Transcript Highlights:

• We have all planning functions.
• Andrew Kilshaw, Commissioner of the Office of Multimodal Commerce, we have all planning functions in
• So this is mainly an administrative function?
• Members, this was, I think, the beginning of a good office and a good function within DOTD.
• Members, this was, I think, the beginning of a good office and a good function within DOTD.

Summary: The House Committee on Transportation met on April 22, 2026, with a quorum present and took up several transportation-related bills. HB 988 by Rep. Bagley, which changes the fee distribution for current and retired legislators’ special prestige license plates so the proceeds would support the Pentagon, was reported favorably without objection. HB 1001 by Rep. Marcel, designating a portion of US 190 as the Jesse Jackson Memorial Highway, was also reported favorably without objection after brief remarks honoring Jackson’s civil rights legacy and a moment of silence. The committee then considered HB 989 by Rep. Boyer, which updates fees public license tag agents may charge. After testimony from the Louisiana Public Tag Agent Association and Commissioner Keith Neal, Rep. Phelps offered an amendment to exclude Shreveport from the fee increase; the committee rejected that amendment on a 13-2 vote, and the bill itself was then reported favorably on a 13-2 vote. HB 1192, creating a Louisiana Dental Hygienist Association specialty license plate, was amended to remove language narrowing eligibility to association members and then passed favorably without objection. HB 1032 by Rep. Wiley, clarifying statutory references related to operating a motor vehicle under the influence, was amended technically and reported favorably without objection. Later, HB 748 by Rep. Brough, exempting school board-owned and leased vehicles from tolls on bridges and highways, was amended to include leased vehicles and an effective date. Testimony from Plaquemines Parish school officials and the district attorney described toll costs tied to the Belle Chasse bridge, and the bill was reported favorably without objection. HB 1108 by Rep. Omade, creating a homeschool pride specialty license plate, was reported favorably without objection after discussion of the plate design and the intended recipient organization. Finally, HB 1081 by Chairman Wright, restructuring the Louisiana Ports and Waterways Investment Commission under the Office of Multimodal Commerce, was amended to clarify administrative placement and terminology and then reported favorably without objection. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• Initially, and Secretary Mann had referenced the program integrity function, there's a federal requirement
• that Medicaid maintains a program integrity function just for accountability purposes.
• Initially, and Secretary Mann had referenced the program integrity function.
• There's a federal requirement that Medicaid maintains a program integrity function just for accountability
• statute that indicate why that was done, essentially to consolidate those prevention and recovery functions

Summary: The Medicaid Subcommittee of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee met to adopt the November 2018 minutes and receive a primer on the subcommittee’s role and Medicaid oversight in Arkansas. Legislative audit staff reviewed the subcommittee’s history and explained that Medicaid is audited annually through the statewide single audit because it is a high-risk federal program. Staff summarized recent audit findings, including weaknesses in eligibility and data-matching controls, improper use of Medicaid funds for partially non-Medicaid work, issues with incarcerated juveniles’ coverage, the absence of a Medicaid recovery audit contractor program exception request, reporting problems involving MFCU recoveries, and provider eligibility documentation concerns. Staff also noted a DHS departmental audit finding involving employees who improperly received benefits, which was referred for further action. The Department of Human Services gave an overview of Medicaid’s structure, eligibility, delivery systems, and budget. DHS described Arkansas Medicaid as covering about 850,000 people through fee-for-service, managed care, and premium assistance for the expansion population, and outlined major spending categories such as institutional care, long-term services, pharmacy, capitated payments, and supplemental payments. DHS also explained the difference between state plan amendments and waivers, and said it has a beneficiary-fraud unit that refers cases to local prosecutors. The Office of Medicaid Inspector General described its role in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, distinguishing between suspensions for credible allegations of fraud and recovery actions for mistakes or overpayments. OMIG said it works with DHS and law enforcement, issues quarterly and annual reports, and has increased recoveries in recent years. The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit explained that it prosecutes provider fraud criminally and civilly, can also handle long-term care neglect, abuse, and exploitation cases, and works with local prosecutors as special deputies. Committee members asked about court venue, provider suspensions, beneficiary fraud, education of providers, and the status of Medicaid expansion work requirements; DHS said it is preparing to implement community engagement requirements under HR 1 and will begin with a soft launch before full enforcement. No formal votes were taken beyond adoption of the minutes, and the meeting adjourned after questions were answered.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for example, this could apply for a charitable function or a wedding when you have a reception the
• And for example, this could apply for a charitable function or a wedding when you have a reception the
• 03:28.959> charitable this could apply for a charitable this could apply for a charitable function
• 03:31.360> when<00:03:31.599> you<00:03:31.760> have<00:03:31.920> a function
• or a wedding when you have a function or a wedding when you have a reception<00:03:32.480> the

