Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think the bill language contemplated what would happen if there are not enough people...
• Jason: ...elected since the current five members, all their terms expire upon certification.
• That language was in two different places in the law, so we are cleaning it up and leaving it in the
• It cleans up language, removes the provision that allowed for a waiver and adds language to include education
• When government and the language rooted in political constructs other than history, clarity is lost.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that plain language On its face appears to absolutely exclude.
• The language of the statute does not say that. It doesn't say salaried state employees.
• Um, it says the, the opinion further says on page two that the plain language, the words and phrases
• So that's the language they used was state officer.
• They chose the language they use.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cocohead Elementary School has surpassed statewide averages in English language arts by 10 percentage
• Statewide averages in English language Statewide averages in English language arts<00:20:35.799>
• Representative Hashem, please proceed with the certificate and lay presentation.
• And just to point out that the language of Senate Bill 903 was replaced with House Bill 1358, and in
• of Senate Bill out that um the language of Senate Bill 903<00:42:02.119> was<00:42:02.640>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• CLARIFY THE PROCESS FOR THE CERTIFICATION AND CHALLENGE OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WITH A GOAL TOWARD
• THERE IS NOTHING THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THAT IN THE LANGUAGE.
• IT IS ONLY IF THEY ARE SIGNED AND IF THAT IS THE CASE CAN WE MAKE THE LANGUAGE CLEARER. >> Sen.
• IS THIS DECIDED THE SAME LANGUAGES DECIDED TO BE APPROVED BY THE SUPREME COURT? >> Sen.
• THIS IS NOT A EASY OR A PLAIN LANGUAGE WILL BOOK TO FOLLOW.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Proposed trailer bill language also would, if adopted, remove the current percentage split in statute
• It can certainly do that in statute or even through budget bill language if there's funding associated
• So there was budget bill language that was adopted in 25-26 that, contingent on whether the General Fund
• The JPM. by need, with social vulnerability criteria built into the bill language.
• We would support a strong statewide certification program for home...

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, the latest on that program is they're also picking up a certificate in financial training with what
• You're being told this bill is about farmers, but I want to review the actual bill language with you.
• So, back to the language of the bill.
• So, back to the language of the bill. So, back to the language of the bill.
• There are international certifications for labs.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Attendance Roll Call: 00:15 HB 195 Discussion: 05:22 HB 195 Roll Call Vote: 16:33 SB 199 Discussion: 18:34 SB 199 Roll Call Vote: 41:25 SB 5 Discussion: 43:50 SB 5 Roll Call Vote: 46:35 HB 687 Discussion: 48:10 HB 687 Roll Call Vote: 50:15, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:29:26.159> It's uh, we are just adding language.
• It's uh, we are just adding language.
• <00:46:24.560> is equivalent even if the language is equivalent even if the language is different
• Page three: draw your attention to the stricken language.
• Uh that language is u pretty language.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of insurance is sent out and certificate of insurance is sent out and along<01:04:25.359> with
• in there of, to have different language in there of, hey,<01:14:30.800> you<01:14:30.880>
• They create that certificate of insurance.
• And so then that certificate of insurance is what we send out, or they send out to all the individual
• And so then that certificate of insurance is what we send out, or they send out to all the individual

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And once you give somebody a certification, The proper notice. Okay.
• , and basically you do—I saw it here—you do certifications right on this thing, yeah?
• And you give somebody a certification that everything is correct.
• So the certifications, I would assume they pertain to people who are removing asbestos from residential
• The Standards Division also follows up on any type of what we call compliance checks and de-certification

