Transcript Highlights:

• Will those direct support organizations have to go through a procurement process in order to do business

Summary: The Senate convened with an opening prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance led by pages, and several introductions recognizing guests, family members, and a USF Day at the Capitol presentation. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar, where it first passed two Open Government Sunset Review bills: CS/SB 7010, preserving a public records exemption for certain Department of Financial Services receiver information, and SB 7008/HB 7003, preserving confidentiality for financial technology sandbox application records. Both measures passed unanimously. The Senate also passed CS/SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings relating to terrorism, a bill intended to help victims enforce judgments against terrorist entities, and CS/CS/SB 910 on veterans benefits assistance, aimed at improving veterans’ access to benefits and transition support. Additional measures passed included CS/CS/CS/SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, SB 796 on general permits for distributed wastewater treatment systems, CS/CS/CS/SB 700, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, and several claims bills, including relief for Darlene Angerville and J.R., Eric and Jennifer Miles on behalf of EEM, and Marcus Button. SB 994 on driver’s license education requirements also passed after an amendment making texting while driving a moving violation with points and a distracted-driving course requirement. The most extended debate centered on CS/CS/CS/SB 700, where senators discussed provisions on fluoride in drinking water, labeling of plant-based products, drone penalties, charity registration, agricultural housing, and other agriculture-related policy changes. Several amendments on fluoride were offered and defeated, while a technical amendment on financial institution definitions was adopted. Senators also briefly discussed the policy implications of the bill’s fluoride language and its relationship to local control and public health. Several other bills on the calendar were temporarily postponed, and at the end of the session the Senate adopted motions to certify passed bills to the House, retain postponed bills on the special order calendar, and remove CS/SB 7016 from the special order calendar. The Senate then adjourned until April 16.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will grant procurement preferences to military spouses, all businesses.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• doctors, really people that wash the linens that keep our veterans safe, the people that do the procurement

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• many cases, and we have a breakdown of what all the revenue the agency has been able to effectively procure

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, Attorney General, budget recommendations, funding swaps, salary increases, Landowner's Compensation Program, public testimony, law enforcement

Summary: The meeting focused on the budget recommendations for the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), where key issues included the proposed decrease of $163.9 million for the 2024-25 biennium and various methodology swaps for funding. Attorney General Paxton discussed ongoing litigation expenditures and emphasized the need for continued investments in agency staffing to address rising demands within law enforcement. Notably, he requested a 6% salary increase for 2026 and 2027 to retain talented personnel amidst competitive job markets. Public testimony highlighted community awareness challenges regarding the Landowner's Compensation Program, indicating a need for enhanced outreach efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Fee revenue may also be used to award grants to defray the costs of training and certification related
• Awarding grants to individuals to defray the costs of training and certification relating to...
• The board awards grants for workforce training, information about the training, the structure of the
• training programs, and the number of contractors trained, and any other information relevant to the success
• I want to be trained and authorized to work on these vehicles. Can you help me with that?"

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• training to stay drivers.
• We certainly train our drivers. We train our students as well as we can.
• We certainly train our drivers. We train our students as well as we can.
• We certainly train our drivers. We train our students as well as we can.
• We certainly train our drivers. We train our students as well as we can.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When it comes to trains, trains are much more expensive.
• When it comes to trains, trains are much more expensive.
• When it comes to trains, trains are much more expensive.
• I ride the train, and the trip advisers are fantastic.
• <00:30:44.919> and needs you know I I ride the train and needs you know I I ride the train

Bills: HF5

Keywords: tax modification, transportation funding, electric vehicle tax, Social Security subtraction, retail delivery fee, motor vehicle registration, state budget, transportation policy, 1183, house