Keywords: Call to Order 00:00 Roll Call 00:21 SB 145 Discussion 02:05 SB 145 Vote 04:06 SB 98 Discussion 06:25 SB 98 Vote 11:00 Adjournment 12:07, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Licensing and Occupations met on February 10, 2026, with a quorum present and welcomed student visitors from the University of Louisville and Graves County DECA. The committee first considered Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and declared an emergency. The bill was described as clarifying caterer licensing language, allowing catering services in certain venues, permitting advance storage of alcohol for multi-day events, and requiring ABC to act on applications within 45 days. Members discussed concerns about alcohol sales in conservative districts, while others praised ABC’s interpretation of the law and the need for practical regulatory fixes. SB 145 was approved by the committee and sent to the floor on a 10-1 vote, with Senator Donald Douglas voting no and explaining that he wanted more time to discuss the issue with constituents. The committee then heard Senate Bill 98 on welding safety, presented as a measure to require compliance with specified welding certifications and design plans on projects where such standards are called for, in order to improve structural safety and reduce liability. Supporters, including the sponsor, a representative, and a lobbyist, said the bill would apply only in limited cases and would help ensure welds are properly inspected and performed according to engineering specifications. SB 98 also received favorable action, passing 9-2 and advancing to the floor. Senators Christian McDaniel and Matt Nunn voted no, while supporters emphasized public safety, code compliance, and avoiding future damages by doing the work correctly upfront. After the two bills were considered, the committee had no further business and moved toward adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, there's really been a step function when it comes to land development costs.
• And what all that adds up to is a liability on a $425,000 house—approximately $21,730—which, as a function
• It's functionally less than half of the tax liability on the same house.
• But what that would do as far as Functionally reduce our G.R.T. and not get us quite to where Colorado
• principal, giving them more money that they can reduce their loan amount, and what that would functionally

Transcript Highlights:

• That that they they have to take an action even their ETJ was a default function prior to 2038.
• So it was a mechanical function of the statute, not a. Not a cost associated with the city.
• They're simply a, uh, function of holding the ability to create the ordinances, uh, that anyone who wants
• So that was the function behind 2038 was to make sure that our private property rights are not lost to
• any service in that ETJ and the, the, uh, removal of that, uh, because there is no inherent, uh, function

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, the volunteer members of the five island burial counselors play an extremely important function
• play an island burial counselors play an extremely<00:09:51.120> important<00:09:51.600> function
• <00:09:52.080> bringing<00:09:52.480> to extremely important function bringing to extremely
• important function bringing to the<00:09:52.800> role<00:09:53.120> a<00:09:53.440>
• Its primary function is to oversee the administration of land set aside for Native Hawaiians, ensuring

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Blowouts, this test considers various environmental factors like ecological function, water, quality
• It allows for the early release of conservation easements on small lower non-functioning wetlands that
• But unfortunately it's written this language will harm the region's wetland functions.
• Deputy wrote back and functions.
• There is an interim like one year gap between so that, you know, these things continue to work and function

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And those are, you know, frontier AI is really AI with very high capability functioning with regard to
• And then we're also seeing a lot of one-off applications where they're including new AI functionality
• So co-pilot is just your general search function that's web-enabled.
• That's the premium function. have an outside focus so we can access the web.
• That's the premium function that agencies would be paying for. Thank you. Good.

Summary: The committee held its first meeting on artificial intelligence and data centers, establishing its purpose as a study and policy-development body rather than one aimed at producing many bills. Majority Leader Hogue urged members to move quickly, focus on federal and other states’ AI laws, consider possible federal preemption, child protections, and the siting and economic impacts of data centers. Committee leadership echoed that the goal is practical, balanced governance that protects North Dakota while allowing innovation to continue. Legislative Council staff provided a background memo and NCSL presented a detailed overview of AI concepts and the current state legislative landscape. The presentations distinguished narrow AI, generative AI, agentic AI, and theoretical AGI/ASI, and summarized major state policy themes: comprehensive AI laws in states such as Utah, Colorado, Texas, California, and Illinois; targeted laws on deepfakes, chatbots, health, education, notifications, and digital likeness; and growing use of appropriations and agency inventories. Members asked about Colorado’s repeal and reenactment, Texas’s sandbox and training provisions, oversight structures, and whether AI regulation is bipartisan; presenters said most issues cut across party lines, with broad agreement on child safety and deepfakes but more division on broader regulatory approaches. The federal update focused on executive orders, preemption, and congressional activity. NCSL described a White House framework favoring a single federal standard, a DOJ litigation task force, Commerce Department review of state laws, and possible funding conditions tied to state AI policy, though no formal state-law challenge had yet occurred. The presentation also covered a recent executive order creating a voluntary federal vetting process for advanced frontier models after safety concerns, and congressional proposals including a failed 10-year state moratorium, Senator Blackburn’s child-safety bills, the Kids Online Safety Act, a House-passed children’s digital safety package, a Senate data center moratorium proposal, and a House ratepayer/data-center bill. The committee took no formal action beyond receiving testimony and asking questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not yet functional.
• so I'm hoping that we can R functional so I'm hoping that we can R fic<00:47:01.720> and<00:47
• comprehensive uh board functioning comprehensive uh board functioning because<00:47:11.079> you're
• in life um have you built that function in life um have you built that in<01:02:07.720> here<
• because we never anticipated functioning because we never anticipated building<01:08:16.080> an

