Transcript Highlights:

• fines and restitution, you combine that with the fact that the federal government will be matching the small
• fines and restitution, you combine that with the fact that the federal government will be matching the small
• c><00:10:29.480> be<00:10:29.720> matching<00:10:30.200> the<00:10:30.440> small
• government will be matching the small government will be matching the small state<00:10:31.120><

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also hear there is a small oral amendment to be incorporated into this amendment. Ms.
• The legislation is a small but meaningful way to show gratitude.
• Veterans with total service-connected disabilities often live on a very small, fixed income and face
• This bill removes small financial burdens and allows veterans with service-connected disabilities to
• small financial burdens and allows it laws veterans with service-connected disabilities to continue to

Bills: HF1355, HF78, HF1846, HF1225

Keywords: commercial diving, scuba diving safety, aquatic plant management, workplace safety, environmental regulations, HF78, Minnesota veterans, veteran retreats, Camp Bliss, Walker, Independent Lifestyles Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans affairs grant, general fund appropriation, family members, spouse, domestic partner, children, therapy, transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's actually somewhat of a small population of students.
• Roberta Sarah waiving in support Chris Doolan with a small School District Council consortium waiving
• Both big and small districts have done this with high school start times anywhere between 8, 39. 25 let
• Next up, Chris Doolin with small School District Council consortium speaking for the bill. >> So thank
• And and so we conducted a survey of my 36 small districts. 12 of them have have implemented this. 24

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We generate, transmit, and distribute electricity to approximately 134,000 customers in 422 small communities
• We operate five small hydropower plants on the Otter Tail River, all near Fergus Falls.
• the same but we they're all still the same but we operate<00:02:42.239> five<00:02:42.599> small
• hydrop<00:02:43.400> plants<00:02:43.640> on<00:02:43.760> the operate five small
• hydrop plants on the operate five small hydrop plants on the Ottertail<00:02:44.400> River<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But in terms of a roadmap for today's presentation, I have a very small overview of the Commission itself
• I have a very small overview of the Commission itself and its Division of Gaming Enforcement.
• Even small ones we've seen make upwards of $300,000 a week. Where do they put all the money?
• It's a small girl playing in a legal slot machine and a legal casino.
• When there's the person who's asking because they're just trying to get by, they have a small business