Summary: The committee first reviewed the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality’s asbestos abatement program. DEQ explained that it licenses asbestos-related workers and businesses under federal and state law, including contractors, workers, inspectors, planners, designers, consultants, air monitors, and training providers. Members asked about the continued presence of asbestos in modern products, the status of the program’s grant fund, and why program expenses were expected to rise; DEQ said grants have not been issued in more than six years because revenues have not left a surplus, and the higher expenses reflect a reallocation of inspector salaries to the fund that supports the program. DEQ also described complaint-driven inspections, enforcement tools such as civil penalties and notices of violation, and the health risks of exposure, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. The report was accepted without objection. The committee then heard from the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training. The commission outlined its standards, compliance, decertification, basic academy, advanced training, and jail standards functions, and said it operates three basic academies in Camden, Benton-Bryant, and Springdale. Members asked about recruitment and retention, academy capacity, training hours, and costs to local agencies; the commission said attendance costs counties nothing because the state funds the academies, and that basic training is being expanded to 705 hours with a greater emphasis on practical instruction. The commission also described separate training for detention officers and school resource officers, and said law enforcement divisions in other agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, are held to the same standards. It noted that most academy attendance requires agency hiring first, though a veterans-to-law-enforcement program allows some veterans to attend on their own and later seek employment. This report also was accepted without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• So what appears in the language is the bolded lines.
• So in the language is the bolded lines.
• There are a couple of budget language.
• a certificate of title, as well as auction companies.
• language is substantially reproducing language is substantially reproducing uh<01:07:47.440>

Bills: HF2438

Keywords: transportation finance, transportation policy, MnDOT, Minnesota Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Metropolitan Council, highway funding, trunk highway fund, county state-aid highway fund, municipal state-aid street fund, state aid roads, local roads, bridge funding, road construction, transit funding, passenger rail, freight rail, aviation, airport development, safe routes to school

Transcript Highlights:

• the what the language of the bill the what the language of the bill resolved.<01:41:52.000> Is
• It's standard contract language.
• <02:10:13.160> within being referenced, the language within being referenced, the language
• that contract is standard language that contract is standard language within<02:10:17.160> in
• been the problem with the language. been the problem with the language.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no certification for this position. They do.
• There's no certification for this position. They do.
• , but yet learned the language, became business owners, and became involved in the community to such
• the language but yet learned<01:58:14.080> the<01:58:14.320> language,<01:58:15.119>
• > became<01:58:15.679> business learned the language, became business learned the language

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and approval of the prior journal. The House communicated that it had passed House Bill 4 and requested concurrence. The chamber then received second-reading reports for Senate Bills 18, 33, 85, and 132, and committee reports indicating Senate Bills 136, 183, 2, 4, and 71 should pass, with some substitutes and title amendments. The Senate also introduced Senate Resolutions 79 and 80 honoring Joseph Harden McFarland and Jeremiah Parsons. The main floor action centered on Senate Bill 5, relating to Kentucky-grown agricultural product procurement. The sponsor described it as a way to improve school nutrition, support Kentucky producers, and keep food dollars in local communities. Several senators spoke in support, including references to the Make America Healthy Task Force and the idea of using food procurement as a tool for rural prosperity and better nutrition in schools. Senate Bill 5 passed by roll call, 38-0. The Senate also passed Senate Bill 73, which would allow home-based processors to use beef tallow in cosmetic products. The sponsor said the bill would expand existing home-processing authority beyond food products to cosmetics. It passed unanimously, 38-0. Senate Bill 12, relating to medical provider coverage and level four trauma centers, drew the most extended debate. Supporters argued it would help rural hospitals join the trauma network by allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work under physician supervision, including remote supervision, and said it would improve access and save lives in underserved areas. Opponents, including a physician senator, argued the bill would lower trauma-care standards and could put patients at risk by allowing non-physician staffing in facilities that need immediate hands-on medical expertise. After lengthy discussion, the bill was advanced and then passed by roll call, with supporters emphasizing rural access and opponents warning about patient safety and the adequacy of physician coverage.

Transcript Highlights:

• He had language. And then my sister, she wrote like three pages of nonstop narration.
• And we don't want to see our language die.
• With our culture, arts, and wellness program, we have language night on Tuesday nights.
• Constitution, state and federal law, treaty language, and court decisions.
• Poitra is able to bring forth some legislative language fix?