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Please help us hold them accountable if they won't indeed do the function that we expect of them.
• Please help us hold them accountable if they won't indeed do the function that we expect of them.
• Please help us hold them accountable if they won't indeed do the function that we expect of them.
• Please help us hold them accountable if they won't indeed do the function that we expect of them.
• It's really an issue as it relates to our government and how it is supposed to function.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 07.360> business the agency because that's a business the agency because that's a business function
• So, we're working with our function.
• We've met with our agencies, and we put together some core functional requirements.
• <00:19:58.080> Ours<00:19:58.480> is<00:19:58.720> to operational and functional
• Ours is to operational and functional.

Keywords: 1:00 Roll Call 2:38 Overview of Citizen Identity Security and Threat Reduction 9:36 Identity Solution and Casts 13:51 System Application and Discovery Issues 21:31 Staffing and Timelines 29:14 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee on Personnel, Public Retirement, and Finance received a presentation from Jim Barnhard, CIO of the Commonwealth Office of Technology, and David Carter, deputy CIO/CISO, on the state’s citizen identity management project. They said the project is intended to streamline citizen logins across agencies, reduce duplicated identity-management costs, improve security by centralizing authentication, and provide a flexible system that can scale with demand. The presenters described major implementation challenges, including integrating with diverse and legacy applications, and said the chosen software-as-a-service vendor was selected because it can connect to many systems and maintain the service in a federally certified cloud environment. The presenters emphasized that the project scope is limited to login, authentication, identity management, and identity proofing, while leaving authorization decisions to the individual applications and agencies. They said the work is being done in phases, beginning with discovery sessions with agencies, then selecting representative applications for onboarding rather than attempting a “big bang” rollout. They also said the vendor agreement includes professional services and knowledge transfer to reduce long-term dependence on outside support, and that the state has already begun outreach to agencies, including initial work with the Finance Cabinet and the Department of Revenue. Members asked about staffing, current spending, future costs, and whether existing systems or contracts could be reduced. The presenters said the project is being supported with existing staff, with no expectation of a large increase in positions, and that the vendor will carry most of the operational load. They said they did not have statewide spending figures with them but could try to gather them, and explained that the negotiated pricing is intended to be all-inclusive, with fixed costs for the first five years and capped increases in years six and seven. They said centralizing identity services should eventually allow the Commonwealth to stand down some duplicated agency-level licensing and reduce overall operational costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• You around the term ecosystem function.
• <02:26:23.920> We maintain that ecological function.
• We maintain that ecological function.
• So if we plant same ecosystem function.
• And that'll still have those functions.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council met on May 27, 2026, approved the January 7 minutes and the day’s agenda, and reported no conflicts of interest. The executive director gave staff updates, including introductions of new staff member Cara Castanza and DNR liaison Jason Co., both of whom were welcomed by the council. Members were also informed about three minor easement/conveyance matters in the packet, including a small Bowser easement impact with about $1,600 returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund, a Minnesota Land Trust easement request involving a DNR trout stream easement, and an access easement revision in Itasca County. The council also noted several upcoming dedication events and a June field tour in southeast Minnesota beginning in Winona on June 16, with visits to Whitewater WMA, bluff prairie and stream sites, and a river segment if a boat is secured. A major agenda item was a legislative session recap on the Outdoor Heritage Fund portion of Senate File 2077, the omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy, and Lands bill. Staff reported that all council recommendations were incorporated into the bill, which passed both chambers on May 17 and was expected to be signed by the governor. The fiscal year 2027 Outdoor Heritage Fund recommendations covered 53 programs totaling about $188.9 million, with the February forecast increasing the appropriation slightly so the final total was about $191.16 million; eligible programs were proportionately increased. Staff also highlighted a few changes made during the legislative process, including adjustments to the Roso Lake rehabilitation phase three project, the conservation partners legacy grant language, and statutory provisions affecting the council. The recap also covered policy changes in the bill: a public member term limit of eight years, with a short vacancy exception and transition rules for current members; a revised executive director hiring process allowing the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide support while preserving the council’s final hiring authority and permitting closed meetings for candidate discussions; and an extension of the Upper Mississippi River invasive carp deterrent design deadline to June 30, 2027. Members discussed the Roso Lake amendment at length, with Senator Lang and Representative Burkel explaining that the added delay and injunction-related language were intended to address local concerns and preserve the council’s process while litigation proceeds. The meeting ended without any additional formal action beyond receiving the updates and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• This happens without any judicial finding that the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.
• Veterans Affairs has abided by the misguided policy that a veteran's fiduciary status alone, absent any judicial

