Transcript Highlights:

• services, home care nursing services, and adult rehabilitative mental health services.
• . services. services.
• many state programs and services. many state programs and services.
• for critical services. for critical services.
• continuity of service. continuity of service.

Bills: HF1338

Keywords: Inspector General, Office of the Inspector General, state oversight, government accountability, fraud, waste, abuse, audit, investigation, subpoena, whistleblower, public integrity, transparency, state agencies, executive branch, public funds, taxpayer funds, law enforcement oversight, public safety programs, advisory council

Transcript Highlights:

• HE SET OUT ON A MISSION TO ASSESS GAPS IN SERVICES AND KNOWLEDGES, KNOWLEDGE VETERANS TO THE SERVICES
• WE PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES TO REGIONAL POPULATION 55 YEARS.
• OUR SERVICES INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL CASE MANAGEMENT WAS GOING TO TRAINING, PROVISION OF WRAPAROUND SERVICES
• SPOUSES RECEIVE PRIORITY OF SERVICE SO THAT MEANS ANYTHING TO VETERAN SEEK SERVICE THEY GO DIRECTLY
• SERVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> So, there there's a whole social service >> So, there there's a whole social service
• to avail yourself of those services to avail yourself of those services because<00:54:28.880>
• government ID based age verification. government ID based age verification.
• access at this age to this material. access at this age to this material.
• uh the states should enact age uh the states should enact age verification<01:14:53.679> laws

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:09:12.239> like health behavioral health services like health behavioral health services
• offering responsible gaming services. offering responsible gaming services.
• I believe the AG the AG normally makes?
• also does not establish meaningful age also does not establish meaningful age uh<02:30:04.800>
• services and diagnostic laboratory<03:05:58.000> services.

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• AG has the authority to do already and doesn't need a new law.
• For example, Alaska has a 14-year minimum age for e-bikes. Minnesota has a 15-year minimum age.
• For example, Alaska has a 14-year minimum age for e-bikes. Minnesota has 15-year minimum age.
• Kids that age do not have a full appreciation of traffic rules.
• It did make... ...the use of electric bicycles based on age.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• but yes actually it does fall services but yes actually it does fall under<00:08:12.240> that.
• If not for the AG.
• Did you consult with the AG about the resolution before he put it before you asked for it? Uh, no.
• AG as the<00:25:30.320> lead.
• Did you Did you consult with the AG Did you Did you consult with the AG about<00:25:37.760> the

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on Governor’s Message 666, the nomination of Rose Kea to the Commission on the Status of Women for a term ending June 30, 2029. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from business and community members, and Kea described her background as a real estate broker, small business owner, and nonprofit volunteer leader, saying her experience with workplace equity and women-owned businesses would help the commission. Senators questioned her about the connection between her background and the commission’s work, and about how she would respond to current threats to women’s rights; she said the commission should serve as a unifying and leading force for gender equity. The committee later voted to advise and consent, with the chair’s recommendation adopted. The committee also considered SCR 128 and SR 107, which sought information on state lands leased to the federal government. The Department of the Attorney General opposed the resolutions as drafted, saying the AG does not maintain the lease inventory and that the request should instead go to the agencies that manage the land, such as DLNR, DOE, and DOT. The committee amended the measures to ask the AG to determine whether there are constitutional or other legal impediments to continued leasing or new leases, including whether nominal lease amounts violate law, and then passed both with amendments. Next, the committee took up STR 153 and SR 123, which request the County of Maui to complete the transfer of the Hoie roads, including Hoie Road F, to resolve jurisdictional ambiguities. The judiciary administrator testified in support, and the measures were passed, with the committee adopting the chair’s recommendation. Finally, the committee heard STR 179 and SR 149 on reviewing the Hawaii Revised Statutes for gender-neutral language. The LGBTQ+ Commission and the Commission on the Status of Women supported the effort, though the women’s commission asked for more time and a set date to dissolve the work group. The committee amended the resolutions to assign the review to the Legislative Reference Bureau, with consultation from the LGBTQ+ Commission, the Commission on the Status of Women, civil rights experts, and law-related organizations, and set interim and final reporting deadlines before passing the measures with amendments.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, as they and then support services.
• This is a new crime for sexual battery committed by anyone over the age of 18 to a minor under the age
• So, whatever age that child is, age.
• those that are over age 24 to upskill those that are over age 24 to upskill and<03:31:37.920> get<
• Bill 939, Mississippi Length of Service Bill 939, Mississippi Length of Service Award<03:42:28.120

