Transcript Highlights:

• Trying to get funding to help ensure that we can rebuild that school in this fire-devastated area, and
• It is rebuilding; it's stabilizing.
• Assembly Member, and the way in which you were able to convey the resilience of your community, rebuilding
• recognize that one of the things that we always need to do when we're building infrastructure, rebuilding
• the fires, and I was similarly impressed with the community there. ...and how they were fighting to rebuild

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several education bills, with AB 887 by Assemblymember Berman proposing that every school district and charter school adopt a plan so all high schools offer at least one computer science course by 2029-30. Supporters, including a teacher and student, argued California is falling behind other states and that computer science is essential for student opportunity and workforce readiness. ACSA opposed the bill, citing the shortage of qualified computer science teachers and administrative burden. The bill passed the committee on a 6-0 vote and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 1390 by Assemblymember Solache, which would allow local and county school boards to raise trustee compensation above long-standing statutory minimums that have not changed in decades. Supporters said the current stipends are too low to make board service accessible to working families and younger community members. There was no opposition testimony, and the bill passed with five votes, with the roll left open for additional members. AB 865 by Assemblymember Gonzalez would create a $5 million, three-year grant program for dual-language immersion instructional materials, split between high-demand languages and other languages. Supporters said districts often lack standards-aligned materials in languages beyond Spanish, forcing teachers to create their own. The bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. AB 857 by Assemblymember Gibson, requiring annual cultural competency training for K-12 staff, also passed 5-1 after supporters linked it to the state reparations task force report and argued it would improve trust and student outcomes. The committee additionally approved AB 677 by Assemblymember Bryan, which would make it easier for unhoused students to access school-based vision and dental screenings by allowing directory information to be used for that purpose with an opt-out process; it passed 8-0. AB 903 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, directing the Department of Education to develop best practices on education technology and digital equity, passed after amendments and with some opponents indicating they would remove opposition once the amendments were in print. Finally, AB 917 by Assemblymember Avila Farias, extending permanent-status protections to certain educators in small districts and county programs, drew significant opposition from small districts and regional occupational programs over flexibility and funding concerns; the bill still passed 5-2 with the roll held open for additional votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want to rebuild our community in such a way that we don't segment populations away from each other
• Secondly, for the structural repair, we had to rebuild the diversion because of the amount of silt that
• We need you guys to handle all the rebuild for the acequias because we don't have the staff.

Transcript Highlights:

• But in addition, the website rebuild is an entire rebuild.
• And for them to move into the DPS side of this rebuild, it just seems like it was...
• And for them to move into the DPS side of this rebuild, it just seems like it was a smooth transition
• We got them money, $33 million total, to rebuild the magistrate court. What is this $6 million for?

Summary: The Department of Public Safety presented its FY27 budget request, emphasizing three priorities: improving community engagement through a redesigned website and outreach, expanding statewide data and intelligence integration through intelligence-led policing, and improving emergency response and officer safety through fleet replacement, a driving track, and a requested helicopter. DPS said much of its increase is driven by rising health care premiums, and it is also seeking special appropriations for fleet replacement, the website rebuild, and an Honor Guard program created after the 2022 helicopter crash that killed four public servants. Members asked about vacancies, fleet costs, cybersecurity compliance, the real-time crime center, EV fleet participation, and the Metro DPS facility. DPS said its vacancy rate is about 9%, its fleet replacement needs are driven by mileage and condition, it is compliant with federal CJIS standards even though DoIT has raised concerns, the real-time crime center would be built as a regional model to complement Albuquerque’s center, and the Metro facility is moving toward a January groundbreaking. Committee members also discussed several DPS-related capital and IT requests, including the intelligence-led policing data lake, recurring maintenance for critical systems, and a $5.6 million reauthorization for state crime lab DNA backlog work and a $900,000 reauthorization for fingerprinting equipment. DPS explained that the website request is high because the current site must be rebuilt from scratch to support missing-person alerts, memorial updates, ADA compliance, and better communication with law enforcement and the public. Members also raised concerns about speed enforcement, construction-zone cameras, and whether EVs are practical for patrol use; DPS said it is not pursuing speed cameras and is only partially participating in the state EV initiative because patrol needs make full electrification difficult. The committee then received an LFC quarterly update on non-recurring appropriations from the 2025 General Appropriation Act. LFC reported that of the $1.4 billion appropriated in Section 5, $164 million had been expended and $333 million encumbered, leaving $897.4 million unspent, which is a slower pace than the prior year. Staff highlighted a number of reauthorization requests and slow-moving projects across agencies, including AOC cybersecurity funding, DFA housing and public safety grants, DoIT cybersecurity and higher education funds, EDD economic development and energy programs, OSI mitigation and malpractice funds, EMNRD energy and geothermal grants, Health Care Authority behavioral health-related appropriations, DPS crime lab and fingerprinting funds, PED career technical education and special education initiatives, and higher education loan repayment and technology funds. Members questioned why some large appropriations had little or no spending, discussed the need to monitor reauthorizations more closely, and asked for follow-up on several specific line items and project balances.

