Transcript Highlights:

• You've heard today about all the groups that could be impacted by this bill.
• This can happen to all of these groups, including the group that has you in it, including the group of

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, so last year a group of >> Um, yeah.
• Um, so last year a group of people<00:36:13.839> came<00:36:14.079> up<00:36:14.240>
• you will see there um the working group you will see there um the working group requested<01:00:
• The third version stakeholder groups.
• <01:14:24.719> um the eth ethnic studies working group um the eth ethnic studies working group

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Allowing the working group<01:36:31.600> to<01:36:31.760> complete<01:36:32.080> its
• Uh, the working group concluded with a final report that was submitted to the legislature before the
• different product and consideration than casinos, Group also included all relevant state departments
• That is their prime group. The average person going in there betting 10 bucks, that’s fine.
• That is their prime group. of the money. That is their prime group.

Bills: HB2118, HB2473

Keywords: business development, arts, cultural affairs, Hawaii, commissions, administrative transfer, funding appropriation, Hawaiian culture, sense of place, land management, environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several bills related to permitting and economic development. On HB 2603, relating to permits, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development said it supported the measure with comments. Committee discussion focused on the fact that the state’s facilitated permit process appears to have been rarely or never used, the need to identify specific projects that would use it, and whether DBEDT would need dedicated staffing to administer it. DBEDT said it had found no projects under the current process, had no capacity to run the program as structured, and estimated it would need about 7 to 9 FTEs, including permitting, coordination, data, systems, and possibly legal support. The chair suggested exploring a staff assignment and comparing the concept to federal FAST-41-style expedited permitting. On HB 2140, relating to essential permitting positions, the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development again supported the bill with comments. Testimony and questioning centered on a pilot program to help counties pay competitively for permitting staff. A DBEDT representative said the issue of competitive pay affected both county and state permitting offices and that the bill was intended as a temporary pilot, though a more permanent solution would be preferable. When asked how counties would fund the salary support, the witness said that was not yet discussed with the counties and agreed to follow up. The committee also noted the bill applies to participating counties. On HB 2598, relating to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, the State Procurement Office and HTDC offered comments, and the Department of the Attorney General raised constitutional concerns. The AG said the bill’s residency-based certification requirements, when tied to procurement, could implicate the dormant Commerce Clause, and that the required 1% contribution tied to state contracts raised unconstitutional-conditions concerns. In questioning, the AG characterized these as legal risks rather than automatic lawsuits. The committee did not take a vote. The committee then heard HB 2141, relating to state enterprise zones. Taxation, DBEDT, HCDA, the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, and HTDC testified in support, while the Tax Foundation noted the program was intended to help economically depressed areas create jobs. HTDC said the bill would help preserve the Maui Research and Technology Center’s enterprise-zone status after rezoning. Committee discussion focused on whether the enterprise zone program is being used effectively, how the bill might attract businesses to areas where the state is investing, and whether the program’s labor requirements are too burdensome for new businesses. DBEDT explained that the program requires a 10% workforce increase in the first year, which must be sustained, and said it promotes the program through county coordinators and in-person outreach. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• things that want to be happening between our different policies, between our different political groups
• Number two, we had a group when we started getting things moving and started to educate legislators and
• There was a group that said, 'Hey, this is a great funding source for us to come and take and dedicate
• Number two, we had a group when we started getting things moving and started to educate legislators and
• There was a group that said, 'Hey, this is a great funding source for us to come and take and dedicate

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee on House File 3900 met with a quorum, introduced members and staff, and received a nonpartisan walkthrough of the bill. Staff explained that the proposal would change the permanent school fund’s distribution formula from interest and dividends to a statutory payout based on 4.5% of the fund’s average value over the previous three fiscal years, with the Commissioner of Management and Budget responsible for determining and transferring the distributable amount. The Senate version differed by adding language requiring a two-thirds vote of each legislative house to change the distribution policy or apportionment. Members then debated whether a future legislature could increase the payout and whether the constitutional language would sufficiently protect the fund’s purchasing power. Senator Farnsworth argued that a supermajority requirement would help prevent politicization and lock in the fund’s purpose, while Representative Long, Senator Kunesh, Representative Youakim, and Representative O’Driscoll opposed the supermajority as unnecessary and potentially politicizing, emphasizing existing constitutional protections, fiduciary duties, and the legislature’s track record of stewarding school trust lands for students. Staff indicated the language requiring preservation of purchasing power would be a strong safeguard, though the exact legal remedy was unclear. Senator Kunesh moved to adopt the House File 3900 second engrossment as the conference committee report. The committee took a roll call vote and approved the motion 7-1, with Senator Farnsworth voting no. After the vote, Senator Swedzinski offered brief remarks about the historical importance of school trust funds and public education.

