Video & Transcript : 'assessment practices' :
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/9/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Rural practice is fundamentally different from urban practice.
- Rural practice is fundamentally different from urban practice.
- And I'm here today for two practical requests.
- And I'm here today for two practical requests.
- You field of study and practice.
Keywords:
social work, licensure, employment titles, health occupations, professional standards, medication repository, drug donation, healthcare, Minnesota Statutes, pharmacy, public health, controlled substances, psilocybin, psilocin, psychedelic, psychedelic medicine, hallucinogen, mushrooms, magic mushrooms, therapeutic use
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Government Contract Review Committee (6-9-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> uh additional uh advanced practice uh additional uh advanced practice practitioners practitioners
- They assess their own members to fund.
- and sign off on complete that assessment and sign off on it. it. it.
- </c> collected and they need that assessment collected and they need that assessment completed,<01:14
- if we're not can go out and practice if we're not ready. ready. ready.
Summary:
The committee first approved the May 12 minutes, then deferred item 285 on the routine personal service contract green list for Western Kentucky University to the July 2026 meeting. It also noted that several deferred university contracts had been withdrawn by the institutions, and then approved the remaining agenda items without objection, including personal service contracts, amendments, memoranda of agreement, Kentucky Entertainment incentive agreements, deferred items, and corrections, except for items pulled for further review.
The main pulled item was a Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts contract supporting Fayette District Court’s juvenile treatment court through Fayette County Public Schools. Court officials explained that the program, created under Supreme Court rules in 2022, serves court-connected juveniles with mental health and related needs, operates at the courthouse, and uses a school-employed program manager funded through a pass-through arrangement with Fayette County Public Schools and the Urban County Government. They said the program has had over 100 referrals, accepted about half, and had at least 25 successful graduates, with 11 high school graduates among participants. Members asked about who pays for drug screens, family involvement, and what counts as successful completion; the officials said the Urban County Government’s Division of Youth Services pays for drug screens and services, and that parents must participate in classes and support services. The committee then approved the contract review, with some members explaining their votes in support and one member emphasizing the committee’s role in reviewing contracts in the public interest.
The committee also reviewed two Auditor of Public Accounts contracts. The auditor’s representative said contract 11, with Vantage Point Solutions, will examine the Kentucky Communications Network Authority/Kentucky Wired network for $700,000, well below the $1.5 million appropriated, and that a report is expected before the 2027 regular session. Contract 12 funds a special examination of investment managers used by Kentucky’s retirement systems, prompted by a Legislative Oversight and Investigations request to assess whether investments tied to ESG factors are consistent with fiduciary duties; the representative said the retirement systems have been cooperative and that findings are expected on a similar timeline, with some flexibility built into the deadline. After questions about the Texas litigation referenced in the explanation, the committee approved both auditor contracts without objection.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- as it is, but as new technologies come online, it's a way DWR can establish kind of a baseline of assessing
- But the assessments being done through the property taxes, right? Am I understanding that?” “No.
- These are corporate assessments, corporate capital assessments.” “Are I understanding that? No.
- These are corporate assessments, corporate capital assessments under the Corporations Code.
- And was there a study that was done to justify the need to do this, to make this assessment?”
Summary:
The committee heard a long agenda of energy, water, and utility bills. SB 952, SB 1417, SB 924, SB 925, SB 1011, SB 1168, SB 1196, and SB 1350 were all discussed, along with consent items SB 1008 and SB 1245. SB 952 would give the Department of Water Resources more flexibility in meeting clean energy procurement goals for the State Water Project; it drew support from the State Water Contractors and California Municipal Utilities Association and no opposition. SB 1417 would extend transparency and notice requirements to mutual water companies, especially in response to wildfire-related rate increases in Altadena; supporters described lack of notice, meeting access, and public accountability, while the California Association of Mutual Water Companies opposed the bill as overly prescriptive and potentially conflicting with existing law. SB 924 would modernize low-income energy assistance and weatherization programs to better measure affordability outcomes and tenant benefits, and it passed with broad support. SB 925 would direct the Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy; it was supported by industry and clean energy groups and passed without opposition. SB 1011 would require CPUC standards for human review of utility AI systems and labor consultation; supporters framed it as a safety and workforce protection measure, while utilities and business groups warned about cost, duplication, and overbroad regulation. SB 1168, now a study bill, would have the CPUC examine how data centers pay for load growth and rate impacts; it drew mixed reactions, with some industry opposition and some labor support after amendments. SB 1196 would speed utility hookups for ADUs and JADUs by allowing earlier applications and setting timelines; housing advocates supported it and it passed. SB 1350 would allow renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using green hydrogen, with strong support from hydrogen, labor, and utility interests, but TURN opposed it unless amended, arguing it lacked safeguards against greenwashing and resource shuffling. The committee also approved the consent calendar and several bills were reported out on recorded votes, with most measures advancing on strong bipartisan support and a few no votes from Senators Strickland and Dahle on selected items.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Apr 13th, 2026
Energy, Utilities and Communications
Transcript Highlights:
- But the assessments being done through the property taxes, right? Am I understanding that?” “No.