Summary: The Committee on Regulated Industries heard a presentation from the Florida Gaming Control Commission on illegal gambling in Florida. Executive Director Ross Marchman described the commission’s role, the limited number of legal slot-machine locations in the state, and the prevalence of illegal casinos, including “fish tables” and other machines found in strip malls, gas stations, and back rooms. He said the commission has received thousands of complaints, conducted 88 operations, seized thousands of machines and millions in cash and other property, and is currently storing large amounts of seized evidence at significant cost because the cases and appeals are still pending. Marchman argued that illegal casinos are tied to broader criminal activity, including robberies, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms offenses, and even murders, and said the current penalties are too weak because most gaming offenses are second-degree misdemeanors. He and members discussed the need for stronger deterrents, better resources, and possible changes to the law, including whether evidence could be reduced to samples rather than retained in full. Senators also asked about cease-and-desist letters to online gaming operators, the role of manufacturers and landlords, and how the commission distinguishes legal amusement machines from illegal slot machines. Daniel McGinn, speaking as an individual, supported the commission’s concerns and said prior enforcement efforts were limited by the statutory scheme. He referenced the Gator Coin case and explained that operators often use licensing agreements and repeated cash-split arrangements to keep machines in circulation. He urged legislative action, noted a gap in the statute regarding private rights of action, and warned against creating carve-outs that could raise constitutional or compact issues. No votes were taken, and the committee adjourned after the presentation and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while we are out in our district as individuals or sometimes in twos and threes or small groups of
• And while we are out in our district as individuals or sometimes in twos and threes or small groups of
• business owner or a employer or a small business owner or a big<01:47:42.560> business<01:47:
• business owners and the of uh our small business owners and the community.<01:57:09.040> And<
• positive step forward to help uh small positive step forward to help uh small subcontractors<02:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Another small part of the issue, um, that law enforcement reports is that people understand that the
• you make that connection another small you make that connection another small part<00:35:51.560>
• um bits because that's how the small um bits because that's how the fundraising<01:25:27.199> has
• project oversight committee and small project oversight committee and small nonprofits<01:26:31.239
• you we do believe there is one small you we do believe there is one small area<01:54:11.480>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's a small gift that I have, and we also are giving you the gift of not having germs in this room
• gift that I have and we also are small gift that I have and we also are giving<00:09:37.760> you<
• And so this is one of the most complicated pieces for, luckily, a very small number of kids.
• <00:44:01.960> as as small as as small as possible<00:44:04.240> I<00:44:04.359>
• We have seen that small uptick in designated receiving facility beds, DRF beds.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: House Finance Division III held an informational hearing with the Department of Health and Human Services focused on child and family services, children’s behavioral health, DCF, juvenile justice, and adult mental health. Before the presentation, members discussed scheduling a future site visit to Waypoint, including possible dates, mileage reimbursement logistics, and whether to reschedule the department’s developmental disabilities and healthy aging presentation because the associate commissioner was out sick. The department then outlined that it would concentrate on children’s behavioral health, DCF residential care and the Sununu Youth Services Center/YDC new build, and adult mental health, while noting the broader DHHS structure and the value of keeping related services under one leadership. The department emphasized an integrated “system of care” approach and said it was trying to shift resources toward earlier, lower-intensity interventions rather than relying mainly on high-cost residential and acute services. It cited youth risk data showing roughly four in ten New Hampshire high school students feeling sad or hopeless and about one in five considering suicide in the past year, and said these trends worsened during the pandemic, peaking in 2021 and easing somewhat by 2023. Members asked how New Hampshire compared with neighboring states and about pre-COVID trends; the department said it would follow up with more exact data. The presentation also described a long-term policy effort beginning with federal funding in 2012, the state’s 10-year mental health plan, and later legislation aimed at strengthening children’s behavioral health and transforming juvenile justice so that youth with behavioral health needs are not routed into punitive systems first. Members raised questions about out-of-state residential placement oversight and the statutory basis for inspections and follow-up. The department said the General Court had funded more “boots on the ground” oversight, in coordination with the Office of the Child Advocate, and agreed to provide a longer follow-up presentation on that topic after the governor’s budget is released. The department also described evidence-based prevention efforts, including home visiting programs such as Healthy Families America and a DCF-connected home visiting cohort for families already touching the child welfare system, as examples of trying to keep children out of deeper system involvement.

Transcript Highlights:

• tax base and you deal with such a small tax base and a<01:12:21.679> small<01:12:21.920> population
• <01:21:46.400> way hopefully help offset in a small way hopefully help offset in a small way
• these small town<02:43:58.319> boards?
• Well, small space, long lines.
• >> Well, small space, long lines. >> Well, small space, long lines.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill also applies to small business insurance agents.
• It's for only the largest companies for the extreme events, not for a small flood or a small fire, for
• large events... ...small, like a small flood or a small fire, for large events.
• The oil companies in California are a small portion... ...of that.
• There was a company, Merced Mutual, a small carrier domestic here in California.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The committee first heard SB 1209, which would give the Insurance Commissioner new authority to require insurers to carry out corrective actions identified in market conduct and financial examinations, and to impose penalties when companies fail to comply. Supporters, including Commissioner Ricardo Lara and his deputies, said the bill would close an enforcement gap that lets harmful practices continue and would help ensure insurers provide requested financial records and fix violations. Industry opponents argued the bill expands CDI authority too far, could duplicate existing penalties, and should be limited to legal violations rather than recommendations; members and the author discussed amendments to narrow the bill to legal violations, apply penalties per exam rather than per policy, and clarify other language. The committee then voted the bill out on a due pass motion to Appropriations, with some no votes and the item placed on call. The committee next took up SB 1301, which would require more detailed and earlier notice before a homeowner, condo owner, or renter policy is non-renewed, give policyholders an opportunity to fix correctable property issues, and prohibit certain non-renewal reasons such as claims below deductible or claims not covered by the policy. The author and supporters, including a consumer who described spending thousands on roof repairs before being dropped anyway, said the bill would improve transparency and give families a real chance to keep coverage. Opponents said California already has long notice periods, that the bill could force insurers to make decisions too early, and that some underwriting factors are not property-specific; they also raised concerns about roof-age standards and reporting burdens. The author indicated willingness to reduce the notice period to three months and work on a bifurcated process for mitigation, and the committee passed the bill on a due pass motion to Appropriations, with the item placed on call. The committee then heard SB 1026, a bill to reform regulation of bail fugitive recovery agents by allowing the Department of Insurance to suspend or revoke licenses without waiting for a criminal conviction, tightening conduct rules, and requiring continuous liability coverage and proper notice of appointment. The author and Commissioner Lara said the measure responds to complaints about bounty hunters breaking into the wrong homes, impersonating law enforcement, and operating without adequate oversight. Opponents from the bail industry and related groups said the bill is not workable as written, especially provisions requiring insurance for willful acts, use of admitted carriers, and a residency requirement they said is unconstitutional; they also warned it could reduce the availability of recovery agents and delay justice for crime victims. The department said it was still working on language changes, and the committee passed the bill to Appropriations on a due pass motion, with the item placed on call. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 982, which would authorize the Attorney General to seek recovery from fossil fuel companies for climate-related costs affecting the FAIR Plan and private policyholders, with the author framing it as a way to shift some wildfire and flood costs from Californians to the industry that helped drive climate change. Supporters, including flood and wildfire survivors, climate advocates, and an economist, said Californians are bearing rising insurance and disaster costs and that the bill would help fund recovery and resilience. Opponents argued the bill imposes unfair strict liability, raises due process and preemption concerns, and could harm the broader business climate and energy sector. The transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on SB 982.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's a small ad, you pay for a small space.
• It's really small on the handout, so you may want to pull it up on your screen and zoom in a little bit
• They would fall under a small government review process.
• A thousand of them are on the small government review process.
• Many of our clients, as we talked about all of these local government, small government ones, those of

Summary: The task force reviewed survey results from state agencies on potential statutory revisions, with Levi reporting 70 proposals from 20 agencies and noting that about 33 might become agency pre-file bills. Members discussed the need to share the survey more broadly within higher education and to better coordinate issues involving IT and other cross-agency functions. The task force then heard from the Office of Management and Budget on three topics: concessions, architect/engineering pre-qualification, and legal notices. OMB said the concessions law is outdated and inconsistent with current practice, and suggested a collaborative rewrite to allow best-value evaluation, raise the threshold, and standardize solicitation templates. On architect/engineering pre-qualification, OMB proposed expanding authority beyond current state-agency limits and creating uniform templates. On legal notices, OMB proposed modernizing publication requirements, exploring online and abbreviated notices, and working with newspapers and other stakeholders on technology and accessibility improvements. Members asked about where concession revenues go, whether political subdivisions must follow the same rules, and how to move from discussion to action. The task force agreed to have OMB work with Legislative Council and affected stakeholders to develop bill drafts, and the motion passed unanimously. The University of North Dakota then presented a series of proposed revisions focused on public buildings and procurement. UND asked to rework the definition of construction so routine maintenance and one-for-one replacements over $250,000 would not automatically trigger public-improvement requirements, suggested raising the threshold to $500,000, and asked for more flexibility based on project complexity and risk. UND also proposed changes to public bid advertisements to reflect electronic bidding, revisions to construction manager-at-risk selection criteria, changes to architect/engineer procurement rules, an increase in the direct-hire design threshold, and a higher legislative-consent threshold for privately funded projects. The task force supported having UND work with counsel and OMB to develop bill drafts, and that motion also passed. The Department of Public Instruction concluded with proposed cleanup to credentialing and education statutes. DPI recommended reviewing its credential categories for relevance, possibly transferring credentialing authority to the Education Standards and Practices Board, removing outdated school safety patrol language, clarifying waiver provisions, and updating dyslexia screening reporting requirements so the statute reflects current practice. Members focused mainly on whether the dyslexia reporting requirement should remain, and DPI said the screening itself would continue even if reporting language were revised. No votes were taken on DPI’s suggestions, and the task force recessed after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, if it's the committee's pleasure, we do have a very small technical amendment that we think
• Chairman, if it's the committee's pleasure, we do have a very small technical amendment that we think
• We do have a very small technical amendment that we think would be prudent to the bill.
• It's relatively small. >> Please let us know what we're looking at. Thank you, Mr.
• It's relatively small. >> Please let us know what we're looking at. Thank you, Mr.

Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122

Keywords: capital construction, state funding, Wyoming, major maintenance, community colleges, task force, legislative services, budget appropriation, unexpended funds, sunset clause, healthcare, rural health, transformation program, funding, incentives, training, access, perpetuity fund, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Blackduck students will touch on my opinions on Blackduck and our impact to small towns.
• We're a very valuable part of our small communities.
• We're a very valuable part of our small communities.
• We're a very valuable part of our small communities.
• We're a very valuable part of our small communities.

Bills: HF1359, HF1829, HF290, HF1933, HF926

Keywords: solid waste management, resource management account, environmental fund, taxation, Minnesota statutes, homestead, property tax, classification, disability, resort properties, recreational use, commercial property, tax refund, estimated tax, interest on refunds, income tax, corporate franchise tax, S corporation, partnership, corporation

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's out of 1,100-plus private schools, so still a very small percentage.
• Louisiana, nearby, over the last few years, against studies from very small pilot programs. from the
• It was privately financed and it was not small.
• Cowan, is that there's a positive impact, albeit, he says, very small, but. positive impact on public
• So if you have a small choice program, you shouldn't expect much more than a small positive. effect,

Bills: HB3, HB3

Keywords: education savings account, educational expenses, certified educational assistance organization, school choice, funding, special education, tuition reimbursement, emergency communication, public safety, interoperability, Texas Interoperability Council, grant program, emergency communications, public safety radio, first responders, radio system, dispatch, 911, emergency management, Texas Division of Emergency Management

Transcript Highlights:

• Respectfully submitted, Nathan Small, Chair. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption.
• Respectfully submitted, Nathan Small, Chair. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption.
• Respectfully submitted, Nathan Small, Chair. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption.
• Respectfully submitted, Nathan Small, Chair. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption.
• Respectfully submitted, Nathan Small, Chair. Mr. Speaker, I move adoption.

Transcript Highlights:

• This increases the procurement thresholds for small purchases.
• This increases the procurement thresholds for small purchases.
• Senate Bill 383 relating to small purchases.
• Next up, we have small bill Senate Bill 78 relating to voter registration.
• <00:51:57.079> bill next up we have uh let's see small bill next up we have uh let's see small