Summary: The committee began with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview of the governor’s transportation budget recommendations from fiscal staff Andy Lee. He explained that the spreadsheet showed only proposed changes, not base spending, and highlighted General Fund and trunk highway adjustments for MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety, including operating changes, extensions of prior appropriations, increased state road construction and Blatnik Bridge authority tied to anticipated federal funds, State Patrol hiring and a metro headquarters item, aeronautics changes, and revenue adjustments in the Driver and Vehicle Services special revenue account. The main testimony came from Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle, who outlined three budget-related items: advancing funds to MnDOT to help coordinate a highway reconstruction with a transitway project, making Metro Mobility riders eligible for free fixed-route transit, and reducing the Metro Transit general fund appropriation by $32.454 million annually. He said the advance would speed delivery and reduce disruption, the free-fare pilot had been successful and could save money if even a small share of Metro Mobility trips shifted to fixed-route service, and the general fund reduction was manageable in the near term because of new revenue streams but could constrain future expansion and capital maintenance. Members questioned the long-term effects of the proposed reduction, possible impacts on safety, service expansion, and capital maintenance, and whether federal funding uncertainty could affect operations and bus procurement. Zelle said the cuts would not affect immediate operations but could limit future BRT, microtransit, and transitway expansion, while also noting that capital maintenance needs include platform rebuilds, track work, rolling stock, and station repairs. He also said the 2023 funding package had accelerated projects and that the council was opening three transit lines this year. No votes or formal actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I finished medical school 50 years ago, and one of the first patients I had in my training was a child
• I finished medical school 50 years ago, and one of the first patients I had in my training was a child
• patients I had um and one of the first patients I had um in<02:46:50.960> my<02:46:51.200> training
• > child<02:46:52.479> who<02:46:52.640> had<02:46:52.880> been in my training
• was a child who had been in my training was a child who had been infected<02:46:53.359> with<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the last item that we no longer need a lapse extension on is the construction and Training Center
• building, or, sorry, construction and Training Center for Building Trades at New Hampshire Correctional
• <00:38:49.839> uh question it has to do with the uh question it has to do with the uh training
• It can be ice, passengers, ski trains, or timber.
• uh or Timber it has to be trains uh or Timber it has to be something<03:41:39.560> that<03:41

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a Department of Corrections capital budget presentation on HB 25, focused largely on urgent maintenance and security needs at the New Hampshire State Prison for Men and other DOC facilities. DOC officials described the governor’s proposed priorities: boiler surge and radiator tank replacements, electronic controls and camera upgrades, and replacement of HVAC units using R22 refrigerant. They also outlined additional requested projects totaling $15.4 million, including a body alarm/man-down system at Northern New Hampshire Correctional Facility, steam line and trap repairs, fire alarm replacements, and removal of an underground diesel tank in favor of above-ground storage. DOC testified that many systems are well beyond their expected service life, including 40-year-old boilers, outdated analog cameras, and HVAC equipment using discontinued R22 refrigerant. They said the men’s prison is relying on a leased temporary boiler, has significant steam leaks causing major water loss and reduced boiler efficiency, and is dealing with frequent fire alarm faults and deteriorating wiring. On the body alarm system, they said the vendor no longer supports the equipment and replacement parts are no longer available. On the diesel tank, members questioned whether it could be abandoned in place or whether fuel could be reused; DOC said it had not explored all alternatives and would follow up, while noting the tank is underground and tied into the warehouse system. Members also asked whether some current investments could be reused in the planned new men’s prison. DOC said some items, such as air handlers, might potentially be moved, but most projects are needed to keep the current facility operational and would not be practical to transfer. Questions were also raised about the leased boiler arrangement, the use of the man-down system by staff and visitors, and whether the kitchen project could be converted to a modular unit. DOC said the modular kitchen approach is necessary because the existing kitchen cannot remain fully operational during repairs. The committee then moved to lapse extensions, and DOC identified several projects no longer needing extensions, including items numbered 64, 65, and 66 in HB 25, with the chair noting those balances would be deleted and that the lapse amount was $550,500.