Summary: The Tribal and State Relations Committee met at Standing Rock and heard extensive comments from tribal council members, state legislators, and tribal program leaders about ongoing state-tribal coordination issues. Early discussion focused on the committee’s purpose, the need for better communication, and frustration that the meeting agenda and time allotted did not include enough state department heads or program experts to address child welfare, ICWA, Medicaid, and other human services concerns. Tribal leaders emphasized that Standing Rock wants more direct, regular communication and more practical follow-through from prior meetings. A major theme was health and human services, including concerns that the state’s rural health transformation efforts and human service zone structure do not fit tribal needs, especially for a direct-service tribe that relies on federal funding and Indian Health Service. Members also raised foster care delays, housing shortages that force children off-reservation, substance abuse treatment capacity, and the need for cultural competency in child welfare and education. Other issues included missing and murdered Indigenous people, law enforcement cooperation, extradition and banishment ordinances, cross-deputization, roads, water and sewer infrastructure, census accuracy, and the need for updated lists of tribal liaisons and bills affecting tribes. Economic development and sovereignty issues were also discussed. Standing Rock leaders raised concerns about e-pull-tabs and charitable gaming, saying state regulation has reduced tribal gaming revenue and that e-tabs should be treated as Class III gaming. They also objected to county-issued fireworks and liquor permits that affect reservation communities, arguing that state and county authority often conflicts with tribal sovereignty. In response, legislators said e-tabs and charitable gaming were likely to return as legislative issues and suggested possible solutions such as restricting e-tabs near tribal lands. The committee also discussed the need for more information on tribal-related bills and for legislators to receive cultural and treaty training. Several tribal projects and programs were presented. Joseph McNeil described Sage Development Authority’s 235-megawatt wind project, which is paused because of federal permitting delays, and asked for state support to move it forward. Dave Arshambo described Wojou’s land regeneration, buffalo, food sovereignty, youth, and wellness programs. Later, Cheryl Carey of Sacred Pipe Resource Center introduced the needs of the urban Native population in Bismarck-Mandan and statewide, noting that many Native people live off-reservation and often fall through the cracks in state-tribal discussions. The committee adjourned for lunch and planned to continue with additional presentations afterward.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also have American Sign Language interpreters for today's meeting spotlighted.
• And being siloed at times in their language, in their ability to articulate... ...in their language,
• money... ...comes under the radar and not under the big heading of the money or this or that is the language
• , DDS would ask for proof of kinship, which is typically evidenced by relevant birth and death certificates

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held its quarterly virtual meeting and approved the September minutes. Chair Denise Garlick opened with updates on the commission’s first “Meeting the Moment” community forum in Needham, reporting strong attendance, a large resource fair, and mostly positive survey feedback. Commissioners said the event was valuable for connecting advocates, providers, and people with disabilities, while also noting lessons learned about accessibility, timing, and the need for more networking time and advance materials. The chair said the commission is planning future forums in other regions, including possible sites in Lowell, Northampton, and the South Shore. A major item was the new advisory council. Oz Osmondahar and Eman described the outreach and screening process, which drew roughly 60 nominations and emphasized lived experience, sector expertise, geographic diversity, and connections to broader networks. The council will serve as strategic advisors and thought partners, meet twice a year, and hold its first in-person orientation on January 30 at the State House Members Lounge. Commissioners were encouraged to stay engaged with the council and use it to strengthen commission and subcommittee work. Subcommittee reports covered employment, workforce supports, and long-term services and supports/health equity. The Disability Employment Subcommittee reported collaboration with SEED, a presentation at the Employment Matters Conference, a discussion with a disability employee resource group, and upcoming work with CED and veterans advocates. The Workforce Supports Subcommittee heard from the MassHealth Policy Commission’s Behavioral Health Workforce Center about workforce data gaps and an upcoming needs assessment, and plans to host ADDP on 2025 workforce metrics. The long-term services and supports committee discussed the Housing Navigator program, barriers to accessible housing, and concerns about how federal cuts could affect disability services and health equity. The commission also heard from DDS Deputy General Counsel Erin Brown and Associate Commissioner Chris Klaskin on a new law expanding access to records from former state institutions, including new notification and privacy procedures and a forthcoming regulatory process with public input. Commissioners welcomed the law as a step toward transparency and dignity. Amen gave an executive director update on the annual report, recent collaboration with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Office of the Veteran Advocate, a national state-employer practice group, and the IDD/Autism Alliance working group. The meeting also included a moment of reflection for disability activist Alice Wong, a commissioner announcement about Work Without Limits’ virtual career fair, and adjournment after a motion and second were approved unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• ASSOCIATES DEGREE ROUTES, DEGREES AND ALSO FOCUSING ON SOME CREDENTIALS AND STACKABLE CREDENTIALS AND CERTIFICATES
• I THINK SIMILARLY TO HOW IT IS, WHAT IT WOULD MEAN IN COMMON PLAIN LANGUAGE IF THEY ARE SERVING IN A
• THE ONLY THING WE ARE COMMENDING IS THE LANGUAGE THAT IS STRUCK OUT OR ADDED THAT YOU SEE WITHIN THE
• OUR FOCUS IN THAT TRANSITION OF LANGUAGE IS TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE PROGRAMS, FOR THESE
• TO ME THAT IS WHAT THIS LANGUAGE ALLOWS FOR EACH PROGRAM, EACH FUNDING SOURCE TO BE ABLE TO HYPERFOCUS

