Transcript Highlights:

• state of Minnesota that is responsive state of Minnesota that is responsive and<00:48:21.359>
• Not every state got one — red states and blue states got them, but not every state got them.
• Not every state got one — red states and blue states got them, but not every state got them.
• Not every state got one — red states and blue states got them, but not every state got them.
• We have individuals from every county in the state participating in this program, and we have had more

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we have the Division of State Fire Marshal, which has responsibility for tracking fire incidents,
• Because of the unique bifurcation of regulatory responsibilities that exist in the state of Florida,
• The adjudication of disputes program resolves disputes between private citizens and state agencies and
• , as well as response... ...and overseeing conservation and efficiency programs, as well as responding
• And so it's a very high-interest program throughout the state.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee met for an introductory overview of the agencies under its jurisdiction and their current-year budgets. Chair Vicki Lopez welcomed members and staff, and each member briefly introduced themselves and identified areas of interest, with recurring themes including fiscal restraint, insurance regulation, revenue administration, condominium issues, and government efficiency. The chair then outlined the subcommittee’s overall budget, about $3.1 billion, and noted major recent policy areas affecting the budget such as condominium legislation and emergency communications funding. Agency heads then presented high-level summaries of their missions and budgets. The Department of Revenue described property tax oversight, tax administration, and child support enforcement; the Department of Management Services reviewed state purchasing, telecommunications, fleet, state insurance, retirement, and digital services; DBPR highlighted licensing, enforcement, condominiums, and building code work; DFS covered insurance consumer services, risk management, unclaimed property, fire marshal functions, and criminal investigations; the Gaming Control Commission discussed pari-mutuel and tribal gaming oversight and enforcement; OIR explained insurer solvency and rate review; the Lottery emphasized education funding and record sales; OFR described regulation of banking, securities, lending, and money services; DOAH outlined administrative and workers’ compensation adjudication; PSC covered utility rate regulation and consumer complaints; PERC described labor relations and career service appeals; and FCHR summarized discrimination complaint investigations and outreach. Several members asked questions about utility returns, insurance regulation staffing, DMS’s state employee health plan deficit and prescription drug formulary management, agency recommendations for reducing regulatory burden, and state facilities usage. Responses generally emphasized that utility rates and insurer filings are determined through evidentiary and actuarial processes, that OIR has reduced vacancies but still seeks specialized staff and a Tampa office expansion, and that DMS acknowledged rising health plan costs and said the issue likely requires broader budget-level discussion. The chair also pressed multiple presenters to stay focused on agency operations and budgets rather than broader policy issues. No votes or formal actions were taken in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• We went across the state.
• There are a lot of great home health programs across the state, but there are a lot of gaps in those
• There are a lot of great home health programs across the state, but there are a lot of gaps in those
• There are a lot of great home health programs across the state, but there are a lot of gaps in those
• There are a lot of great home health programs across the state, but there are a lot of gaps in those

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee met on February 6, 2025, for an update on emergency medical services (EMS) policy and implementation. Senator Seberger described the work of the EMS Task Force, which traveled statewide to hear concerns from providers about staffing, reimbursement, and retention. She said the task force led to the Sprint Medic model and two innovation zones in Otter Tail and St. Louis counties, and she urged continued monitoring and possible reconstitution of the task force to evaluate what is working and what could be expanded statewide. She also said future EMS work should continue to explore alternative response models and telemedicine, but that the most immediate need is additional funding, especially to address unpaid non-transport calls. Dylan Ferguson, director of the newly formed Minnesota Office of Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the office’s structure and priorities after the transition from the Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board. He described the office’s three divisions, the appointment of deputy directors, the first meetings of the advisory councils, and work on a statewide EMS strategic plan. He also reviewed the $24 million emergency ambulance aid program, explaining its 40-40-20 formula, the emphasis on rural services, the reporting and spending deadlines, and the positive response from ambulance providers. He noted that the $6 million Sprint paramedic grant program is underway, with Otter Tail County moving forward and St. Louis County still finalizing its application. Ferguson also outlined the office’s budget request for modest staffing and contract-cost increases, two rulemaking efforts to update outdated ambulance vehicle standards and expand medication options for basic life support services, and ongoing data collection on workforce needs, violence against EMS providers, and ambulance crashes. He highlighted the paramedic scholarship program administered by the Office of Higher Education, saying nearly 300 scholarships have been awarded. Members and Senator Seberger praised the EMS reforms and emphasized that non-transport calls create significant unreimbursed costs, especially for rural and volunteer services, but no votes or formal committee actions were taken during the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Third, improving access to comprehensive treatment by revising state opioid treatment program regulatory
• service in their state Medicaid programs.
• the now 21 prevention programs across New Mexico, working in 39 states.
• state and 14 SANE programs.
• Our programs like O'Shea's and the programs that Just Supports across the state are doing an incredible

