Transcript Highlights:

• taxes because the school budget is the largest part of your property tax budget, and the largest part
• So it's the largest part of the largest part. Some people on it. Thank you, Chair.
• c><00:26:28.480> of school budget is the largest part of school budget is the largest part of
• So it's the largest part of<00:26:35.679> the<00:26:35.840> largest<00:26:36.080> part
• of the largest part of the largest part. of the largest part of the largest part.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It could make it harder for employers to recruit part-time employees.
• for employers to recruit part-time for employers to recruit part-time employees<00:14:46.720>
• That part I can probably live with. That is sarcasm, please don't do that.
• That's part of the reason that drives them to do that work.
• Workers who have to put together multiple part-time jobs can get fired for being sick.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 1325 and adopted the author’s A2 amendment before hearing testimony. Representative Schultz presented the bill as a set of bipartisan changes to make Minnesota’s earned sick and safe time law more workable for small businesses, public employers, and taxpayers, arguing the current law is an unfunded mandate that increases costs and property taxes. The bill’s supporters said it would add flexibility, including changes affecting coverage for certain workers, employer size thresholds, front-loading, weather-related exceptions, and a delay on penalties. Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach of the Department of Labor and Industry opposed the bill, saying it would exclude about 800,000 workers, or roughly 30% of the workforce, from earned sick and safe time protections and create confusion and enforcement problems. She also objected to the proposed penalty delay, saying the department already uses compliance assistance and needs penalty authority for serious violations. The Minnesota Chamber supported modifications to the mandate, saying businesses—especially small ones—have struggled with compliance and that the law has had unintended effects on PTO policies and leave use. The League of Minnesota Cities supported parts of the bill, especially changes affecting more generous city leave policies and weather-event exemptions, saying current language creates confusion and can interfere with emergency staffing. Opponents from Education Minnesota, SEIU Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, and a nurse from Unity Hospital argued the bill would strip protections from part-time workers, minors, and workers with family caregiving needs, and would weaken a law they said has helped workers avoid discipline or lost wages when sick. Supporters from counties and an HR consultant emphasized administrative burdens, emergency staffing needs during weather events, and the difficulty of applying ESS rules to existing leave policies. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided; the bill was laid over for further consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• And are all of these three parts of the same thing, or are they different?
• Part of that is due to just the amount of litigation that's involved in a felony.
• Part of that is due to just the amount of litigation that's involved in a felony.
• drug court in Chester County I was part drug court in Chester County I was part of<00:55:10.000>
• That sounds like an Edna joke, which is worse than a bad joke, for the most part.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think part don't perform at the level.
• I'll take that up in the second part.
• <03:47:42.800> of into county and and so this is part of into county and and so this is part
• > in<04:20:38.000> the<04:20:38.159> bill there's a part in the bill there's a part
• I just wanted to ask about the political part, the election part, because you said you don't want to

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Indeed, the letter is based in part on those deliberations.
• The question is, shall the House adopt the report of the committee of conference on its part?
• The question is, shall the House adopt the report of the committee of conference on its part?
• I am confident that the members do not want me to review all of the technical parts...
• Are you ready conference on its part? Are you ready for the question?

Keywords: 926, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, just part. Hello, Robin. Good afternoon.
• That's a part of your cost for the service.
• So those are basically a part of all of the services.
• That's a part of your cost for the service.
• So those are basically a part of all of the services.

Summary: The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management. The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications. The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sports are a huge part of who we are as West Virginians.
• George said, are a part of education-based athletics. They are an extension of a classroom.
• I feel like this transfer law has had a lot to do with the culture and the negative part of that.
• What grade can you transfer as part of that, and then what time of the year can you transfer?
• You know, high school sports play a huge part in our kids' lives. They really do.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What part of our... Programs do we need to change? How do we need to change them?
• And then OK, this is the house OMES and house bill 1794 mentioned as part of the.
• Part of our job is to find the highest and best use for every single parcel.
• Leases, and they submit that number as part of the board of equalization number.
• And then from the distributable part of that is what we send out to schools.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• rejected for the most part out of hand. rejected for the most part out of hand.
• Uh, but I am obligated to not be part of those.
• Uh, but I am obligated to not be part of those.
• Uh, but I am obligated to not be part of those.
• Uh, but I am obligated to not be part of those.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's modeled in part on efforts rights.
• It's part of the bill you passed.
• That's part of the bill you passed.
• It is a part-time supplement to their other income or part-time job in retirement.
• It is a part-time supplement to their other income or part-time job in retirement. drivers set the conditions

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maybe as part, consider it as part of the study or in addition to the study.
• Maybe as part, consider it as part of the study or in addition to the study. Yeah.
• But part of that discussion was that rather than providing the funding to build the facility, they could
• We'd remove that as part of this. Right. I agree with then taking that section out.
• That's $800,000, which it seems to me is $800,000 as part of the larger project.

