Transcript Highlights:

• . systems. systems.
• information system.
• upgrades system um for up systems upgrades system development.<00:56:40.319><c> Is</c><00:56:40.559>
• 57:11.680><c> system.
• Thank you. systems, and to communities. Now, as systems, and to communities.

Bills: HF3439, HF3763

Keywords: Medical Assistance, Medicaid, MNsure, MinnesotaCare, disability determination, expedited eligibility, state medical review team, compassionate allowance, rare disease, home and community-based services, long-term care, managed care, county-based purchasing, eligibility redetermination, periodic data matching, death master file, Social Security Administration, program integrity, income eligibility, asset test

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:48:18.200><c> as</c> the metro as well as rural systems as the metro as well as rural systems
• </c><01:07:26.840><c> I</c> It's old piping and sewer systems. I It's old piping and sewer systems.
• 14:48.560><c> electrical</c><01:14:49.080><c> systems</c> system, many of our electrical systems system
• . impact on the system.
• The regional park system in the metro area is our park system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• systems.
• Many systems will require a phased approach to replace all necessary service lines within their system
• Many systems will to replace them.
• </c> particular service area for that system. particular service area for that system.
• </c><00:32:17.440><c> An</c> systems are all privately owned. An systems are all privately owned.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ARMER system.
• </c> while that is happening radio system while that is happening radio system managers<00:48:54.559>
• </c> large funding needs for the armor system large funding needs for the armor system um<00:49:00.920
• </c> hearing about is in 2029 the system hearing about is in 2029 the system vendor<00:49:05.079><c>
• Systems the Minnesota house the body you Systems the Minnesota house the body you you<01:50:02.080><c

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> and other individual Wastewater systems and other individual Wastewater systems that<00:44:30.079
• </c> 734 relating to Wastewater systems 734 relating to Wastewater systems requires<01:02:20.960><c>
• </c> relating to Wastewater systems relating to Wastewater systems establishes<01:05:55.760><c> and</
• </c><01:05:58.559><c> and</c> three-year new Wastewater system and three-year new Wastewater system and
• </c> we'd have to add another septic system we'd have to add another septic system for<01:15:24.400><

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard several energy and environmental bills. On HB 974, which would authorize state step-in agreements for certain power purchase agreements and create a trust fund/reserve mechanism, the Attorney General’s office raised concern that the state should not incur liability beyond the trust fund. The Division of Consumer Advocacy said it had comments but did not take a position, while the Public Utilities Commission, Ameresco, Hawaiian Electric, and other industry groups supported the measure, saying it would help developers secure financing for renewable projects and improve reliability. Hawaiian Electric said the bill would not use state funds and that its proposed reserve account would be held in trust and returned to customers if unused. Committee members questioned whether the reserve would raise customer costs; Hawaiian Electric said the amount would be small and would be offset by avoiding higher financing costs, while Consumer Advocacy suggested the language should be strengthened to ensure unused funds are fully returned. The committee then heard HB 338, which would clarify that premium interest-rate adjustments for non-fossil fuel generation are just and reasonable and allow the PUC to include them in rates. DCCA and the State Energy Office supported the bill, and the PUC also supported it. Hawaiian Electric opposed unless amended, arguing the PUC already has discretion and warning the bill could weaken competitive procurement by encouraging higher bids tied to the utility’s credit rating. DCCA said the concern was that developers might not seek the best financing if premium rates are recoverable, but said Hawaiian Electric’s suggested amendment requiring clear and convincing evidence of unavoidable financing-cost increases would help. Members also asked about refinancing and whether developers could later lower debt costs after locking in a premium rate; DCCA said that ability exists and suggested a time limit or review mechanism. For HB 337, which would direct the PUC to establish standards requiring utilities to remove certain fossil-fuel costs from the rate base when adding renewable resources, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Hawaii Clean Power Alliance, and the State Energy Office supported the measure. Hawaiian Electric opposed it, saying it misunderstood utility cost recovery and could threaten grid reliability because fossil plants provide ancillary services such as voltage regulation and balancing, not just energy. Hawaiian Electric pointed to its integrated grid plan and recent fossil-unit retirements as evidence of ongoing transition, and asked the committee to defer the bill and leave oversight to the PUC. The committee also heard HB 879 on cesspool conversions, which would raise the maximum grant from $20,000 to $30,000 and add DOH positions; DHHL, DOH, environmental groups, Hawaii Realtors, and others supported it, while DOH discussed staffing needs and the practical effect of the higher grant cap. The committee also began HB 379 on requiring denitrification capacity for certain wastewater systems near shorelines or groundwater, with DLNR testifying in support.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our state is home to some of the largest infrastructure systems in the nation.
• Exposed vulnerabilities in the Texas energy system.
• It enhances infrastructure systems, functionality, and supports resilience.
• Incorporating resilience in the design and maintenance of our infrastructure systems.
• I mean, I mentioned electricity, you can't work, you can't work the wastewater systems or water systems