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 31 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, received an invocation from Dr. Reginald Anderson, and recited the pledge of allegiance. The journal and committee reports were dispensed with by voice vote. Early in the meeting, senators also introduced guests, including Dr. Adrian Gilliam Pierre as doctor of the day and several school groups and community visitors in the galleries. A major portion of the session was devoted to recognizing student athletes and coaches through commendation resolutions. The Senate honored the Northside High School Gators boys basketball team for winning its first Class 2A state championship, the Morton High School Panthers boys basketball team for winning the 2025 Class 4A title, East Rankin Academy teams for multiple championships, Simpson County Academy’s boys cross country team and Lily Overby, Brookhaven Academy’s fast-pitch softball team, and several other schools and programs. The chamber also recognized Mississippi artist Castro Coleman (Mr. Sipp) for his music contributions, and later introduced the Meridian High School Choir, Brookhaven Academy fifth graders, and David Hoke, who has delivered Bibles to all 50 state legislatures. The Senate then took up nominations and approved three by advise-and-consent: Kent Gerard Nico to the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority, Marcus Jones Martin to the State Tax Appeals Board, and Keith Allen Williams Jr. to the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation. After that, Senator Kirby moved to suspend the rules and take up a large block of commending resolutions, which the Senate agreed to consider together. The block included numerous resolutions honoring schools, athletes, educators, and community figures, and the Senate agreed to proceed to final passage by roll call with no objection noted.

Transcript Highlights:

• that disturbing the forests of Massachusetts as little as possible and allowing forests to grow in age
• The USDA Forest Service tells us that 53% of the nation's water supply originates on forested land.
• These caterpillars grow into butterflies and moths that provide pollination services, or they become
• Concurrent jurisdiction in a national park means the National Park Service, NPS, and state and local
• And I'm testifying on age 952 and age 953, the Watershed Protection Act and the Forest Protection Act

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing covered several environment and natural resources bills focused on natural and working lands, forest protection, municipal reforestation, trail accessibility, and a park naming bill. Representative Moschino and Senator Comerford described the natural and working lands bill as part of the state’s climate roadmap, arguing that protecting these lands supports carbon sequestration, resilience, biodiversity, and helps prevent development pressure on the least expensive land. Senator Comerford also testified on a separate bill to expand access to trails for people of all abilities, saying it would build on the administration’s Trails for All initiative and create a permanent advisory structure and trust fund. Representative Consolvo and family members testified in support of H. 4259 to name the tennis courts at Wether Park in Roslindale after Kim O’Connell, describing her long community service and activism. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 952 and H. 953, bills to protect watershed and state forest lands as parks or reserves. Supporters, including environmental advocates, scientists, and organizations such as Standing Trees, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Forest Alliance’s opponents, debated whether state forests and watershed lands should be permanently reserved from logging and other active management. Supporters said the bills would improve carbon storage, water quality, biodiversity, flood and drought resilience, and would protect large acreages of public land at no cost. Opponents, including the Massachusetts Forest Alliance, argued that sustainable forest management and a mix of reserves and managed forests are needed for climate, water quality, wildfire prevention, rural jobs, and carbon outcomes, and urged the committee to allow the administration’s existing reserve process to continue. The committee also heard extensive testimony on the municipal reforestation bill, H. 1013/S. 553, which would create a statewide program, advisory council, and trust fund to support urban tree planting and maintenance. Municipal officials and advocates from Wellesley, Cambridge, Boston, the Mystic River watershed, and other communities said urban trees are critical for cooling, stormwater control, air quality, public health, and equity, especially in environmental justice neighborhoods with low canopy cover and high heat. Several witnesses emphasized that consistent funding is needed because trees take years to mature and many municipalities lack staff or watering capacity. Some witnesses asked that the bill be funded at $100 million and tied to the Mass Ready Act or environmental bond funding. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• of that, but through this tax bill, this tax bill, and other measures like the Health and Human Services
• bill that the Senate Human Services bill that the Senate passed<00:02:02.480> yesterday, passed
• , a new age of technology, and we will remain in control of it, but the use of our data is not going
• ><00:08:46.800> um<00:08:47.200> of a dawning age, a new age of um of a dawning age, a
• ,<00:14:48.320> particularly provide essential services, particularly provide essential services