Transcript Highlights:

• This group was selected out of more than 300 nominations for their passion for teaching and influencing
• I have a group of gentlemen in this chamber that, wherever I am, they find some vantage point in which
• I have another group of friends, part of one of my other fan clubs.
• You guys were part of that group, too, that just kind of gave me some balance, and I'm grateful.
• It is always genuine, and I feel like you always give credit to a group that knows how to receive it

Bills: SB378, SB985, SB1246, HB3720, SB1500, SB1984, HB4118, SB1644, SB1546, SB483

Keywords: bail bondsman, bondsman license, multicounty agent bondsman, surety bondsman, Insurance Commissioner, bail bond regulation, bond deposit, forfeiture, deposit ratio, writing capacity, license transfer, power of attorney, surety bond, bail industry, Oklahoma insurance law, financial solvency, administrative action, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement

Summary: The House convened, called the roll, and heard an invocation focused on “leading with the farewell,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a series of floor recognitions honoring guests and student groups. Presentations included the nurse of the day, Susan Hollingsworth, and multiple student champions and visitors, including the Clinton High School 4A hip hop state champions, Pryor High School’s Life Smarts state champions, the Elgin High School wrestling team, the Fort Gibson FFA livestock judging team, Putnam City North’s girls basketball champions, visiting students from Douglas, OSU environmental science graduate students, and Oklahoma Energy Resource Board teachers of the year. The chamber then took up several Senate bills. SB 378, updating bail bondsman regulations, passed 77-3. SB 985, codifying the local food for school program in statute, passed 79-0. SB 1246, which would update and speed up DEQ permitting while preserving transparency, drew questions about agency outreach and environmental impacts; after a division vote on advancing the bill passed 30-28, the bill itself passed 81-0. Later, SB 1500 on pharmacy benefit managers passed 81-0, SB 1984 on osteopathic medicine passed 74-0, and SB 1644 creating a reporting mechanism for suspected alpha-gal syndrome passed 82-0. The House also adopted Senate amendments to HB 3720, the local food freedom bill, and passed it 81-0. HB 4118, the family caregiver credit, also passed 81-0 after the Senate amendment restored the title “Caring for Caregivers Act.” A motion was made to reject Senate amendments to HB 2992 and request conference. House Joint Resolution 1100, relating to OMES proposed major rule changes, was read on second reading and referred to administrative rules. A lengthy debate centered on an amendment to SB 1546, a teacher-related bill, which would expand the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Scholarship Fund tax credit to support the Strong Readers Act, the Oklahoma Math Proficiency Act, and certain capital projects for scholarship-granting organizations. Supporters said it would encourage private investment in education and add instructional capacity; opponents argued it would favor wealthy private schools, do little for rural or high-poverty districts, and divert scholarship resources. The amendment was adopted unanimously, and the bill was advanced to final passage, with debate continuing at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• However, we all understand that prosecutors are a diverse group of people and sometimes may not be inclined
• However, we all understand that prosecutors are a diverse group of people and sometimes may not be inclined
• However, we all understand that prosecutors are a diverse group of people and sometimes may not be inclined
• <00:21:57.919> are<00:21:58.080> a<00:21:58.240> diverse<00:21:58.559> group
• <00:21:58.720> of that prosecutors are a diverse group of that prosecutors are a diverse group

Bills: SF0069, SF0084, SF0050, SF0109, HB0069, HB0098

Keywords: wastewater, stormwater, infrastructure, environmental quality, public data, data collection, funding, study, water conservation, Colorado River, drought, irrigation, water rights, voluntary program, interstate agreements, groundwater, water resource management, state engineer, aquifer study, corrective controls

Transcript Highlights:

• Have the governor's staff been involved in these working group things just to work on provisions?
• The governor's staff has not been involved in any working group.
• <00:26:10.159> um involved in these working group um involved in these working group um things
• don't<00:26:16.240> I<00:26:16.559> think<00:26:16.960> I in any working group
• I don't I think I in any working group.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House DFL leaders held a press availability outlining a broad anti-fraud agenda focused on state programs, especially Medicaid-related services, but also unemployment and tax fraud. They said the package is intended to strengthen accountability, improve oversight, and prevent fraud before it occurs, while arguing that fraud harms vulnerable Minnesotans such as children with autism, people with disabilities, seniors, and homeless people. They also tied the problem to long-term privatization of public services, arguing that outsourcing creates more layers and opportunities for fraud, and cited examples like county case management and managed care arrangements. Specific proposals discussed included strengthening the attorney general’s Medicaid fraud control unit, creating or expanding inspector general functions, requiring more in-person site visits, using electronic visit verification, improving background checks and fingerprinting, and upgrading outdated IT systems. Members said some bills would be relatively low-cost while others would require funding, and that bills without fiscal notes might move separately while others could be folded into budget discussions. They also said the House DFL had already taken steps in prior sessions, including creating a fraud unit at the BCA and adding DHS staff for site visits. The discussion also covered the Office of Inspector General bill, with DFL members saying they support placing the office in the executive branch and that the governor should make the final appointment for constitutional reasons. They said Republicans had blocked amendments they viewed as adding fraud-prevention authority to the OIG bill, and that the governor’s staff had not been involved in working groups. On a separate bill involving disclosure requirements, they said the committee version was improved but still flawed because it could interfere with investigations; they said it would next go to the Children and Families Committee. No votes were taken in the exchange, and members said they were still early in session and hoped for more constructive negotiations later.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was started out as a renewable energy infrastructure working group.
• After discussion with members of the committee, it is now an energy infrastructure working group.
• It is now an energy infrastructure working group. So I've taken out references to renewable energy.
• So I think the study group, as long as all stakeholders have a chance to have input, I don't see any
• Do you have a percentage of the general population of people who can or is part of these groups that

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Kolodin, I can't give you a percentage, but when I've been talking to environmental groups
• If they do not use the foam on the same fire, they could be sued by petroleum groups from Texas for not
• The Department of Public Safety is a necessary, important group of people.
• I'm a little bothered by folks that are voting present today, simply because this group in particular
• So again, I think that a regional training academy, when you have a user group...

Bills: HB2207, HB2225, HB2602, HB2641

Keywords: braille, disability access, education funding, state corrections, inclusion, HB 2225, Yavapai County, northern Arizona regional training academy, training academy, public safety training, law enforcement training, police academy, first responder training, capital appropriation, state general fund, state treasurer, lapsing appropriation, section 35-190, capital costs, regional training facility

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not aware of any agency, employee, or group of employees traveling regularly at this level of cost
• Bankson, are you going to do kind of a summary for the group? If you are, you're recognized.”
• Miller, you are also part of this great group. Thank you. It was an honor.
• And when we have a group that's their expertise, getting them engaged early and often will be helpful
• Yes, this group is extremely efficient. I won't allude to too many of their vacancies.

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency travel, budget reduction exercises, and member reports from agency meetings. Early discussion focused on the Department of Management Services (DMS), where members questioned the cost of travel for four out-of-state data/cyber staff and the secretary’s absence. DMS defended the hires as highly specialized enterprise cybersecurity and data personnel, said the positions were lawfully paid and posted, and explained that the staff work on statewide data cataloging and cyber risk reduction rather than agency-by-agency systems. Members also raised concerns about fleet inventory discrepancies and requested follow-up information on hiring, travel, and data inventory timelines. The chair said she would consider travel guardrails and possible reductions, and noted that DMS, the Lottery, and the Florida Commission on Human Relations did not meet the requested reduction target, while the Public Employee Relations Commission did not submit reductions. The committee then heard from the Florida Lottery about the secretary’s trip to Paris for the World Lottery Convention. Lottery staff said the trip was reimbursed through the multi-state lottery organization and was intended to share best practices and improve operations, though members questioned the value of the travel and requested reimbursement records and the trip agenda. The subcommittee also reviewed agency reduction exercises from several agencies. The Department of Revenue exceeded its target and was praised for frugality; DFS, the Florida Gaming Control Commission, the Office of Financial Regulation, the Office of Insurance Regulation, the Public Service Commission, the Division of Administrative Hearings, and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation each described how they met or approached their reduction goals, often through vacancies, reversions, or expense cuts. OIR warned that further reductions could hurt insurance regulation capacity, while OFR and PSC said their reductions were based on historical reversions and lower post-COVID travel or vacancy levels. Members then reported back on agency meetings. DMS members raised fleet tracking, real property audits, salary studies, and health plan savings ideas, and asked for follow-up on the Florida PALM project, cybersecurity grants, and state IT modernization. DFS members said the agency was efficient and that its Palm-related work and insurance consumer programs were important. Lottery members emphasized the agency’s revenue generation for education and its low administrative overhead. Gaming Control members highlighted storage costs for seized gaming equipment and suggested technology-based alternatives. PERC members said a union-related law had doubled their workload and asked for more staffing and possible AI assistance. OIR members stressed the need for a Tampa satellite office and more resources to recruit and retain specialized staff. The chair closed by saying the committee would continue reviewing travel, staffing, and reductions with an eye toward taxpayer value and transparency.

