Transcript Highlights:

• title and abstract, and that the register of titles must submit an expired notice from the future certificates
• Adit an expired notice from the future Adit an expired notice from the future cert<00:52:26.160> certif
• <00:52:26.559> certificates<00:52:27.119> of<00:52:27.319> title<00:52:28.280
• > um<00:52:28.400> so cert certif certificates of title um so cert certif certificates

Bills: HF1621, HF1701, HF1796, HF1676, HF40, HF1428, HF1540

Keywords: HF1621, CelluComp, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, appropriation, grant, commercialization, fiber-based barrier packaging, packaging materials, PFAS, perfluoroalkyl substances, polyfluoroalkyl substances, plastic reduction, sustainable packaging, environmental health, materials innovation, bio-based packaging, food packaging, agriculture finance, one-time grant, state subsidy

Transcript Highlights:

• We're looking to create a certification process for recovery residences.
• So we would establish a certification process aligning the existing standards identified in Minnesota
• We at the department would administer the certification process.
• This includes doing the initial certification of recovery residences, investigating complaints, conducting
• aligning the certification process aligning the existing<00:13:35.920> standards<00:13:36.399

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• Control Systems Assessment is then certified by the agency head, so the agency head is signing the certification
• 00:59:59.960> is<01:00:00.079> signing<01:00:00.440> the<01:00:00.559> certification
• agency head is signing the certification agency head is signing the certification form<01:00:01.680
• documents and sign the certification.
• achieved 100% compliance in agencies going through this process within their agency and sending a certification

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met on January 9, 2025, to focus on internal controls, fraud prevention, and legislative oversight of state agencies. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall explained Minnesota’s internal control framework, based on the GAO Green Book, and described five core controls: assigning responsibility, separating duties, restricting access, maintaining policies and procedures, and keeping records. She tied each control to examples from recent audits, including DHS’s Medicaid provider debt recovery, the Minnesota State Academies’ travel reimbursement issue, privileged access at the Minnesota State Lottery, missing mileage-verification procedures at the Board of Firefighter Training and Education, and weak documentation in the Board on Aging’s senior nutrition program. Deputy Legislative Auditor Jod Mson Rodriguez then presented a new follow-up report on implementation of prior recommendations from 2022 through 2024, including special reviews. She said the office gathers agency documentation, evaluates progress, and categorizes recommendations from implemented to not applicable, while noting that some items require more work to verify and that this reflects OLA capacity rather than agency performance. Examples included the Department of Commerce, where some policy changes were verified but further work would be needed to confirm consistent investigator compliance, and the Metropolitan Council, where more data analysis would be needed to determine whether bonus payments were properly earned. She also noted that a legislature-directed recommendation to require grant manager training had not been implemented. Overall, OLA reported that state agencies had implemented or partially implemented close to 70% of its recommendations, while the legislature had implemented or partially implemented about 40% of recommendations from the last three years. Members generally praised the office’s work and discussed how agencies respond after reports are issued. Senator Westrom raised concerns about a recent media report on alleged fraud in CCAP, and Randall said OLA was aware of the issue but could not discuss details. Senator Draheim asked about post-report agency engagement, and Randall and Rodriguez said follow-up varies, with some agencies seeking private meetings and others engaging less, but that the follow-up process often prompts further discussion and improvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• First of all, at Monticello, we have gotten a state certificate of need to operate that plant from 2030
• So for the extension of the Prairie Island plant, we have a certificate of need also filed with the state
• of need also filed with the certificate of need also filed with the state<01:12:37.440> commission
• So that's the certificate of need that we ask for additional storage as we look beyond 2030.
• And so that's the certificate of need that we ask for additional storage as we look beyond 2030.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

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• further investigation under the Board's policies, and can open a complaint against a licensee or certificate

Keywords: 1182, all

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• And it just outlines a procedure for which they can obtain a certificate of their infant's death.

