Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, I move to amend House Bill 1346, page 4, section 2, lines 1 through 20, by deleting subsection
• The reason for removing the hearing is that the hearing referenced in this section of the statute is
• Chairman, I move to amend House Bill 271, page 5, section 3, line 5, by deleting the phrase “2 cents”
• And again, I move to amend House Bill 271 on page 5, section 3, line 20, by deleting the phrase “of the
• A new section of law, basically.

Bills: SB1346, SB1509, SB1928, SB2028, SB2071, SB2110, SB2117, SB2127, SB2134, SB722, SB3

Keywords: water infrastructure, wastewater, investment program, loans, local government, SB1509, groundwater, water wells, well spacing, water rights, Oklahoma Water Resources Board, OWRB, basin, subbasin, maximum annual yield, aquifer management, water allocation, water permits, temporary permits, irrigation

Summary: The committee began by introducing new member Rep. Dylan Travis, who was elected in a special election and will represent District 35. The first measures taken up focused on water policy. HB 1346, as amended, would create a revolving fund for water and wastewater infrastructure loans through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, with the amendment removing population-based language so infrastructure needs can be considered more broadly; it passed 9-0. SB 1509 would make well-spacing standards apply uniformly across the state by aquifer rather than waiting on maximum annual yield studies, and OWRB staff explained that domestic wells are not affected and existing rules still protect landowners; it passed 6-3. SB 1928 would establish a five-year flex allocation for groundwater use, allowing producers to shift unused water from one year to another, and it passed 7-2. The committee also considered several agriculture and food-related bills. SB 2028 would authorize the sale of raw milk products without consumer notification or container labeling beyond indicating the product is unpasteurized; it passed 8-0. SB 2071 would align Oklahoma’s Grade A milk regulations with federal standards and increase the dairy inspection fee from 1 cent to 2 cents per hundred pounds, but after concerns from members and testimony from ODAF about the fee burden, the committee adopted an amendment restoring the 1-cent rate; the bill then passed 8-1. SB 2110 would allow sale of ungraded eggs off-farm at farmers’ markets or directly to consumers, including unwashed eggs, and passed 9-0. SB 2117 would clarify that the Department of Agriculture can stop the sale of contaminated grain and direct remediation or destruction in a current contamination event involving sewer leakage into a field; it passed 9-0. Other measures addressed livestock transport, crop protection, hemp, and a proposed reimbursement scheme. SB 2134 would create procedures for wreck services and emergency management to handle livestock involved in transportation accidents, with the Department of Agriculture setting humane handling policies; members discussed whether the bill should explicitly address state or county emergency management and rail incidents, and it passed 8-0. SB 2127 was described as a work in progress to address crop protection and nontraditional producer practices, especially amid difficult conditions for row-crop producers, and it passed 8-1. SB 722, after the committee rescinded a prior referral, was presented as a new section requiring ODAF to reimburse agricultural operations for economic losses caused by agency actions enforcing court-ordered rules from an attorney general suit; after extensive questioning about scope, valuation, and legal effects, the author laid the bill over for further work. Finally, SB 3, on a newly adopted PCS, was reframed from a biosolids bill into a hemp-definition bill intended to align state law with the new federal definition and reduce youth access to marijuana-like hemp products; it passed 8-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm happy to walk through section by section or otherwise just answer as I can. Senator Cook.
• I'm happy to walk through section by section or otherwise just answer as I can. Senator Cook.
• But in reality, the only difference is the charters are strictly judged upon section G of that law.
• So that's the section of code we're cross-referencing.
• And the benchmarks are in three sections: academics, finance, and operations and governance.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who has direct knowledge that a minor is or has been a victim of abuse or neglect, as defined in Section
• The bill stipulates that this section does not apply to faulty or repeated non-emergency alerts from
• of the following who is engaged in the employee's work duties: a public utility as prescribed in Section
• Section 44-1376, a licensed telecommunications provider, a licensed video service provider.
• Nguyen amendment dated March 6 at 3:30 p.m. adds an employee of a utility as defined in Section 40-491

