Transcript Highlights:

• So that red line is your original legislative forecast. The blue line is our actual revenue.
• replacement line improvements.
• We have a raw water line that we obtained from the ABM line, which would be the OPA site by Cavalier,
• We have a raw water line that we obtained from the ABM line, which would be the OPA site by Cavalier,
• How much of that actually occurs on the southern line? How much occurs on the northern line?

Summary: The Water Topics Overview Committee met to review several interim studies and receive updates from the Department of Water Resources. The committee approved the March 26, 2026 minutes, observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Conmy, and welcomed Representative Hansen to the committee. Staff then reported that the watershed management study and the stormwater/wastewater study had both satisfied the presentation requirements in their study directives, with no further required testimony unless members wanted additional information. The department’s main presentation focused on major water projects and agency operations. Reese Haas and staff updated members on the NAWS project, the Southwest Pipeline Project, Devils Lake outlet operations, low-head dam safety work, floodplain management repository implementation, data center water use, and the 2027 Water Development Plan. Members asked detailed questions about NAWS funding sources, remaining project costs, capacity concerns for All Seasons and other users, and whether current construction is being designed for future demand. The department said NAWS remains on track for substantial completion by October, that remaining NAWS funding will come from a mix of federal, state, and local sources, and that current construction is designed for ultimate capacity while some future components will be adjusted for increased demand. A large portion of the meeting was devoted to the department’s cash management, Resources Trust Fund revenues, carryover balances, and the State Water Commission’s cost-share program. The department reported $340.6 million in carryover remaining, explained that much of it is already obligated to long-term projects, and noted that oil price forecasts and stripper-well exemptions will affect future revenues. Members raised concerns about large carryovers, affordability for local sponsors, and whether the state should continue obligating money multiple bienniums ahead. The department said it is working with the commission on a revised prioritization framework, including high/moderate/low project categories and a two-tier pre-construction/construction approach, to better manage obligations and affordability. The committee also reviewed Deloitte’s finalized studies on regional governance/finance and cost-share policy. Deloitte presented options for Southwest, NAWS, and Red River governance, with stakeholders generally favoring keeping NAWS largely as is, using the current Southwest model with improvements, and pursuing a more structured governance option for Red River. On cost share, the department said Deloitte’s recommended package would cover projected needs through the 2030s, but would require policy changes such as lower percentages for some project types, a 25% replacement-project rate with a cap, and possible bonding or delayed reimbursement strategies. No votes were taken on these policy questions, and the chair indicated the committee would continue the discussion at future basin meetings and the September Water Topics meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:49:51.520> or<00:49:51.760> the Pages four line 17 by adding or the Pages four
• page 10 lines 1 to amend page 10 lines 1 123<00:50:52.200> uh<00:50:52.640> and<00:50:
• Funds to establish an IT data system for this program, we amend page 23, line 17, to page 24, line 3,
• <00:54:09.559> 19 language from page 30 lines 19 language from page 30 lines 19 to13<00:54
• we amend page 23 line 17 to page<00:54:33.040> 24<00:54:33.559> line<00:54:34.000>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The third one, page 2, next line down, line 6, strike "or" and insert "in lieu of".
• So, and I might just add, Madam Chair, it's on page four, beginning on line 13, no later than June 30th
• So going back on line, on page three, line nine...
• Line 10. Line 9, Senator. Line 9. Okay, I'm where I need to be now.
• It is on page four, line six, striking "and," and on page four, between lines six and seven, inserting

Transcript Highlights:

• I started in fourth grade for four years.
• There are four of these at the moment.
• That would be your green line.
• We have, I think, four breakouts.
• We have, I think, four breakouts.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The Senate and House Education Committee approved the March 9 and 10 minutes and then heard a presentation on the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program from Department of Education staff and three third-grade teachers from Cabot, Poyen, and Drew Central. The teachers described the year-long fellowship for high-performing merit pay recipients, saying it provided collaboration with educators across the state, shared resources, and ideas they brought back to their districts. Members asked about the teachers’ experience levels, how they shared information locally, and whether the program should be expanded to more teachers and districts. A major focus of the discussion was third-grade reading, the new ATLAS testing system, and the state’s third-grade retention law. The teachers said they do not teach to the test, but use standards, data, interventions, small groups, and relationships to help students grow. They described progress monitoring throughout the year, early screening in K-2, and interventions such as before-school tutoring, RTI meetings, and co-teaching. One teacher reported that six students in a small group improved 10 to 15 points on ATLAS, and another said a student who started the year reading four words per minute improved significantly with targeted support. Secretary Jacob Oliva said the state is trying to create clarity and alignment through Arkansas Learns, science-of-reading support, literacy coaches, and faster test-result turnaround, with student scores now available within about 24 hours and district-level results expected later in the summer. Members also asked about student poverty, trauma, ACEs, DHS involvement, social workers, community supports, and the role of counselors. The teachers emphasized that relationship-building is essential, especially for students facing unstable home situations, and described local supports such as backpack food programs, church donations, fire department incentives, and family assistance. Oliva said the fellowship was intentionally small in its first year because it targeted top-tier merit pay recipients, but he expects participation to grow. He also said merit pay and fellowship eligibility spans many grade levels and subjects, including kindergarten and hard-to-staff areas, and that D and F schools receive state literacy coaches. No additional committee votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendation is to pass with amendments, adopt Charter Communications language on page four, line 16
• Recommendation is to pass with amendments, adopt Charter Communications language on page four, line 16
• c><01:13:31.120> no language on page four line 16 that J no language on page four line 16 that
• We will adopt IBE's amendments to insert the following on page four, line 19: The appointed receivers
• four line 19 the to insert the into page four line 19 the following<01:15:16.840> the<01:15:17.040

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees considered a large number of Senate bills, with many measures advanced either unamended or with technical or substantive amendments. Early action included SB 88 and SB 11 SD1, both passed unamended, and SB 562 SD1 and SB 642 SD1, which were passed with amendments reflecting agency testimony. SB 1133 SD1 was amended to remove duplicative county requirements and clarify tax credit carry-forward eligibility, while SB 1569 SD1 on sports wagering was deferred. Later, SB 933 on nonprofit/federal funding support drew strong testimony from nonprofit and health advocates emphasizing the risk of federal funding freezes and the importance of protecting services such as early learning, domestic violence support, housing, and workforce supports; the committee recommended amendments to define eligible organizations, require reporting, and include the Judiciary. SB 934 and SB 935 were also amended, with SB 934 tying mass transit funding to Honolulu project milestones and SB 935 revising retirement-system language to change “fewer than five years” to “five or more years.” The committees then took up additional measures with targeted amendments. SB 1033 was amended to clarify that the bill applies to legal entities, not individuals, though members noted concerns about closely held family corporations and asked that the issue be reflected in the committee report. SB 1166, SB 1249, and SB 1256 were advanced with amendments or committee-report notes reflecting concerns from the Attorney General, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, and Hawaii Farmers Union United, respectively. SB 1432 and SB 137, both relating to electric utilities, were amended to require retention of covered employees after mergers or acquisitions and to direct the PUC to consider whether proposed transactions further state policy goals. SB 157 on antitrust was narrowed to focus on coordinator conduct in rental housing markets, SB 252 on invasive species received a defective effective date, and SB 336 on defense of state employers and employees passed unamended. SB 536 on the Hawaii Community Development Authority was deferred to a later hearing, and SB 1064 on medical cannabis was heavily amended to authorize cultivator licenses with limits on canopy size, license counts, physician fees, and a special-fund appropriation for enforcement. In the Ways and Means portion, the committee passed several bills unamended, including SB 19, SB 124, SB 264, SB 345, SB 422, and SB 741 and SB 747 later in the agenda. SB 361 was amended to remove references to the attorney general and delete an appropriation section, SB 438 was amended to redefine buffer zones and landfill-unit language, and SB 441 and SB 494 were amended to blank appropriations and, in SB 494, assign charter-school audit responsibility to the state auditor. SB 659 was substantially amended to promote local procurement, including county-level geographic preferences and higher thresholds for locally sourced purchases, and SB 732 was amended to adjust film tax credit provisions, including the streaming-platform definition and sunset-related language. SB 819 was amended to replace references to “educators” with “teachers.” Throughout, most measures were adopted without recorded opposition, though several members noted reservations on particular bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:01:21.960> offering<00:01:22.960> uh four offering uh four offering uh testimony<00
• years is that having access to four years is that having access to four digits<00:10:54.000>
• of<00:10:54.839> someone digits the last four digits of someone digits the last four digits
• We've heard it four or five years in a row.
• We've heard it four or five years in a row.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard SB 573, which would require condominium associations to repair defective common-element conditions that create health or safety violations. Testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, including from the Community Associations Institute and construction-defect counsel, who argued the bill could lead to piecemeal repairs and unintended damage in complex building systems. The measure was deferred. The committee then heard SB 1038 on privacy and data-breach notice requirements. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the bill as a modernization of the law, while the Hawaii Financial Services Association, Consumer Data Industry Association, and other groups opposed it, mainly over the proposed redaction standard for Social Security numbers and concerns about making Hawaii an outlier compared with other states. Members discussed possible amendments, including harmonizing with other states and clarifying encryption and redaction rules. The committee later voted to pass SB 1038 with amendments, including changes from the Office of Consumer Protection, Hawaii Bankers Association, and State Privacy and Security Coalition, and deferred the effective date to July 1, 2050. The committee also took up SB 890 and voted to pass it with amendments and recommit it to the CPN committee for a hearing before the decking deadline. In a separate decision-making segment, the committee passed SB 1291 on CPA licensure with amendments after testimony from accounting groups, educators, and others described a shortage of accountants and supported an alternate pathway using public-accounting experience. The committee adopted amendments clarifying the education and experience requirements and then approved the measure. Later, the committee also passed several additional measures on a decision agenda, including SB 129 SD1, SB 140 SD1, SB 144 SD1, SB 1197 SD1, SB 1341, SB 411 SD1, and SB 1438, generally with amendments or as introduced, and all were adopted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• One is maybe a little easier and it's just a clarification on page four, line 1w2, it's number 9, where
• Page four, line 1, this is another section in of Title 70, that's long and it's just being brought forward
• Ready to follow up, thank you, and going on down into paragraph eight on page four, starting on line
• Stand on page four, is there any concern that you might have that on page, paragraph eleven, as line
• Chair, I move to amend Senate Bill 1410 on page three, line four through page four, line 19, by deleting