Bills: SB206, SB904, SB933, SB1436, SB1500, SB1553, SB1557, SB1567, SB1644, SB1645, SB1651, SB1794, SB1833, SB1849, SB1984

Keywords: SB206, emergency medical services, EMS, ambulance, 911 response, emergency response, essential services, federal funding, grant funding, public health, health care facility, municipality, county, ambulance service district, tribal entity, public entity, contract ambulance service, Oklahoma, 63 O.S. 2021 Section 1-2502, emergency clause

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• They'll be licensed to do this, and some there's some kind of certification process that they go through

Keywords: 914, all

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• It also adds clear eligibility rules and temporary certificates for the sales tax exemption.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and considered two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would require veterans’ benefits accessed on behalf of foster youth to be preserved for the minor’s future use, specifically for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care rather than being used to reimburse care costs. The bill had no amendments, received one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep, and was reported favorably by roll call vote. The committee then took up SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. A strike-all amendment was adopted that added limited information-sharing between agencies, changed verification procedures, converted part of the tax benefit into a capped $100,000 annual exemption for five years, broadened fee waivers to some existing businesses, and kept annual reporting requirements. The amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees: Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser. No one requested separate votes, and the committee recommended confirmation of all three by a single roll call vote. At the end of the meeting, members offered extended praise and thanks to Chair Wright for his long service and leadership, and the chair announced the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds clear eligibility rules and temporary certificates for the sales tax exemption.

Bills: S1182, S1594

Keywords: veterans, military spouses, business incentives, tax exemptions, economic development, veteran benefits, minor clients, financial assistance, education services, Department of Children and Families, Department of Health

Summary: The Senate Committee on Military, Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security met with a quorum present and took up two bills. SB 1594, by Senator Gates, would change how veterans’ benefits received on behalf of foster youth are handled so the funds are not used to offset foster care costs, but instead are preserved for post-secondary education or aftercare services when the youth leaves foster care. The bill drew one supportive appearance from Victoria Zep of Family Support Services, had no debate, and was reported favorably by a unanimous roll call vote. Senator Sharief later asked to be recorded as a yes vote on the bill. The committee then considered SB 1182, by Senator Jones, which creates the Florida Veterans and Military Spouses Business Development Act to provide fee relief and tax incentives for veteran-owned and military spouse-owned businesses. The committee adopted Jones’s strike-all amendment, which added information-sharing and verification provisions, refined the tax exemptions, and broadened eligibility for fee waivers and sales tax relief. After no questions or debate, the amended bill was reported favorably by unanimous vote. The committee also held a confirmation hearing for three appointees—Matthew Bacchano, Tim Thomas, and Belinda Kaiser—and recommended confirmation on all three in one vote. The meeting concluded with several members offering remarks praising Chair Wright’s long service and leadership on veterans’ issues, followed by adjournment.

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• At 22 NSA, NCA-designated institutions provide CompTIA security certification, clearance, and examination

Bills: S0214, S0694, S1266

Keywords: special districts, funding, financial assistance, rural community, state agency, economic development, compensation, wrongful conviction, civil rights, historic injustice, reparation, cybersecurity, internships, workforce development, education, economic growth

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met with a quorum present and considered three bills. First, SB 214 by Senator McLean, a rural access bill for special districts, was amended to allow independent special districts in rural areas to receive certain state and federal financial assistance payments directly for verified work rather than relying on reimbursement. Testimony in support came from representatives of water and sewer entities and the Florida Association of Special Districts. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 214 favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1266 by Senator Collada on cybersecurity internships and workforce readiness. The bill was amended to create a cybersecurity experiential learning opportunity and clearance readiness program within the Department of Commerce, working with Cyber Florida at USF. A proposed amendment to the amendment was withdrawn by Senator Bernard. With no opposition noted, the committee adopted the amendment and then reported CS/SB 1266 favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 694 by Senator Bracey Davis, which provides compensation to the descendants of the Groveland Four—Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepard, and Ernest Thomas—for wrongful convictions and related harms. The bill was presented as a justice and redress measure, with supportive testimony from Delatry Hollinger and comments from Senator Smith and the chair praising the effort. The committee reported CS/SB 694 favorably, and then adjourned without further business.

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• Please make sure that you get your certificate as well as your mug from Esther and the staff right

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the journal from January 14, 2026, and confirmed that Senate bills and resolutions were correctly engrossed. The chamber then took up House amendments to Senate Joint Resolution 2, which concerns a joint session with the House to hear from Governor Jared Polis and appoint an escort committee. The Senate concurred with the House amendments by a vote of 34-0 and then repassed SJR 2 unanimously; Senator Bridges asked to have his name removed as a co-sponsor. The Senate also briefly recessed to swear in staff members, who took the oath of office and were welcomed by members. During announcements, senators mentioned the upcoming junior livestock auction and noted an excused absence for Senator Catlin for next Tuesday and Wednesday. The Majority Leader announced a corrected start time of 10:30 a.m. for the State of the Tribes address and reminded members that the Senate would later attend the State of the State joint session in the House at 11:00 a.m., with blue lanyards required for access. Security restrictions on Capitol parking circle entrances and exits were also announced during the governor's address. The Senate then adjourned until 12:00 p.m. that day.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most importantly, there is no requirement for on the ground certification that a wireless coverage actually