Transcript Highlights:

• Hello, I'm Diana Burdick, and I am with this group as well.
• I made friends with a group of kids who encouraged me to make bad choices.
• In GEO Group Incorporated v.
• That's separate, but you're just grouped into this, and that's what you're opposed to?
• Abenda Group here on behalf of Kadezansans. Thank you.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:39:11.040> So, the groups that we talk to about.
• So, the groups that we talk to about.
• Employer groups are supportive of this change.
• Active member groups are supportive of this change, and so are retiree groups.
• Uh, lastly, I want to note, um, relating to that working group, the recommendation for the working group

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are, of course, people who... group, they decided that was um that group, they decided that was
• <01:08:45.520> And<01:08:45.759> so, groups that were serving there.
• And so, groups that were serving there.
• So, if this group, how valuable it was.
• <01:22:26.960> is acknowledged how valuable this group is acknowledged how valuable this group

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:27:30.880> who of the farright Oathkeepers group, who of the farright Oathkeepers group
• <01:53:31.440> and<01:53:32.119> proxies and other terrorist groups and proxies and
• other terrorist groups and proxies and<01:53:33.440> prior<01:53:34.000> United<01:53:
• terrorist groups. terrorist groups.
• It is about a group of people that violently stormed an area that they were not supposed to be in.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He said the office had offered technical assistance to the various groups that drafted and worked with
• Director Ferguson said the office and the groups had been very much involved in helping craft the finer
• 44.920> it's<00:13:45.120> been Director Ferguson responded that his office and the groups
• <00:14:42.920> and think that yes those those groups and think that yes those those groups
• that I probably than the same groups that I probably left<00:47:34.960> out<00:47:35.160>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The RMV is establishing a driver education working group to strengthen teen driver safety and modernize
• The Aeronautics Division and Airports Group provide diligent project oversight and cost estimates to
• I know the team has worked very closely with all of the advocacy groups on how we can better improve
• And that will be one of the ways we can support both of our stakeholder groups.
• There's an alpha-gal support group on Martha's Vineyard, for instance.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The chairs and members opened with thanks to UMass, university leadership, court officers, and legislative staff, and Chancellor Javier Reyes highlighted UMass Amherst’s research, workforce, sustainability, and transportation contributions, including energy research, transit operations, and partnerships with MassDOT. The hearing then moved to MassDOT and MBTA testimony on the administration’s transportation funding package, including House 2, the FY26 Fair Share supplemental, and a proposed four-year Chapter 90 authorization. MassDOT officials described the budget as part of a broader multi-year transportation investment strategy, citing funding for operations, snow and ice removal, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, the Merit Rating Board, sustainable aviation fuel credits, micro-transit and last-mile grants, unpaved road improvements, bridge and pavement work, and housing-related transportation infrastructure. They emphasized workforce expansion, capital delivery capacity, safety improvements, and local aid, including the new lane-mile-based Chapter 90 formula intended to benefit rural communities. Officials also discussed major projects and programs such as Grant Central, culvert and unpaved road grants, work zone speed cameras, congestion hotspot fixes, the Sagamore and Bourne Bridge projects, and MBTA operating support and safety upgrades. Testimony from the MBTA and rail/transit staff focused on improved ridership, service frequency, accessibility, and safety, including progress on the Green Line Train Protection System, reduced delays, expanded bus and commuter rail service, and the South Coast rail extension. Regional transit authorities reported increased ridership and described new fare-free, connectivity, and community transit grants. Aeronautics testimony covered airport capital work, drone and data programs, sustainable aviation fuel efforts, and workforce development in aviation maintenance. Committee members then asked questions, especially about Western Massachusetts priorities, Chapter 90 funding, bridge repairs, snow and ice costs, Cape Cod bridges, Buzzard’s Bay rail, and Compass Rail/West-East Rail. Officials said several federal rail grants were moving forward, that Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, and that the administration remained committed to pursuing federal funding and multi-year transportation investments.