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:07:08.599> at<00:07:08.759> all state program it is not at all state program it is
• responsible to tighten up the program.
• responsible to tighten up the program.
• responsible to tighten up the program.
• responsible to tighten up the program.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing law states that the policy of the state of California in existing law states that the policy
• You stated that very, very well.
• has full access to that program.
• to propose a program.
• university, which is our responsibility as a state, I'm struggling with that, because I think that's

Summary: The committee first heard SB 998, which would clarify and expand school discrimination prevention coordinator roles, including new coordinators focused on disability and anti-AAPI discrimination. The author and supporters said the bill would strengthen school climate, provide clearer guidance and training, and help schools address discrimination before it escalates. Support came from education, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ groups, while some witnesses expressed support if amended but raised concerns about gubernatorial appointments and preferred civil service hiring. Several senators debated whether the bill duplicated existing protections and whether it diverted attention from academic priorities, but the chair and coauthors emphasized it as follow-up legislation tied to prior civil rights commitments. The committee voted SB 998 out on a due pass motion to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the bill was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1082, which would streamline inter-district transfer appeals by requiring faster district action, concurrent review, and clearer notice when applications are incomplete. The author and sponsor said families often face long delays and inconsistent practices, and supporters argued the bill would improve fairness and reduce administrative burden without changing local approval authority. The California School Boards Association had an oppose-unless-amended position but said it was re-evaluating after amendments, and some other groups said they were removing opposition. The committee approved the bill on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee and placed it on call. Next, the committee heard SB 960 on community college baccalaureate degrees. The author argued the bill would create a statewide framework allowing community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in unmet workforce areas when CSU programs are unavailable or effectively inaccessible because of impaction, while also limiting growth so community colleges do not drift from their core mission. Supporters said the bill would expand access for place-bound students and align with workforce needs, while CSU and faculty opponents warned it could duplicate programs, affect faculty jobs, and worsen pressure on the CSU system. Members debated the master plan, impaction, funding inequities, and whether the bill would siphon students from CSU. The committee ultimately moved SB 960 out on a due pass as amended motion to the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the bill was placed on call. Finally, Senator Blakespear presented SB 965, which would make it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to obtain public library cards without a parent or guardian physically present. The author and her son described inconsistent local rules and said the bill would reduce barriers while preserving local library policies on checkout and liability. The transcript ended during testimony on SB 965, before any committee vote or further action was recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Barry is a philanthropically funded multi-state effort to transform how communities identify response
• State resources through the homeless housing and services program administered by the Texas Department
• I serve as an administrator at MHMR of Tarrant County, with responsibilities for many programs, including
• MHMR of Tarrant County has responsibilities for many programs, including those that serve individuals
• It's important to note that TDHCA's homeownership programs operate with no state or federal funding.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bureau is responsible for implementing the program, and the state receives grant funds that help
• The bureau is responsible for implementing the program, and the state receives grant funds that help
• The bureau is responsible for implementing the program, and the state receives grant funds that help
• The bureau is responsible for implementing the program, and the state receives grant funds that help
• The bureau is responsible for implementing the program, and the state receives grant funds that help