Bills: SB843, SB1733, SB1476, SB1237, SB1410, SB1894, SB1272, SB1204, SB1721, SB1725, SB1735, SB1337, SB1339, SB1461, SB1975

Keywords: school boards, educational governance, conflict of interest, employee relations, Oklahoma statutes, child abuse, reporting requirements, sexual misconduct, law enforcement, school personnel, confidentiality, student safety, land office, land exchange, investment, education funding, real estate management, Teachers' Bill of Rights, education, teachers' rights

Transcript Highlights:

• Our four-year graduation rate has reached nearly 64%.
• We track their four-year graduation rate as well.
• So I guess two lines of questions.
• four-year graduation rate for Pell students.
• And now we will move on to line funding.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation on the State University System’s new strategic plan, SUS 30, from Emily Sykes and later the system’s legislative budget request from Sarah Denagie. The strategic plan centers on five priorities: One SUS collaboration, elevating student success, operational excellence, world-class talent, and innovative research and economic development. Testimony highlighted Florida’s continued status as the nation’s top higher education system, record rankings, improved four-year graduation rates, higher median graduate wages, strong licensure pass rates, and expanded focus on research commercialization and workforce alignment. Senators asked about programs of strategic emphasis, mental health and teacher workforce needs, use of the My Florida Future wage data tool, support for first-generation and Pell students, and the role of liberal arts degrees. The system said it would provide follow-up information, including the full strategic-emphasis list and a report on campus safety best practices after a recent summit following the FSU shooting. The committee also received an update on line funding for nursing and health care partnerships. Officials said the $6 million appropriation was fully subscribed through 24 proposals from all 10 nursing programs, supporting scholarships, faculty recruitment, internships, simulation, and expanded nursing capacity. They reported more than 1,900 new nursing graduates, over 200 new student slots, more than 300 scholarships, and a 92% NCLEX pass rate. Senators asked about expanding eligibility for the program, and staff indicated that would be examined this year. For the legislative budget request, the Board of Governors asked for $634.5 million total, including $295 million to maintain the institutional performance-based funding base, $400 million for the state investment portion of performance-based funding, $125 million for preeminence funding, $100 million for faculty recruitment and retention, $6.4 million for UF/IFAS extension workload, and $3.1 million for state fire marshal inspections. The chair noted that resources are limited and that difficult budget decisions will be required. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hang Out's water line is not as high. Hang Out. The water line is not as high on Hang Out.
• You look at the water line. You look at the water line. Significant, the water line is there.
• This was approximately four, you know, four a.m.
• Craig describes that he drives a four-wheeler or a four-by-four type vehicle around that corner on the
• We're going to set up a tip line. We'll monitor the tip line. That's our job, not yours."