Transcript Highlights:

• nonprofit organizations and other groups nonprofit organizations and other groups that<00:17:51.200
• I've also heard, you know, from Jobs for Minnesotans, other groups about this.
• I've also heard, you know, from Jobs for Minnesotans, other groups about this.
• So it is a broad group that has received those exemptions.
• So it is a broad group that has well.

Bills: HF1669, HF4709, HF3531, HF4048

Keywords: tax credits, sustainable aviation fuel, environmental policy, corporate franchise, Minnesota taxation, electricity generation, property tax exemption, renewable energy, incentives, economic development, fuel delivery, tax exemption, retail transactions, diesel exhaust fluid, fuel lubricants, healthcare tax, gross receipts tax, hospitals, chiropractors, healthcare providers

Transcript Highlights:

• There<00:34:36.679> are<00:34:36.760> groups<00:34:37.080> like<00:34:37.240>
• Brass<00:34:37.560> Solidarity, There are groups like Brass Solidarity, There are groups
• are trusted resources these local groups are trusted resources and<00:36:00.680> gathering<00
• <00:42:29.520> of and even we had planned a group of and even we had planned a group of students
• And talk about a<00:42:34.720> group<00:42:34.960> of<00:42:35.040> students<00:

Transcript Highlights:

• fully insured market, premiums this year have increased significantly both in individual and small group
• market, and then the fully insured large group market. terms of what terms of what Repres I'll<00:14
• market. fully insured large group market.
• He said the increase in the cost of fully insured individual and small group coverage is part of that
• <01:08:47.679> other of participation by another group other of participation by another group

Bills: HF3388, HF400

Keywords: HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400

Summary: The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market. Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage. Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.

Transcript Highlights:

• treating certain um ethnic ethnic groups treating certain um ethnic ethnic groups in<01:00:05.040
• and acred liability for a specific group and acred liability for a specific group of<01:04:35.359
• My name is Mackenzie Chase, here on behalf of Expedia Group.
• My name is Mackenzie Chase, here on behalf of Expedia Group.
• And from the 2024, focus group study.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees heard testimony on several personnel and employment bills. SB 2119 would require the state or counties to reimburse public officers and employees for approved work-related travel costs within 30 days; testifiers from the State Procurement Office, UPW, HGA, the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly, and others supported the measure, citing delayed reimbursements. SB 3131 would update state position titles by changing “private secretary” to “executive assistant” and “secretary” to “administrative assistant” where applicable, and it drew support from DEED and comments from the State Librarian. SB 3069 would permanently exempt a limited number of specialized positions in DAGS Public Works and the Comptroller’s office from civil service; DAGS, HCDA, and DEED supported it, while UPW opposed it. Committee members questioned whether the exemption should be narrower and whether the positions should be consultants or actual employees, and DAGS said the roles were narrowly tailored, highly specialized, and intended to help manage complex projects such as Aloha Stadium, the convention center, and other major redevelopment work. The committee then heard SB 3180, which would repeal the limit on temporary employment in a single position for two 89-day terms. Testimony included support from the Procurement Office, DOE, DHRD, the State Librarian in opposition, UPW written comments, HGA, the Grassroots Institute of Hawaii, and others. Discussion focused on whether the bill was needed to address abuse of repeated 89-day hires and whether it would affect recruitment and career pathways. Finally, SB 2137 would allow departments, divisions, and agencies to assume hiring and recruitment functions from DHRD under certain conditions. DHRD opposed the bill, saying existing law already allows delegation and that agency-level recruitment often lacks the expertise and staffing to do the work; UHPA supported it, and UPW submitted written support. In questioning, DHRD said it had reduced backlog and was now current on screening, while also offering programs like Operation Hire Hawaii for faster agency-led recruitment.