Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, the Natural Resources Subcommittee heard a request in block from two state agencies for
• recommends that the Emergency Board approve the submission of the four federal grant applications in block
• recommends that the Emergency Board approve the submission of the four federal grant applications in block
• Subcommittee recommends that the Emergency Board approve the request to apply for federal grants in block
• In this particular case, 10 years and counting, this group is not helpful.

Summary: The Emergency Board approved a series of consent federal grant applications from the Natural Resources and Public Safety subcommittees, along with several budget and position requests. The board approved grant applications for parks, transportation, judicial, emergency management, higher education, school nutrition, and other programs, including retroactive approvals where deadlines had passed. One member objected to the Natural Resources consent grants over concerns about future funding needs, but the motion still passed. The board also approved a one-time increase for Judicial Department court security, including digital privacy protections, circuit court security, and a statewide facilities assessment. A major discussion centered on Southern Oregon University’s financial stability. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission reported on SOU’s structural deficits, declining enrollment, and projected cash shortfall. The subcommittee recommended, and the board approved, allocating $7.5 million from the special appropriation for short-term stability, with a required update at the September 2026 Emergency Board meeting and a future request for the remaining funds. Members debated the broader crisis in higher education, with several saying SOU’s situation reflects systemwide enrollment and funding pressures and that long-term restructuring will be needed. The board also approved an AmeriCorps volunteer generation grant, an apprenticeship expansion grant, and a Department of Education nutrition equipment grant. In public safety, it approved funding for Oregon Military Department readiness facilities, a statewide evacuation planning tool, and a juvenile justice information system modernization report, while requiring a follow-up viability report. The Department of Justice received approval for additional antitrust positions and expenditure limitation, though several members raised concerns about the funding structure and incentives tied to settlement revenues; the motion passed despite objections. In natural resources, the board approved funding for the Water Resources Department’s well abandonment, repair and replacement grants, an assistant water master position in Washington County, groundwater data collection in the Lower Umatilla Basin, a wetlands remote sensing pilot, and parks-related grant applications for operations, maintenance, and capital improvements. Members generally supported the requests but raised concerns about geographic equity, long-term sustainability, and whether some county responsibilities were being shifted to the state. The meeting also included discussion of a Department of Emergency Management evacuation tool as an urgent wildfire preparedness measure, with members emphasizing its potential to save lives.

Transcript Highlights:

• They were ordered to let that group do whatever they wanted to do.
• With a group. In our Capitol building.
• But we had a group up on the 2nd floor today.
• and weapons groups, we agreed, or I shouldn't say.
• Senator Block, Senator Block votes no. Senator Boone, Senator Boone votes no. Senator Brand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secondly, the hospital's currently sitting in eight square blocks.
• It is sitting in eight square blocks.
• You know, this isn't, you know, groups of 50 people.
• So, even a know, groups of 50 people.
• <01:07:56.400> old property owner of that eight-block old property owner of that eight-block

Transcript Highlights:

• would be statewide, but you aren't going to have a situation where a police officer tries to engage a group
• proposed bill that's going to protect people from civil liability in situations where someone is blocking
• of designed like we've seen protests across the state and I mean across the country where they're blocking
• the hospital with a loved one or something... hospital with a loved one or something and they're blocking
• Um, my wording here, but it's they have to be willfully blocking or obstructing the traffic.

Bills: HB411, HB559

Keywords: HB411, Alabama, civil practice, affirmative defense, traffic obstruction, roadway obstruction, blocking traffic, protest, demonstration, street blockade, highway, bridge, road, personal injury, wrongful death, property damage, tort liability, civil lawsuit, stay of proceedings, parallel criminal case

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, disproportionate harm to disadvantaged groups of children.
• Uh, disproportionate harm to disadvantaged groups of children.
• <00:21:41.520> by<00:21:41.600> a which has since been blocked by a which has since
• <00:23:57.919> Much<00:23:58.159> better blocked protects nobody.
• Much better blocked protects nobody.