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, May 21, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, the critical role that the program plays in Florida's future has four major functions.
• The second function is that in doing so, we protect our food supply, which is not only crucial for Florida
• Finally, the fourth function is that there is no cost to the state to maintain the land.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• um in the Department of Public functions um in the Department of Public Safety<00:30:31.360> and<
• then under the Department of functions then under the Department of Transportation<00:30:43.840>
• relating to um Human Services functions relating to um Human Services functions then<00:31:57.440
• It functions like an appropriation bond, except rather than direct appropriation to pay the debt, it's
• like an appropriation it's it functions like an appropriation Bond<00:47:20.920> um<00:47:21.119

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Capital Investment Committee met on January 16 for an informational overview on state bonding and capital investment. House Research analyst Chelsea Griffin and House Fiscal analyst Andrew Lee explained the nonpartisan roles of their offices and then walked members through the basics of Minnesota bonding: how bonds are issued and repaid, how they are categorized, and the main legal authorities governing state general obligation bonds, including the state constitution, Minnesota statutes, and federal tax law. Griffin emphasized that state GO bond proceeds must be used for a public purpose, for a purpose authorized in the constitution, as specifically described in law, and must mature within 20 years. She also noted that state GO bonding is typically originated in the House and that capital projects financed with state GO bonds generally require a three-fifths vote in each chamber. The presentation also covered practical limits and requirements on bonding projects, including the distinction between state and local GO bonding, the role of bond counsel, restrictions on bond-financed property, the prohibition on reimbursing already-paid costs, and the full funding and non-state match requirements. In response to member questions, Griffin clarified that the full funding requirement in section 16A.502 means a project must be fully funded before the appropriation is available, while section 16A.86 reflects an expectation that local governments provide about half the financing for local projects, though the legislature can choose to fund more than half or waive a local match. She also said she did not believe a bill to make the 50 percent match requirement statutory passed last session. Lee then began a spreadsheet-based overview of the 2023 capital budget laws, explaining how capital investment spreadsheets are organized and how different fund types appear in the documents. He highlighted examples such as University of Minnesota projects funded with GO bonds and Minnesota State projects using user financing, where the system contributes a share of project costs from non-state sources such as tuition or system revenues. The committee did not take any votes or formal actions during this informational meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• from a support perspective, but allowed us to normalize those functions across the various colleges.
• We've introduced a number of different functionality, uh, one near and dear to your heart, with EDR and
• The Department of Education has a large number of hearing functions, including adjudicating local school
• We would continue to work with AG SEM on this function.
• This one is 87 years old and does not function and meet the need for the modern-day equipment that...