Transcript Highlights:

• And right now, first responders and volunteers are cleaning up and rebuilding the community days after
• And right now, first responders and volunteers are cleaning up and rebuilding the community days after
• I would much rather see my elected officials focusing on rebuilding communities than spending your time
• We are in a time of crisis, and we should be focused on helping our neighbors recover, rebuild, and start
• People are deeply grieving and trying their best to rebuild, yet our leaders are spending tax dollars

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Rebuilding after a fire is a difficult and costly process that doesn't need to include.
• The bill allows them to rebuild their homes under the solar energy standards that were in place when
• And they have been on a fixed income of less than $2,000 a month and they. cannot rebuild, and currently
• Rebuilding isn't just about restoring homes.
• To rebuild Santa Rosa and Sonoma County in a stronger and more resilient manner, gone. 37.8 million from

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have kids that Um, you know, just weeks or months of treatment just to physically rebuild and function
• So I have the hope to regain my stability and continue on and rebuild my life.
• them say that you have the job, I'm knowing that if I can just get a job, I can save myself, I can rebuild
• and they are threaded with hope, like, OK, you know, I'm, I'm finally gonna be able to restart and rebuild
• again, thank you and it looks like that you are, you use the word uh That you want to restart and rebuild

Bills: HB163, HB 296

Keywords: judicial liability, personal bond, felony offenses, judges, criminal justice reform, voter registration, election procedures, change of address, residence requirements, Texas Election Code, Texas election law, residence address, precinct voting, county move, same-county move, Election Code, registrar, statement of residence, polling place, local elections

Transcript Highlights:

• I have kids that, you know, just weeks or months of treatment just to physically rebuild and function
• So, I have the hope to regain my stability and continue on and rebuild my life.
• say that you have the job, I'm knowing that if I can just get a job, I can save myself, I can. can rebuild
• I'm finally gonna be able to restart and rebuild. Small discrepancy.
• Use the word that you want to restart and rebuild. Look like you might be doing that.

Bills: HB713, HB827, HB932, HB499, HB510, HB163, HB296, HB879, HB913, HB163, HB296

Keywords: healthcare, maternal health, reporting requirements, Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, health provider immunity, workplace violence, nurses, grant program, healthcare facilities, safety measures, safety, nursing, grants, healthcare safety, verbal abuse, physical abuse, nurse empowerment, occupational therapy, licensure, interstate practice

Transcript Highlights:

• These are rebuild-and-expand projects, and here's the problem with them: no regulatory scrutiny.
• These are rebuild-and-expand projects, and here's the problem with them: no regulatory scrutiny.
• These are rebuild-and-expand projects, and here's the problem with them: no regulatory scrutiny.
• These are rebuild-and-expand projects, and here's the problem with them: no regulatory scrutiny.
• These are rebuild-and-expand projects, and here's the problem with them: no regulatory scrutiny.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing focused on House Bill 610, which would fold the Office of the Consumer Advocate into the Department of Energy rather than fully eliminate consumer advocacy functions. The prime sponsor argued the current office is small, funded by a special assessment on ratepayers, and duplicative of DOE work. He said moving the function to DOE would streamline energy policy review, reduce bureaucracy, and better focus the larger agency on lowering residential energy costs. He also disputed claims that the Consumer Advocate is independent, saying the office is appointed through a political process similar to DOE leadership. Committee members and the sponsor discussed whether the bill would actually relocate existing positions or replace them, and whether the Department of Energy would absorb the cost of the transferred staff. The sponsor said the fiscal note shows roughly a million-dollar reduction in both revenue assessment and spending, and that the bill would effectively reduce the office from five positions to three. He also defended his cost estimates for energy-code-related housing impacts and said the Consumer Advocate has sometimes supported policies he считает increase costs, such as energy-efficiency measures and building code changes. He argued the office should focus more on energy supply and generation, including natural gas and nuclear, rather than efficiency alone. Representative Wendy Thomas testified in opposition, saying the Consumer Advocate is an important, fair, and impartial voice for ratepayers and warning that the bill was fiscally irresponsible because the incumbent could still be owed salary and benefits if the office were repealed. She also said the bill’s drafting was confusing and that the Consumer Advocate’s role is to push back on utilities on behalf of consumers. Other members raised questions about whether the DOE would simply inherit the same political appointment structure and whether the bill would meaningfully lower bills. No vote was taken in the excerpt; the chair indicated additional testimony would follow, and the Department of Energy was present to answer questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Veterans Affairs, MDVA proposes a pivot away from the tear down and rebuild project that
• Department of Veterans Affairs, MDVA proposes a pivot away from the tear down and rebuild project that
• Department of Veterans Affairs, MDVA proposes a pivot away from the tear down and rebuild project that
• Department of Veterans Affairs, MDVA proposes a pivot away from the tear down and rebuild project that
• Department of Veterans Affairs, MDVA proposes a pivot away from the tear down and rebuild project that

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They need to remain housed while rebuilding and while continuing to pay their mortgage payments.
• They use their rebuild money for temporary housing, leaving them without money to rebuild, or they relocate
• They need to remain housed while rebuilding and while continuing to pay their mortgage payments.
• They use their rebuild money for temporary housing, leaving them without money to rebuild, or they relocate
• Gordon is trying to rebuild his life in a world that has completely changed.

Bills: HCR93, HCR14, HR85

Keywords: image-based sexual abuse, working group, gender-based violence, Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women, prevention efforts, survivor protections, new technologies, legal reform, HCR14, House Concurrent Resolution, perpetual easement, non-exclusive easement, state submerged lands, submerged lands, shoreline easement, drainage outfall, stormwater outfall, lagoon outfall, pipelines, Kahala Hotel & Resort

Transcript Highlights:

• Even under normal conditions, rebuilding in Maui County takes longer than a year.
• in Maui County takes longer rebuilding in Maui County takes longer than<00:57:50.680> a<00:57
• Lānaʻi fire survivors should not face homelessness while waiting to rebuild.
• Mahalo for your time and support. homelessness while waiting to rebuild homelessness while waiting to
• rebuild please<00:59:10.799> pass<00:59:11.200> this<00:59:11.400> measure<00:59