Keywords: Meeting start: 00:00 Roll call: 00:05 HB 227 discussion: 01:10 HB 227 voting: 49:38, 958, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum to consider House Bill 227, a time-sensitive measure focused on social media use by minors. The bill sponsor, Rep. Matt Lockett, and supporters including counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, the Attorney General’s office, and the Family Foundation argued that social media is addictive and harmful to children, contributes to mental health problems and exploitation, and that the bill would give parents more control while regulating addictive features rather than banning speech. Supporters said the bill is narrowly tailored, content-neutral, and designed to withstand constitutional scrutiny; the Attorney General’s office said it would defend the bill if challenged and described ongoing multi-state litigation against major platforms. One committee member also described seeing inappropriate AI-generated content on a 16-year-old’s phone as an example of the problem the bill seeks to address. Opposition testimony came from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, NetChoice, and the Computer and Communications Industry Association. They argued the bill raises First Amendment concerns because it conditions minors’ access on parental consent, regulates how private platforms communicate with users, and could function as a de facto speech ban. They also warned that the age-estimation requirement could force platforms to collect more sensitive data, creating privacy and security risks, and that the ban on “addictive features” was overly broad and could sweep in personalized feeds, notifications, autoplay, and other common tools. Opponents said the bill could especially harm vulnerable youth who rely on online access for community or safety information and urged the committee to craft a constitutional alternative. During questions, members asked how the state could enforce the law against national companies and were told enforcement would come through the Attorney General within Kentucky and potentially through multi-state litigation. Members also discussed the bill’s practical effects, including advertising revenue from youth users and the need for guardrails to protect children. The discussion continued with questions about the bill’s scope, parental consent, age estimation, and liability provisions, but no final vote or other committee action was shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm not trying to block community organizers.
• the same way is that landlords group the same way is that landlords group together<01:03:06.640>
• <01:04:21.960> Community I'm not trying to block Community I'm not trying to block Community
• <01:21:00.719> um<01:21:00.960> and group um and group um and so<01:21:03.800> I'm
• That's why there are groups out there that are working to try to identify such groups.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee heard Senate File 558, a bill to create a formal process for removing unauthorized occupants from real property, often described as a “squatters bill.” The author presented an A2 amendment, which was adopted, and explained that the bill would give sheriffs a structured complaint and verification process, allow fees, provide immunity when the process is followed, and impose civil remedies for wrongful removal and criminal penalties for false complaints. The bill also includes a provision on holdover situations, clarifying that certain unauthorized guests of tenants are unlawful occupants rather than tenants, and a use-of-excess-force provision was mentioned. Supporters said the measure is intended to give property owners and law enforcement a clearer, faster, and more consistent way to handle situations where people occupy property without a lawful basis, especially in rural or seasonal properties and in some landlord-tenant disputes. Senator Uty read a letter from Hubbard County Sheriff Corey Oas describing recurring problems with rental issues, couch hopping, and subletting without landlord knowledge, and a testifier from Pine Island described several local examples of prolonged and costly occupancy disputes, including a restaurant tenant who stopped paying rent and a rural property trespass incident. Committee members in support emphasized the need to balance tenant rights with property rights and to avoid leaving sheriffs to make ad hoc decisions. Michael D. from Homeline opposed the bill, arguing that existing trespass and harassment restraining order laws already address unlawful occupants and that the proposal creates due process concerns by allowing removal without a court hearing. He also warned that the bill’s definition of unlawful occupant could jeopardize oral leases, which are allowed under Minnesota law. In response, supporters said the bill is meant to distinguish true landlord-tenant relationships from trespass situations and to provide a workable process consistent with Minnesota law. At the end of the discussion, the chair announced that Senate File 558 would be laid over for possible inclusion. He also said Senate File 222 would be laid over, Senate File 559 would be moved with a recommendation to pass to the Judiciary Committee, and the fourth bill on the agenda was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• It was only to move them from state institutions out into group homes.
• home, which is a small group home provider.
• program during the day and her group program during the day and her group home<01:18:38.679>
• <01:20:15.120> is<01:20:15.239> a Annie's group uh group home which is a Annie's group
• uh group home which is a small<01:20:15.679> group<01:20:16.040> home<01:20:16.320>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and gender groups that you see?
• groups and gender groups spectrum of age groups and gender groups that<00:32:35.880> you<00:32
• receive the federal block receive the federal block grant<01:21:17.840> okay<01:21:18.080
• looking at that of of all the AG groups looking at that of of all the AG groups yes<01:35:30.679
• The mental health block grant is the federally funded block grant for mental health from SSA, and this

