it was driven by high maintenance costs and staffing needs, and explained that savings are being used to improve staffing patterns and address deferred maintenance over time rather than producing immediate large budget reductions. Members also questioned the budget’s impact on police training and community policing. The administration defended the increase in police academy tuition from $3,200 to $6,000 as reflecting true training costs and said it would still be subsidized by the state, while acknowledging the burden on small municipalities. They said the MPTC is expanding regional training and considering proposals such as Greenfield Community College’s. On community policing, officials emphasized uniform statewide training, de-escalation, and communication skills. The State Police also announced an outside review of the academy by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and said the next class will be split into two smaller groups to improve oversight and allow quicker implementation of recommendations. Other topics included ICE and federal immigration enforcement, with Reedy saying state law prohibits Massachusetts law enforcement from acting in a civil immigration capacity and that no state dollars were used in the Tufts-related ICE operation mentioned by a member. Senators and representatives also raised the upcoming FIFA World Cup, warning that it will require significant public safety resources and likely federal funding. Additional discussion covered restorative justice and juvenile diversion, health care costs in DOC, electronic health records, and the need for more diverse and culturally competent public safety staffing. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• chairman and Director Delan and I had worked together on addressing an issue that the Department of Forensic
• chairman and Director Delan and I had worked together on addressing an issue that the Department of Forensic
• Um, as a point of reference, the Department of Forensic Sciences has tested thousands of fentanyl mixture
• controlled substances, and the bad guys are very smart and they change the compound of them, and forensics
• If you want an expert in this field, you know how we be talking about bringing the expert in—that man

Bills: SB309 , HB192 , SB178 , SB179 , SB237 , HB10 , HB107 , HB189 , HB37 , HB226 , SB309 , HB192 , SB178 , SB179 , SB237 , HB10 , HB107 , HB189 , HB37 , HB226

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: automated driving systems, oversized vehicles, transportation, regulations, permits, HB192, international wire transfer, wire transfer fee, remittance fee, money transmission business, Alabama Securities Commission, Department of Revenue, Education Trust Fund, ELL instructors, English Language Learner, ESL teachers, income tax credit, remittances, international money transfer, migrant families

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> Uh, well, uh, expert might be a stretch, Senator. >> Are we worried about gambling now?
• </c><00:20:54.080><c> Senator,</c> &gt;&gt; expert might be a stretch.
• Senator, &gt;&gt; expert might be a stretch.
• And we have expressly excluded prosecutorial records, law enforcement records, and forensic interview
• recordings of forensic interview recordings of records.<00:45:19.839><c> There</c><00:45:20.000><c>

Bills: HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261 , HB227 , HB454 , SB323 , HB266 , SB52 , SB53 , SB296 , HB37 , HB429 , HB93 , HB249 , HB328 , HB111 , HB132 , HB26 , SB261

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Keywords: firefighter benefits, occupational disease, line of duty, disability pension, death benefits, retirement benefits, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disease, cancer presumption, HIV, hepatitis, municipal firefighters, state firefighters, fire districts, workers' compensation, public safety employees, post-retirement benefits, benefit eligibility cutoff, occupational illness