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that the language from an 1895 Minnesota Supreme Court decision, and the reasoning in that decision
• by the local election officials is the results of the ballots that are counted, and that is a certification

Transcript Highlights:

• It's possible they're still clarifying language we need to add, but we wanted to do the layout today
• There, the college student that was signing the voter certificates for him, and you had a successful

Bills: SB1065, SB2117, SB2217, SB2363, SB2533, SB2742, SB2743, SB2881, SB2964, SB3013, SB3014

Keywords: SB 1065, handgun carry, license holder, concealed carry, open carry, government contracts, governmental entity, property lease, state agencies, local government, higher education, university, Texas Government Code, Penal Code 30.06, Penal Code 30.07, Penal Code 46.03, Second Amendment, gun rights, firearms, civil penalty

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 1065, which would require government property contracts to prohibit contractors from barring licensed handgun holders from carrying firearms on leased or owned public property, with civil penalties and attorney general enforcement for violations. Senator Hall and invited witnesses from the Texas State Rifle Association, NRA, and Texas Gun Rights argued the bill would close a loophole exposed by the State Fair of Texas gun ban and protect law-abiding Texans’ self-defense rights. Opponents, including Moms Demand Action/Everytown, said the bill would undermine event organizers’ ability to set site-specific safety rules and could increase liability and insurance costs. Public testimony was then closed and the bill was left pending. The committee next took up Senate Bill 2742, which would create civil penalties for independent school districts and officials who use public resources for electioneering, waive immunity defenses, and expand attorney general enforcement. Senator Hagan-Bood said current law bans the conduct but lacks meaningful penalties, making injunctions the only remedy. No public testimony was heard, and the bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2743, also by Senator Hagan-Bood, which would allow a court to disqualify local prosecutors who refuse to prosecute election offenses and appoint the attorney general to handle the case, with a committee substitute adjusting the removal process through an adjacent-county judge. Opponents from the Texas Civil Rights Project argued the bill would undermine prosecutorial discretion and was vague and open to abuse, while a Harris County election official described past instances where alleged voter fraud cases were not pursued. After testimony, public comment was closed and SB 2743 was left pending.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recommendations add language to this rider directing the agency to draw down fund 5095 funds first, and
• We have also requested an additional person to assist with our certification program so that when issues
• Moving to page 4, rider modifications for riders four and five include additional language to clarify
• Rider six includes new language requiring notification of increases from other funds.
• Rider six includes new language requiring notification of increases from other funds in excess of the

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's a birth certificate, it's a passport.
• This was achieved in part by applying plain language to all claimant-facing screens in our system, which
• eliminated ambiguous language and unnecessary legalese.
• The application of plain language yielded other benefits for claimants, too, by asking for required information
• I-Connect, Florida was one of the first states to receive Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services certification