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's still a level four.
• I believe this is line 895 around.
• And again, go back to line 1052.
• Go to line 743.
• He didn't endorse four years ago.

Summary: The Senate opened with a quorum, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then read an amended joint proclamation expanding the special session call to include financial penalties for government officials, criminal penalties for offenses committed by illegal aliens, and programs and appropriations to support law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. No committee reports, governor’s messages, or House messages were on the desk before the chamber moved to the special order calendar. The main item was Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 2B, the immigration bill, along with a late-filed strike-all amendment by Senator Gruters. Gruters said the amendment aligned terminology with federal law, increased penalties for crimes by unauthorized aliens, added transnational crime organizations to gang definitions, required stronger participation in the federal 287(g) program, created financial penalties for noncompliance, offered a $1,000 bonus for officers assisting ICE in large operations, directed more information-sharing with federal agencies, and barred DHSMV from issuing licenses or IDs to unauthorized aliens. He framed the bill as supporting President Trump’s immigration agenda and focusing on criminal illegal aliens rather than street-level enforcement. A long question-and-answer period followed, with Senators Polsky, Pizzo, Smith, Jones, Roscoe, Berman, and others pressing the sponsor on scope, legality, costs, and implementation. Questions focused on whether the bill would require participation beyond jails and detention centers, whether schools or churches could be affected, liability and immunity for local agencies, the size and purpose of the proposed appropriations, and the impact on undocumented students receiving in-state tuition waivers. Gruters and Senator Fine said the 287(g) provisions were intended to apply to jails and detention facilities, that green-card holders and lawful residents would not be affected, and that the tuition waiver repeal would end discounted tuition for students in the country illegally while not affecting their ability to attend. Fine also defended the mandatory death penalty provision for certain capital offenses committed by illegal immigrants, acknowledging it would likely be challenged in court but arguing the bill was designed to test and advance the policy. No final vote or other action on the bill is reflected in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• in line.
• The next four lines are the administration budget pieces, and then the Wilderness Inquiry grant out of
• The next four lines are the administration budget pieces, and then the Wilderness Inquiry grant out of
• The next four lines are the administration budget pieces, and then the Wilderness Inquiry grant out of
• Uh, you'll see line 299.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 2563, the Omnibus Legacy Bill, was presented as a roughly $779 million package funding projects across Minnesota through the four Legacy funds: Outdoor Heritage, Clean Water, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Chairs Vang and McDonald described the bill as a responsible one-time spending measure with no ongoing base funding, emphasizing habitat restoration, water protection, parks and trails, and arts and cultural heritage. Nonpartisan staff then walked through the spreadsheet, explaining that the bill largely follows the recommendations of the relevant councils and governor, with some additions such as a Wilderness Inquiry partnership, an Ash River sewer extension, competitive grant funding, and several arts and history projects. Staff highlighted the major allocations and structure of the bill: Outdoor Heritage funding for land and habitat projects, Clean Water funding for water-quality work, Parks and Trails funding following the traditional 40-40-20 split, and Arts and Cultural Heritage funding for the State Arts Board, Minnesota Historical Society, Humanities Center, Indian Affairs Council, Department of Education, and other recipients. They also noted policy provisions requiring Clean Water Council recommendations to be broken out by fiscal year, requiring recent 990 forms for arts grantees, limiting arts funds from being used for capital construction except in specified cases, and extending a prior appropriation for the Sunni Lee memorial project. Members asked about land acquisition, the new 990 requirement, and reduced funding for children’s museums; chairs and staff responded that Outdoor Heritage includes land acquisition, the 990 is simply a documentation requirement, and children’s museum funding is lower because more money is now placed in a competitive grant pool. The chairs said the bill reflects compromise and an effort to keep the bill relatively clean of earmarks, while also noting that a Department of Revenue transfer of more than $31 million from legacy funds affected available funding and forced difficult choices. After discussion, the committee laid the bill over, with the chair noting it was also being done in honor of Representative Mary Murphy.