- These are corporate assessments, corporate capital assessments.” “Are I understanding that? No.
- These are corporate assessments, corporate capital assessments under the Corporations Code.
- And was there a study that was done to justify the need to do this, to make this assessment?”
- And with the committee amendments, SB 1168 directs the CPUC to assess methods to ensure data centers
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
House Chamber - Tue Apr 14, 2026, 9:00AM HST - Day 44
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><01:07:17.280><c> Thank</c> doing this practice even once. Thank doing this practice even once.
- operational implications, update assess operational implications, update best<01:23:50.720><c> practices
- </c> practices here in our state. practices here in our state.
- . practice. practice.
- </c> deceptive practices. deceptive practices. Thank<05:15:11.320><c> you.
NM
New Mexico 2026 Regular Session
House - Appropriations and Finance Jan 12th, 2026 at 01:34 pm
House Appropriations & Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- So, just a practical thing. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Representative.
- Chairman, and the assessment. I think also the assessment.
- Assessments are one of the things that we would like to do.
- The goal of PED is to expand some of our assessments into high school.
- The Native American Needs Assessment.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Ways & Means Feb 2nd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Expanding the sales and use tax deferral program is a practical, fiscally responsible way to help projects
- However, because the temporary exemption period only covers two years of housing assessment, we have
- This bill will target a practical way to preserve resources for our community-based developers so that
- This legislation creates a new practical...
- This legislation creates a new practical and sustainable tool to leverage the capacity of developers
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions.
The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk.
Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government & Tribal Relations Jan 21st, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Each district must contain a population as nearly equal as practicable to the population of any other
- I want to focus less on theory and more on practical reality.
- The Secretary of State's current practice is to conduct...
- It helped with our accountability measures and also helped assess if there were any errors as we saw.
- Also helped assess if there were any errors that came along as we saw. measures also helped assess if
Summary:
The committee heard House Bill 2260, House Joint Resolution 4209, and House Bill 2259, with testimony and questions on each. HB 2260 would require petition signature gatherers to sign and date each petition sheet, provide their address and county, and require voters’ residence addresses for signature verification; supporters said this would improve accountability and help prevent fraud or duplicate signatures, while opponents argued it would burden volunteers, risk disenfranchising voters who move or use incomplete addresses, and add unnecessary penalties. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State opposed the bill, saying existing verification methods are effective and that the measure could create costly, unintended barriers. HB 2259 would require 1,000 registered-voter signatures before filing an initiative or referendum and prohibit pay-per-signature compensation, with civil penalties and a private right of action; supporters said it would reduce frivolous filings, title shopping, and fraud incentives, while opponents said it would chill initiative activity, especially for rural communities and referenda with tight timelines. The Secretary of State and former Secretary of State also opposed HB 2259, saying the initiative process should remain accessible and that the bill would add barriers and workload.
House Joint Resolution 4209 would amend the state constitution to allow the legislature to modify congressional districts mid-decade by simple majority if another state adopts a new congressional map absent a court order. The prime sponsor argued Washington should not unilaterally stay passive if other states engage in partisan mid-decade redistricting, while opponents said the proposal would weaken Washington’s bipartisan redistricting system, set a bad precedent, and invite retaliation. Testimony on the resolution was sharply divided, with supporters warning that partisan redistricting elsewhere threatens fair representation and opponents saying Washington should preserve its existing commission-based process rather than respond in kind. The hearing on HJR 4209 was concluded after testimony.
No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt. The chair suspended and reopened hearings as planned, and testimony was taken on all three measures, with HB 2260 and HB 2259 drawing extensive public comment and questions about fraud, access, and administrative burden.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Hearing Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services and Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Apr 9th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- I also have the opportunity to serve as a practicing physician.