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened by outlining hearing procedures, including a two-minute limit for live testimony, a request not to repeat written testimony, and a reminder about decorum. The first bill heard was SB 697, which would create a nonrefundable individual income tax credit for expenses to retrofit residences with wind-resistive devices. The Insurance Division said it supported the concept but noted it may need an appropriation or outside expertise to develop certification standards, while the Department of Taxation said the bill should retain a third-party certification requirement if the Insurance Division cannot administer the credit. The Hawaii Insurers Council supported the bill, and the Tax Foundation suggested a subsidy-style program would be more efficient than a tax credit and criticized the bill’s 100% credit structure. A testifier in support argued the measure would help homeowners fortify houses against hurricanes and reduce shelter demand; written testimony from several others, including HIEMA, was noted as supportive. The committee then moved through SB 76, which would require the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to provide commercial property coverage after two private-market denials, and SB 83, which would require insurers to give advance written premium-change notices and explanations to common-interest community policyholders and the insurance commissioner, along with a report on premium increases. For SB 76, the State Insurance Division stood on its written comments, and testimony in support came from Michael Honda, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and Jessica Herzog. SB 83 drew more extensive discussion: the Insurance Division supported the need for better transparency, while the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed the bill, arguing that agents—not insurers—typically communicate with AOAO boards and that the measure could worsen an already difficult market. Insurance Division staff acknowledged widespread complaints from condo associations about lack of transparency and said the division had received many calls about premium increases and nonrenewals. The discussion on SB 83 expanded into broader concerns about condo insurance, nonrenewals, surplus lines, and the difficulty of getting timely explanations for large premium increases. Committee members and testifiers described older buildings struggling to fund repairs and upgrades while facing steep insurance costs, and some urged the committee to craft baseline statutory protections for unit owners. The Insurance Division said surplus lines serve a critical gap-filling role and warned against regulating that market in a way that could slow access to coverage. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• doesn't fix everything, but it allows a local unit, such as Detroit, to offer a debatement as we try to rebuild
• doesn't fix everything, but it allows a local unit, such as Detroit, to offer a debatement as we try to rebuild

Summary: The Senate Committee on Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection met with a quorum, adopted the June 17 minutes, and took testimony on several bills. Senate Bill 1053, sponsored by Chair Kavanaugh, would raise the acreage cap for neighborhood enterprise zones from 15% to 20% for certain zones. Supporters from Invest Detroit and the City of Detroit said the change would help make housing and redevelopment projects viable, especially in high-tax areas like Detroit, and the bill was reported to the floor on a 6-2 vote. The committee also heard Senate Bill 988, sponsored by Senator Santana, which would extend from 30 to 35 days the deadline to appeal a denied poverty exemption to the Michigan Tax Tribunal. The sponsor and Detroit’s property assessment director described it as a technical alignment with the Tax Tribunal Act and a correction to conflicting timelines; the bill drew support from the Michigan Poverty Law Program, the Michigan Chamber, and the Tax Tribunal, and was reported unanimously. The committee then adopted S-1 substitutes for Senate Bills 1041, 1042, and 1043, the price-gouging package sponsored by Senators Moss, Chang, and Kavanaugh. Sponsors of the price-gouging bills said the package would strengthen Michigan’s emergency price-gouging protections by defining excessive increases during declared emergencies, covering lodging, essential goods and services, and energy products, and giving the Attorney General clearer enforcement tools. Supporters included the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Attorney General’s office, while the Michigan Chamber, Mackinac Center, and NFIB opposed the package. Despite the opposition, all three bills were reported to the floor on 5-3 votes. The meeting adjourned after all reported bills were approved.

Transcript Highlights:

• making it even more difficult to rebuild making it even more difficult to rebuild their<01:10:53.360
• This bill provides a pathway to stability and helps them rebuild their lives.
• They want to rebuild their lives, but they can't get past the first step.
• They want to build rebuild mistakes.
• They want to build rebuild their<01:13:54.080> lives,<01:13:54.320> but<01:13:54.560>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Once local capacity disappears, rebuilding it is extraordinarily hard.
• 00:29:15.080> disappears, Once local capacity disappears, Once local capacity disappears, rebuilding
• rebuilding it is extraordinarily hard. rebuilding it is extraordinarily hard.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with routine proceedings, including a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance, then referred three bills to money committees under House Rule 35A: S.197 to Ways and Means, and S.193 and S.278 to Appropriations. The chamber also read and celebrated HCR 304, honoring the display of Julian Scott’s Civil War painting, The Fourth Vermont Forming Under Fire, in the State House and recognizing the people who helped locate and acquire it for Vermont. HCR 303 was also read, extending best wishes for a speedy recovery to Rep. Ann Donahue; members then offered warm remarks welcoming her back to the chamber. Several members introduced guests in the gallery, and caucus announcements were made before the body moved to the calendar. On transportation, the House took up H.944, the fiscal year 2027 transportation program. The House Transportation Committee reported major differences with the Senate version and, by straw poll, recommended a committee of conference. The House refused to concur in the Senate amendment, appointed conferees, and suspended rules to message its action to the Senate forthwith. The House then considered S.214, which would allow the NEK Choice School District to pay tuition for pre-K students to nearby New Hampshire public-school programs, with administration by Essex North Supervisory Union and possible waivers from state agencies. Education, Ways and Means, and Appropriations all recommended concurrence, citing limited fiscal impact and improved access for children in Essex County; the bill was read a third time and ordered to third reading after debate that included support for rural access and concerns about relying on out-of-state capacity. The House also concurred in Senate amendments to H.171, adding “the role of victim advocates” to officer-involved shooting investigation protocols, and to H.577, the Vermont prescription drug discount card program, which added annual reporting requirements and a terminology fix. The House likewise concurred in Senate amendments to H.588, the annual Office of Professional Regulation bill, including changes on rescission authority, substance-use treatment alternatives, CPA language, pharmacy technician authority, fee placement, and background checks. It then concurred in Senate amendments to H.611, a DVHA housekeeping bill, including 340B protections, a one-year delay for the community-based doula certification program, and codification of current HIV-prevention coverage practice. H.921 was postponed for two legislative days. Finally, the House took up S.227 on immigration protocols in Vermont schools, with the member from Williston describing it as a school safety measure that limits collection and sharing of immigration-status information, provides trusted resources to families, and requires a judicial warrant before law enforcement enters non-public school areas for immigration matters.

Transcript Highlights:

• And once that workforce is gone, it is difficult to rebuild.
• that workforce is gone, it is difficult that workforce is gone, it is difficult to<00:16:08.320> rebuild
• This<00:16:09.839> extension<00:16:10.320> is<00:16:10.560> practical, to rebuild
• This extension is practical, to rebuild.

Bills: HF3393

Keywords: unemployment insurance, iron ore mining, additional benefits, labor force, economic support, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• 01.839> our<00:10:02.080> assets I mean, that's at the point where rehabilitating it, rebuilding
• where mean, that's at the point where rehabilitating<00:10:19.680> it,<00:10:19.920> rebuilding
• <00:10:20.399> it<00:10:20.640> just rehabilitating it, rebuilding it just rehabilitating
• it, rebuilding it just doesn't<00:10:21.120> make<00:10:21.440> economic<00:10:21.920>

Keywords: 00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams 21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds 37:24 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates. Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed. Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Transcript Highlights:

• Her notable contributions include rebuilding the school library, creating the school garden, establishing
• Her notable contributions include<00:30:22.720> rebuilding<00:30:23.200> the<00:30:23.360
• > school<00:30:23.640> library, include rebuilding the school library, include rebuilding

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What I will say is, for those spaces that are not completely burnt out and they do want to rebuild, we
• The first key pillar is family engagement, rebuilding trust and inviting families back into schools,
• I invite you to visit us in San Diego to see firsthand how we are rebuilding from the pandemic with a
• the presenters on instructional capacity, serving the mental health needs of our students, and rebuilding

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• FEMA gets their teeth kicked in all the time about rebuilding houses.
• FEMA gets her teeth kicked in all the time about rebuilding houses.
• most effective building code in the country because of which new construction and post-disaster rebuilding
• most effective building code in the country because of which new construction and post-disaster rebuilding