Transcript Highlights:

• That system is an older system, not ADA compliant.
• Alaska is actually an older system, and it's one that they program themselves.
• Got until the judicial system gets more.
• Don’t need another case management system if we’ve got 10 of them already.
• It's a compromise to make the system better, right?

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It stabilizes the entire waiver system.
• I am a part of the education system, and I'm also a parent. in our county. education system, and I'm
• A two-tier system for voting.
• And this is still a two-tier system.
• And this is still a two-tier system.

Summary: The committee took up a long agenda of bills, beginning with several measures that were amended and reported favorably, including a strike-all to SB 4 on child protective investigations and specific medical diagnoses, SB 1570 restoring a statewide missing-persons project for individuals with special needs, and SB 182 creating a teacher training and mentoring program for schools needing improvement. Members also advanced SB 794 on APD background screening and support coordination standards, SB 1168 on background screening for athletic coaches and related entities, and SB 214 to let rural special districts pay verified invoices directly for state- and federally funded work. Supporters emphasized improved child welfare investigations, help for families of vulnerable individuals, teacher retention, and better administrative efficiency; the APD bill drew especially strong testimony from waiver clients and providers about the importance of competent support coordinators and stable services. The committee also favorably reported SB 1376 on grants for genetic counseling education, SB 1574 requiring newborn screening for biliary atresia, SB 1510 as the DEP agency package with environmental, septic, water quality, solar, and permitting changes, and SB 598 updating funeral and cemetery licensing and consumer protections. SB 688, after a delete-all amendment, would create licensure for naturopathic doctors and a board of naturopathic medicine; it drew strong support from naturopathic advocates and sharp opposition from a critic who argued the bill would authorize diagnosis and treatment beyond appropriate limits. SB 1318 made a technical change to scholarship account reversion language, with senators clarifying that remaining funds would return to the scholarship funding organization for future use rather than to the state. Later, the committee approved SB 682 on domestic violence and protective injunctions, SB 130 on workforce training for current and former inmates, and SB 1548, the latest Live Local Act iteration expanding affordable housing options and limiting local barriers. It also reported favorably SB 536 on criminal gang membership criteria after extensive debate about constitutional issues and modern gang activity, SB 762 allowing cross-jurisdiction assignment of capital cases among regional conflict counsel offices, SB 1332 strengthening career offender registration requirements, SB 1742 creating a new offense for indecent exposure of sexual organs to a minor, and SB 1750 increasing penalties for serious sex offenses and child sexual abuse material crimes. The most contentious discussion came on SB 1226, which would overhaul Public Employee Relations Commission rules, require majority support for union certification, and impose new limits on union activities and dues-related practices; members debated constitutional concerns, differences between first responders and other public employees, and the bill’s impact on union representation and public-sector labor rights. Most bills were reported favorably by roll call, with SB 536 drawing several no votes and SB 1226 still under active debate at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unlike their predecessors, the two data centers currently under construction are closed-loop systems.
• And then the water usage, were you involved in any projects before these closed-loop systems where they
• And then the water usage, were you involved in any projects before these closed loop systems where they
• systems, the water that they actually use is just make-up water of the loss in those systems?
• Well, we serve all of our customers as a system.