- This will include an assessment and evaluation of CBAS services as well.
- AAAs assess unmet need through a variety of methods: community needs assessments, client intake data,
- LAO, do you agree with this assessment?
- Because if the assessment is true, I would like to prioritize this item.
Summary:
The joint Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing focused first on long-term services and supports for older adults, especially the “forgotten/overlooked middle” who earn too much for Medi-Cal but cannot afford private long-term care. Administration witnesses from DHCS, the Department of Aging, and Social Services described Medicare’s limited long-term care coverage, Medi-Cal’s role, the elimination of the Medi-Cal asset test, and ongoing state studies and listening sessions on financing options. Testimony from advocates and researchers emphasized rising homelessness among older adults, the need for better navigation and coordination across health, aging, housing, and social service systems, and short-term policy steps such as share-of-cost reform, housing stability supports, and protecting home- and community-based services. Members highlighted the need for a coordinated, no-wrong-door approach and asked for the most impactful budget investments to address affordability and homelessness risk.
The second major topic was the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program. CDA reported that CBAS helps participants remain in the community, that 304 centers operate statewide serving about 42,000 people, and that demand is stable but access gaps remain in some regions. DHCS explained that a 2024 rate increase authorized by SB 159 became inoperative after Proposition 35, and that a separate 10% rate change on the fee schedule was the result of a DHCS system error; the department said it would not require recoupment, though managed care plans may act under their contracts. CBAS providers and advocates warned that reimbursement rates have not kept pace with costs, that several centers have closed, and that clawbacks could trigger more closures. They requested $74.8 million ongoing General Fund to close part of the rate gap and preserve the program, while members expressed concern about closures and the cost savings of keeping people out of more expensive institutional care.
The hearing then moved to In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and statewide collective bargaining. CDSS reviewed provider recruitment and retention efforts, including electronic timesheets, direct deposit, and the now-completed IHSS Career Pathways program, which trained more than 59,000 providers. CDSS also summarized its AB 102 workgroup report on statewide versus regional bargaining, saying the final report would be sent to the Legislature soon and that statewide bargaining appeared more viable than regional bargaining, though it would require clear statutory scope and major fiscal changes. The department estimated that each $1 per hour statewide wage increase would cost at least $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion annually. Labor advocates argued that IHSS wages, benefits, and training are too inconsistent across counties and called for statewide bargaining, consumer participation, and ongoing state funding. County representatives supported stronger wages but cautioned that counties need protection from new costs and administrative burdens, and consumer advocates warned that moving bargaining to the state could weaken local consumer control and the program’s consumer-driven structure.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, March 10, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Specifically, it seeks to enhance biodefense capabilities within DHS by requiring the Secretary to assess
- And to ensure accountability, H.R. 706 requires DHS to report to Congress on the assessment and strategy
- And to ensure accountability, H.R. 706 requires DHS to report to Congress on the assessment and strategy
- Additionally, this bill will task the Government Accountability Office to assess D.H.S.'
- ADDITIONALLY, THIS BILL WILL TASK THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY ACT TO ASSESS D.H.S.'
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/21/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> confident doing cognitive assessments confident doing cognitive assessments earlier<01:34:14.480
- Um, you mentioned best practices, but from what I understand, uh, the form of best practices from other
- So, I can tell you best practices.
- Um we need to of the best practice.
- </c> to make that assessment. Okay. to make that assessment. Okay.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Municipal and County Government (02/27/2025)
Municipal and County Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> reported so it makes it more practical reported so it makes it more practical makes<00:53:51.200
- </c><01:39:04.280><c> property</c> changes due to updated assessed property changes due to updated assessed
- This practice can lead to inefficiency and wasteful spending.
- This practice can lead to inefficiency and wasteful spending.
