Transcript Highlights:

• <00:03:28.400> safety<00:03:28.760> and federal code-required safety and federal code-required
• uh, CenterPoint's Gas Workers Local 340. uh, CenterPoint's Gas Workers Local 340.
• our homes and is vital to our local our homes and is vital to our local businesses<00:13:00.600>
• required code. required code.
• And what I found with government subsidy is wherever government subsidy shows up, the price of everything

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , we have to figure out how to get in code compliance and what it's going to cost.
• From what I could tell, it looks like maybe they filed it in Texas.
• , or life safety codes and housing building codes.
• Safety codes and housing building codes Safety codes and housing building codes and<00:40:19.480
• If that laptop were to be lost or stolen, there's codes that's built into it.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard an overview from Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Randy White on the state’s juvenile detention network and several facility projects. He identified the currently operating detention centers as Boyd County for females, Breathitt County for low-risk males, Fayette County for high-risk males, Adair County for high-risk youth from Jefferson and surrounding counties, Warren County for high-risk males, and McCracken County for low-risk males. Members asked about capacity and staffing; White said Boyd County houses 33 and is usually near full, Breathitt County is about half full, Fayette County runs about 80-90% full, Campbell County’s operational limit is about 25 due to staffing, Adair County can hold 60 and has hit capacity several times this year, Warren County holds 43 and usually runs near capacity, and McCracken County holds 43 and is not currently full. He said staffing is generally harder in higher-risk facilities and in metropolitan areas because of wages and housing costs. White then updated the committee on the Louisville Detention Center downtown renovation and the Lyon facility project. For the Louisville downtown facility, he said schematic design and design development are complete, construction documents are expected by late February or early March, bids are anticipated in April, and completion is projected for March 2027. He explained the delay is due to extensive renovation work needed to bring the building up to current building, life-safety, ACA, and PREA standards, including security, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, food service, and roof work. The project is designed for 64 beds for high-risk Jefferson County boys, with the facility currently vacant and those youth being housed in Adair County and Campbell County. For the Lyon project, he said the contract was issued November 21, 2024, demolition is underway, completion is expected June 14, 2026, and the facility will have 34 beds in four pods for low-risk offenders; he said the project appears to be on time and on budget within the $4.5 million authorization. The committee also discussed the medical services contract. DJJ officials said they are reviewing whether to continue with the current state contract provider, Wellpath, or pursue an RFP, while retaining current merit staff and continuing oversight through four nurse program administrators. They said DJJ uses a state master agreement to staff nurses, APRNs, and the chief medical officer, and that the current contract is about $20 million per year. Members asked about Wellpath’s bankruptcy filing; officials said they were aware of it, asked questions, and were told it would not affect Kentucky service delivery or contracting, though they could not recall the bankruptcy type and offered to provide more detail later. They also said DJJ is working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to become a Medicaid provider, and any future contractual partner will need to be a Medicaid provider. Finally, White described the proposed high-acuity juvenile mental health treatment facility. He said DJJ must accept court-ordered youth even when they have severe mental illness, but detention centers are not equipped to treat those youth and private psychiatric hospitals often refuse them or discharge them early. He argued that a dedicated secure treatment facility is needed for a small number of highly violent, high-need youth who require intensive psychiatric care and are disruptive in detention. The facility would provide behavioral and psychiatric treatment, reduce delays caused by lack of beds or outside placements, and serve youth determined by clinical assessment to need a secure treatment environment. No votes were taken during the discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Texas DA >> Mr. Comment or you are what dollar threshold.
• The Texas DA our Review committee is triggered at. >> So in Texas, their procurement cycle is our their
• I'm always looking for best practices and even I don't like when Texas beats us at anything.
• And we do route all of those purchases through our it Department for government.
• That is something that as Mark mentioned, changes to Florida administrative code.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is that code or is that rule? I believe that that is in rule, I think.
• I don't recall that being in code any place.
• And so I'm trying to figure out how to distinguish between code and rule.
• And so we have followed state law for three years in state code.
• They have their own governing body.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• governments to... ...funded, those that cannot afford these offices, and then allowing the local governments
• Some get funds from the local government, some don't.
• Some get funds from the local government. Some don't.
• Some get funds from the local government. Some don't.
• House Bill 1018 is a request of my local government, my local city council, as well as the police chief

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• No, it's locally controlled by the City of St. Louis or local citizens on the board.
• , more government regulation and government overreach into their practices.
• I don't want to usurp local control.
• Gentleman from Texas: Mr.
• Gentleman from Texas: Thank you.

