Video & Transcript Research : 'FBI'
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ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Committee Jun 17th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Murdall and members of the committee, we follow, in our office, we follow the FBI statistics,
- the ones that the AG's office considers, and maybe has asked to be put in the 85% before, based on FBI
- So potentially a follow-up in addition to the list of violent crimes, like how the FBI defines violent
- But what we can see is what the, let's take a Class C felony aggravated assault, which the FBI says is
- But what we can see is what the, let's take a Class C felony aggravated assault, which the FBI says is
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.
ND
Transcript Highlights:
- Senator Murdole and members of the committee, we follow, in our office, we follow the FBI statistics,
- their sentences, Senator Murdole and members of the committee, we follow, in our office, we follow the FBI
- the ones that the AG's office considers, and maybe has asked to be put in the 85% before, based on FBI
- So potentially a follow-up in addition to the list of violent crimes, like how the FBI defines violent
- But what we can see is what the, let's take a Class C felony aggravated assault, which the FBI says is
Summary:
The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations.
The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute.
A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions.
The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
No entering into certain civil immigration enforcement agreements with the feds 3/3/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- for years that every time a person is booked into local custody, their fingerprints are sent to the FBI
- for years that every time a person is booked into local custody, their fingerprints are sent to the FBI
- for years that every time a person is booked into local custody, their fingerprints are sent to the FBI
- And with that, uh, I'll pass it back to you, Madam Chair. sent to the FBI, which shares those sent to
- the FBI, which shares those fingerprints<00:07:14.800>
with <00:07:14.919>DHS, <00:07:15.560
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 13, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- students, prosecutors of cop-assaulting criminals, and seditious conspirators against our government, FBI
- Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. attacks imminent as warned by the FBI
- attacks imminent as warned by the FBI Trump<02:03:32.119>
is <02:03:32.280>reinstituting - When I served President Carter, the FBI—I mean, our records were checked.
- I mean our records were Carter the FBI I mean our records were checked<03:01:27.680>
people <03
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, February 11, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Open doors for dictators puts all Americans at risk of more 9/11 attacks, as warned by the FBI. Mr.
- <02:08:34.079>
Mr attacks imminent as warned by the FBI Mr attacks imminent as warned by the - FBI Mr Trump<02:08:34.719>
is <02:08:35.079>reinstituting <02:08:35.880>existing - International Partnerships with the FBI International Partnerships with the FBI DEA<04:13:29.800
- They seem to have a specific bias, I would note, against FBI officers who are pursuing waste, fraud,
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The FBI.
- The FBI.
- The FBI.
- The FBI.
- The FBI.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (6-9-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- standards, revises hearing procedures, and amends the criteria for vendors that are at high risk for FBI
- at<00:17:58.400>
high <00:17:58.680>risk <00:17:59.040>for <00:17:59.200>FBI - <00:17:59.720>
investigation are at high risk for FBI investigation are at high risk for FBI
Keywords:
0:06 - Roll Call
0:30 - Approval of Minutes
0:45 - OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
2:08 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION CABINET - OFFICE OF THE CONTROLLER
2:55 - BOARD OF DENTISTRY
5:30 - BOARD OF OPHTHALMIC DISPENSERS
7:30 - BOARD OF NURSING
8:32 - BOARD OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
9:30 - EDUCATION AND LABOR CABINET - DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, OFFICE OF DISTRICT SUPPORT SERVICES
15:35 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
18:44 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL, HEALTH SERVICES AND FACILITIES
23:39 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR MEDICAID SERVICES
1:01:46 - CABINET FOR HEALTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, DEPARTMENT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, OFFICE FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS
1:03:46 - Next meeting/adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first approved the minutes and then took up a series of administrative regulations from several agencies. Early items included Attorney General consumer protection rules on removal sales, health spas, liquidation sales, and nonresident sellers of visual aid glasses; Finance and Administration Controller rules on clearinghouse validation and fraud prevention; and Board of Dentistry rules updating exam requirements, controlled substance prescribing, training for neuromodulators and dermal fillers, infection control, sedation/anesthesia continuing education, and required education on pediatric abusive head trauma and controlled substance ingestion prevention. The committee also approved staff amendments on these items, generally to conform to KRS Chapter 13A, and members asked a brief question about the dentistry controlled-substances changes, which was answered as an alignment with statute.
