Transcript Highlights:

• Counties. Counties.
• protection would unfairly subject county protection would unfairly subject county nursing<02:18:
• We are ranked between one and two of the oldest workforces in this nation. workforce. 30% of our workforce
• a a workforce shortage. a a workforce shortage.
• lot of our employment workforce. lot of our employment workforce.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We even have our Nueces County judge here today to testify how our county almost went bankrupt because
• You are here on behalf of Nueces County and yourself.
• I know with the county we had many of our elected officials that work in the county courthouse that We
• of Claib counties.
• Um, 8, training the workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, economically challenged counties.
• So if you look at the disasters that we've seen, Cibola County, Mora County, San Miguel County, Lincoln
• area, going into Colfax County, going into Lincoln County, but definitely it could impact and, if you
• How do we fund counties? Which counties really need it?
• and water workforce development.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It maintains the workforce in New Hampshire and keeps people connected to the workforce in many ways.
• It maintains the workforce in New Hampshire and keeps people connected to the workforce in many ways.
• people connected to the workforce in people connected to the workforce in many<00:11:12.880> ways
• we're not breaking it down by counties we're not breaking it down by counties and<00:53:44.480><
• statewide to county to municipal. statewide to county to municipal.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've spent 20 years as a county supervisor, Spent 20 years as a county supervisor, and I found, after
• work for cities and counties.
• to Ventura County to San Diego, Los Angeles, Kern, and Sonoma County.
• I farm in Solano and Sutter County.
• I farm in Solano and Sutter County.

Summary: The meeting began with a lengthy opening discussion with Secretary Karen Ross of the Department of Food and Agriculture, who reviewed the department’s proposed budget, emphasized California agriculture’s record output, and highlighted major priorities including climate-smart agriculture, groundwater management, local food systems, farm-to-school, food hubs, invasive pest prevention, bird flu response, and food safety. She also warned about federal budget cuts, especially at USDA and FDA, and discussed market access challenges abroad, rising input costs, labor shortages, and the need for automation and workforce training. Members raised questions about the future of Farm to School, the California Nutrition Incentive Program/Market Match, local food procurement, and how to better connect farmers to schools, food banks, and food hubs; Ross said the department had strong evidence the program benefits small farms and Title I schools and noted continued interest in building out local food infrastructure. The committee then took up item one on eliminating vacant positions at the Departments of Fish and Wildlife, Parks and Recreation, and Food and Agriculture. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that the Governor proposed eliminating 6,000 vacant positions statewide, with the Joint Legislative Budget Committee previously rejecting 650 of them, including 174 in these three departments. LAO and Finance said the vacancies represented a source of budget flexibility, but warned that eliminating them could create program impacts; LAO recommended retaining the special-funded positions at Fish and Wildlife and Food and Agriculture, while weighing the General Fund positions against other priorities. Finance argued the reductions were part of a broader budget-resiliency exercise and that departments could reclassify or shift vacancies to higher priorities. Members focused heavily on the practical impacts of the cuts. Assemblymember Petrie-Norris argued that Fish and Wildlife staffing shortages were already slowing permits needed for housing, clean energy, water, and transportation projects, and questioned the value of saving relatively small amounts of money. Fish and Wildlife officials said the department had prioritized mission-critical work and could still meet permitting obligations, but acknowledged limited-term staffing constraints. State Parks said the proposed ranger and maintenance cuts would not have immediate effects but could slow maintenance and eventually worsen deferred maintenance. Food and Agriculture said some of the eliminated positions supported early pest detection and eradication, but that the department believed it could still meet its mandate and reclassify positions if needed. The chair and several members signaled concern about the Fish and Wildlife and Parks cuts, while also noting the broader need for budget reductions. The committee then moved to item six, hearing an overview from the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Staff described the office’s role in CEQA implementation and said the budget requests were baseline funding to maintain existing functions, including IT services and administrative/legislative support, rather than new programs. The chair asked the presenters to move quickly through background material so the committee could get to questions, and the item began with no votes taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Osceola County has one county commissioner that...
• Osceola County has one county commissioner that represents the county on our board, but there's been
• This year, for example, Seminole County has the chair, Orange County has the vice chair, Osceola County
• Most of our workforce in Pinellas County got up in the morning and they drove to Tampa and they went
• And then we've had the booming growth in Pasco County to the north, and a lot of their workforce comes