Bills: SB2399

Keywords: mental health, psychiatric treatment, reimbursement, medical assistance, legislative report, 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met to work through amendments and budget items in House Bill 2012/HB 1004, focusing first on long-term care, disability services, and behavioral health. Members discussed competing approaches to a four-plex for medically complex individuals, a value-based care payment withhold for nursing facilities, accreditation requirements for providers, a study of developmental disability services, and funding for Family Voices and Ann Carlson-related services. Several amendments were accepted or set aside after discussion, including a study amendment for disability services and a Family Voices grant amendment that was adjusted to remove “one-time” language so it could continue as an ongoing grant. The committee also agreed to keep or defer some items for conference committee, including the youth crisis stabilization pilot and other long-term care proposals. A major discussion centered on the state hospital project. Members debated whether the $330 million project should remain in the DHS budget or be moved to the OMB budget for construction management. After discussion of costs, alternates, and the role of a steering committee and BND loan language, the committee agreed to remove the state hospital funding and related loan language from the DHS budget while leaving the steering committee language in place. The committee also considered a proposed Altru grant for additional beds and settled on a smaller planning-focused approach, with a $1 million grant and a line of credit concept to be refined later. The committee then turned to behavioral health items, including QRTP funding, nursing home behavioral health training, and a youth crisis stabilization pilot. Members generally supported keeping the QRTP funding level, but were divided on the nursing home behavioral health training and the crisis stabilization pilot, with some preferring to leave those issues for conference committee. The division also reviewed the HHS block grant and underfunding structure, with Donna Ackland explaining salary, vacancy, and flexibility calculations; the committee discussed adjusting the underfund and revenue assumptions but did not finalize every number before moving on. Finally, the committee took up House Bill 1577 on wastewater treatment grants. Senator Davison moved to hoghouse the bill into a study-focused version using the proposed amendment language, and the motion passed. The committee then moved HB 1577 as amended with a do pass recommendation; the roll call passed with Senators Cleary, Davison, Dever, and Mathern voting yes, and Senator Magrum not recorded as voting. The meeting adjourned with plans to return later in the day to continue budget work.

Transcript Highlights:

• So all our area is part of the industrial zone.
• All that is also part of the uh ETJ.
• We're part of the conversation.
• of the UTP and part of the budget.
• I think this is part of it.

Bills: HB 767, HB 1242, HB 1373, HB 1404, HB 1708, HB 1936, HB 2041, HB 2198, HB 2270, HB 2315, HB 2415, HB 2427, HB 2455, HB 2457, HB 2522, HB 2523, HB 2686, HB 2763, HB 2775, HB 2944, HB 3034, HB 1683, HB 1695

Keywords: highway designation, memorial, Montgomery County, Paul P. Mendes, transportation, HB 1242, Texas Transportation Code, U.S. Highway 281, Brooks County, Ernesto Soliz Cantu, memorial highway, road naming, TxDOT, road signage, commemorative resolution, memorial markers, county road 304, Huppergate Road, Los Robles Trail, Farm-to-Market Road

Transcript Highlights:

• I'M NOT SURE THE PART YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.
• AND ANSWER THE LAST PART OF THE QUESTION.
• THAT'S THE FIRST PART.
• YOU REPRESENT PART OF ONE OF THE ENTIRETY OF ANOTHER ONE.
• QUICKLY I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO TWO PARTS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And as part of that is constantly looking at cost drivers and expense efficiencies.
• That's part of our move toward being the premier engineering institution.
• That's part of our move toward being the premier engineering institution.
• Some of them are definitely part of the mix of the institution.
• Part of the reason the Board of Governors was created, though...

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to examine how Florida’s state universities are funded and to begin discussing a possible university funding model. The panel included the State University System chancellor and CFOs from FSU, UF, FAMU, FAU, UNF, and UCF. Members first reviewed major cost drivers, which the universities said are broadly similar across institutions: wages and benefits, equipment and supplies, financial aid, professional services, utilities, IT, and maintenance. Several institutions noted unique pressures from geography, growth, research intensity, and mission, such as UCF’s size and engineering focus, UF’s land-grant and research enterprise, FAMU’s need to recruit top talent while serving a high-Pell student population, and FSU’s large facilities and research obligations. The chancellor also summarized systemwide cost growth since 2012-13, including higher health insurance, retirement, and salary costs, while noting tuition had been held flat. The committee then discussed other revenue sources, including auxiliaries, restricted funds, capital projects, and component units such as foundations and health systems. University leaders explained that many of these funds are restricted to specific purposes, and some, like UF Health, account for a large share of operating expenses. Members also discussed the current performance-based funding process. University representatives generally praised it for transparency, accountability, and its focus on student success, but said the heavy use of one-time funds, nonrecurring appropriations, and unfunded mandates makes long-term planning difficult. FSU and others argued that rising employee costs, waivers, and facilities expenses are not fully covered, while FAMU said performance funding has improved outcomes but can disadvantage institutions serving more low-income students. In response to questions about improvements, the universities suggested more recurring and predictable funding, better coverage of mandated costs, more flexibility in fees, and continued investment in research and strategic priorities. The chancellor said the Board of Governors is considering a version 3.0 of performance funding that would benchmark institutions against peers and Carnegie classifications. The committee also explored whether universities should have more flexibility to set out-of-state tuition and professional school tuition. Most university leaders favored giving boards of trustees more authority, while the chancellor cautioned that increasing out-of-state enrollment or tuition too much could affect legislative support. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking the panel and adjourning the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• So a lot of that is encompassed within the job architecture part of this project.
• Chairman Munoz, part of the other agency, a part of the study is DFA, and DFA actually runs our Our share
• That's the other really critical part of it. So this is the seed that.
• The amendment, the first part of it simply makes.
• Part of this, right? As we generate water and desal, the water has to go somewhere.