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Environment and Agriculture Committee held an introductory orientation for members, many of whom were new or newly assigned to the committee. Leadership emphasized that the committee is intended to operate in a nonpartisan, collaborative way, and members introduced themselves and described their backgrounds in farming, gardening, food service, environmental work, water and waste issues, veterinary work, and related fields. Several members noted personal ties to homesteading, livestock, orcharding, food security, landfill concerns, and animal welfare, while others said they were eager to learn the committee’s work. The chair then reviewed committee procedures and expectations. Members were told the committee would generally meet on Tuesdays, with hearings starting around 10 a.m. and often running until about 4:30 p.m., and that absences, substitutes for executive sessions, and email communications would be handled through House rules and the committee’s email system. The chair also covered decorum rules for live-streamed meetings, including professional dress, limiting food and drink at the table, and giving full attention to witnesses. Members were reminded that legislative emails are subject to public records laws and that the committee may soon transition to a new email domain. The chair also explained logistics such as bill folders, committee room storage, and emergency procedures for evacuation or shelter-in-place. No bills were debated or voted on in this meeting, but the chair noted that the committee already had roughly two dozen bills pending, including animal welfare, landfill, policy, and cat-and-dog related measures. Members were told to expect a broad mix of topics beyond agriculture, including solid waste and animal-related legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• You were talking about states doing pilot programs. We do pilot programs. We do pilot programs.
• You were talking about states doing pilot programs.
• There are a number of things that the states, and some states have made their response public, and I'm
• The radiation control program... ...to the state of North Dakota.
• Should industry be funding part of the state response and the state and local response capabilities?