Transcript Highlights:

• But if you take a look at line four, that shows the formula allowance inflationary increase percent,
• <00:08:28.960> four if you take a look at uh line four if you take a look at uh line four
• the adjustment line, line 30, which is the annual pay-as-you-go OPEP levy.
• the adjustment line, line 30, which is the annual pay-as-you-go OPEP levy.
• the adjustment line, line 30, which is the annual pay-as-you-go OPEP levy.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• General's lines.
• Um, I do believe it's in our packets already, and it's a simple changing of language on page four, line
• line 20.
• One of the great on page four line 20.
• The motion prevails. line. I think constituents deserve to line.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and now four classes as follows. and now four classes as follows.
• Third reading amendment number four. Third reading amendment number four.
• page 16 line 8. Senator Krago. page 16 line 8. Senator Krago.
• page 23 line 16. page 23 line 16. >> Senator<02:02:14.000> Barlo.
• number nine, page 26, line 15. number nine, page 26, line 15.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um page four down at the bottom on line Um page four down at the bottom on line 20,<00:22:56.559
• So it's back in plus four three lines.
• right around line four on the second right around line four on the second amendment,<01:08:48.239
• So if you look on four three lines.
• ,<01:54:37.280> lines<01:54:38.080> uh is on uh page four, lines uh is on uh page four

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the biggest line, uh, to take note of, folks, is the first line over here where you see estimated
• > here<00:12:54.480> where folks is the first line over here where folks is the first line
• Well, you see a pretty flat line. Well, you see a pretty flat line.
• line is now causing both of us problems. line is now causing both of us problems.
• You're on line. Thank you. I appreciate it. Line 308. Wait, let's see. No. Do you have any 10?

Bills: SB344, SB344

Keywords: Alabama Memorial Preservation Act, monuments, historic preservation, memorial buildings, memorial schools, memorial streets, architecturally significant buildings, public property, waiver process, Committee on Alabama Monument Protection, Attorney General, civil penalty, historic marker, renaming, relocation, removal, public memorials, heritage preservation, state historic preservation fund, governmental entity

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:04:30.640> Line<01:04:30.799> item<01:04:31.680> are<01:04:31.760> four
• Line item are four related social needs.
• Line item are four of<01:04:32.160> this<01:04:32.240> amount<01:04:32.720> $300,12<
• grant in the Department of Human Services, and the appropriated four sponsored programs line item in
• grant in the Department of Human Services, and the appropriated four sponsored programs line item in

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the prior journal, and heard several brief recognitions before moving to business. Members welcomed foster care advocates for Child Abuse Prevention Month, Girl Scouts visiting the Capitol, and participants in Black Maternal Health Week, with remarks emphasizing foster youth voice, leadership development, and the need for culturally competent maternal health care and doula/midwife support. The chamber then took up House Joint Resolution 1026, honoring former Governor Roy Romer and designating a portion of I-25 as the Governor Roy Romer Memorial Highway. Supporters highlighted Romer’s long public service, his work on education and infrastructure, and his role in major state projects. A proposed amendment to strike the word “memorial” was withdrawn, the House suspended the rules to allow Romer to speak from the well, and Romer offered remarks about legislative collegiality and the importance of democracy and listening to opposing views. House Joint Resolution 1026 was adopted on a 60-0 vote, with four excused and one absent. After a brief recess, the House returned to special orders and resumed reading House Bill 1410 at length, continuing through extensive appropriations language for the Department of Human Services, including child welfare, youth services, Medicaid-related transfers, SNAP and benefits administration, and other funding line items. No final action on House Bill 1410 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• But just going down through the lines, the first rows through lines two through five show the revenue
• Line four is interest income that is not assumed for anything other than what's currently in law.
• Line four is interest income that is not assumed for anything other than what's currently in law.
• Line four is interest income that is not assumed for anything other than what's currently in law.
• <00:03:31.599> for<00:03:31.840> the um on line 10 is a line for the um on line 10 is a