Summary: The Senate Committee on Transportation met to hear presentations from the Florida Department of Transportation on rural arterial roadways and transportation resiliency, followed by a panel discussion on metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs). FDOT’s Will Watts described the state’s growing population and travel demand, emphasizing that rural arterials are critical for connectivity, freight movement, evacuation routes, and congestion relief. He outlined FDOT’s project selection factors, noted thousands of identified rural arterial needs with billions in unfunded demand, and explained that the department uses community input and long-range planning to prioritize safety, capacity, and economic development. Watts then discussed resiliency planning for hurricanes and flooding, focusing on structural design, storm readiness, and drainage. He highlighted efforts such as elevated bridges, wave attenuators, coastal armoring, drainage upgrades, and materials testing at FDOT’s research facilities to extend service life and reduce storm damage. Committee members asked about local project selection, materials research, LiDAR use, and legislative support; Watts said local coordination drives project priorities and asked lawmakers to protect the Transportation Trust Fund. The MPO panel, led by FDOT’s Kim Holland, explained that MPOs are federally required in urban areas over 50,000 population and that Florida has 27, the most in the nation. Holland said MPOs identify and prioritize transportation needs through long-range plans and public engagement, and she noted that several regions are exploring consolidation after the 2020 Census, especially in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida. Representatives from MetroPlan Orlando, Forward Pinellas, Pasco MPO, and Hillsborough discussed their structures and the potential benefits and challenges of merging, including representation, governance, funding, and maintaining local voice. Members generally supported regional collaboration, urged patience as studies continue, and emphasized the need for transparent public engagement, while the committee adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• on behalf of the state the County on behalf of the state the County private private private organizations
• Council supersede all existing County Council supersede all existing County building<01:53:06.199
• bill is written but they the counties bill is written but they the counties still<01:53:27.079><
• Public Works County Public Works County Hawaii<01:53:41.280> in<01:53:41.840> comments
• planning and permitting C County planning and permitting C County Honolulu<01:53:46.599> comments

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard three House bills related to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. HB 606 would extend the Act 279 special fund to June 30, 2028, continue deposits and appropriations to help eliminate the DHHL waitlist, and require a strategic plan and annual reporting. DHHL strongly supported the measure, saying most of the initial $600 million had been used and that the need remains large, with more than 29,000 people on the waitlist. Public testimony also supported the bill, emphasizing its importance to Native Hawaiian families and concerns about Hawaiians leaving the islands because of housing costs. A member noted the bill is a priority and that the committee will keep working on how to fund another $600 million. HB 1086 would exempt DHHL homestead lot and housing development from general excise and use taxes. DHHL supported the bill, saying any tax savings would reduce the eventual cost of housing for low-income beneficiaries. The Department of Taxation said it could administer the measure and noted it is already being implemented under the governor’s emergency proclamation, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii offered technical comments and urged the committee to weigh existing benefits already received by DHHL beneficiaries. HB 1307 would appropriate funds for DHHL water well development and geothermal exploration on Hawaiian homelands. DHHL said the bill is a follow-up to prior study funding and would support slim-hole drilling, site evaluation, and consultant work to identify viable geothermal resources, especially on Hawaiʻi Island. Several testifiers opposed the bill, arguing there had been inadequate beneficiary consultation, raising environmental, cultural, and safety concerns, and objecting to using $20 million for geothermal rather than housing. In response to committee questions, DHHL staff explained that the goal is to gather information for a future public-private partnership to develop geothermal electricity, and that a Chapter 343 environmental review would be required later in the process. No votes were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• limited access to water, wastewater necessary to facilitate the support for affordable housing and workforce
• Being in Montgomery County where the San Jacino River Authority did something similar to that for uh
• Water wastewater treatment regionalization takes advantage of economies of scale, a well-trained workforce
• The water workforce in Texas is in a crisis.
• Parts of the district, parts of Harris County, big, huge parts of Harris County are, um, if you're not

Bills: HB 29, HB 685, HB 1633, HB 1689, HB 1690, HB 1918, HB 2010, HB 2500, HB 2608, HB 2626

Keywords: water audit, water loss, water loss mitigation plan, municipally owned utility, municipal utility, water conservation, Texas Water Development Board, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, water leakage, leak detection, billing data accuracy, utility validation, water audit validation, water scarcity, water management, infrastructure, public utility, conservation plan, administrative penalty

Transcript Highlights:

• Workforce demand outweighs enrollment.
• We've got a number of counties that have no lawyer and a lot of counties that have less than five.
• We've got, you know, a number of counties that have no lawyer and a lot of counties that have less than
• So how would, if workforce, Mr.
• So how would, if workforce, Mr.