Summary: The committee met to review advanced nuclear energy issues in North Dakota, beginning with approval of the April 21, 2022 minutes. Nucleon presented an overview of the advanced reactor landscape, distinguishing light-water SMRs, advanced Gen 4 reactors, and microreactors. The presentation emphasized that light-water SMRs are the most near-term deployable and use familiar low-enriched uranium fuel, while many Gen 4 designs may require high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALU), which is not yet supported by a mature U.S. supply chain. Nucleon also noted that advanced reactors are being developed primarily for industrial heat applications, while microreactors are niche, higher-cost systems for remote or mission-critical uses. Committee members asked about fuel availability, safety, recycling, and whether large reactors such as AP-1000s were evaluated; the presenter said fuel development is proceeding in parallel but remains a bottleneck, and that siting and grid capacity often make SMRs more practical than gigawatt-scale plants in North Dakota. Representatives from the National Association of State Energy Officials described how other states are supporting advanced nuclear through task forces, roadmaps, regional coordination, grants, tax incentives, workforce and supply-chain efforts, and pilot programs. They highlighted the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative and said states are focusing on multi-state coordination, demand aggregation, regulatory coordination, waste management, workforce readiness, and community engagement. They also discussed affordability tools such as construction work in progress (CWIP), financing incentives, and consumer protections, citing examples from Kentucky, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Utah, Tennessee, and others. In response to questions, they explained that pilot programs often involve site-readiness and feasibility studies, and that the federal Nuclear Innovation Campus process is moving forward with multiple submissions while broader waste and recycling policy may require congressional action. The Public Service Commission said it would likely have a major role in any North Dakota nuclear project through certificate-of-public-convenience-and-necessity review, siting, and rate regulation, but noted gaps in current law for small reactors, co-located facilities, NRC coordination, and long-term site stewardship. The commissioner said the commission has no authority over a private, self-contained reactor not connected to the grid. The Department of Environmental Quality explained that the state regulates radioactive materials under its agreement-state authority, but NRC retains primacy over fission reactors; DEQ would likely assist with emergency planning and could have a larger role if fusion reactors emerge. The Department of Emergency Services said it would serve as the lead off-site preparedness agency, requiring a dedicated radiological emergency preparedness program, training, drills, public outreach, and likely additional funding and staffing, with industry expected to bear much of the cost. The Department of Water Resources said North Dakota’s water laws and prior-appropriation system are adequate for nuclear siting, that the Missouri River is the best likely source, and that no statutory or budget changes are currently needed from a water perspective. The committee recessed for lunch after these agency presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Subdivision 113C6 made changes to the training program requirements, and this was also in response to
• So you are steering things towards programs that may not be an excellent use of state funds.
• As parents, we are so thankful for the EFA program and we want to honor the state by using educational
• in state law.
• in state law.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a long agenda of agency rule changes, beginning with housekeeping on the order of business and then taking up rules from multiple state agencies. Early items included Department of Energy and Environment rules on landfill post-closure trust fund spending thresholds and liquefied petroleum gas standards, DFA’s odometer disclosure rule allowing electronic signatures and disclosures, and several Department of Health rules covering ionizing radiation, mobile home and recreational parks, lead-based paint, counseling licensure, hearing instrument dispensers, athletic training, dental specialties and compacts, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistants, medical compacts, speech-language pathology and audiology, radiologic technology, massage therapy, community health workers, doula certification, and cosmetology/body art. Most of these were described as technical updates, conformity with recent acts, federal standards, or compact participation, and nearly all were approved without objection after brief questions and, in many cases, no public comment. The committee also reviewed Department of Labor and Licensing rules on minimum wage/independent contractor standards, boiler rules, motor vehicle commission requirements for ATV/LSV dealers, professional wrestling regulation, appraiser qualifications, and military recruiting and retention programs. Testimony generally emphasized that the rules implemented recent legislation, updated fees or licensing standards, or streamlined existing processes. Members asked a few questions about fee structures, the rationale for regulating professional wrestling, and how the National Guard’s public-private partnership and incentive programs would work; the department said the recruiting incentives would be funded from existing appropriations and were intended to improve retention and force strength. These rules were also approved without objection. The most extensive discussion came on the Department of Education’s Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program rule. The department said the revisions, based on Act 920 of 2025, were intended to add guardrails, clarify allowable expenses, and speed approval of core educational purchases. Changes included defining core educational expenses, limiting certain sports-related spending, adding an intentional misuse standard, restricting phone purchases except for disability-related needs, setting a $1,000 threshold for additional review of technology purchases, capping carryover funds at $8,500, and creating a reconsideration process for denied expenses. Members raised concerns about safeguards, appeals, sports equipment, provider credentialing, rural vendor access, and whether the department would be flexible or overly restrictive. The department said it would review every request, provide written explanations for denials, allow appeals up to the State Board, and refer suspected fraud to prosecutors if necessary. After hearing from 13 members of the public, the committee continued to discuss the rule, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the EFA rule is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that is the recommended changes to state grant program. And then I did invite up here Mr.
• So that is the recommended changes to state grant program. And then I did invite up here Mr.
• <00:16:11.600> grant state grant state grant program.<00:16:13.920> And<00:16:14.160>
• So all of those things led to just more demand for the state grant program.
• So all of those things led to just more demand for the state grant program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mentioned, the State Trade Expansion Program, which is several months delayed in award and unclear
• So we kicked in with our state individual assistance program.
• Again, it just validates the need for that level of program here within the state.
• It just validates the need for that level of program here within the state.
• With federal mitigation support now unreliable, state-funded programs are more critical than ever.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Robin, do you have any response to the state auditor's findings on your audit?
• So we performed a single audit over the major program, Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management, State
• Right now some of these programs, it's stated income.
• As the state administering agency, NDDPI is responsible for the oversight of these programs, including
• I have met with the other states, with those other state directors that have a universal free meal program