The committee next approved regulations for the Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers, Board of Nursing, and Board of Emergency Medical Services. The ophthalmic dispensers package would revise meeting and recordkeeping language, raise renewal fees, set reinstatement and apprentice-license rules, add complaint and hearing procedures, and repeal a duplicative regulation. The nursing regulations would streamline approval of training programs and require notice and documentation of site visits and deficiencies. EMS rules would create five EMS medical director certifications, set expiration and renewal requirements, require publication of disciplinary sanctions, and exempt currently approved directors before October 1, 2026. Staff amendments were adopted without objection on each set.
The Education and Labor Cabinet’s school transportation regulation drew extended discussion. The agency explained the changes were intended to implement Senate Bill 46 and update references affected by later legislation, including an oral amendment to delete a subsection reference tied to KRS 160.380. The committee adopted both the agency and oral amendments without objection after brief questions about the scope of the bill changes and van transportation for students.
The committee then heard a lengthy package from the Department for Public Health on WIC and related nutrition program regulations, including updates to infant and child certification periods, documentation requirements, vendor criteria, sanctions, hearing procedures, and high-risk vendor standards. Staff amendments were adopted without objection. Finally, the committee considered the Inspector General’s regulation for freestanding birthing centers, which included both staff and agency amendments. The agency changes would require two neonatal resuscitation program-certified staff, set rules for medical director vacancies and appeals, revise facility and staffing terminology, adjust transfer-agreement requirements, and allow waivers when agreements cannot be secured. Mary Katherine DeLodder of the Kentucky Birth Coalition testified in support, saying the parties had worked through concerns and were ready to move forward. The committee then moved on to Medicaid’s 1915C child waiver regulations, where staff amendments were adopted, but Lucy Heskins of Kentucky Protection and Advocacy testified against the package because it did not include person-directed services, which she said are required by Kentucky law and important for families using the waiver.
NH
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- where they'll, if somebody can use someone's address to make a threat, that would force, like, the FBI
- on people's live streams where they play video games and stuff, where they've been doxxed, and the FBI
- So the FBI comes and bursts into the victim's door. Right.
- So the FBI comes and bursts into the victim's door. Right.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee, February 13, 2026
Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions
Transcript Highlights:
- She put me in contact with an FBI agent.
- She put me in contact with an FBI agent.
- She put me in contact with an FBI agent.
- She put me in contact with an FBI agent.
Bills:
SF0082
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee (8-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- occupational therapy compact to add four new compact rules adopted on April 16, 2025, that include the FBI
- :08.240>
the on um the new compact rules include the on um the new compact rules include the FBI - criminal<00:09:09.279>
background <00:09:09.680>check <00:09:10.000>rule, FBI - criminal background check rule, FBI criminal background check rule, member<00:09:10.640>
state
Summary:
The Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee met in August with a quorum present and approved the prior meeting minutes without objection. The committee then reviewed several regulations, generally adopting staff-suggested amendments without objection, and heard brief explanations from agency representatives on each item.
The Board of Pharmacy regulations would clarify what registered and certified pharmacy technicians may do under supervision and what certified technicians may not do, while updating registration applications. The Board of Cosmetology package included changes to executive director authority, licensure and reciprocity rules, school requirements, training hours, instructor ratios, sanitation and disease-related rules, complaint procedures, and permit terms; members asked about straight razor language and the increase in student-to-instructor ratios, and the board explained that cosmetologists are not permitted to use straight razors and that the higher ratio was intended to give schools flexibility, especially for part-time students and schools with wait lists. The Occupational Therapy emergency compact regulation added four compact rules adopted in April 2025, and Senator West raised a technical question about certification requirements under House Bill 6; the agency said it had been instructed to file the regulation as submitted.
The Department for Fish and Wildlife Resources presented a package covering wildlife management area rules, a northern pintail bag limit increase, reportable disease reporting, and a repeal tied to boat registration fees. After a brief explanation of the new wildlife disease reporting rule, the agency requested and received a deferral of 301 KAR 2:031 to avoid a gap while replacement language is finalized. The Economic Development Finance Authority explained an emergency regulation for the Kentucky Entertainment Incentive Program, saying it was needed because the program had become oversubscribed and because administration was shifting to a new film office and council; members also asked about certification issues under House Bill 6, and the agency said it had filed the regulation as directed. The Department of Workplace Standards emergency PPE regulation was also discussed, with members asking about HB 6 certification language, and the agency gave the same response.