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Finance Committee’s Division 3 held a public work session on the Behavioral Health budget on February 27, 2025. The chair opened by explaining the schedule, materials, and deadlines for the budget process, and noted there would be no motions or votes in the division that day. Division of Behavioral Health Director Ktia Fox and DHHS CFO Nathan White then walked the committee through the division’s mission, structure, and budget materials, describing the division’s four bureaus: Mental Health Services, Children’s Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Services, and Homeless Services, along with the policy unit. They emphasized the division’s role in oversight, technical assistance, quality assurance, contracting, and the continuum of care from prevention and early intervention through crisis and residential services. Much of the discussion focused on major programs and funding lines, including the 988 Lifeline contract with Headrest, a technical assistance contract with UNH, Medicaid pass-through payments to New Hampshire Hospital and Glencliff, crisis response services, cold-weather homeless responses, housing supports, and the children’s system of care. Members asked about the UNH contract, the 988 program, crisis stabilization centers, and the peer certification program; Fox explained that the peer certification is a training-and-credentialing pathway for people with lived experience to enter community-based behavioral health work, not a volunteer program. The committee also discussed the “Choose Love” program, which Fox said was created after the Sandy Hook tragedy to build resilience and strength-based emotional regulation in schools and communities. On the children’s side, Fox described the system of care account as the place where many contracted services are budgeted, including community mental health centers, care management entities, rapid response services, and residential programs. Members asked about temporary staffing, and Fox said roughly $500,000 in temporary staff costs shown in the current year would not be spent next year because the money came from a nonlapsing appropriation in HB 1573 for oversight of children’s residential services. She also said provider rate increases were a prioritized need but were not funded in the governor’s current budget, and that the Children’s Behavioral Health Resource Center was not funded, resulting in about a $1 million reduction. The session ended while the division was still moving through the children’s behavioral health slides, including questions about the Fast Forward high-fidelity wraparound program and medication management.

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Chair, Representative Block, it's a great question.
• Go ahead, Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, committee.
• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Representative.
• “Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Representative.
• Representative Block, absolutely.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've decided to go ahead and do a block vote on them at our last committee meeting.
• We've heard from each appointee, and we'll be taking up the entire group in a block vote unless someone
• Is there a motion to recommend confirmation by a block vote? Is there an objection?
• Seeing no objection, we will vote, then in a block.
• Seeing no objection, we will vote then in a block vote on all individuals in tabs 2 through 13.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So for us, with our block grant, our block grant has a 20% set-aside for crisis.
• That might be a group home, that might be a certified recovery residence, depending on the reason for
• The department for our behavioral health services, as I mentioned earlier, is funded through a block
• grant, and that block grant does fluctuate.
• And that block grant does fluctuate. We get that in two-year cycles.