Keywords: 988, house, all

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• Health Services to provide the Texas Veterans Commission with de-identified information from death certificates

Bills: HB39, HB114, HB1875, HB1894, HB1965, HB2513, HB39, HB114

Keywords: veterans, mental health, Texas Veterans Commission, peer support, suicide prevention, community mental health, grant program, cemetery, General Land Office, burial plot, remembrance, monthly designation, honoring military, Texas legislation, rural services, paid leave, fire protection personnel, military service, public employees, employment benefits

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• of pending business under Bill 2225, 2225 Senator Hancock's bill on creation of a spirit cooler certificate

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

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• Senator Hancock's bill on the creation of a spirit cooler certificate.

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs considered a series of pending bills, most of them related to elections, public funds, criminal penalties, and related regulatory issues. The committee reported favorably several measures, including SB 1183 on electronic benefits transfer cards, SB 506 on ballot proposition procedures and conflicts with petition measures, SB 2742 on electioneering and unlawful use of public funds for political advertising, SB 1540 on confidentiality of personal information for election officials and employees, SB 2225 on a spirit cooler certificate, SB 2284 on regulation of air guns and archery equipment, SB 2595 on masking while harassing or intimidating, SB 3031 on aggravated assault, SB 2217 on election reporting technical corrections, SB 2514 on a criminal penalty increase tied to a DPS-related measure, SB 2876 on riot participation while masked, and SB 2877 on election fraud penalties. Several of these bills were also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar without objection. The committee adopted committee substitutes for SB 506, SB 2742, SB 2595, SB 2217, and SB 2514. The substitutes made mostly technical or clarifying changes, including giving the Secretary of State one opportunity to rewrite misleading ballot language, preventing conflicting measures from appearing on the same ballot, converting certain mask-related exemptions into affirmative defenses, clarifying election reporting language, and increasing a penalty from a Class A misdemeanor to a state jail felony in SB 2514. SB 2742’s substitute was described as a council draft with no real substantive changes. Votes were generally favorable, with most bills passing on unanimous or near-unanimous roll calls. SB 1183, SB 2742, SB 2225, SB 3031, and SB 2877 each had one nay; SB 2753 passed with 8 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 present not voting; and the remaining measures reported out unanimously. After completing the agenda, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• which took 45 minutes by certificates which took 45 minutes by the<00:34:25.520> time<00:34:25.679
• Here is somebody trying to get personal information, asking me for a birth certificate or a passport,
• <01:58:19.520> in who does not have a birth certificate in who does not have a birth certificate
• <01:59:21.679> or<01:59:22.000> a<01:59:22.239> passport for a birth certificate
• or a passport for a birth certificate or a passport and<01:59:23.199> darn<01:59:23.520> it

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

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• Uh, the scope of this certification, I think, is so narrow.
• Uh, the scope of this certification, I think, is so narrow.
• And the certification itself, there is no OPLC license.
• And the certification itself, cleanup.
• <03:55:08.239> a<03:55:08.399> third certification that you it's a third certification

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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• It reorganizes and consolidates election certification requirements, makes the law easier to understand
• Most importantly, the bill helps to ensure Delaware's election certification status actually reflects
• , and therapists, are eligible for a salary supplement when they obtain nationally recognized certifications
• . ...eligible for a salary supplement when they obtained nationally recognized certifications.
• committed to do the research to make sure that all education professionals are getting their national certification

Keywords: 1064, all

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• for racetracks, stallion auctions, horsemen banquets, and continuing education for the steward certification
• If ownership of the horse changes, a copy of the certificate showing proof of ownership must be provided
• the purchaser of a horse is required to have all the paperwork submitted and breed registration certificates
• our training platforms, three dozen scholarships for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification
• This certification program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for racetracks, stallion auctions, horsemen banquets, and continuing education for the steward certification
• If ownership of the horse changes, a copy of the certificate showing proof of ownership must be provided
• the purchaser of a horse is required to have all the paperwork submitted and breed registration certificates
• our training platforms, three dozen scholarships for the Certified Playground Safety Inspector certification
• This certification program provides the most comprehensive and up-to-date training on playground safety

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.