- </c> through its planning boards May assess through its planning boards May assess impact<06:11:23.280
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 3471 by Tom Oliverson relates to the elimination of the requirement for public school assessment instructions
- HB 3474 by Stan Lambert relates to the value of certain assessments, for the Committee on Ways and Means
- HB 3475 by Joe Moody relates to the evaluation and reporting of investment practices and performances
- the purpose of the rural Sheriff's County Constable's Office and the prosecutor's office salary assessment
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Housing and Homelessness Prevention - 03/13/25
Housing and Homelessness Prevention
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> to HOAs over reach and unfair practices to HOAs over reach and unfair practices thank<01:14:52.159
- to all homeowners to balance assessments to all homeowners to balance the<01:33:02.320><c> cost</c><
- realities of this bill as the Practical realities of this bill as written<01:33:58.639><c> thank</c>
- They are now in federal court for Fair Debt Collections Practices Act issues. servicer at no cost to
- It's, I believe, your duty. ...follow the practices of the companies that are doing the right thing,
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies Feb 23rd, 2026
Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies
Transcript Highlights:
- And then when the fuel hits the rack, where it's subject to all sorts of other fees and assessments,
- I know I threw out OPG earlier, and that modeling that we use to assess carbon intensities beyond our
- It would be hard to try and put into the cap-and-invest a life-cycle kind of assessment because it's
- hard to set a cap when you're thinking about emissions that are... ...a life-cycle kind of assessment
- But I think in terms of the details, I think that's something that we're still assessing.
Summary:
The Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policy heard an overview from CARB on proposed amendments to California’s Cap-and-Invest program, which was reauthorized through 2045 by AB 1207 and SB 840. CARB said the draft rules are intended to preserve affordability, market certainty, and progress toward the state’s 2030 and 2045 climate targets. The agency described the program’s main features, including the declining emissions cap, utility and industrial allowance allocations, offset changes, the allowance price containment reserve, and new reporting and oversight requirements. CARB also said the rulemaking is on a public comment timeline, with board consideration planned for late May and an effective date targeted for September 1, 2026.
Committee members focused heavily on electricity affordability, the planned shift of free allowances from natural gas utilities to electric utilities, and whether the proposal would raise rates for investor-owned and publicly owned utilities. CARB said the proposal is meant to protect ratepayers from compliance costs and that the utility allocation is based on updated data showing utilities are greener than before, but members and utility representatives argued the transition should happen faster and that the current draft could reduce expected revenues and disrupt long-term planning. Members also pressed CARB on carbon capture and sequestration, asking that the regulations clearly recognize it as a compliance pathway, and on whether the SB 905 rulemaking for carbon capture should move forward on schedule.
A second major topic was industrial allocations, especially for refiners and other sectors at risk of leakage. CARB said it is keeping all industries at high leakage risk through 2030, maintaining the current cap-adjustment approach, and leaving room for additional comments and data on whether refiners need more allowances to avoid economic leakage and preserve in-state refining. Members also questioned how imported gasoline is treated, and CARB explained that transportation fuel is regulated at the rack and through the low-carbon fuel standard, while cap-and-invest covers in-state tailpipe and smokestack emissions rather than full life-cycle emissions. CARB said it is open to using additional data, including SB 253 reporting, to improve fuel carbon-intensity estimates.
The panel of outside experts largely agreed that the program must balance affordability, ambition, and leakage concerns, but they differed on how much allowance value should go to utilities, industry, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The Legislative Analyst’s Office emphasized that the Legislature should scrutinize CARB’s allocation choices now because they will be hard to change later. An IEMAC representative said the proposal appears to shift more allowance value to industry and utilities, which could reduce GGRF revenues, while EDF argued the cap could be tightened further in the near term without triggering price containment. SCAPA, representing publicly owned utilities, warned that the proposal would reduce utility allowances and could raise costs for ratepayers and undermine early decarbonization investments. No votes were taken at the hearing.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
AGR Public Hearing - Fri Feb 7, 2025 @ 9:30 AM HST
Agriculture & Food Systems
Transcript Highlights:
- We view a variety of conservation agricultural practices as being a key opportunity for the department
- in some ways already assessed based on greenhouse gas emissions benefits, as well as previous study
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA has already outlined a variety of practices in
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA has already outlined a variety of practices in
- That being said, if creating a statewide soil health assessment is beyond the pale, and I do believe
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- We have nursing facility quality assessments.
- We have nursing facility quality assessments.
- </c><01:36:42.800><c> Specifically,</c><01:36:43.280><c> when</c> promising practices.
- Specifically, when promising practices.
- ,</c><01:47:06.639><c> and</c><01:47:06.960><c> treat</c> meet with, evaluate, assess, and treat meet
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Health & Long-Term Care Feb 20th, 2026 at 08:00 am
Health & Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- Okay, so how long did you practice to say those so good? I mean, seriously. A while.
- And so it's changed longstanding practice.
- music therapy. for certain applicants for a license to practice music therapy.
- I am a PA practicing in rural emergency medicine here in Washington State.