Summary: The House met with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the previous day’s journal by a 133-0 vote. Members then spent much of the morning introducing interns, special guests, pages, and a doctor of the day, along with a recognition of Teacher Appreciation Day and a brief announcement about a Missouri contestant on American Idol. The chamber then took up a long series of Senate bills and House amendments, largely on crime, public safety, corrections, and related issues. Measures discussed included drone enforcement authority for law enforcement, a Missouri Ranger/school safety proposal and school bus stop-arm penalties, automatic expungement for certain drug offenses, Alzheimer’s and dementia training for law enforcement and adult protective services, fire hydrant testing, pseudoephedrine access, prison cell phone contraband, hands-free cell phone law fixes, critical infrastructure/copper theft, a parent-accountability bill involving minors, fentanyl trafficking, Attorney General staff carrying firearms, and a domestic violence registry. Several members raised concerns about school safety, privacy, criminal justice policy, and whether some proposals were too broad or punitive, while others emphasized public safety, victim support, and administrative clarity. The most extended debate centered on a death-penalty post-conviction relief amendment, with supporters arguing it would align Missouri law with federal procedures and speed up lengthy appeals, and opponents warning it could reduce safeguards in capital cases. After a roll call vote, that amendment was adopted 75-68. Another notable debate involved a first-responder buffer zone amendment, where supporters said it would protect officers and others during tense encounters, while opponents argued it could chill public recording of police activity. The House also adopted amendments on domestic violence protections, child abuse interview recording and camp background checks, inmate reentry documents and job preparation, and several technical fixes to previously passed bills. A point of order was sustained on one untimely distributed amendment, but most other amendments were adopted by voice vote or roll call.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:46.360> relations contact with our government relations contact with our government
• One way I can describe this is: we get a lot of funding from the federal government and state government
• <00:32:41.120> state funding from federal government state funding from federal government
• <01:02:16.520> community basically impacting the local community basically impacting the local
• The 1950s and they have some code issues.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The things that I recommend, I don't think would have any bearing or effect on this larger government-to-government
• Is it actively pursued by the government as a strategy, or does the government simply turn a blind eye
• The answer to whether or not it's also to influence the federal government as well as state and local
• has been directed at a state and local level.
• Chinese government influence and Chinese government partnerships—these are relationships that it seems

Transcript Highlights:

• How can you govern... Words, what is justice without law? How can you govern without people?
• I'm the Political and Legislative Director at SEIU Local 509.
• Establishing this habit as early as 16 years old means that they recognize the value of local government
• Establishing this habit as early as 16 years old means that they recognize the value of local government
• So local officials escape accountability from young voters.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on a wide range of voting-access and election-administration bills. The largest portion of testimony focused on same-day voter registration (H. 834/S. 505), with support from Rep. Gentile, Boston and Chelsea officials, civic groups, and election administrators from Maine and Vermont. Supporters argued that same-day registration would help eligible voters who move frequently, miss deadlines, or face administrative errors, and would reduce rejected provisional ballots. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows and Vermont elections director Sean Sheehan testified that same-day registration has worked in their states without major administrative problems and has helped increase turnout. A Boston-based panel also described high rejection rates for provisional ballots and the burden of registration cutoffs on renters, students, immigrants, and low-income voters. A second major topic was restoration of voting rights for incarcerated people, including S. 524 and related House bills. The committee heard extensive virtual testimony from incarcerated individuals at MCI Norfolk and MCI Shirley, who said voting should be restored as part of rehabilitation, civic engagement, and reintegration. They described disenfranchisement as dehumanizing and argued that voting would help maintain family and community ties, reduce recidivism, and give incarcerated people a voice on laws affecting prisons and reentry. Rep. Erica Uyterhoeven also testified in support, saying the bill would restore municipal voting rights for incarcerated residents and align with broader efforts to expand political participation. The committee also heard testimony on bills affecting election administration and access, including a proposal to reduce or eliminate mandated early in-person voting in primaries and shorten the general-election early voting period, with supporters from the town clerks’ community arguing that low usage, staffing burdens, and costs justify the change. Opponents warned that reducing in-person early voting could hurt voters who do not use mail ballots and could disproportionately affect communities of color. Other bills discussed included decoupling the municipal census from voter registration, requiring periodic accessibility inspections of polling places, and a Somerville home-rule petition on non-citizen municipal voting and another on lowering the voting age in municipal elections. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gentleman from Texas seeks recognition. Mr.
• Speaker, I rise today to recognize Steelley Lumber Company, a local Texas sawmill which is celebrating
• The Government unworkable.
• companies from my home state of Texas companies from my home state of Texas have<03:06:18.720>
• The federal government on fossil fuels.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This doesn't include anything that went to local communities through the local government division because
• governments?
• How this is affecting our local governments and federal governments and so forth.
• Local government ordinances for vegetation management—we do have that going on in my area.
• I know certainly it looked like to me there were lots of local governments that applied for that money

Transcript Highlights:

• That is funding that seniors or someone who is disabled can use at the local grocery store, a local market
• , or a local farmer's market.
• We build big business here, and we call it government. Sometimes I worry about government.
• The government can only give what they first take away.
• Medicare rates are set by the federal government.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Office of Child Advocate is an independent and impartial office of state government responsible for
• The former chief executive was on a shrink government agenda, so it's been a while, um, but there's a
• Local government collaboratives that we have and really looking how they're and the mapping that's going
• We've had legislation over the last couple of years to take the state out of our state or local governments
• Texas DPS sent someone and so did the Air Force to assist in those efforts.

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is governance and unintended consequences, not religion itself.
• Once constitutionalized, these provisions could significantly reduce local and legislative flexibility
• School districts would be required to revise dress codes, student club policies, event protocol, and
• Reverend Doctor Russell Meyer: He was invited to a religious meeting at a local church.
• There have been school systems in California and Texas.

Summary: The Education and Employment Committee met with a quorum and considered four measures. HB 409, which would require K-12 schools to observe Veterans Day, was presented briefly with no public testimony or debate and passed 18-0. The committee then took up HJR 583, a proposed constitutional amendment to codify religious liberty and expression in schools. Supporters argued it would strengthen existing protections and give voters the final say, while opponents from parent, atheist, interfaith, and church groups warned it could privilege dominant faiths, create coercion or confusion in schools, and reduce flexibility for districts. After extended debate, the resolution passed 18-1, with Rep. Harris voting no. The committee next heard CS/HB 453, which would allow students to substitute participation in Special Olympics for a PE credit and marching band for PE and arts credit under certain conditions. The sponsor and supporters said the bill recognizes the physical demands of these activities and would benefit students with disabilities and band students; school district and PTA representatives waived in support. The bill passed unanimously, 19-0. Finally, HB 127, requiring cursive writing instruction in grades 2 through 5, was presented as a literacy and heritage measure. Supporters said it would help students read historical documents and strengthen handwriting skills, while questions focused on grading, retention, and applicability to charter schools. It passed 17-0. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• > are<03:16:11.040> doing local governments can and are doing local governments can and
• , this body should be supporting the local governments and the local government should be in place to
• , this body should be supporting the local governments and the local government should be in place to
• local government? local government?
• to stand for our local governments. to stand for our local governments.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But local economic development, communities, local government, local schools, all of that for the community
• We have the authority in law right now to provide cybersecurity assessments for local government entities
• Well, we work with local government... ...services to help implement those at local government levels
• Well, we work with local governments each and every day.
• So state law requires if a local government sends a bonding fund claim to the DIRF, they hand it over