Summary: The committee heard a long list of Senate bills, mostly on consent, covering appropriations, public records, workers’ compensation, state hiring, burial costs, military flags in HOAs, court-ordered treatment, mental health service of process, medical examiner authority, tribal MOUs for DCS, controlled substances scheduling, EMT privacy, mammography notices, assisted living referral disclosures, accommodation school GED eligibility, released-time religious instruction, school board and charter governance issues, firearm safety instruction, student eligibility for extracurriculars after criminal convictions, Celebrate Freedom Week, tax-credit scholarship administration, CPA and insurance licensing pathways, immigration-related arrest notifications, defamation standards, peace officer certification for veterans, mandatory child abuse reporting, attorney licensing, business emergency-call penalties, unlawful occupant removals, attorney discipline costs, fentanyl sentencing thresholds, concealed weapons on campuses, firearm muffling devices, utility-worker assault penalties, water planning, environmental review for power plants and SMRs, groundwater recovery, voter registration rules, campaign address privacy, and federal land acquisition notifications. Several bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including SB 1078, SB 1435, SB 1567, SB 1665, SB 1184, SB 1586, SB 1741, SB 1424, SB 1475, SB 1572, SB 1142, SB 1055, SB 1099, SB 1107, SB 1148, SB 1068, and SB 1069. Members raised concerns about constitutional issues, due process, school funding, public safety, and whether some proposals were unnecessary or duplicative. Supportive comments were also made on a few measures, such as expanded pathways for students in accommodation schools, child welfare coordination with tribes, and alternative certification or licensing pathways. The discussion included notable debate on SB 1166, which would allow some 11th graders and students over 16 in accommodation schools to receive GED preparation; members split between concerns about encouraging students to leave high school early and support for youth in detention, emancipation, or unstable situations. SB 1127 on mandatory reporting was clarified to require direct reporting of known abuse or neglect to DCS rather than delegation to another person. SB 1188 on controlled substances drew questions about how federal rescheduling would be mirrored in state law. The meeting ended with announcements and an “Affordability Award” recognizing Rep. Stahl Hamilton, followed by a request for guests to leave for a closed caucus.

Transcript Highlights:

• Daily recess provided pursuant to this section shall not be withheld for any disciplinary purposes unless
• I'm looking at page one, lines 19 through 21, that says that recess pursuant to the section shall not
• So my two questions: one, does that section on lines 19 through 21... ...does that section on lines 19
• So in the first section there, it's grades kindergarten through fifth, and then in section 2 it's the
• 6th... ...kindergarten through fifth, and then in section 2 it's the sixth through eighth grade, and

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 27 and March 3. It then took up House Bill 785, which would expand the definition of inappropriate online behavior involving public school employees and other persons, and add disciplinary options for school boards to address vulgar, false, or defamatory online conduct directed at teachers and others. Representative Redmond said the bill was prompted by complaints from teachers, and State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield testified in support. After a brief question about public records and executive session handling, the committee voted to send HB 785 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next introduced RS-33-6-23, a proposal from Representative Harris to remove statutory hour requirements for career and technical education instructors so the Department of CTE would have more flexibility in recruiting trade professionals into classrooms. The motion to introduce the RS passed. The bulk of the meeting focused on House Bill 784 and its RS, which would require daily recess for elementary students and unstructured activity time for middle school students, while barring recess from being withheld for discipline except when the misconduct occurred during recess. Representative Redmond and Superintendent Critchfield argued recess improves focus, behavior, and health, and that schools need flexibility and guidance rather than using recess as punishment. Several members raised concerns that the language was too rigid and could limit classroom management or disciplinary discretion, especially for behavior occurring outside recess. After extended debate and testimony from John Mason of FGA Action in support, the committee voted to hold HB 784 in committee and then approved the RS for second reading, with some members recording opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the short title is section one.
• What section one does is this opens that up for the state to be able to do that.
• Also, section two is completely different.
• What section one does is this opens that up for the state to be able to do that.
• Also, section two is completely different.