Summary: The Missouri House Committee on Utilities held an informational hearing on data centers, with the chair saying the goal was to hear different perspectives and better understand the issue before future legislation. No public testimony was taken, but three invited speakers presented: a labor representative, an Ameren Missouri executive, and a consumer advocate. The discussion focused on the economic benefits of data centers, including construction jobs, local hiring, apprenticeship opportunities, tax revenue for schools and local governments, and related spending by Missouri businesses. The labor witness described current Montgomery County projects, said hundreds of Missourians were already working there, and argued that closed-loop cooling and generator noise were manageable. Committee members also raised questions about water use, noise, cybersecurity, local hiring, and how much tax revenue a project could generate annually. Ameren’s Rob Dixon said Senate Bill 4 and the PSC’s large-load tariff provide key protections for ratepayers by requiring large customers to pay their own interconnection costs, sign long-term contracts, post collateral, and pay for most of their requested load even if they use less. He said those rules help prevent costs from shifting to other customers and that large loads can put downward pressure on rates by contributing to fixed system costs. Dixon also said Ameren is planning for significant new generation, including gas, nuclear, hydro, coal, and renewables, and that data centers are subject to the same load-shedding and emergency restoration rules as other customers. He noted that the protections apply to investor-owned utilities, not co-ops or municipal utilities. John Kaufman of the Consumers Council of Missouri argued the PSC protections are still too weak and warned that data centers could raise rates through construction work in progress, stranded generation costs, and other risks if projects are delayed, shrink, or fail. He urged stronger consumer protections, more upfront financial commitments from data centers, and greater transparency for ratepayers, while also suggesting community benefit agreements and cautioning against over-reliance on utility projections. Several members pushed back on his characterization of Senate Bill 4 and QIP/CWIP provisions, and the hearing ended with the chair thanking the witnesses and adjourned the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• be utilized for extending the dual enrollment opportunity grant and creating technical assistance systems
• So the grants management system itself is done. It's prepared. It's ready for our July 1 kickoff.
• So that system is done, and we're very happy with it. Great.
• That system is done and we're very happy with it. Great.
• So the system is built in such a way that we can gather data on participation by LEA and by IHE.

Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. On dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 investment to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, along with changes to make regional occupational centers eligible, add funding for justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, support teacher professional development, and reduce daily instructional minute requirements for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding as not clearly addressing implementation barriers, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Committee members and public commenters generally supported the expansion, with some asking for technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee also reviewed a $40 million one-time Proposition 98 proposal for reading difficulty screener implementation and related trailer bill language that would require screening after 91 school days for kindergarten and 46 school days for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align with evidence from preliminary data; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the funding and the general approach but acknowledged the need for local support and training. Several committee members and public witnesses raised concerns that the proposed timing restrictions were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the delay as a way to improve accuracy and avoid misidentification. For special education, Finance proposed ongoing Proposition 98 increases to adjust for COLA and enrollment changes and to raise the statewide special education base rate to $99 per ADA, equalizing rates across SELPAs. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be funded for less than the Governor’s figure. CDE and multiple local education representatives strongly supported the increase, citing rising special education enrollment, cost pressures, and large local funding gaps. The committee also heard a brief overview of the school facilities proposal, which continues $1.5 billion in Proposition 2 bond funding for the School Facility Program; OPSC reported significant remaining bond authority but also substantial pending demand, and explained that natural disaster school rebuilding draws from the broader new construction and modernization pools. Finally, the committee reviewed Commission on Teacher Credentialing proposals, including the already-funded $300 million Student Teacher Stipend Program, new state operations resources for misconduct investigations and grant administration, and a $250 million one-time continuation of the Teacher Residency Grant Program. CTC said its grants management system is ready and that it expects better data tracking; public testimony broadly supported the educator workforce investments and urged continued funding for the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and additional support for rural and leadership pipeline programs. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, we will go at ease for just a minute so we can get our public testimony system squared away, so
• Our public testimony system squared away, so just a few minutes here. Thank you very much.
• systemic overhaul that needs to occur, but I don't think that this legislation is the overhaul that
• , and families impacted by the child welfare system.
• I was raised entirely in the foster care system.