Summary: The Health Care Budget Subcommittee held a panel discussion on Florida’s mental health and substance abuse system, with representatives from DCF, AHCA, two managing entities, and two providers describing how the state’s behavioral health network is funded and operated. Members focused on the implementation of prior legislative investments, especially the $50 million in recurring funding from Representative Maney’s bill and the earlier $126 million community behavioral health appropriation. Witnesses said the newer funds were used mainly for crisis beds, discharge planning, outpatient services, regional collaboratives, and a USF Marchman Act report, while the larger behavioral health appropriation supported CAT, FACT, FIT, forensic teams, residential and outpatient services, and crisis care, with most dollars going directly to services and only a small share to administration. A major theme was access to crisis care and the role of mobile response teams, 988, and central receiving facilities in diverting people from Baker Act admissions and reducing readmissions. DCF and providers said mobile response teams have expanded, are being used to de-escalate crises and connect people to care, and have shown strong diversion results and reductions in Baker Acts in some regions. Members also asked about waitlists, children in crisis, and how to handle people without housing or support; providers said discharge planning is individualized but often constrained by homelessness, transportation, and a lack of safe placements, and several witnesses identified housing as one of the biggest barriers to recovery and stability. The committee also examined provider sustainability, reimbursement, and funding gaps. Witnesses described delays caused by contract timing, cost allocation rules, and Medicaid reimbursement rates that do not always keep pace with labor and operating costs, especially for smaller providers and rural networks. DCF and AHCA said managing entities can provide advances, retroactive rate adjustments, and technical assistance, and that Medicaid managed care plans have network standards and complaint/dispute processes. Members raised concerns about a reported $7 million loss in federal non-sustainable funds, provider closures, and whether there is a formal ombudsman process for disputes; DCF said the federal reductions were known and tied to one-time funds, and that the department generally handles provider issues informally while working with managing entities to preserve continuity of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative Block. Present. Representative Borrego? Representative Borego. Oh, excuse.
• Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Representative Block.
• Madam Chair and Representative Block, we do not have the New Mexico Housing Trust. to block we do not
• Representative Block, thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for this.
• No opposition, Representative Block. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for this.

Bills: HB70, HB93, HB95, HB139, HB140, HJR4

Keywords: Public Regulation Commission, PRC, utility oversight fund, public utilities, utility regulation, commissioners, commission staff, chief of staff, ethics, Gift Act, revolving door, post-employment restrictions, consumer complaints, telecommunications, pipeline safety, natural gas pipelines, oil pipelines, license fees, regulatory oversight, administrative cleanup

Transcript Highlights:

• But groups quickly sued, leading Canyon.
• So, you block off over a million acres.
• That's how much Medicaid funding is on the chopping block.
• With its 45 members participating in various working groups.
• Law firms like Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, Susman Godfrey, and WilmerHale.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've worked with other community members and groups to say as we use AI, responsible use, security,
• Think of it as a spectrum. ...as well as our data science group.
• Outside of that, we block the use of all. exceptions.
• These groups include both DEF members and non-members who bring valuable expertise.
• Each work group is led by one or more co-chairs to help guide the work and maintain momentum.