The Department of Insurance regulation would create a $10,000 registration fee and a $1,000 annual licensing fee for pharmacy benefit manager licenses, with an agency amendment exempting PBMs that solely serve workers’ compensation plans. Members asked how many PBMs would be affected and why workers’ compensation PBMs were carved out; the agency said there were 70 registered PBMs total, four solely workers’ comp, and that workers’ comp rates are set by statute and could not absorb the fee. Finally, the Public Service Commission’s pole attachment regulation was summarized as a broadband-expansion measure that speeds application review, increases the number of poles allowed in a single application, and shortens dispute timelines; the commission explained it grew out of earlier legislative direction and subsequent emergency amendments, and the committee adopted the staff amendment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 04/02/25
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans
Transcript Highlights:
- VA accreditation requires each applicant to be subject to an FBI background investigation to determine
- be<00:28:06.480>
subject <00:28:06.799>to <00:28:06.960>an <00:28:07.200>FBI - <00:28:07.679>
background to be subject to an FBI background to be subject to an FBI background
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- We have had numerous meetings with local law enforcement, the FBI, members of the Texas congressional
- We also received similar feedback from the FBI from a resource standpoint.
- I began as the supervisor of the FBI office in Midland.
- The current FBI-led oilfield crime tasks are $1.5 billion.
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Judiciary (3-5-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- The FBI reports that sextortion is the fastest-growing crime against children.
- c><00:06:55.240>
people <00:06:55.800>today <00:06:56.800>the <00:06:56.960>FBI - targeting our young people today the FBI targeting our young people today the FBI reports<00:06:
Keywords:
Meeting Start: 00:00:00
Roll Call: 00:00:09
SB 64: 00:01:20
SB 73: 00:05:33
HB 662: 00:09:40
HB 320: 00:20:17, 958, all
Summary:
The House Judiciary Committee met with a quorum and first approved Senate Bill 64, as amended, on a 14-0 vote. The bill was described as a copper theft prevention measure aimed at protecting key infrastructure assets, including telecommunications and electrical highway infrastructure. Testimony in support came from Senator Brandon Storm and representatives from Charter Communications and law enforcement, who said copper theft and related vandalism are damaging fiber and other infrastructure across the state. A committee substitute was adopted before the vote.
The committee then considered Senate Bill 73, relating to sexual extortion. Senator Julie Rocky Adams and Kentucky Youth Advocates testified that sextortion is a fast-growing crime against children and that the bill would make sexual extortion a felony, create civil remedies for victims, and require school-based education and resources. The bill passed 15-0 and was reported favorably for floor consideration.
House Bill 662, relating to personally identifiable information, was also approved after discussion and a committee substitute. Representative John Blanton said the bill would help protect judges and certain medical review personnel from public disclosure of personal information while preserving provider access needed for appeals and communications. The Kentucky Medical Association supported the concept but stressed the need to preserve provider-facing information so doctors can conduct peer-to-peer reviews and appeals. The bill passed 15-0 with one pass vote.
House Bill 320, relating to controlled substances on hospital property, was taken up for discussion only and no vote was taken. Representative Mike Klein and a St. Elizabeth nurse testified that hospitals are seeing illicit drug use and trafficking on campus and argued for a drug-free zone to protect staff, patients, and visitors. Committee members raised concerns about how the bill would apply to unconscious overdose patients, lawfully prescribed medications, emergency situations, and whether possession should be treated differently from trafficking. The chair ruled a motion out of order because the item was for discussion only, and the bill remained under consideration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 4/15/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- that the state was forced to resume funding to Feeding Our Future due to a court order and due to the FBI
- On December 11th, 2021, while the FBI had already been investigating Feeding Our Future for eight full
- On December 11th, 2021, while the FBI had already been investigating Feeding Our Future for eight full
- /c><00:49:59.000>
2021, <00:50:00.000>while <00:50:00.160>the <00:50:00.320>FBI - On December 11th, 2021, while the FBI On December 11th, 2021, while the FBI had<00:50:01.080>
Keywords:
permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Fraud with Employee Training – Senator Mark Koran Feb 28th, 2026
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- things in combination with our federal—I think Joe Thompson goes out and our federal investigators, FBI
- things in combination with our federal—I think Joe Thompson goes out and our federal investigators, FBI
Summary:
The discussion focused on fraud in Minnesota public assistance and human services programs, with an emphasis on the harm done to vulnerable recipients rather than just the dollar amounts. The senator described cases involving childcare, PCA, adult daycare, autism, housing support, and food programs, arguing that fraud and poor oversight leave children, disabled people, nursing home residents, and others in neglect or unsafe conditions. He said many of the programs are Medicaid-related or state-funded entitlements intended to address social needs, and that stolen funds directly worsen outcomes for those they are meant to help.