Summary: The Higher Ed Funding Committee met to review how North Dakota might identify and address low-producing academic programs and to discuss draft funding formulas for the university system. Lisa Johnson of the NDUS explained that the State Board of Higher Education is already developing a system-wide policy, using models from other states such as Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, and Connecticut. She described how low-producing programs are typically flagged by multi-year enrollment or completion thresholds, then reviewed for workforce demand, mission fit, cost, accreditation, and regional need before any action is taken. Committee members asked about what counts as a program, how costs are analyzed, whether certificates are included, how exemptions work for mission-critical or high-demand fields, and whether the board or legislature should set the rules. Johnson said the board is the appropriate body to lead the process, but legislators could use funding leverage if they wanted to encourage action; the chair asked the board to bring a detailed proposal to the June meeting. The committee then heard a Legislative Council presentation on a draft formula for UND and NDSU. The proposal uses fall census FTE enrollment, with a placeholder undergraduate rate of $7,000 per FTE and a graduate/professional rate of $10,500, plus incentives for completions in in-demand fields and research productivity. Alex from Legislative Council walked through the projected funding effects, noting that the model would increase funding for NDSU and reduce it for UND in the current biennium, with different results in the next biennium as enrollment changes are recognized. Members questioned the use of the placeholder rates, the definition of in-demand programs, the treatment of research funding, and the exclusion of state-appropriated dollars from the external grants calculation. The chair emphasized that the numbers were illustrative and that appropriators would set the actual dollar amounts later. A second draft formula for the other nine institutions was also reviewed. That model uses fall census FTE without a weighted economic factor, applies a higher undergraduate rate, and adds completion incentives for in-demand credentials and all other completions. Members noted that the formula would benefit some institutions, such as Bismarck State College, while reducing funding for others, such as Mayville State, and discussed whether the nine institutions should be treated more uniformly or split into smaller groups because of their different missions and sizes. Committee members and staff repeatedly stressed that the formulas are still being refined and that some institutions would likely need hold-harmless adjustments or other transition measures. The meeting ended with the chair directing the committee to continue the discussion later and to expect further work on both the low-producing program policy and the funding formulas.

Transcript Highlights:

• I represent House District 50, half of Sandoval County and a portion of Sandoval County.
• We need to contact our county manager and our representative on the county commission to find out and
• we serve a portion of Colfax County.
• So I do that now for Mora County, and so I'm actually a hero for Mora County.
• So I think that back to the behavioral health care workforce and every kind of workforce.

Transcript Highlights:

• Louis County.
• Louis County.
• Louis County, but we cannot attract the workforce that we need because we have no place for these folks
• but we cannot attract St Louis County but we cannot attract the<00:05:08.000> workforce<00:05
• Louis County areas.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're all present in the county for good to see you this morning.
• workforce to meet statewide demand, which the House did not adopt.
• And then the other workforce one, which was filed by Rep.
• So those are the two related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.
• Related to workforce that were filed, but not ultimately adopted.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission met to review the state budget process and discuss maternal and perinatal health funding. Members heard that the House did not adopt several maternal health amendments, including funding for community-based perinatal mental health grants, implementation of maternal health law items, private insurance coverage for midwifery care, a midwifery workforce development fund, birthing center grants, and the Tufts Center for Maternal Health Advancement. On the Senate side, several items were adopted, including funding for the Mass NOW menstrual equity program, $1 million for the Neighborhood Birth Center, and an out-of-state resident reproductive health training pilot; however, proposed funding for a midwifery workforce development fund, a health education trust fund, and the Tufts center was not adopted. Commission members discussed whether to send a letter to the conference committee. Several members emphasized that while the Senate wins were positive, the commission’s core mission is perinatal and postpartum mental health, and that the letter should note the lack of explicit support for perinatal mental health and PMAD-related needs, as well as the importance of infant mental health and the parent-infant relationship. The commission voted unanimously to send a letter to the conference committee highlighting the broader maternal health wins while urging continued investment in perinatal and postpartum supports. The meeting also covered commission vacancies and future planning. Staff reviewed open seats, including a House minority seat, several governor-appointed seats, an optional commissioner seat, and appointments for the Senate and House co-chairs. Members suggested possible representation from the Children’s Trust, families impacted by addiction, and midwifery. The commission also noted that April and June meeting minutes would be circulated for later approval, and that the legislative session is nearing its end with several pending bills related to perinatal mood disorders and postpartum issues. The meeting adjourned after no further new business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Steve Don, House District 69, in Boone and Kenton counties.
• It relates to county law libraries.
• It relates to county law libraries.
• Um do if Harden County in particular.
• Robinson did mention about workforce and work with Moab.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:10 Roll Call 00:00:24 HB 108 Discussion 00:03:45 HB 108 Vote 00:05:15 HB 194 Discussion 00:07:13 HB 194 Vote 00:09:45 HB 276 Discussion 00:11:53 HB 276 Vote 00:13:35 HB 290 Discussion 00:15:32 HB 290 Vote 00:18:29 HB 103 Discussion 00:20:31 HB 103 Vote 00:46:59 Adjournment 00:50:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee met for its first meeting of the session and took up several local government bills, beginning with House Bill 108 on residual waste landfills. The bill would keep current rules in place when a landfill and the related company are in the same county, but would make projects subject to local determination when the landfill and industry are in different counties. The sponsor said it only affects residual waste landfills, not solid waste landfills. There was no opposition, and the bill passed with favorable expression by a 13-aye, 2-pass vote. The committee then approved House Bill 194, as amended by a committee substitute that changed a sales threshold from 15% to 25%. The bill creates a narrow exemption allowing cigar smoking inside tightly defined cigar bars, while not changing smoke-free laws for other public places. One member explained a no vote as a local control concern, but the bill passed with favorable expression. House Bill 276, which would authorize backyard chickens and prevent local governments from banning fewer than six chickens while still allowing setback rules, also passed with favorable expression. Supporters said it would not affect homeowners associations or commercial use, while one member opposed it as a local control issue. House Bill 290, dealing with county law libraries, passed unanimously with favorable expression. The sponsor said the bill would let local bar associations use their own funds for online legal research and computers instead of only books, noting that many law libraries are underused because legal research is now mostly online and that the libraries remain open to the public. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 103 on fluoride in public water systems after adopting a committee substitute that clarified an immunity clause for water districts. Sponsors said the bill would make fluoridation a local decision rather than a state mandate and argued that newer research raises health concerns, while opponents from the dental community and Kentucky Voices for Health testified that community water fluoridation is safe, cost-effective, and important for preventing cavities, especially for low-income and Medicaid populations. The transcript cuts off during the opposition testimony, before any final committee vote on HB 103.

Transcript Highlights:

• But more importantly, it's the workforce development bill.
• But more importantly, it's the Workforce Development Bill.
• officer, a county veteran service officer.
• I also serve as the Nevada County Veterans Service Officer.
• Two, it requires counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to county veteran

Summary: The committee heard several veterans-related bills. SB 888 would exclude VA service-connected disability compensation from household income when determining eligibility for the low-income disabled veterans’ property tax exemption. Support came from veterans organizations, county veterans services groups, and local officials; there was no opposition, and the bill was approved and sent to Appropriations. SB 1040 would create a state-local matching program for veterans’ cemetery maintenance endowments, with the state matching private or local deposits up to $250,000 per cemetery per year. It drew support from veterans groups and county representatives and was also approved and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 1407, which would exempt military retirement pay and surviving spouse military retirement benefits from state income tax. The author and supporters argued it would help retain military retirees in California and support the workforce and economy. The bill received broad support from veterans organizations, county officials, and labor representatives, with no opposition, and was moved to Appropriations, with the roll held open and later completed. SB 1034 would streamline access to disabled veteran parking placards for veterans rated 100% permanent and total, and SB 1201, the No Hungry Heroes Act, would seek federal waivers and other changes to protect vulnerable veterans from CalFresh/SNAP cuts and ensure referrals to county veterans service officers. Both bills had support from veterans advocates and food banks, no opposition, and were approved to Appropriations. Finally, SB 1354 would prohibit out-of-state military personnel from entering California to perform military or law enforcement functions without the governor’s permission, while preserving Title 10 activations and mutual aid arrangements. The author and the California Public Defenders Association framed it as a safeguard for state authority and civil rights; there was no opposition, and it was sent to Public Safety. After the main votes, the committee later completed the held rolls and reported the bills out, then adjourned after thanking veterans and attendees.