Transcript Highlights:

• oversight, certification or training oversight, certification or training standards<02:39:12.880
• , are responsible for training, are responsible for training, certification,<02:40:16.640> use
• standards and training requirements. standards and training requirements.
• police standards and training. police standards and training.
• A trained law enforcement officer.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• what I call CIT or the coaching training what I call CIT or the coaching training which<00:47:13.880
• the education uh and the uh job training the education uh and the uh job training uh<01:02:41.520
• We provide our men with 12 trainings and certifications, on-the-job training, along with job placement
• <01:30:06.199> and provide our men with 12 trainings and provide our men with 12 trainings
• <01:39:59.040> and Enterprise as a model for training and Enterprise as a model for training

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So the internship is separate from our education training.
• It is after our training and is different from like an OT or a PT or a speech language therapist.
• <00:32:39.360> It separate from our education training.
• It separate from our education training.
• So, I you know I I I with her training.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• want to emphasize, you know, we are at a doctoring level of care now, and so we do get extensive training
• don't want their medical information shared or used for marketing purposes or training AI programs, as
• We owe it to Californians to ensure those voices are trained and equipped to save lives.
• Currently, California has no statewide standard for dispatcher training.
• EMD training equips dispatchers with the tools to guide callers through CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:57.240> staff<00:08:57.920> receiving<00:08:58.240> sites training staff
• receiving sites training staff receiving sites reimbursement<00:08:59.680> claims<00:09:00.519
• training and technical assistance<00:09:24.680> state<00:09:25.000> agencies<00:09:25.399
• It recruited and hired highly trained staff.
• highly trained highly trained staff<00:48:03.359> the<00:48:03.559> Decades<00:48:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings. The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies. Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I work in seafood procurement for Papa's Restaurants Incorporated out of Houston, Texas.
• Law enforcement training facilities.
• And so we'll do training with Texas A&M there, the main hospital.
• We train about 650 on our sites, not to mention.
• We also train for placement throughout the broader broadband. industry and we are proud to have trained

Bills: HB19, HB30, HB851, HB1663, HB1681, HB1769, HB1937, HB1979, HB2428, HB2433, HB2825, HB3159, HB3424, HB3486, HB3487, HB3504, HB3605, HB3879, HB3994, HB4382, HB4752, HB5444, HB5446, HB5447, HB3199, HB4847, HB19

Keywords: local government debt, property tax, ad valorem tax, bond election, certificate of obligation, anticipation note, school district tax rate, voter-approval rate, debt service cap, municipal finance, county bonds, flood control district, hospital district, public works, tax transparency, property tax notice, November uniform election date, general obligation bonds, local debt reform, taxpayer notice

Transcript Highlights:

• so that's inspections 24 hours a day, 365, trapping, detector dog, and rapid response efforts and training
• And rapid response efforts and training. And rapid response efforts and training.
• So a lot of the challenges on that part has been the procurement issue.
• A lot of the challenges on that part has been the procurement issue.
• for that, so we have 100% training for that, so we have 100% compliance. compliance. compliance.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But in the midst of the timing and the training, the Secretary of State training that we go to is late
• But ongoing trainings and possibly in the evening, because a lot of the trainings are during the day.
• Trainings and possibly in the evening, because a lot of the trainings are during the day and people are
• I think always more training is beneficial.
• For example, people who are getting trained for the primary election are not getting paid for their training

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But, you know, calls—we're doing trainings and presentations on what y'all do every session and trying
• Yes, I was going to say, or insurance can be procured for it.
• But they are obligated not to negligently hire people, negligently employ them, negligently train them
• And they're immune from claims that they failed to adequately supervise, train, hire, or employ that

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , Today, many buildings are professionally managed through a combination of regional supervisors, trained
• are part of an equation in some of our denser urban coastal areas, ...an equation that now includes trains
• fire-safe doors, sprinklers, fire detection systems, you have to have fire investigators, people that are trained
• I've worked on the procurement for a ladder truck in Fresno County where we actually partnered with the

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Crum, the appropriation effective immediately would allow us to start the procurement process
• They need the type of training to understand how to do computer criminal investigations.
• where it requires specialized training. where it requires specialized training.
• They need the type of training crimes.
• said, the training that goes into that takes<01:24:01.360> a<01:24:01.600> minute<01:24

Bills: HB0103, HB0070, HB0091

Keywords: First Amendment, free speech, lawsuits, immunity, public participation, strategic lawsuits, foreign censorship, digital innovation, constitutional rights, Wyoming GRANITE Act, extraterritorial laws, civil actions, speech protection, legal jurisdiction, joint liability, artificial intelligence, social scoring, biometric data, privacy rights, government regulation