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a side-by-side comparison and fiscal analysis of Senate File 3472, a reinsurance-related bill affecting the premium security plan account, MinnesotaCare, and related health care funding. Staff explained the Senate and House versions of the bill, including how the Senate proposal extends reinsurance for five years and uses a projected $1.087 billion general fund transfer to fully fund claims and administrative costs through fiscal year 2028, while the House version conditions continuation of the program on federal approval of the state innovation waiver. The fiscal presentation also covered appropriations for MNsure, a mental health parity and substance abuse office, and House provisions for delivery reform and a public option study, along with a House transfer of $110.674 million to the health care access fund. Members debated the budget horizon and whether costs should be forecast beyond fiscal year 2025. Representative Schultz argued that the spreadsheet understated the broader fiscal impact of reinsurance and warned about future funding cliffs for MinnesotaCare and other health programs, while other members and staff noted that the state’s standard forecast ends in fiscal year 2025 and that the fiscal note only estimated reinsurance costs through the five-year extension. Supporters said reinsurance was the best available option to reduce premium increases, especially in rural areas, and some pointed to a public option as a longer-term alternative. Opponents argued reinsurance does not address underlying health care costs or deductibles and urged consideration of other reforms. House Research then walked through the policy differences. House-only provisions would change Minnesota Comprehensive Health Association board membership, require platinum plans in certain markets, expand postnatal coverage, require a prescription drug benefit in some plans, set a minimum actuarial value for MinnesotaCare, create an Office of Mental Health Parity and Substance Abuse Accountability, and direct reports on delivery reform and a public option. The shared provisions would extend the premium security program to 2027 and delay the transfer of remaining premium security plan funds to the health care access fund until 2029, with the House language again contingent on federal waiver approval. No formal vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair closed discussion after hearing no further questions and indicated members would be contacted about next steps.

Transcript Highlights:

• first seven lines of the bill and lines first seven lines of the bill and lines 8<01:26:15.360><
• Uh by 5 8 the line had cleared and line.
• four with the timing in line six.
• four with the timing in line six.
• four with the timing in line six.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Under the definition that begins in line 24 and goes through line 27...
• On page seven, on line 51 through line 53. Yes, sir.
• Let's line 26.
• So on page four, lines 88 and 89, I'm just wondering, I'm sure there's a reason for why this would be
• So, on page four, lines 88 and 89, I'm just wondering, I'm sure there's a reason for why this would be

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The committee first approved the previous meeting’s minutes, then took up House Bill 4198, which would require all employers to use E-Verify to confirm new hires’ work authorization. Counsel explained that the bill would add enforcement by the Division of Labor, create tiered penalties including warnings, fines, debarment from state contracts, and possible business license revocation, while also removing criminal penalties tied to hiring unauthorized workers in light of federal law. Members raised extensive concerns about drafting problems, including circular and conflicting language, unclear references to existing verification and recordkeeping provisions, the meaning of terms like “seeks to employ,” and whether the bill could unintentionally apply to babysitters, lawn care, and other casual or household arrangements. Questions also focused on whether the bill would apply to public versus private employers, how compliance would be shown, and how penalties would work for small businesses or employers who never actually hire the person in question. The bill sponsor defended the measure as a straightforward extension of the federally required I-9 process, saying E-Verify is a quick, free online check that helps employers verify work authorization and protects them from liability for unknowingly hiring unauthorized workers. He said the bill was intended to be mandatory, not permissive, and argued that it would help law-abiding employers compete fairly. After the questioning, the committee rejected a motion to table the bill and instead sent House Bill 4198 to a seven-member subcommittee to clean up the drafting, resolve inconsistencies, and review the penalties and scope of the measure. The subcommittee was directed to meet the next morning and report back quickly. The committee then moved to House Bill 4710, with an amendment that would require a person to be registered with a political party or as an independent 210 days before filing a certificate of candidacy. Counsel explained that the bill is aimed at preventing candidates from switching parties after losing a primary and then running as independents in the general election. Members discussed how the 210-day requirement would interact with both primary and general election filing deadlines, and the Secretary of State’s office clarified that the measure would affect candidates who change affiliation shortly before filing. The discussion continued with testimony from the Secretary of State’s general counsel about how the bill would operate in practice, but no final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.