- So that clarifies ARNP roles to national best practices.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Unfortunately, you know, we have to pay drillers to do assessment.
- I’ve been practicing fertility medicine for over 20 years.”
- Midwives practicing in birth centers and home birth practices are optimally positioned to provide this
- I'm a physician and have practiced... Can you hear me? Yes.
- Let them practice their medicine.
Summary:
The hearing opened with the Senate and House chairs of the Joint Committee on Financial Services explaining that the day’s agenda would focus on health insurance and other insurance matters, with a large number of witnesses and a request for brief testimony. Legislators were taken out of order to accommodate their schedules, and the committee heard testimony on several bills, including coverage for hair prostheses for alopecia (H. 1223/S. 832), medically necessary oral and dental care for head and neck cancer survivors (H. 1258), modernizing fertility and family-building coverage (H. 715/H. 1190 and related bills), coverage for prosthetic devices to support physical activity for people with limb loss (the “So Everybody Can Move” bill), remediation coverage for home heating oil releases (S. 813/H. 1302), and expanded access to physical therapy for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (H. 1170). A separate bill on sickle cell care and registry development (S. 788) was also discussed by Senator Liz Miranda.
Witnesses largely offered personal stories and expert testimony in support of the bills. Advocates for alopecia coverage described the medical and emotional impact of hair loss, the high cost of quality wigs, and the argument that scalp and facial hair prostheses should be treated like other medically necessary prosthetics. Cancer survivors and supporters of H. 1258 said oral and dental care after head and neck cancer treatment is a quality-of-life issue and often not covered despite major out-of-pocket costs. Fertility specialists, LGBTQ+ advocates, and legislators supporting the modern family-building bills said the current infertility definition is outdated and discriminatory, excluding same-sex couples, people needing donors or gestational carriers, and others with medical barriers to conception. For the limb-loss bill, parents and adults with prosthetic needs stressed that activity-specific prostheses are essential for children and adults to run, swim, play sports, and stay healthy, but are often excluded from coverage.
The home heating oil testimony focused on the financial devastation caused by residential oil spills and the need to make spill coverage automatic in homeowners policies. Environmental professionals and homeowners described cleanup costs ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, the strict liability homeowners face, and the fact that many policyholders do not know the rider exists. The insurance industry testified in opposition to the mandatory-coverage approach, arguing for clearer distinctions between first- and third-party coverage, risk-mitigation standards, a delayed effective date, and more emphasis on education and notification rather than mandates. Committee members pressed the industry witness on why agents do not routinely tell customers about the rider and suggested that the issue may require broader disclosure by insurers, agents, and fuel dealers. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and discussed possible compromise language and future action.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Your Senator, my assessment or my analysis was that partisan intent can be taken into account.
- So you assess both those things and...
- And then you have the courts assessing whether or not all the various provisions are valid.
- You must have been practicing. You're recognized. Hello, Aureli Kolodaghis, SPLC.
- You must have been practicing. You're recognized. Hello, Aureli Kolodaghis, SPLC.
Summary:
The Committee on Rules met with a quorum and heard a Governor’s Office presentation on a proposed congressional reapportionment map. The governor’s counsel argued that mid-cycle congressional redistricting is legally permissible, that race should not be considered at all in drawing districts, and that the Florida Fair Districts provisions are inconsistent with federal equal protection law and should be treated as non-severable. The presentation also discussed the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Louisiana v. Callais and the Florida Supreme Court’s Black Voters Matter decision as part of the legal rationale for the map.
Jason Parada, who said he drew the map alone, described the map as based on 2020 census block data, with county-level population estimates used only as a guide to identify faster-growing areas. He said the plan keeps 48 counties and 382 municipalities whole, has compactness scores similar to the current benchmark map, and uses traditional geographic and political boundaries such as roads, railways, county lines, and municipal lines. He walked through regional changes, emphasizing a race-neutral redesign that significantly altered South Florida, including changes to districts in Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and the Everglades, while leaving several northern districts largely unchanged.
Members questioned the witnesses extensively about the legal theory, the use of partisan data, the role of race, population growth, and the timing and review of the map. The witnesses said partisan data was considered along with other traditional redistricting criteria, but race was not used. They also said they could not speak to who else reviewed the map beyond EOG staff and counsel. Several senators raised concerns about the map’s compactness, county and city splits, the apparent partisan effects, and the fact that the map was released shortly before the special session. No vote or final action on the map was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.