He traced the problem to weak state oversight and agency inaction, citing the creation of the DHS Office of Inspector General after earlier childcare fraud concerns, whistleblower reports, and alleged failures by agency leadership to pursue larger, organized schemes. He pointed to the Feeding Our Future case as a major example, saying federal investigators uncovered broader fraud patterns across multiple programs and that state agencies failed to act despite warning signs. He also said recent audits, including one involving DHS Behavioral Health Administration, showed inadequate site visits and other serious deficiencies.
The senator said he recently met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., because a large share of Minnesota spending includes federal dollars and federal partners have a stake in preventing misuse. He argued that federal action is necessary but not sufficient, and that Minnesota also needs stronger internal controls, standardized eligibility verification, identity and residency checks, site visits, and better use of data tools. He supported creating an independent Office of Inspector General passed last session, but said it is only a partial solution and that agencies themselves must be retrained and held accountable. No formal votes were taken in the exchange, but the senator described ongoing legislative efforts and said he was pessimistic about the governor’s willingness to act.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Chamber Meeting Feb 5th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
New Mexico House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- I had the opportunity to run the FBI office there for many, many years, and have never been disappointed
- I had the opportunity to run the FBI office there for many, many years, and have never been disappointed
Bills:
HB95, HB111, HJR1, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM23, HM24, HM26, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HM50, HB8, HB30, HB43, HB156, HM2, HM16
Keywords:
HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Criminal Jurisprudence S/C New Offenses & Changed Penalties Apr 15th, 2025
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the censorship industrial complex. Mar 25th, 2025 at 01:00 pm
Constitution Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Even James Baker, a former FBI employee and Twitter executive admitted that there was need to find restraints
- There, government officials, up to and including the FBI, up to and including the president, have told
Keywords:
censorship, First Amendment, social media, misinformation, free speech, government regulation, Big Tech, public discourse
Summary:
The meeting primarily focused on the implications of government involvement in censorship, particularly regarding social media platforms and compliance with misinformation standards. senators and witnesses discussed growing concerns over the influence of large tech companies, like Facebook and Google, in shaping public discourse and suppressing dissenting views. A significant part of the meeting included testimonies from various experts emphasizing the dangers of the 'censorship industrial complex'—a term used to describe the collaborative efforts between government entities and private organizations to control information flow. This collaboration is viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights, with calls for urgent legislative action to restore free speech protections.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (02/19/2025)
Summary:
The subcommittee first took up House Bill 702, which would change how extra or special duty pay for retired police officers is treated for retirement and work-limit purposes. Supporters argued the bill would let retirees work more special-duty hours, helping municipalities fill traffic-detail and similar assignments without added state cost, and said it would not prohibit retirees from working but would simply stop those hours from counting toward the return-to-work threshold. Opponents argued the change would be inconsistent with the retirement system’s 2011 reforms, could increase pension liabilities, and would treat the same compensation differently for active employees and retirees. Members also discussed whether the bill would affect current and future retirees, the role of municipalities, and whether the policy amounted to “policing for profit.” The subcommittee ultimately voted 3-2 to recommend inexpedient to legislate (ITL) on HB 702, sending it to the full committee with that recommendation.
The committee then discussed House Bill 581, which would create a Group Three retirement plan for new state employees hired after the bill’s effective date. The chair outlined a housekeeping amendment to delay implementation, moving the effective date to January 1, 2026, and noted a sponsor amendment addressing health insurance group inclusion and medical and surgical benefits so those benefits would not be put at risk for the new group. Testimony and discussion focused on the shift from defined benefit to defined contribution, with supporters citing Michigan examples and arguing the bill would help recruit and retain employees while giving them more flexibility. Opponents said the change could weaken retirement security and increase unfunded liability, though supporters responded that the bill still requires employer contributions toward accrued liability and is intended to keep the state on track to pay off its unfunded liability by 2039. The transcript ends with continued discussion of the bill and no final vote shown on HB 581.