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the expert. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.
• And they will consult experts to do so. And I think that is their job.
• Here to testify in support are two experts on visiting: Myesha Gregory, who is an Essie Justice Group
• Updating the law ensures all families benefit from modern forensic technology and a system committed
• AB 2018 is necessary as forensic science has evolved since the program's inception in 2001.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of public safety bills, with several measures pulled off calendar and one consent calendar adopted. AB 2419 by Assembly Member Quirk-Silva would extend body-worn cameras to Los Angeles County juvenile probation officers. Supporters said cameras would improve accountability, youth and officer safety, and public trust; opponents argued the bill would not solve deeper problems in juvenile halls and raised concerns about officer discretion, privacy, and labor issues. The bill passed to Appropriations on a roll call vote. AB 1902 by Assembly Member Pellerin, co-sponsored by Santa Cruz County, would revise the juvenile detention extension hearing process in response to the Madison Middleton case. Supporters, including the victim’s mother and county officials, said the bill would clarify jurisdiction, allow continuances, permit hearsay at the probable cause stage, extend the maximum detention period, and better protect the public and victims from repeated trauma. Opponents from public defender, youth justice, and civil liberties groups argued the bill expands civil commitment, reduces review frequency, and could lead to inappropriate adult placement. The committee approved the bill to Appropriations, with some members noting remaining concerns. AB 2052 by Assembly Member Stephanie would allow continuity in prosecution for elder and dependent adult abuse cases, including a limited continuance so the same prosecutor can stay with a case. Supporters said older victims and those with dementia or other impairments benefit from a single point of contact and less repeated trauma; opponents said the bill could undermine speedy-trial rights and was broader than necessary. The bill passed to Judiciary. AB 1588, also by Assembly Member Stephanie, would strengthen sideshow and street takeover enforcement by adding motorcycles and dirt bikes to the law and increasing penalties. Supporters framed it as a public safety and accountability measure, while opponents warned it would expand punishment, surveillance, and fines without addressing root causes; the bill was sent to Transportation on a roll call vote. AB 1753, another Stephanie bill, would tighten firearm relinquishment and protective-order enforcement, expand remote hearing access, and align firearm prohibitions across protective order categories; it passed to Judiciary. The committee also heard AB 1739 by Assembly Member Ward, which would criminalize clergy sexual exploitation when clergy provide therapeutic services, with survivors and advocates testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have our forensic science services, which is the state's crime laboratory, providing services as the
• CACs also provide specialized, neutral fact-finding forensic interviews.
• interviews these interviews are forensic interviews these interviews are crucial<01:01:53.480><c> in
• For example, our forensic interview recording equipment falls under the same issues; many times it is
• forensic interview recording equipment<01:04:02.599><c> um</c><01:04:02.880><c> it</c><01:04:03.000>

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• We rely on these committees to provide us with the expert opinions and input we need to make the best
• policy decisions for our state. are trained experts in their field and should be represented on the
• member, a member representing the Department of Agriculture, if they choose, or a member who is an expert
• An urban member, a member representing the Department of Agriculture, or a member who is an expert in
• If you don't have a subject matter expert involved in saying if this is okay, would you agree?

Bills: SB835 , SB3070 , SB22 , SJR59 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SB37 , SB8 , SB10 , SB227 , SB261 , SB12 , SB15 , SJR27 , SB552 , SB835 , SB3070 , SB22 , SJR59 , SB25 , SB57 , SB127 , SB293 , SB441 , SB3059 , SB512 , SB241 , SB1718 , SB140 , SB2055 , SB2075 , SB2018 , SB1534 , SB1567 , SB785 , SB1233 , SB1580 , SB1663 , SB413 , SB447 , SB519 , SB467 , SB1579 , SB1191 , SB1021 , SB1838 , SB2807 , SB2835 , SB546 , SB2121 , SB2167 , SB2035 , SB2024 , SB1032 , SB1049 , SB1266 , SB1400 , SB1302 , SB401 , SB1596 , SB1281 , SB1242 , SB1343 , SB310 , SB1346 , SB2753 , SB2703 , SB2221 , SB1719 , SB2177 , SB800 , SB790 , SB748 , SB571 , SB1957 , SB1923 , SB1896 , SB1760 , SB1335 , SB2368 , SB2477 , SB2587 , SB2972 , SB2986 , SB2965 , SB1563 , SB1467 , SB1164 , SB1137 , SB614 , SB705 , SB961 , SB918 , SB955 , SB869 , SB850 , SB863 , SB1610 , SB1055 , SB2206 , SB457 , SB2337 , SB1362 , SB926 , SB1494 , SB251 , SB456 , SB500 , SB1307 , SB2615 , SB2995 , SB2321 , SB973 , SB974 , SB865 , SB506 , SB781 , SB1522 , SB1558 , SB510 , SB667 , SB763 , SB2073 , SB1858 , SB1660 , SB505 , SB2900 , SB1433 , SB1540 , SB1964 , SB1300 , SB1644 , SB2217 , SB2373 , SB2431 , SB1758 , SB2480 , SB3039 , SB3047 , SB3073 , SB2920 , SB2781 , SB826 , SB766 , SB2460 , SB527 , SB1946 , SB2885 , SB1243 , SB2610 , SB2595 , SB857 , SCR9 , HB5560 , HB762 , HB 107 , HB 114 , HB300 , HB138 , HB4386 , HB2495 , HB581 , HB3348 , HB5323