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll remind the committee that our standard of education happens in Article 9, Section 1, and not in
• Article 9, Section 9.
• So Article 9, Section 9 now reads, the legislature may require by law that every child shall attend the
• And so the roads tend to be better in that section of town, the response tends to be better in that section
• And then at the very bottom, section four, line 33, this provides, I think, significant discretion to

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from February 23 and 24. It then heard H.J.R. 9, a proposed constitutional amendment by Representative Hawkins to remove the compulsory-attendance language from Article 9, Section 9 and add language stating that the right of parents to educate their children without government regulation outside the public schools shall not be infringed. Hawkins argued the change would align the Constitution with existing parental-rights law and protect families from future legislative changes. Supportive testimony came from the Idaho Family Policy Center and the Idaho Republican Party resolutions chair, both framing the measure as a protection of parental authority and educational choice. Some members questioned whether the added language was necessary or could create litigation, but the committee voted to send H.J.R. 9 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. The committee next considered H.B. 720, which lowers the population threshold for requiring city council districts from cities over 100,000 to cities over 25,000. Representative Alfieri said the bill would improve local representation and make it easier for residents to run for office by reducing campaign costs. Opponents, including the Association of Idaho Cities, warned that the lower threshold would create very small districts, especially in college towns, make it harder to recruit candidates, and add costs and complications for cities. Several members raised concerns about whether the change was optional or mandatory and about uneven representation within districts, but the committee ultimately voted to send H.B. 720 to the floor with a due pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard H.B. 736 from Representative Haas, which lowers the threshold for ballot-name rotation from 100,000 registered voters to 25,000. Haas said the change would reduce the primacy effect and improve fairness and transparency in elections, especially in countywide and legislative races. The bill was described as preserving the Secretary of State’s discretion over how rotation is administered. The motion to send H.B. 736 to the floor with a due pass recommendation passed without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first several instances, which involve sections 37, 44, 51, and 86, just do a couple of things.
• Second, in section 79, we have a revised version to the Section 8 housing program, as we received additional
• Section 83 relates to the developmental disabilities services payment reform implementation.
• Section<00:14:35.120><c> 83</c><00:14:35.839><c> relates</c><00:14:36.240><c> to</c><00:14:36.320><c>
• the</c><00:14:36.560><c> developmental</c> Section 83 relates to the developmental Section 83 relates

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MOU, MOA, contract, or other agreement, including sub-agreements and amendments as required by this section
• Line 31, after the words 'this section,' comma, and the amendment would say, within 30 days written notice
• And within such period fails to cure such failure, comma, shall be in violation of this section.
• It says they shall be in violation of this section and subject to legislative action, including removal
• We do have a section in there that the only way a clerk is in trouble if they were to let someone spend

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And so we had huge sections of roadway that we lost in this location.
• We were able to restore drainage to about 40 of the cross culverts in that three-mile section.
• We anticipate having this section of roadway reopened by March.
• We anticipate having this section of roadway reopened by March.
• That's Thank you. this section of roadway reopened by March.

Summary: The Transportation Committee met for an organizational session and received a presentation from Washington State Department of Transportation and Washington State Ferries staff on recovery from the December atmospheric river storms. Committee members were introduced, and staff outlined a new process for submitting proviso and project requests through an online app, with members directed to work through their caucus policy staff. The chair also announced caucus meetings and noted staff changes for the session. WSDOT and WSF described emergency response operations, including statewide activations, damage assessment, and the use of emergency declarations to speed repairs. Staff explained how they pursue federal reimbursement through FHWA Emergency Relief and, separately, FEMA for debris removal, while noting that permanent repairs still require environmental clearances. They reported more than 50 emergency work orders, 16 emergency contracts, about 107 road sites closed at one point, and an initial damage estimate of roughly $30 million. Examples of storm damage and recovery included US 2 near Skykomish and Tumwater Canyon, US 12 near Naches, Highway 410, Highway 42 near Mount Baker, I-90 shoulder damage, and a major US 101 slope failure near Forks that will require longer-term geotechnical work. Members asked about environmental permitting, bridge impacts, flood coordination with the Army Corps of Engineers, and whether emergency declarations allow broader actions; staff said the declaration mainly speeds stabilization and contracting, does not change tolling authority, and does not waive environmental requirements. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will delete language inconsistent with our current processes and create new sections to detail current
• It will remove references to the Patel development screening process, and it will add additional sections
• , new sections, regarding assessments and tier logic for other programs.
• It will delete language inconsistent with our current processes and create new sections to detail current
• , new sections, regarding assessments and tier logic for other programs. additional sections, new sections