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Tax Committee members presented a tax omnibus bill they said was a bipartisan effort aimed at making life more affordable and responding to federal policy changes they argued are increasing costs and harming Minnesota families, communities, farmers, and businesses. Chair Rest and other senators described the bill as a response to federal cuts to health care and food support, and said it also complements other Senate action on health and human services. Key provisions highlighted included a 12% increase in property tax refunds for homeowners, described as more than $100 million in direct relief; a $2 million provision related to Operation Metro Transit; a new health care sales tax in Hennepin County to replace an expiring local sales tax and help stabilize hospitals such as HCMC and North Memorial, with funds for uncompensated care and facility upkeep; and a social media tax on the largest platforms, which supporters said would raise revenue without affecting Minnesota residents. Senators also emphasized a sustainable aviation fuel credit, framed as a climate and economic development measure that could support in-state production and agricultural feedstocks. Members also discussed agricultural provisions, including lifting the cap on the beginning farmer tax credit extension and updating homestead-related rules, saying these changes would help farm transitions and reflect current conditions. Another property tax change would increase the market value exclusion for disabled veterans. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but senators said the bill had been passed to the floor and they were waiting for leadership to schedule it, while noting the House had not yet taken similar action.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's one in every 31 children at 8 years of age.
• And prevalence rates have gradually age.
• ,<00:50:47.400> leadership years of exceptional service, leadership years of exceptional service
• handing them from their service. handing them from their service.
• <00:57:15.280> to officials who have uh for her service to officials who have uh for her service

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received committee and House messages. The Families and Children’s Committee reported Senate Bill 191 favorably, and the House transmitted several passed bills requesting concurrence. New filings included Senate Bill 203 on community health workers and several resolutions honoring individuals and observances, including Marie Childers, Military Kids Day, and Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. The chamber then considered and passed Senate Bill 141 on legal advertisements. The sponsor said the bill updates longstanding legal notice requirements to better balance public transparency with lower costs for cities and counties, reflecting an agreement among the Kentucky Press Association, Kentucky League of Cities, and Kentucky Association of Counties. The bill passed 36-1. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 69, creating an autism spectrum disorder trust fund to support services, research, and grants through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, with an emergency clause; it passed 37-0. Senate Bill 9, as amended by Senate Committee Substitute 1, was also passed 35-2. The bill creates two local housing tools: a residential infrastructure development district to finance infrastructure for larger developments, and a housing development district to encourage new housing through negotiated incentive payments and expedited review. The sponsor said the measure is intended to address Kentucky’s housing shortage. The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 102 honoring Marie Childers for decades of service on the Pike County Board of Elections, with remarks praising her bipartisan election work and influence in Pike County politics. Later, the Rules Committee recommitted Senate Bill 125 to Appropriations and Revenue, and the Committee on Committees referred several bills and resolutions to standing committees or to the floor. Announcements were made about upcoming committee meetings, and the Senate took up Senate Resolution 104 honoring Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr., with remarks describing his national and international civil rights legacy.

Transcript Highlights:

• and Human Services.
• Chair, Representative Nelson, they are two separate services.
• access for those services.
• those services.
• to the ages of the juveniles.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 2271, which would formally place adult residential facilities in code and rebase their Medicaid reimbursement rates. Sponsor Chairman Ruby and HHS staff explained that these facilities, often serving people with dementia or acquired brain injury, are reimbursed at a much lower rate than skilled nursing care and help reduce bottlenecks in higher-level facilities. Members questioned how the program differs from basic care and nursing facility memory care, and the bill was referred to the HR section for deeper review before possible action on Monday. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2396, as amended, which would authorize an independent third-party performance audit of the Department of Commerce and the North Dakota Development Fund, with findings shared with the state auditor. Sponsors said the proposal was prompted by concerns raised in testimony and that a private audit could begin faster than a state audit. The committee adopted an amendment adding an emergency clause and directing the report to the Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee, then passed the bill 20-0 with 3 absent. Next, Representative Clemine presented Senate Bills 2226, 2036, and 2037. SB 2226 would presume an incarcerated person indigent at initial appearance so counsel can be provided at that critical stage; the commission said the appropriation would fund contract attorney hours, and the bill was sent to HR for further review. SB 2036 would create procedures for determining juvenile fitness to proceed in delinquency cases, with a $500,000 appropriation for mental health evaluations, and SB 2037 would begin a juvenile criminal code framework and include a $300,000 appropriation for fitness-to-proceed evaluations; both were also referred to HR, with some concern raised about staffing and overlapping functions. After a short break, the committee heard education-related appropriations bills. SB 2234 would replace expired ESSER funding for Choice Ready grants, but members noted the program was not included in the K-12 budget and sent it to E&E for comparison with existing appropriations. SB 2286, a University of North Dakota request for a new nursing school facility, drew extensive discussion about the age and condition of the current building and the size and scope of the project; the committee ultimately adopted a do-not-pass motion 22-0. SB 2213, the “science of mathematics” bill modeled on the science of reading initiative, would fund math professional development and implementation; it was also referred to E&E for further review. The committee then briefly passed the Racing Commission budget, SB 2023, and began discussion of the Trust Lands budget, SB 2013, including a proposed retention increase for investment-related positions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Family Service in my previous work is a very needed service early on.
• Having services that are available when the family is ready for the service and in need of the service
• So it's having, I think, this focus on the services, getting the services out there.
• identify maybe a service array.
• youth up to the age of 21.