Summary: The Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee heard three measures and advanced all of them. RS 33312C1, sponsored by Sen. Galloway, would raise Idaho’s small claims court limit from $5,000 to $15,000 to give people a faster, less expensive way to resolve smaller disputes; the committee voted to send it to print. RS 33423, sponsored by Sen. Ricks, would create voluntary guidance for merchants on penny rounding in cash transactions as pennies become scarce, including rounding rules and tax calculation on the final invoice total; it also was sent to print. House Bill 518, presented by Rep. Skaug, would allow the Attorney General to accept referrals from law enforcement and prosecute human trafficking cases when requested, with supporters describing the need for a centralized, specialized approach to complex multi-county and interstate cases; the committee voted to send it to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 1257, sponsored by Sen. Wintrow, which would clarify that in-person visitation is not required in child welfare cases where sexual or serious physical abuse has been substantiated, while preserving court discretion and allowing other forms of contact. Wintrow and Department of Health and Welfare administrator Jean Fisher said the bill largely codifies existing rules, gives courts clearer statutory guidance, and also clarifies that courts may consider a parent’s incarceration when deciding termination of parental rights. Supporters, including foster parents, child welfare advocates, and survivors, testified that forced visitation can retraumatize children and that the bill would better protect abused children. One online witness, Ives Samantha Moore, testified in opposition, arguing that courts already have authority to restrict visitation, that the bill could create momentum toward termination of parental rights, and that it could worsen disparities without broader reunification and prevention reforms. After extensive testimony, the committee voted to send SB 1257 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, these systems can be inaccurate and invasive.
• Automated decision systems, including AI-based systems, are often discriminatory, and it's a great point
• Surveillance isn't safety, and these systems are also extremely discriminatory.
• AI-based systems.
• Importantly, this bill does not require new funding or major system changes.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5901, which would change the school construction assistance program so that instructional space on military bases is excluded from a district’s available space inventory when calculating state construction aid. Staff explained the bill would also require state assistance to equal approved project cost minus federal funding received. Senator Christian said the measure is intended to prevent military-base facilities from unfairly reducing districts’ ability to modernize or build schools. Testimony in support came from OSPI, Clover Park School District, and Medical Lake School District, which said the current formula penalizes districts serving military families and can leave them unable to secure needed renovation funding. No opposition was heard, and the bill was later described as having an indeterminate fiscal impact. The committee then took up Senate Bill 5860 on school board compensation. The bill would raise director pay from $50 to $100 per day, increase the annual cap, allow child care expenses to be reimbursed, require OFM to periodically adjust compensation, and direct WASDA to develop finance training for school directors. Senator Cortez said the changes are needed to broaden who can serve on school boards and to help working families participate. Supporters from OSPI, WASDA, and South Sound superintendents said compensation could improve diversity and help recruit and retain board members, though WASDA noted concerns about diverting district funds and said its members do not have consensus on mandatory training. Opponents argued the bill would misuse levy funds and that child care and other expenses should not be paid from local education levies. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5956 on artificial intelligence, student discipline, and surveillance in schools, which would bar automated systems from being the sole basis for discipline decisions, prohibit risk scores and biometric surveillance, require OSPI guidance updates, and direct WASDA to create model policy. Senator Nobles and supporters said the bill is needed to protect students from discriminatory and inaccurate AI-driven decisions; no vote was taken in the hearing. Finally, the committee heard a proposed substitute for Senate Bill 5574, which would require districts to include instruction on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Latino American, and Black American history in required social studies courses during the regular curriculum review cycle, with reporting beginning in 2030. Senator Nobles said the bill is meant to address exclusion and bias in history education and to help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum. Testifiers from education, student, parent, and community groups overwhelmingly supported the measure, saying it would improve belonging, reduce bullying, and build on existing curriculum resources without creating a new course or major new cost. The hearing ended without a vote or other formal action on SB 5956 or SB 5574.