Summary: The committee approved the December 8 minutes and referred items C1 and C2 to the labor and environment subcommittees, adopting the chair’s recommendations. The main substantive item was a DHS rule package revising the State Plan Personal Care Manual and the Arkansas Independent Assessment (ARIA) Manual. DHS said the revisions would repeal and replace the current manuals with streamlined versions, remove overlapping language, implement Act 853 by shifting licensure/certification for personal care agencies to the Department of Health, lengthen personal care prior authorizations from six months to one year, and keep the 64-hour monthly cap. For ARIA, DHS said it would remove references to state plan personal care, clarify telehealth and in-person assessments, and add/update sections for PASS, AR Choices, Living Choices, and PACE. DHS argued the current independent assessment process is costly and not controlling utilization, citing a 95% approval rate, annual spending of more than $212 million on personal care for about 17,000 people, and an estimated $6.173 million in savings from eliminating the Optum assessment and reducing prior-authorization frequency. Agency witnesses said the new process would reinsert primary care practitioner involvement, use standardized evaluation and prescription forms, and rely on personal care provider nurses for the assessment step, with training already available through an AFMC contract. Several members questioned whether PCPs should be used as gatekeepers, whether the change would delay services, and whether the savings estimate accounted for training or provider burden. Some members also raised concerns about conflicts of interest, the workload on physicians, and whether the agency had adequately worked with the existing vendor to improve the current system. The discussion became contentious, with Senator Irvin and others strongly opposing the proposal as inconsistent with the earlier independent-assessment approach and urging DHS to slow down and work with legislators. Other members asked for clarification on how the new process would work for new applicants and whether it would affect waiver or PASS participants; DHS said the rule would not apply to PASS and should not delay services. At the end of the hearing, the chair offered DHS the option to pull the rule down and work off-record with legislators on a revised proposal, and DHS agreed. The meeting then adjourned without further business or a final vote on the rule.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the big concrete section with the buildings, that's uh that's the UPS facility, that's Worldport
• Um and the uh the the incident the crash happened down in this section.
• And then the the big concrete section<00:02:23.120><c> with</c><00:02:23.360><c> the</c><00:02:23.520
• .<00:05:19.680><c> So</c><00:05:20.240><c> 513</c> section.
• So 513 section.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The task force met, called the roll, and approved the November 4, 2025 meeting minutes. The main presentation came from Dan Mann, executive director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, who gave a recovery update on the November 4 aircraft incident at UPS Worldport/Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. He described the airport layout, FAA safety requirements, staffing, and the extensive emergency training and mutual-aid coordination that had taken place before the incident, including a full exercise two weeks earlier. Mann then walked through the response timeline, saying the tower reported the incident at 5:13 p.m. Airport firefighters responded within a minute, with Air National Guard support and mutual aid arriving quickly; by about 6:15 p.m. the airport emergency operations center was activated and agencies including Metro, Red Cross, FBI, UPS, and airline partners were coordinating. He said more than 50 companies and over 200 firefighters were on scene within two hours, and credited the prior training and close working relationships among responders for the effectiveness of the response. He also explained the operational impact on the airport: all runways were closed, five departures were canceled, 16 arrivals were unable to land, and officials were working with TSA, UPS, and the NTSB on messaging and next steps. Mann said debris and fire damage on multiple runways meant the airfield had to remain closed while investigators determined what was evidence and what was debris from the fire. No votes or other formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first section, I'm sorry, I'm so short: the first section is the common interest community ombuds
• The second section is a technical change relating to advisors and broker-dealers.
• The third section changes the transfer fee for broker-dealers from $25 to $65 and requires investment
• Section 4 requires a private fund advisor to pay a $100 filing fee when filing an initial registration
• I want to provide a brief comment on Article 2, Section 1 on the Ombudsman.