Transcript Highlights:

• But more importantly, it's the workforce development bill.
• But more importantly, it's the Workforce Development Bill.
• officer, a county veteran service officer.
• , and I also serve as the Nevada County Veterans Service Officer.
• Two, it requires counties to give veterans who apply for benefits a direct referral to county veteran

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I will ask the Santa Fe County folks to come forward.
• , Rio Arriba County, and Santa Fe County with that first phase being the SIMS mapping.
• Part of that program is because our county manager did, we did find identify jobs within the county that
• My questions are also for the county folks.
• On this presentation here, first slide, you have 4 counties and then 3 counties.

Transcript Highlights:

• The genesis of the idea came from the mayor of Morgantown, which is one of my counties, Butler County
• So that Floyd County next door, Johnson County, or Martin County would then have an opportunity for those
• 58.440> Johnson<01:13:58.880> County, Floyd County next door, Johnson County, Floyd County
• They were able to take 28 distressed counties down to eight counties over about a 10-year period.
• It wasn't just in Boyle County; he was very much active in Mercer County as well.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, approved the prior journal, and received a message from the House announcing passage of House Bills 364, 534, 600, and 662 and requesting concurrence. The chamber then took up second-reading reports, placing several bills on the Rules Committee calendar, and briefly recessed for caucus meetings before returning to floor business. The first major floor action was Senate Bill 11, a residential safe room rebate program aimed at rural tornado preparedness. Supporters described it as a way to use FEMA or private funds to help homeowners build personal storm shelters that could also serve neighbors; one senator opposed it over a fiscal note and concerns about unintended consequences in rural areas. The Senate adopted a committee substitute and passed SB 11 by a vote of 33–3. The Senate then considered Senate Bill 8 on public utilities and PSC intervention procedures. A committee substitute and floor amendment were adopted to clarify intervention standards, limit delay tactics, allow written comments from non-intervenors, and revise transmission-line approval thresholds; supporters said the changes would improve PSC efficiency and protect ratepayers, while some senators objected to a provision moving records from the Energy and Environment Cabinet to the state auditor as politically motivated. SB 8 passed 30–5. Senate Bill 94, dealing with dealer compensation for warranty and recall work, was also amended and passed unanimously after supporters said it reflected agreement between auto dealers and manufacturers. Finally, Senate Bill 197 on economic development incentives was amended to create county tiers, expand incentives for distressed areas, allow cross-border projects near state lines, and correct clerical errors; it passed 36–0.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a workforce empowerment program.
• We heard from a number of people who run businesses and who've been leaders in county government.
• I bet the county is somewhere close to 15% of what their members have to cover.
• ... ...It continues to declare science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and workforce programs
• meet any county fiscal obligations.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we just ask, um, that if this bill moves forward, that State and County workers be exempted from
• And so I'll ask, what are we doing to keep workforce here? That's all, thank you.
• ask what are we doing to keep Workforce ask what are we doing to keep Workforce here<00:52:39.160
• of the governor in support ha County of the governor in support ha County Council<00:56:05.920><
• in support Ka County council Holland in support Ka County council member<00:56:18.880> Addison

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The housing Champions program is open to municipalities and counties and developers building workforce
• <00:10:34.200> housing developers building Workforce housing developers building Workforce
• Around here, it's by county.
• , Carroll County, was 4.7%?
• 1.8% and the fastest growing County 1.8% and the fastest growing County Carol<05:05:55.718> County

Keywords: 1189, house, all