Keywords: sexual abuse, nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, public policy, victim rights, lottery, bingo, regulation, Texas Lottery Commission, Department of Licensing and Regulation, criminal offenses, state administration, audits, transfers, Texas, moving image industry, incentive program, film production, grant funding, job creation

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to need our resource experts in K-12.
• This is real information coming from actual experts with real science.
• In order to debunk myths, we need to go to our experts.
• No one’s really an expert. We’re all trying to figure our way through it.
• Because we just don’t think there’s an expert out there. We don’t think there’s a product.

Committee: Joint Artificial Intelligence and Data Center Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• In addition, we did our own analysis and did a forensic analysis, and we also collected some samples
• </c><00:46:50.880><c> including</c><00:46:51.200><c> a</c> we have experts including a we have experts
• Um, as Clare mentioned, we have a hydrogeologist who is kind of an expert in modeling on our team who
• </c> one of the foremost uh modeling experts one of the foremost uh modeling experts in<00:48:56.880>
• in modeling on our team who uh expert in modeling on our team who uh also<00:49:05.200><c> helps</c>

Summary: The House Special Committee on Red Hill received an update from the Hawaii Department of Health and EPA Region 9 on regulatory oversight of the Red Hill facility, the Navy drinking water system, and ongoing environmental investigation and cleanup. The agencies reviewed the authorities governing the work, including DOH’s emergency orders, EPA’s 2023 administrative consent order, and the older 2015 agreement, and explained that the newer framework is being used for most current oversight because it includes closure, remediation, drinking water protections, and stronger community engagement requirements, even though some requirements overlap. EPA and DOH reported major milestones and current work. Defueling was completed in March 2024, with about 104 million gallons removed, and the agencies said this eliminated the risk of another catastrophic release. They described the current tank-closure phase, expected to finish in July 2029, along with site assessment, site investigation, remediation, and long-term monitoring that may continue through at least 2040. They also summarized drinking water actions: emergency response flushing and sampling after the 2021 spill, lifting of the public health advisory in 2022, completion of extended drinking water monitoring in 2025, and ongoing system improvements such as repairs, flushing plans, valve work, complaint-response protocols, and upgrades to storage tanks and pumps. Members asked several questions about monitoring results, the meaning of TPH, the status of the 2015 agreement, and the Navy’s groundwater model. EPA said its sampling and the Navy’s results were in alignment during extended monitoring, and that it plans to issue a summary report covering the full response period. On the groundwater model, EPA and DOH said they have not yet approved it for decision-making, are reviewing it iteratively with outside experts and University of Hawaii data, and may approve it for specific uses in the future. DOH said its latest comment letter states the model cannot yet be used for decision-making purposes, and noted that UH’s separate modeling work is contingent on funding and may not be completed until next spring. The agencies also said they continue community outreach through open houses, webinars, neighborhood boards, legislative hearings, and fuel tank advisory committee meetings.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the fact that Senator Carol, West Kentucky really is a desert in terms of digital forensics.
• biology in the history of the forensic science branch.
• In our forensic biology section, we were completing fewer than 400 sexual assault kits per year.
• ><c> forensic</c><01:14:00.480><c> science</c><01:14:01.760><c> branch.
• </c><01:14:03.199><c> For</c> of the forensic science branch. For of the forensic science branch.

Committee: Joint Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Forensic does not just mean justice involved.
• We are mostly forensic. The private psychs are mostly civil. And then our content... Forensic.
• Of those, 1,857 are forensic and 651 are civil.
• If I understood you right, doing the math, we're already under capacity on forensic... ...on forensic
• I have to get the forensic breakdown.