Bills: HF1646, HF2443

Keywords: medical debt, debt relief, healthcare financing, consumer protection, financial hardship, commerce, cannabis, insurance, housing, ombudsperson, affordability, property, task force, financial institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 923.425 makes installing, placing, or using a tracking device or application on another person's
• create the crime of aggravated installation or use of tracking devices or tracking applications in Section
• of a dangerous crime, as defined in Section 907.0415A.
• But on the revocation section, I really like.
• Offenders sentenced under this section are ineligible for early release, gain time, or medical release

Summary: The committee heard and acted on several criminal justice, public records, nuisance, and firearms bills. SB 1168, by Sen. Leak, would create a second-degree felony for aggravated installation or use of a tracking device or application when done in furtherance of a dangerous crime; it passed unanimously. SB 1054, by Sen. Garcia, would increase penalties for tampering with electronic monitoring devices, require immediate revocation of pretrial release for tampering, and bar further pretrial release on the current charges; after testimony raising concerns about unintended consequences and proof issues, it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1198, by Sen. DeSigley, addressing fraudulent use of gift cards, was substantially revised by a delete-all amendment and a technical amendment, then reported favorably with support from retail and industry groups. SB 710, by Sen. Osgood, would create a public records exemption for personal identifying and location information of current and former Crime Stoppers employees, board members, and volunteers; it was reported favorably unanimously. SB 1022, by Sen. Wright, would strengthen nuisance abatement enforcement by raising fines, allowing tax-collector collection and special assessments, and authorizing foreclosure on unpaid liens; it was reported favorably after support from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. SB 716, by Sen. Martin, would impose mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses by registered sexual offenders or predators and bar early release; after an amendment to tie the penalty to prior convictions rather than registration status, it passed favorably. SB 878, also by Sen. Martin, would extend probation supervision for certain misdemeanor controlled-substance offenses and align them with existing alcohol-related probation rules; it passed unanimously. Finally, SB 952, by Sen. Guglia, would repeal the statute allowing firearm and ammunition sales restrictions during certain declared emergencies; after extensive testimony from gun-rights advocates and debate about local emergency ordinances, it was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Turning to page two, Section 2 shows the following... Funding changes.
• Items A through D will be discussed in detail in Section 3, beginning on page 3.
• On page 3, section 3 provides two fiscal and policy issues.
• On page 4, which is section 5, there are five agency requests not included in recommendations, which
• On page 3, section 3 provides two fiscal and policy issues.

Bills: SB1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure

Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to review Article 8, regulatory agencies, and began Article 9, general provisions, before recessing for floor action. The committee first heard budget presentations from the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The PUC budget recommendation was about $5.07 billion in all funds, including an additional $5 billion for the Texas Energy Fund, plus funding for staffing and technology needs tied to contested cases, infrastructure resiliency, and outage mapping. PUC witnesses emphasized the agency’s growing workload, the need for more staff and modern systems, and oversight of the Texas Energy Fund. OPUC’s recommendation was about $6.9 million, with a reduction in authorized FTEs to better match actual staffing; the agency requested additional funding for salaries, expert witnesses, and budget flexibility, and members highlighted OPUC’s role representing residential and small commercial consumers in utility proceedings. The committee then heard from the Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC), whose recommendation was just over $11.2 million. BHEC’s main requests included funding to fill vacant positions, money for continuous National Practitioner Data Bank queries, and a proposed Texas-owned psychology licensing exam in response to concerns about changes to the national exam. Agency leaders also discussed a rider request that would shift responsibility for certain judgments or settlements to the comptroller. Members asked about prior complaint backlogs, and BHEC said those backlogs had been cleared. The Board of Chiropractic Examiners followed, with a recommendation of just under $2.4 million; the board sought support for staffing, training, broadband, and salary retention, and described its work regulating chiropractors and workers’ compensation-related doctors. The Board of Dental Examiners was the last agency heard before the committee recessed. Its recommendation was just under $10 million, and it requested a 10% salary increase for eligible staff, three additional licensing staff, one staff member to handle required background checks, an additional attorney, and an executive director salary adjustment. Dental board witnesses said licensure growth, increased complaints, and low salaries were straining licensing and enforcement operations, even though the agency reported strong performance and high case completion rates. The chair ended the hearing early because the Senate had to return to the floor, and the committee remained in recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• the DCCA insurance commissioner, which notes in the record it is unclear whether the amendments in sections
• 00:23:33.960><c> the</c><00:23:34.080><c> amendments</c><00:23:34.520><c> in</c><00:23:34.679><c> sections
• </c><00:23:35.039><c> 1</c> whether the amendments in sections 1 whether the amendments in sections 1
• </c><00:23:49.480><c> 155</c><00:23:50.799><c> 170a</c> of Federal Regulation sections 155 170a of Federal
• Regulation sections 155 170a or<00:23:52.039><c> subject</c><00:23:52.360><c> to</c><00:23:52.600><c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Should we put this section be in a definition or should this have its own section under 279:21?
• Should we put this section be in a definition or should this have its own section under 279:21?
• And I'm looking at section C.
• So this section, although you've said voluntarily, this section says that an employer may require an
• Um, it says that in the D section.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, those next couple sections Okay. So, those next couple sections describe<00:23:22.320><c> that.
• Uh, section 10 is rulemaking.
• And then you see the repeal section. Um And then you see the repeal section.
• </c><00:24:07.200><c> 1</c> because it's caught up with sections 1 because it's caught up with sections
• go on section by section and &gt;&gt; So, I could go on section by section and I<00:58:16.640><c> think