Summary: The subcommittee heard updates on several state technology modernization efforts, beginning with the Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Enterprise Business Solution (DEMS). FDEM said DEMS is about 50% complete, with some grants and finance functions already live, and is intended to replace manual disaster and grants processing with a cloud-based system. Officials described faster reimbursement timelines after recent storms, major return-on-investment claims, and a planned final phase focused on design, testing, communications, data governance, and additional functionality. Members asked about the total cost, the role of Florida Digital Service, deliverables-based contracting, and how much of the system is live; FDEM said the project is expected to cost about $16 million to $16.8 million and finish by June 2027, with some follow-up information to be provided. The Department of Legal Affairs presented its Office of Attorney General Modernization Program, a follow-up to an earlier effort that failed after spending about $26 million. Acting Attorney General John Gard said the department has now moved to an off-the-shelf case management product, LawBase, and is in development and testing, with the Office of Statewide Prosecution already live and full implementation expected by the end of the fiscal year. The request includes funding for staff augmentation, cloud storage, the LawBase license, redundancy through a backup site in Orlando, and OnBase support. Members questioned the prior failure, the use of Florida Digital Service standards, data location and cloud migration, and the redundancy plan; Gard said lessons learned included better scoping and that the current effort is on track. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles then updated the committee on Motorist Modernization, including the Orion system and the MyDMV portal. Officials said Phase 1 and Phase 2 have modernized driver license and motor vehicle services, with Phase 2 statewide rollout scheduled to begin in April 2025 and Phase 3 proposed at $16.5 million for dealer services, data warehouse improvements, and call center modernization. Members asked about payment options, organ donor questions, staffing, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, and the digital driver license program. The agency said the portal already allows some sanctions to be cleared online, an ACH option is being developed, the digital driver license vendor has changed with a fall go-live anticipated, and the department is using security testing and a managed security service provider. Officials also said the system is currently on an on-prem private cloud, with future workloads expected to move to public cloud where appropriate. Finally, Florida Commerce presented on the Reemployment Assistance modernization system, Reconnect, and the FLWINS workforce system. Commerce said Reconnect is hosted in the Azure Government Cloud, has reduced claim filing time, improved fraud detection, and increased appeals capacity, and now needs $4.9 million in recurring funding to cover ongoing operations, cloud hosting, licenses, and staff augmentation. Members asked about adjudication issues, wait times, fraud prevention, and whether the system stores caller identifiers; Commerce said the average wait to speak to a representative is about 18 minutes and claims are generally processed in four to six weeks. The committee then began hearing about FLWINS, which is intended to create a “no wrong door” workforce portal under the REACH Act, but the transcript cuts off before that presentation concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• As long as they have access through language, and ASL is that connector of language, it provides them
• a platform to express their culture, language, and experiences.
• I think I could have used the sign language for that.
• I think I could have used the sign language for that. I'll debate having ceased.
• The clerk will open the roll. language for that.

Summary: The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and pledge, with members observing a moment of silence for the Minnesota tragedy mentioned by the Speaker. The chamber then moved quickly through a large daily file, taking up many Senate amendments and third-reading measures, with most bills passing by wide margins or unanimously. Early procedural actions included returning AB 1308 to the Senate, rescinding action on SB 863, and later taking up several resolutions and bills on concurrence and third reading. Among the main policy items, members adopted AJR 8 on temporary protected status after debate over immigration policy, and AJR 19 urging opposition to dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Assembly also adopted ACR 112 recognizing September as Deaf Awareness Month, with several members speaking in support of the deaf community and accessibility. Other notable measures included bills on water reclamation and Colorado River Aqueduct maintenance (AB 580), telehealth (AB 688), housing approvals and ADU enforcement/cleanup (AB 920, SB 9, SB 543), pension and retirement rules (SB 301), volunteer fire department tax exemptions (SB 87), dementia training for home care aides (SB 412), and a San Francisco public-safety measure on stolen goods resale (SB 276), which drew opposition over permitting and criminalization concerns. The Assembly also passed or concurred in a number of Senate bills dealing with local government finance and infrastructure, public contracts, the Delta, fairgrounds compensation, and San Francisco liquor licenses, as well as AJR 3 on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most measures were approved on roll-call votes with few no votes; SB 227 and SB 276 were urgency measures and received the required two-thirds support. The consent calendar was adopted unanimously, and the day concluded with several adjournment-in-memory tributes, including remembrances of former Assembly staffer Lawrence Merman, Jeff Brady, Fran Urcini, and Alejandro Luna, before the House adjourned until the next morning.