Summary: The Banking and Insurance Committee heard a series of presentations focused on mitigation, flood and wind resilience, and insurance discounts. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management outlined several funding streams for mitigation, including federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program dollars, BRIC grants, flood mitigation assistance, and the state hurricane loss mitigation program. He emphasized the new Elevate Florida initiative, which will use about $400 million initially to elevate or reconstruct flood-prone homes, starting with National Flood Insurance Program properties and severe repetitive-loss homes, with no current per-home cap. Guthrie said the state will contract directly with licensed vendors and aims to reduce future flood losses, lower insurance costs, and keep properties on the tax rolls rather than relying on buyouts. Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworski described Florida’s windstorm mitigation discount program, explaining that the 1802 inspection form is used to assess a home’s overall “envelope” and determine statutory discounts. He said the office is updating the program based on a new wind loss study, with likely changes including greater recognition of roof types such as metal roofs and possible territorial risk adjustments. He also said the Legislature now requires the office to revisit the study every five years. Stephen Fielder of the Department of Financial Services reported on My Safe Florida Home, noting that the program offers inspections and grants for roof and opening protections, has completed more than 100,000 inspections, and has reimbursed hundreds of millions of dollars. He said the department has validated its discount calculations with insurers and that the program is intended to help homeowners reduce premiums through verified mitigation work. Michael Newman of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety said Florida’s building code is nationally leading and that post-Ian surveys found no wind-driven structural damage in buildings built after adoption of the code. He argued that mitigation should be treated as a system, not isolated upgrades, and suggested adding Fortified designation to the state’s mitigation form to better document verified resilience improvements. Bill Truex, a county commissioner and builder, stressed the need to educate homeowners about floodproofing and roof choices, citing examples where flood panels prevented damage and noting that asphalt shingles often do not last as long in Florida as their marketing suggests. In panel discussion, senators asked about program eligibility, outreach to elderly and digitally challenged residents, contractor vetting, roof-life disclosures, and whether flood insurance should be more broadly required. Officials said outreach will include call centers and in-person assistance, and several participants urged better consumer disclosure and more data-driven guidance on roof and mitigation choices.

Transcript Highlights:

• outsource in the first place if we can keep our infrastructure in a place where we don't have to rebuild
• we<00:27:32.360> don't<00:27:32.559> have<00:27:32.679> to<00:27:32.880> rebuild
• <00:27:33.360> from<00:27:33.600> zero<00:27:34.480> we we don't have to rebuild
• it from zero we we don't have to rebuild it from zero we don't<00:27:34.760> necessarily<00:27

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The program covered the start of the 94th Minnesota Legislature, where the evenly split Senate adopted a bipartisan power-sharing agreement, Senate Resolution 1, by unanimous support. The agreement, reached in honor of the late Sen. Kari Dziedzic, sets up co-presiding officers, co-chairs and evenly split committees, and will remain in place until one party gains a majority. Republican Sen. Jeremy Miller and DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion were elected as co-presiding officers under the arrangement. A major segment focused on fraud, waste, and abuse in Minnesota and proposals to strengthen oversight. DFL Sen. Gerson discussed a bill to create an independent Office of Inspector General to oversee public and private entities receiving taxpayer dollars, arguing it would fill a gap and work alongside existing agencies such as the Office of the State Auditor, the attorney general, and the BCA. He said the issue has bipartisan concern and that the bill is intended to protect taxpayer money and the people who rely on public programs. Republican Sen. John Jasinski also said fraud is a serious problem, citing cases such as Feeding Our Future, child care assistance, and Medicaid-related fraud, and arguing that every dollar matters and stronger checks and balances are needed. He expressed support for anti-fraud efforts if they are independent and bipartisan, and pointed to the House’s new fraud oversight committee as a promising step. State Auditor Julie Blaha added that her office focuses on local government accountability, said workforce shortages are a major challenge, and emphasized that tips from the public and public employees are often the best way fraud is detected.