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The hearing reconvened with testimony from several agencies on their capital budget requests. The Department of Environmental Services requested a little over $38 million, with major emphasis on dam repairs and design work for aging state-owned dams, including a $5.25 million match for possible FEMA BRIC funding at Pawtuckaway/Tuckaway and other projects such as Milton Three Ponds, Murphy Dam, and Lakeport Gates. DES also requested funding for state revolving loan fund matches, a Superfund match for the Savage Well site, IT and air-monitoring upgrades, and a new $750,000 cybersecurity request for water and wastewater systems. Committee members asked about FEMA eligibility, the distinction between design and construction money, and the timing and risk of banking funds if federal grants do not materialize. The University System of New Hampshire requested $20 million in state support, primarily $15 million for a major Diamond Library renovation at UNH to create a student support hub and reduce/repurpose collection space, plus $2.5 million each for deferred maintenance at Plymouth State and Keene State. The Community College System requested about $16.6 million across seven projects, led by critical maintenance, campus safety/security upgrades, IT infrastructure, parking and site improvements, HVAC replacement at White Mountains Community College in Littleton, a building management/energy system, and modernization of NHTI’s dental clinic and radiology spaces. The Department of Education requested $29.5 million, including a $4.9 million internal management platform to replace paper-based and siloed systems, plus career and technical education capital projects; Milford’s CTE project was described as being revised after repeated failed bond votes, while ConVal said its revised project would focus on modernizing existing CTE space and adding a security vestibule. Fish and Game requested $1.075 million for three facilities: Sewall Falls in Concord, the Lancaster Armory, and the Bunker Lane Barn in Durham, focusing on structural repairs, security, reconfiguration, and in one case replacement of a failing barn with a new 40-by-60 building. The department also said hatchery work is ongoing but that it is taking a cautious approach because of the planned New Hampton Hatchery and future capital needs. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources requested $9.26 million for eight projects, including campground electrical upgrades at Ellacoya and Lake Francis, White Lake water system replacement, Mount Washington fuel tank and safety work, Odiorne Point visitor center work funded through parks revenue, roofing and parking lot repairs, Fox Forest office safety upgrades, and historic site repairs at White Island and Fort Constitution. Members asked about revenue-based capital, the stability of the parks fund, and flexibility in choosing projects as bids come in. The Department of Transportation began its presentation at the end of the transcript, but its detailed requests were not yet discussed.

Transcript Highlights:

• ways<00:29:00.760> to<00:29:00.840> make<00:29:01.080> CICs<00:29:02.280> function
• <00:29:03.120> more ways to make CICs function more ways to make CICs function more efficiently
• c> uh comes out successful uh comes out successful and<00:35:13.200> is<00:35:13.440> functional
• usable<00:35:15.000> for<00:35:15.920> a<00:35:16.000> much and is functional
• and usable for a much and is functional and usable for a much greater<00:35:17.000> expansive

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: The Senate convened under call, established a quorum, and heard a prayer and pledge. The main legislative business was House amendments to Senate File 2511, the liquor bill authorizing various municipalities to issue liquor licenses. Senators described it as a bipartisan “one-off” liquor bill with local provisions, including a St. Louis Park food hall license, Minneapolis food hall licenses, a Rochester Chateau Theater provision, expanded University of Minnesota liquor licensing flexibility, Brainerd’s Northern Pacific Center license, seasonal resort licensing, and a care-facility “granny happy hour” provision. Senator Wesenberg asked about a proposed 17-year-old server provision, and Senator Klein said it had been dropped and was never part of the Senate language. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 2511, advanced it to third reading, and passed it on final passage by a vote of 56 ayes to 10 nays. The chamber also adopted committee reports, took up a confirmation calendar item, and unanimously confirmed Joseph Sullivan to another six-year term on the Public Utilities Commission after Senator Frentz reported unanimous committee support and cited broad stakeholder backing. On special orders, the Senate passed House File 3741, which modernizes educational assistance for children and spouses of prisoners of war and deceased veterans by moving coverage under the Minnesota GI Bill and increasing the benefit to $750; it passed 66-0. The Senate also passed Senate File 3622, a 97-page technical and conforming update to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act. Senator Kroon highlighted changes for small common-interest communities, insurance responsibility in mixed-use buildings, buyer disclosure, court-rule alignment, and lien priority definitions. An A2 amendment delayed the effective date of a separate 308C cooperative housing rewrite for one year to allow more consumer-protection work; after discussion involving Senators Kroon, Dibble, and Westrom, the amendment was adopted, and SF 3622 then passed 67-0. The Senate later adjourned until the following Wednesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know, we are limited in terms of our ability to force treatment with the exception of through judicial
• treatment with the exception<00:04:16.680> of<00:04:17.000> through<00:04:17.680> judicial

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, so Co-Chair Heintzeman, would you like to move House File 793 be re-referred to the Judicial Finance
• File 793 be re-referred to the<00:00:51.039> to<00:00:51.280> the<00:00:51.440> Judicial

Bills: HF3793, HF3699, HF793, HF3322, HF3426

Keywords: groundwater, water use permit, data centers, public health, environmental regulations, municipalities, state park license plate, specialty license plate, Minnesota DNR, Department of Natural Resources, license plate design contest, North Shore, Lake Superior Agate, AI-generated art, artificial intelligence, Minnesota resident, state parks, specialty plates, vehicle registration, contest requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• I think that there's some judicial discretion that we need to allow for in certain circumstances like
• I think that there's some judicial discretion that we need to allow for in certain circumstances like

Keywords: 916, all