Summary: The committee held a work session focused on technology in government, AI, broadband, and digital equity. Seattle CTO Rob Lloyd described the city’s AI strategy, emphasizing responsible use, privacy, security, community input, and data strategy. He said Seattle is using small pilots and partnerships to test AI for tasks such as public records processing, infrastructure inspection, and permitting, while keeping humans as the final decision-makers. Members asked about bias, liability, training on best practices, labor involvement, and public records; Lloyd said AI should remain an assistant tool, not a replacement for human judgment, and that Seattle is still testing solutions for records requests and permitting. WATech CTO Nick Stow and Deputy Director Mark Quimby discussed the state’s broader AI policy, the generative AI executive order, a sandbox with more than 15 agencies, and use cases including a resident portal, cybersecurity, and wildfire detection. They stressed consent, closed systems, human-centered design, and the need to govern all forms of AI, not just generative AI. Committee members raised concerns about federal data access, labor issues, and wildfire detection effectiveness. Spokane County IT staff described a more restrictive approach to AI, citing privacy, bias, and cyber risks. The county standardized on Microsoft Copilot as its only approved chat-style AI tool, blocked other AI chat platforms, and requires human review of all AI-generated content. They said AI is also being used by criminals for phishing and deepfakes, underscoring the need for strong policy and security controls. The committee also received an update from the Attorney General’s AI Task Force. Yuki Ishizuka said the task force has 19 members and eight subcommittees covering ethics, consumer protection, labor, health care, public safety, education, government efficiency, cybersecurity, and industry/energy. The task force is working toward an interim report due December 1, 2025 and a final report due July 1, 2026, and is reviewing recommendations through public forums and advisory committees. Ishizuka warned that a federal budget reconciliation provision could bar states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, and several members voiced support for state authority and asked about possible 2026 legislation. The committee then heard updates on broadband and digital equity. Commerce’s Dave Pringle said the BEAD broadband program is being reshaped by new NTIA guidance, which removed or reduced emphasis on several prior priorities, and Washington is now working under an expedited process to submit its state application by September 4. He noted that no projects have been built yet, that four counties did not receive applications in round two, and that the state is trying to keep applicants engaged through office hours and a shortened review window. The Office of Equity and the Digital Equity Forum reported increased participation, new members, and ongoing outreach to tribal, rural, and underserved communities, while previewing recommendations such as creating an interdepartmental digital equity team and improving data use. Finally, Lumen’s Robert Thoms described private-sector broadband deployment challenges, including permitting, regulation, and the economics of extending fiber, while noting continued investment in overbuild projects, a $30 low-cost service option tied to the former ACP, and work with the state, tribes, and libraries. No votes were taken; the meeting consisted of presentations and member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• John Block, House District 51 in beautiful Alamogordo. Great to be here.
• Or another group that can help them with that? Mr.
• Representative Jack Chatfield (member_22646) and then Representative John Block (member_14069).
• Madam Chair, Representative Block, sure.
• Thank you, Chair and Representative Block.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our force were organized into group 2.
• We set up a group called the Audit Reporting Group, ARG, hence the ship.
• <01:32:33.199> of area and then three discrete blocks of area and then three discrete blocks
• Um the state employee group CIP.
• Instead, they have selectively engaged with only a few groups.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we're us as a working group.
• Um, but groups that are going to talk.
• discussion in a prior working group discussion in a prior working group meeting<00:05:23.280>
• group um at law section 118. group um at law section 118.
• valuable and informative for this group. valuable and informative for this group.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Bankson here ranking member and to hear Representative Anna Ruch Representative Berfield Representative Block
• It blocks inappropriate responses and provides warnings and redirection.
• We just tons of content there and I do lots of other groups out there doing the same thing.
• We're going to go to Representative Block. You are recognized, sir. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you, Representative Block. You're recognized for the final question. >> Thank you, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• 519, offered by Assemblymember Schiavo, that requires all of the housing entities to form a working group
• to figure out how to create a consolidated application for all state housing... ...working group to
• I think the one thing we heard over and over again, though, in our focus groups was a desire for more
• And I think that's what many of the folks that we met in focus groups are looking for.
• Enterprise conducted focus groups across the state that included finance and development partners, and

Summary: The joint hearing focused on the Governor’s 2025 reorganization plan to split the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency into two new agencies: a Business and Consumer Services Agency and a California Housing and Homelessness Agency. Administration officials said the change would give each side more focused leadership, improve consumer protection and regulatory oversight, and better align housing and homelessness policy with the state’s broader housing goals. Leaders from the Department of Consumer Affairs, Cannabis Control, Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Financial Protection and Innovation all voiced support for the business-side reorganization, while housing officials emphasized that the new housing agency would help streamline funding, compliance, and coordination across programs. Members raised concerns about timing, budget impacts, office space, and whether the split would actually reduce bureaucracy. The administration said the plan would be included in the May Revision, was intended to be cost-neutral, and would not require fee increases for licensees or additional office space. On the housing side, officials said the new Housing Development and Finance Committee would work toward a single application and more coordinated award process for affordable housing funding, while preserving CalHFA’s statutory and financial independence. They also said the reorganization would improve compliance monitoring, data collection, and coordination with local governments, including Los Angeles homelessness programs. Public testimony was largely supportive. Industry groups representing beverage distributors, craft brewers, wine, mortgage lenders, and housing organizations backed the business-side split, and housing advocates such as Housing California, the California Housing Partnership, and the California Housing Consortium supported the housing agency concept and the proposed one-stop-shop approach. Several witnesses urged that tax credits, bonds, and other funding sources be better coordinated, and some said the plan should be paired with additional state investment and implementation resources. No formal vote was taken; the hearing was informational.

Transcript Highlights:

• to block corporate money um are void. to block corporate money um are void.
• <00:09:51.600> As dark money groups took off. As dark money groups took off.
• summary judgement permanently blocking summary judgement permanently blocking enforcement<00:21:
• And so they give it to a 501(c)(4) dark group, and that group gives it to a super PAC, which does disclose
• it 501c4 dark group and that group gives it 501c4 dark group and that group gives it to<00:48

Keywords: 1183, house