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• uh impact on our ag folks. uh impact on our ag folks.
• Those<02:51:12.680> services<02:51:13.240> are Those services are Those services are
• And where are the services? And where are the services?
• It will save in Medicaid services down the road, IEP services down the road, social services, all kinds
• You know, 90% of the brain is developed by age five, and that's these are the kids that are being serviced

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:04:39.600> Angie<00:04:40.000> Knight,<00:04:40.560> Heather Services, Angie
• Knight, Heather Services, Angie Knight, Heather Henderson,<00:04:42.320> Parents<00:04:42.720
• Congratulations, and thank you so much for your service, as well as Adrienne Trullock from the Hawaii
• In 2023, over 21% of Hawaii residents are over the age of 65 years old.
• they need to age gracefully and with<00:06:55.759> dignity.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move that the Health and Human Services Committee amendment be adopted.
• It also includes age-appropriate firearm safety awareness instruction.
• And then it also includes age-appropriate firearm safety.
• And then it also includes age-appropriate firearm safety awareness instruction.
• In fact, Senate Bill 1424 requires age-appropriate training on how to respond to firearms.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Of service. We recognize that leadership is more than a position.
• She's a lifelong public servant, a parent of two school-aged children.
• She's a lifelong public servant, a parent of two school-aged children.
• nonprofit organizations offering health and family services in the Santa Cruz region.
• and expand services to care for the more than 260,000 county residents.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At 11 years of age, George and his family moved to Tucson.
• At 11 years of age, George and his family moved to Tucson.
• After his years of service there, he decided to run for office.
• We now have the Ag to Urban program. Homes are being built.
• We have the Ag-to-Urban program. There are exceptions to the moratorium.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Wraparound services are provided through the Department of Human Services and in partnership with the
• Wraparound services integrate formal services and informal supports across systems to develop and implement
• Wraparound services integrate formal services and informal supports across systems to develop and implement
• Services to the students.
• And then the second... ...services in coordination with the Department of Human Services.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are promises we made to perform services and promises the government made to pay for them.
• Based on age. I like to describe it as a kind of a two-step.
• What was the age of the victim? Where did the offense occur?
• Department of Health and Human Services in late March.
• today can continue to provide those services.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Accountability and Transparency held a hearing focused on three issues: federal funding cuts and delays, possible state revenue impacts from reduced IRS enforcement, and the fiscal effects of AB 218 on local governments. The Franchise Tax Board described how state and federal tax systems are closely linked, how most returns are filed electronically through software, and how FTB relies on IRS information sharing for compliance, fraud prevention, offsets, and nonfiler work. Members raised concerns that federal staffing cuts at the IRS could weaken audits of large corporations and reduce California revenue, and asked about VITA and ITIN filers; FTB said it was not aware of VITA reductions, noted ITIN returns are processed the same as other returns, and said ITIN filing appeared slightly down this year. The Department of Finance said it is monitoring federal developments, summarized the continuing resolution and reconciliation process, and noted that California lost nearly $940 million in earmarked federal projects under the CR, while major federal budget decisions remain uncertain until the President’s budget and later congressional action. The University of California reported substantial federal pressure on research, student aid, and health care. UC said hundreds of millions of dollars in federal awards have already been canceled, with additional threats to NIH and DOE facilities-and-administration rates, graduate fellowships, student loan repayment plans, international student visas, Pell Grants, and Medicaid/Medi-Cal funding. Committee members pressed UC on the effects of DEIA-related federal restrictions, the loss of clinical trials and research staff, and the impact on low-income students and patients. UC said it is pursuing litigation with the Attorney General and other institutions, but emphasized that court action is only a temporary solution and that sustained state and private support may be needed. The second panel addressed the fiscal consequences of AB 218, which extended the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims against public agencies. FCMAT presented a report with 22 recommendations, including better statewide data collection, financing mechanisms, a possible victims compensation fund, and prevention measures. Los Angeles County described a tentative $4 billion settlement tied to AB 218 claims, saying it will require reserves, borrowing, and long-term annual payments through 2050, while also forcing curtailments and cuts to vacant positions to preserve services. Members discussed insurance pools, retroactive premiums, unidentified future claims, and the need for a compensation fund or other financing tools. No formal votes were taken; the hearing concluded with public comment, including testimony from local health officials about nearly $400 million in terminated federal public health grants and the resulting layoffs and service impacts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bobby Wells, 21 years of service; E.A.D.
• BOBBY WELLS, 21 YEARS OF SERVICE, E.A.D.
• and public service.
• , IT'S ABOUT CIVIC DUTY AND PUBLIC SERVICE.
• I ASK THE HOUSE OBSERVE A MOMENT OF SERVICE.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, 1012, house, all