Committee: Senate Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• science 800,000 for 900,000 forensic science 800,000 for 900,000 forensic science 800,000 for testing
• ma supposed to be they are the expert ma supposed to be they are the expert ma supposed to be the expert
• the state school board the expert the state school board the expert the state school board supposed
• to be the expert but they let supposed to be the expert but they let supposed to be the expert but they
• come in everything in of the forensics come in everything in of the forensics come in everything in

Bills: HB 9 , HB 22 , HB 908 , HB 1392

Transcript Highlights:

• UTSA already has a forensics lab.
• It's information centers, forensic centers, and of course, our relationships with the family. federal
• We'll bring whatever the expert is and that particular area, and we can just dive as deep as you all
• The state hospital system are forensic, coming from the jails.
• Go back to your counties and ask, how many people are on the forensic wait list sitting in my jail?

Bills: HB150 , HB869 , HB876 , HB 1043 , HB1494 , HB1522 , HB150

Committee: House Delivery of Government Efficiency

Keywords: cybersecurity, state command, information resources, data protection, incident response, information technology, classification officer, job descriptions, state positions, competency-based, information sharing, government efficiency, public sector, private sector, distributed ledger, title registry, real estate, property liens, pilot program, healthcare

Transcript Highlights:

• us to work together as a committee to continue to maybe co-sponsor some legislation because we're experts
• We have three forensic pathologists in the state working out of Ada County. They cover 34 counties.
• And two, it costs over probably $300,000, if I might recall correctly, what it costs to pay a forensic
• If you're looking to change it to that medical professional, which would be a forensic pathologist in
• If you're looking to change it to that medical professional, which would be a forensic pathologist in

Summary: The committee met with Representative Redman participating remotely after his flight was canceled. Members approved the minutes, then voted to proceed with a Medicaid study and to release the follow-up report on state oversight of children’s residential care. OPE staff said the original report had identified major gaps in oversight, but that most recommendations had now been addressed through agency changes and House Bill 723, which codified several reforms including a Youth Bill of Rights, annual unannounced surveys, revised interview procedures, and restraint/seclusion reporting to licensing. Of 19 recommendations, 13 were complete, two were in progress, and four remained open, with one requiring legislative action. The follow-up discussion focused on the remaining gaps: whether licensing should have authority to oversee treatment quality, whether restraint and seclusion data should be reported publicly or to the legislature, and how to address abuse by facility staff, including a registry pathway and a single investigative process. OPE and committee members noted that these unresolved items would require policy decisions by the legislature. Department of Health and Welfare and licensing officials described improved oversight practices, including unannounced surveys, a new tracking system, and better monitoring of foster placements. The ombudsman reported increased complaints, more facility visits, and stronger collaboration with licensing, and said his office could potentially take on more oversight if given authority and staffing. The committee then voted to close the report, with several members saying they wanted to work on legislation next session. The committee also heard OPE’s report on career technical education funding and teacher recruitment. The report said Idaho had 1,103 approved secondary CTE programs and about 151,500 enrollments, with agriculture the largest program area. Members heard that larger and more urban districts, especially in southwest Idaho, offered more diverse CTE options, while smaller and more remote districts relied more heavily on agriculture and had fewer health, public safety, and engineering programs. OPE said 60% of surveyed LEAs reported funding constraints, especially equipment and facility costs, and many said dedicated CTE funds could not be used for base teacher salaries. The report also found that recruiting CTE teachers was difficult, with respondents citing a lack of qualified candidates and pay that often was not competitive with local industry, though the comparison varied widely by program area. OPE outlined policy options such as allowing more CTE funds to pay salaries, adjusting the funding formula for smaller class sizes, simplifying occupational specialist credential routes, and targeting salary incentives to high-need fields. The presentation was still underway when the transcript ended, with members asking questions about district settings, salary comparisons, and how the funding options might affect staffing and program access.