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• would state grant program, which would state grant program, which would disproportionately<00:04
• the state grant program could cuts in the state grant program could reverse<00:13:47.920> this.
• state grant program. program. program.
• negatively the state grant program while negatively the state grant program while negatively
• participate in the state grant program. participate in the state grant program.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and funds on state funding and specifically if you could identify any major programs that have been
• First off, overarchingly, the amount of share of the state, school, and local foundation programs has
• So, the amount of share of the state, school, and local foundation programs, because of the tax relief
• The agency, in response, stated that they would consider raising fees but wanted to be careful not to
• As it relates to our particular program in the state of Texas, Texas is number one.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our state version of that national program, match the requirements of the national program.
• our state version of that national program, match the requirements of the national program.
• uh to our state version national program uh to our state version of<00:30:22.559> that<00:30:
• programs and replicating fraud schemes across different state systems.
• > fraud state programs and replicating fraud state programs and replicating fraud schemes<01:00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The unallocated funds will be for the state bond costs for that program. How much is unallocated?
• It is a clean energy program, and it would be for a state water facility.
• So, as an emergency response program, DHS needs to retain flexibility to adapt to changing market conditions
• One of the things we can envision with this program is that it's an emergency response program.
• that has a state Lifeline program in addition to the Universal Service Fund funding from the...

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state emergency response team had to answer that call, and I stand with pride and say we certainly
• Our state emergency response team had to answer that call, and I stand with pride and say we certainly
• Our mantra, what we embrace, is that funding and disaster response is federally funded, state managed
• you for helping other states.
• There are programs.

Summary: The committee received a program review from the Florida Division of Emergency Management on the 2024 hurricane season and FEMA reimbursement process. Deputy Director Keith Pruitt described the impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, including major storm surge, flooding, tornadoes, debris removal, power restoration, flood-control deployments, sheltering, and logistics missions. He emphasized that Florida’s approach is “federally funded, state managed, locally executed,” and said the division has already obligated large amounts of public assistance funding and mitigation dollars while continuing to work on remaining missions and reimbursements. A major focus of the discussion was how local governments can better document and vet debris-removal and other disaster costs so they are eligible for FEMA reimbursement. Chair DiCeglie and other senators raised concerns about local planning, commercial debris collection, and whether counties and municipalities that spend money up front will be reimbursed. Pruitt explained that eligibility depends on documentation, scope of work, insurance, and FEMA rules, and that the state’s FROC process is intended to help counties identify eligible work before costs are incurred. He also said commercial debris may be eligible in some cases but is not guaranteed, and that counties should coordinate early with FDEM and FEMA. Senators also asked about possible FEMA reforms, the age of outstanding reimbursement claims, and a proposed state fund to advance money to fiscally constrained counties while they wait for FEMA payments. Pruitt said Florida’s system is a national best practice, but that more county-level training and clearer coordination would help reduce de-obligations and audit problems. He said the reimbursement-advance idea is still being developed, and that the state continues to look at ways to streamline mitigation through programs like Elevate Florida. The committee took no formal action beyond hearing the presentation, and the meeting adjourned after closing comments from senators praising FDEM’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• We've facilitated warm handoffs with 988, the rapid response access point in the state, almost 500 times
• In our previous conversation, I was the state traffic engineer responsible for speed limits.
• We're seeing my program is responsible for reducing fatal and serious injury crashes, and we're seeing
• > for state traffic engineer responsible for state traffic engineer responsible for speed<03:54
• <03:54:48.120> is in time we're seeing my program is in time we're seeing my program is responsible

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• million cut to funds that were intended to support state preschool programs to better serve children
• And finally, we would just like to highlight the need for funding the California State Preschool Program
• And our bills are responses to issues that happen in our district or throughout the state, our budget
• also impact the state-funded Trafficking Crime Victims Assistance Program, also known as TCVAP, since
• that we have in our state, which is our food assistance program.

Keywords: 988, house, all