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• families here in our state our governing families here in our state our governing Authority<00:26
• c><01:51:07.800> that<01:51:08.360> uh a QR code um again finding that uh a QR code um
• payment by the federal government payment by the federal government directly<03:33:33.080> to
• already written already gives a local already written already gives a local judge<03:48:39.120><
• <03:52:54.399> fixing government fixing government fixing f-15s<03:52:56.640> without<03

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The meeting began with committee process reminders from the chair, including rules for questioning witnesses, time limits for testimony, and how motions and committee reports are handled. The chair also discussed the committee’s history, emphasized a cooperative approach with agencies and the Judiciary, and noted that a special committee on the Family Division of Circuit Court had previously done useful work; he said a new subcommittee could be appointed later to continue looking at judicial-system issues. He also mentioned that the Speaker’s office was expected to name members to the DHHS oversight committee by Friday at 1. The substantive presentation was from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Child Support Services. Attorney John Williams introduced the bureau team, and Bureau Chief Lisa Dekowski described the program’s mission: encouraging responsible parenting, family self-sufficiency, and child well-being by locating parents, establishing paternity, setting or modifying support orders, and enforcing court-ordered child and medical support. She said the bureau operates statewide under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, works with courts, employers, and other partners, and serves both in-state and out-of-state cases, with some international and tribal coordination. She also cited program scale, saying the bureau dispersed about $76 million to families in New Hampshire in fiscal year 2023 and that most collections go directly to families. Members asked about enforcement tools, especially passport denial. In response to a question about a case involving a very small shortfall, the bureau said the federal passport-denial threshold is $2,500 in arrears, not a few cents, and that denial remains in place until the balance is resolved or an arrangement is made with the agency, with hardship factors potentially considered. The bureau also explained that either parent can apply for services when a child support order exists and that the bureau can help initiate income withholding orders. No votes or formal actions were taken during this portion of the meeting.

Bills: SR44, HCR1027, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53, HB1185, HB1937, HB2035, HB2137, HB2166, HB3148, HB3323, HB3466, HB3498, HB3661, HB3678, HB3710, HB3977, HB3986, HB4104, HB4108, HB4142, HB4191, HB4274, HB4275, HB4322, HB4336, HB4484, HB3880, HB1687, HB3673, HB1170, HB2959, HB3718, HB3021, HB3443, HB3501, HB4143, HB4326, HB2992, HB3660, SB171, SB1325, SB1980, SB2045, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval

Transcript Highlights:

• We're using government to punish the muffler shop owner.
• President, the codes formerly the codes that applied for this, the types of business that applied for
• The fourth year of math we're trying to allow for local flexibility as school districts build out local
• What this says is 'locally approved.' It provides a definition.
• If I'm coordinating with the local law enforcement in my community.

Bills: SR44, HCR1027, SJR50, SJR52, SJR53, HB1185, HB1937, HB2035, HB2137, HB2166, HB3148, HB3323, HB3466, HB3498, HB3661, HB3678, HB3710, HB3977, HB3986, HB4104, HB4108, HB4142, HB4191, HB4274, HB4275, HB4322, HB4336, HB4484, HB3880, HB1687, HB3673, HB1170, HB2959, HB3718, HB3021, HB3443, HB3501, HB4143, HB4326, HB2992, HB3660, SB171, SB1325, SB1980, SB2045, HB4422, HB4423

Keywords: Medicaid, federal funding, state law, healthcare, low-income adults, Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Health Care Authority, OHCA, health care rules, administrative rules, major rule, Title 75, Title 317, Oklahoma Administrative Code, OAC 317:30, health policy, state health programs, provider regulations, benefits administration, rule approval

Transcript Highlights:

• Government, more than likely.
• The Ihuelas to folks within the local community.
• Initially, the legislature recognized Manzano as a local government entity, but then that recognition
• They have never hired a local to take care of that.
• As an example, I'll state that from my former days as director of the local government division with