Transcript Highlights:

• And, you know, now I employ over 250 people, part of a giant organization.
• And that's with our two counties in a different part of the state, actually.
• of the Panhandle, and I want to jump on it for the west part of the Panhandle.
• Now, the rural parts, north parts of the county are different, but our contractors need workers.
• And one other thing, part of our related technical instruction at ABC is labs.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met to discuss apprenticeship education and workforce development, with panelists from Santa Fe College, the Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, ABC East Coast/ABC Institute, and Piper Fire Protection. Members heard that apprenticeships are growing in Florida, with panelists emphasizing that these programs offer paid, tuition-free training, progressive wage increases, and strong job placement in high-demand fields such as HVAC, electrical, fire protection, and construction. Panelists also described efforts to expand into new areas like accounting, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and surgical technology, while stressing the importance of aligning programs with employer demand. A major topic was funding and reimbursement. Panelists said the current model is complicated and often leaves providers with only a portion of the funds appropriated for apprentices, with one provider saying reimbursement can be as low as 44% and others describing caps, contract delays, and inconsistent CareerSource support. They argued that more of the money should reach training providers, that small businesses need more support to participate, and that transparency and contract reform could help expand enrollment and improve program quality. Several also raised barriers such as instructor approval rules, paperwork, and facility costs. Members asked about admission criteria, program costs, employer incentives, outreach to high school students, and whether apprenticeships should have greater access to other funding sources. Panelists said the main requirements are being employed and willing to work and learn, and that outreach through schools, career fairs, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns is essential. They also discussed articulation agreements that can provide college credit for apprenticeship training and suggested statewide credit recognition and possible direct funding to providers as policy improvements. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with the subcommittee adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• that will probably interest Senator Yates and my good friend back here, but you know, this is not part
• that will probably interest Senator Yates and my good friend back here, but you know, this is not part
• on, and this will be a tool to allow the Department of Insurance to be able to go after just that part
• <00:10:46.200> of be able to go after just that part of be able to go after just that part
• The business that they write, but relative to those specific consumer protections, that's part of the

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:06 SB24 Discussion: 01:08 SB24 Vote: 13:22 SB18 Discussion: 14:40 SB18 Vote: 21:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 24, a measure aimed at combating property and casualty insurance fraud. Senator Girdler and witnesses from the Insurance Institute of Kentucky and the National Insurance Crime Bureau said the bill would expand the definition of a fraudulent insurance act to cover statements that misrepresent the scope of property damage or repair costs, with the goal of addressing inflated storm-damage claims and out-of-state bad actors. Members discussed whether existing prosecutors were already handling these cases, the role of Commonwealth’s attorneys versus the Attorney General, and the need to keep the bill narrowly tailored to criminal intent rather than negligence or ordinary disputes over value. The committee substitute was adopted, the bill received favorable expression, and a title amendment was also adopted. The committee then heard Senate Bill 18, which would address a shortage of insurance options for automobile dealers by allowing nonadmitted carriers to provide garage liability coverage in Kentucky. Testimony from an insurance agent and a legislative agent for Big I Kentucky described a shrinking market in which some small dealers cannot find coverage at all, risking closure. Members asked about the meaning of garage liability, consumer protections, solvency concerns, and whether more competition could lower prices; witnesses said surplus lines carriers already operate in Kentucky, agents play an important vetting role, and errors-and-omissions coverage would apply to the agent. The bill was supported as a way to preserve dealer businesses and expand coverage options, and it passed the committee with favorable expression after roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to focus on the other part of the budget, which is revenue.
• Last time, he said, "Let's move part of the Department of Agriculture out."
• As you know, you become part of the master death file.
• That's a part of what's necessary to balance the books.
• Okay, well, you're not part of the administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a great foundation, and it's going to be us who were not part of the quitters caucus to...
• I appreciate the home nursing care part.
• This is part of a long-running controversy in my district regarding the Roseau Lake project.
• Johnson as part of the deal, which is ridiculous.
• I learned the truth: failing to plan on your part is not constitute an emergency on my part.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But yeah, they were part of the process.
• They were part, not—they didn't take a position on either of the bills.
• they were part of the process. they were part of the process.
• additional cost if any, on their part. additional cost if any, on their part.
• So, I think the first part of right fit.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all