Transcript Highlights:

• We want more utilization in the system. We want people using the services that they're, um.
• It's a system of services.
• And so it is in the system of systems of stacking those services, and we have been over the last few
• , a behavioral health system or whatever system it is.
• Then under children's behavioral health, we have multi-systemic therapy.

Transcript Highlights:

• The UC system has been one of the first departments to be significantly affected.
• To the system that people ought to be paying their taxes, not individuals so much I mean your system,
• You want an unequal health care system. You want people to be excluded.
• If you don't want inclusion, you want people excluded from your health care system.
• To exclude people and make our health system inequitable.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or enough water flow for the system to function properly.
• or enough water flow for the system to function properly.
• The system is if the system is not brought into compliance it faces substantial financial penalties which
• implement a long-term solutions for residents by the system.
• At a duly held town meeting, Cara voted to design by the system.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a lengthy hybrid hearing of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, with testimony spanning local board training, animal welfare and enforcement, municipal charters, water district dissolution, and other home rule matters. Chairs Rausch and Lewis set strict time limits because of the large number of speakers and explained that written testimony would also be accepted. Members heard from local officials, advocates, municipal employees, and residents, with many bills receiving broad support from municipal and advocacy witnesses. Several speakers supported bills requiring or expanding training for local boards and commissions, including pre-service training for planning, zoning, and other land use boards. Supporters said training would help volunteers understand complex laws, improve consistency, reduce legal challenges, and speed up housing and development decisions. Related testimony also backed a bill to modernize historic district commissions and another to allow associate planning board members to serve more broadly when needed to maintain quorums. A major portion of the hearing focused on animal legislation. Witnesses supported bills to expand citations for cruel conditions beyond dogs, update dangerous dog procedures, improve animal health inspections and breeder oversight, strengthen tethering rules, and protect pet consumers. Animal control officers, humane organizations, and some victims of dog attacks described enforcement gaps and the need for clearer standards, while several dog trainers and the American Kennel Club opposed parts of the dangerous dog bill and tethering restrictions, arguing they would limit humane training tools and professional discretion. The committee also heard strong support for a bill to create a statewide pet shop and consumer protection framework. The committee also heard testimony on several local home rule petitions. Medford officials and residents strongly supported a new city charter that would replace the current at-large council with ward-based representation and periodic charter review. Wayland representatives supported a bill to preserve the library’s Millennium Fund as intended, Cambridge officials backed creation of an employment and job training trust, and Carver officials supported dissolving the North Carver Water District due to compliance and financial problems. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair repeatedly invited written testimony and follow-up materials.

Transcript Highlights:

• , from the various either two-year or four-year or the system.
• I've shared that with the president of the system.
• We have submitted three proposals to the president of the system, and the president of the system will
• Then we're to the U of A system.
• that have relatives in the system?

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But maybe we talked about the tier system.
• This system addresses a symptom but fails to diagnose the disease.
• , that was done in collaboration with our judicial system.
• So it’s a broken system, and I commend you all for pushing hard.
• So it’s a broken system, and I commend you all for pushing hard.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's not something that the retirement systems have to do.
• That has to be recouped by the system.
• That has to be recouped by the system.
• Well, if the one guy died before 78, it's a loss to the system.
• The system makes the calculation.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voucher system to the new Gator system.
• What we experienced with the old voucher system to the new Gator system was that, every single person
• Gator, as it was a new system and new people were operating the system, we saw that some families, some
• Gator, as it was a new system and new people were operating the system, we saw that some families, some
• This budget keeps the system standing. It doesn't grow it. This budget keeps the system standing.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You've got the system as it is.
• Um has there been any work the system.
• </c> done to first make sure that our systems done to first make sure that our systems are<00:48:10.960
• By the computer system at that point.
• But have we looked at the effectiveness of reforming the system and making sure the system works as it

Keywords: Judiciary, Division B - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 9:00 A.M., 925, all