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh well, section 12. Yes, already? Uh well, section 12. Yes, already? Uh well, section 12.
• But when they put section 12 in, did But when they put section 12 in, did But when they put section 12
• Section seven, there's a word that bothers me in that section. bothers me in that section. bothers me
• If if if section 12 saying the department of section 12 saying the department of section 12 saying the
• Section um the the sections I talked about with sections I talked about with sections I talked about

Bills: SB 1, HB 500, SB 1, HB 1400, HB 1094, HB 365, HB 1109, HB 647, HB 500

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, groundwater, water conservation, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, innovation fund, local conservation districts, transportation protection agreement, funeral services, insurance exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• The first change is to repeal Government Code Section 13296 to reflect modern processes.
• The proposal eliminates the code section entirely.
• Finance proposes the repeal of Government Code Section 13296 because the code is no longer relevant.
• sections, such as definitions, rules, responsibilities, and reporting.
• sections, such as definitions, rules, responsibilities, and reporting.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You'll see a similar section like this for all of the agency compliance reports.
• So that section that you see on the bottom half of page 6 is newly added information for this interim
• We've got 10 in our audit section, three in the tax return section, three in investigations, and then
• So we'll need to take a vote to approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.
• approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.

Summary: The committee met as the Commerce and Legal Services Division and first approved the minutes, then received a Legislative Council overview of the Attorney General’s current budget status and a blue-sheet summary of the AG’s base budget for the next biennium. Staff highlighted compliance with legislative intent items, including FTE changes, one-time funding updates, litigation pool spending, opioid settlement receipts, and continuing appropriations. Members asked about specific funds such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund and the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and staff explained the statutory basis and status of those items. The Attorney General’s office then presented an extensive overview of its divisions and budget pressures. Chief Deputy Attorney General Clare Ness described the office’s 14 divisions, the role of the office in defending the state and recouping funds, and concerns about attorney pay, recruitment, and retention. Members discussed whether attorney salaries should be benchmarked across state government and whether more legal work could be centralized in the AG’s office. The office also described challenges with the new-and-vacant FTE pool, operating expense cuts, leased office space, and the criminal justice information systems used to connect law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts. The Crime Laboratory director gave a detailed update on space and infrastructure problems, saying the current lab is overcrowded and outdated, with safety, workflow, air-handling, glycol leak, alarm, and maintenance issues that can delay casework and risk evidence integrity. She said a 2024 study projected a need for a much larger facility and that the preferred option would be a new building on the current health department site, at an estimated cost of roughly $40 million to $45 million. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, firearms, fingerprint, and drug cases, though toxicology had recently developed a small backlog after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, gaming division, and BCI also provided updates. MFCU’s new director said the unit is federally funded 75/25, focuses on fraud, abuse, and neglect, and is seeking two attorney hires while continuing to work with federal partners on cases and recertification. Gaming staff reported continued growth in charitable gaming and electronic pull-tab activity, with concerns about site competition, large trust balances, possible ineligible expenditures, and the need for more scrutiny as revenues have grown. BCI outlined its staffing, drug task forces, ICAC work, and the Missing Indigenous Person Task Force, which is using its $250,000 appropriation to help tribal nations develop emergency response plans and purchase alerting tools such as IPAWS. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.