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its first hearing of 2025 and announced that all measures heard that day would be deferred to the next committee hearing for decision-making on Thursday, January 30. The agenda centered largely on procurement and government-operations bills, with testimony generally split between state agencies and local governments. On procurement measures, SB 254 and SB 383 would raise small-purchase thresholds; the State Procurement Office opposed both, while county officials, the City and County of Honolulu, the state librarian, and others supported them. SB 382, which would bar disclosure of a competing offeror’s proposal or evaluation score, and SB 462, which would require performance incentive contracts to specify pricing bases, goals, and formulas, drew mostly written comments and some support from agencies such as the Department of Transportation and Department of Education. SB 615, which would treat certain large change orders as new contracts, received opposition from the Comptroller and engineering interests. The committee also heard several bills on vacancies, appointments, and legislative oversight. SB 5 on state legislative vacancies had one supporting testifier, while SB 300 on deadlines for filling certain Senate vacancies drew opposition from several individuals and support from one late testifier. SB 1081, which would create a legislative budget office to provide fiscal analysis and reports on bills, received broad support from advocacy groups, civic organizations, and individuals. SB 711, requiring Senate advice and consent for certain executive-branch appointments, drew written opposition from the Governor’s Office and support from one individual. SB 375, establishing a select commission on government restructuring, had one written supporter. SB 418, which would require the Attorney General’s office to review a portion of administrative rules each year, prompted extended discussion about outdated rules, the difficulty of repealing or amending rules, and whether the bill should be refined; the AG’s office indicated the process is burdensome and could be streamlined. The committee then took up transparency and access measures. SB 55, requiring agency rules to be posted online in a digitally accessible format, received support from several advocacy and civic groups and written comment from the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. SB 870 would direct the comptroller to identify state office buildings that could provide equitable telecom access for remote participation in hearings, especially for residents with disabilities; the Comptroller supported the concept, and members discussed using libraries, DAGS facilities, county facilities, and other public buildings, with concerns raised about staffing, bandwidth, and competing public use. SB 270, a sunshine-law measure allowing board members to attend informational meetings and presentations, drew opposition from the Public First Law Center, which argued it would create a broad loophole and should be narrowed to existing county-council provisions. SB 45, concerning neighborhood board meetings and third-party presentations, prompted discussion about whether it actually addressed neighborhood boards’ Sunshine Law concerns; the committee was told it was not the right vehicle for that issue. SB 406, which would cap copying fees for government records at 5 cents per page with exceptions, drew support from media and transparency groups but opposition from DAGS, which said its actual per-page cost is much higher; members discussed possible electronic-copy alternatives and asked for more cost information before the next hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, READY assistance is limited to small towns of 5,000 or less.
• we would come back and make a small amendment.
• towns of people of 5,000 or to small towns of people of 5,000 or less. less. less.
• It's just a small technical program.
• It really has no impact small amendment.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House began with several announcements and recognitions, including a lengthy tribute to Representative Carolyn Brangan of Georgia on her retirement and years of service, followed by remarks from Brangan explaining that she is leaving to care for her husband during cancer treatment. Additional members offered brief reflections, including one on the end of the session and another welcoming students from Founders Memorial School to the gallery, and a member from Brattleboro highlighted a collaborative mural in the card room titled “These Green Hills, Vermont State Symbols and Personal Reflections.” The body then took up its calendar. It adopted Joint House Resolution 12, authorizing limited remote voting in joint committees through the remainder of the calendar year, with an ADA-related accommodation for members physically present but unable to access a meeting room. The House also suspended rules to take up and concur in the Senate amendment to House Bill 935 on emergency management. The committee report described grant programs for emergency response and technical rescue, new definitions and shelter-planning language centered on “whole community,” a wildland fire response task force, and an emergency rulemaking provision requested by the Agency of Natural Resources; the committee approved the Senate proposal on an 8-3 straw poll, and the House concurred. The House next adopted the conference committee report on House Bill 952, the capital construction and state bonding budget adjustment bill. The report explained changes made in conference, including shifting funds to cover a higher-than-expected bid for the St. Johnsbury facility, restoring some funding for maintenance at the women’s correctional facility in Chittenden County, and setting aside $750,000 toward planning for Wi-Fi installation in correctional facilities. It also noted a lease-related language change for a Vermont Huts project at Little River State Park, with notification to the institutions committee chairs. The House then took up Senate Bill 64 on optometrists’ scope of practice; the committee presentation supported allowing specially credentialed optometrists to perform certain minor surgical, laser, and injection procedures, citing improved access, safety, cost, and workforce development, and the bill was read for second reading with committee recommendations for concurrence.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:29.360> one, a mistake at one point, very small one, a mistake at one point, very small
• <00:30:42.799> business talked to a lot of small business talked to a lot of small business
• <00:31:02.480> business Um, and I think that the small business Um, and I think that the small
• Um we for small firms, Minnesota firms.
• <01:41:42.800> business some are independents, small business some are independents, small

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• small to access these dollars. small to access these dollars.
• So out of a small grant grew this love.
• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.
• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.
• Um, so people will sign up, pay a very small fee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We are also seeing facilities concentrated in a small number of communities: Champlin, Brooklyn Park,
• > as<01:41:30.680> most<01:41:30.960> small Particularly as the small as most small
• Particularly as the small as most small assisted<01:41:31.640> living<01:41:31.880> providers
• disproportionate number of small disproportionate number of small assisted<01:41:48.160> living
• disabilities who rely on small disabilities who rely on small community-based<01:43:32.120> residential

Bills: HF4110, HF4101, HF4144, HF3546

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, medical assistance, data matching, eligibility, reporting, human services, assisted living, health regulations, inspection authority, vulnerable adults, local government, program integrity, high-risk providers, enrollment requirements, fraud prevention, compliance