Transcript Highlights:

• going through some of the same challenges, whether it's staffing, trauma-informed care on the provider scale
• trauma informed care on the the staffing trauma informed care on the the provider<00:28:02.559> scale
• c> that<00:28:03.919> is<00:28:04.240> that's<00:28:04.480> what provider scale
• So that is that's what provider scale. So that is that's what building<00:28:04.960> bridges.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved contracts 98, 99, and 100 on a roll call vote, with Chairman Douglas voting no but the items still passing. It then took up a Kentucky Department of Tourism contract involving the United Kingdom, France, and Germany/Austria/Switzerland markets. Tourism officials said the state has had similar contracts since 2013, that international visitors spend about six times more per day than domestic travelers, and that the effort supports marketing, public relations, and familiarization trips. The committee approved that contract as well, with Chairman Douglas voting yes after expressing support for tourism promotion. Next, the committee reviewed two Finance Cabinet facilities and support services items involving engineering and architectural services for a specialized lab expansion project. Members discussed why the design work was expensive, and the cabinet explained that the project’s pathogen-related complexity required specialized firms. Chairman Douglas said he believed some architectural and engineering reimbursement rates were too high and should be reexamined, but the committee still approved the items by roll call. The committee then heard from the Attorney General’s office and the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission on an MOA related to substance use disorder funding. Senator Meredith asked how the commission’s work coordinated with behavioral health programs, and staff explained that the commission allocates funds based on applications and includes relevant state officials. The contract was approved. After that, the committee considered behavioral health items: one new 988 chat-and-text contract to expand Kentucky-based crisis response coverage, and a Voices of Hope amendment that doubled funding to continue services into the next fiscal year. Officials said the 988 contract would move more chats and texts in-state, and that the Voices of Hope increase reflected continuation of SAMHSA-funded services; both were approved. Finally, the committee reviewed DCBS contracts, including a food insecurity survey contract with a Kentucky nonprofit and a Building Bridges Initiative training contract. Members questioned whether the food survey group’s advocacy role created a conflict, but DCBS said the organization was chosen for its statewide network and that the cabinet would receive the raw data. For Building Bridges, DCBS said the program began in the fall and provides training and peer mentorship for residential child care providers, with results still too early to assess. Both items were approved. The last set of contracts, under the State Treasurer for the Kentucky Council on Developmental Disabilities, prompted questions about why the funding flowed through the treasurer’s office and about a sexuality-related capacity-building initiative. Staff explained the treasurer serves as the designated state agency for federal DD Act funds, and that the sexuality initiative is part of a broader five-year plan focused on self-advocacy, system change, and capacity building; the committee then moved to approve those contracts as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• > interlock<00:09:37.240> duration<00:09:38.240> that's One is on a graduated scale
• One is on a graduated graduated graduated scale<00:09:59.600> for<00:10:00.240> repeat<
• 00:10:00.640> offenders<00:10:02.080> uh<00:10:02.240> to scale for repeat offenders
• uh to scale for repeat offenders uh to lengthen<00:10:02.959> the<00:10:03.200> duration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do think that the renaming is important, and I think scaling back some of the scope of practice so
• So I do think that the renaming is important, and I think scaling back some of the scope of practice
• you know, if we're going to make a concession, floating teeth is the one to allow, and we have to scale
• So we just want to make sure that the scope and scale of practice is appropriate for the level of training

Keywords: 00:00 – Introduction 00:17 – Attendance Roll Call 02:09-- Discussion of SB 69 26:57 – Roll Call Vote, 958, all

Summary: The House Agriculture Committee met briefly and took up Senate Bill 69, a measure creating a certification path for non-veterinarians who perform equine dental work, especially floating teeth. Sponsor Sen. Robin Webb and supporters said the bill was the product of about two years of open meetings and stakeholder discussions, and that it would provide accountability, insurance access, and a way to grandfather in long-time practitioners with additional training. They framed it as a rural access and affordability issue, arguing that many horse owners, especially in remote areas, cannot easily reach or afford large-animal veterinarians and that the bill would preserve a long-standing husbandry practice while setting limits so certified providers could not perform surgery. Opposition came from equine veterinarians Dr. Brad Tanner and Dr. William Rainbow, who agreed there is a shortage of large-animal veterinarians and that floating teeth is necessary, but argued the bill’s scope goes beyond simple husbandry. They said the proposed authority would include procedures such as tooth removal and other work they consider surgery, which should remain within veterinary practice because of the need for sedation, pain management, and broader oral and physical exams. They also objected to the title “equine dental provider,” saying it could mislead owners into thinking the person has dentist-like training, and suggested a term like “equine teeth floater” would be clearer. Tanner cited a KVMA survey he said showed only 14 of 214 respondents supported indirect veterinary supervision in the bill. Members asked about continuing education, the “good moral character” licensing language, and whether people with past criminal records could be excluded. Supporters said continuing education would be required through certification programs and that character determinations would be handled case by case, with reference to broader second-chance licensing efforts moving through the legislature. Rep. Stalker asked for clearer terminology and educational guidance for consumers; the witnesses reiterated that the public should understand the difference between floating teeth and a full dental exam. After discussion, the committee moved to a roll call vote on the bill, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is fully shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Meaning if you had a utility-scale solar array that was being developed and the town liked it and the
• if you had a one at the SEC meaning if you had a utility<00:25:27.799> uh<00:25:27.880> scale
• solar<00:25:28.679> array<00:25:29.679> that<00:25:29.799> was utility uh scale
• solar array that was utility uh scale solar array that was being<00:25:30.159> developed<00:25

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• exceptional item request, the East Texas Rural Healthcare Initiative, will allow A&M Texarkana to launch and scale
• One, Ts delivers excellence at scale.
• Our $78 million in annual research expenditures is a testament to TTI's scale and commitment.
• TTI conducts over 700 annual projects that range from local initiatives to national scale research.

Transcript Highlights:

• exceptional... request, the East Texas Rural Health Care Initiative will allow A&M Texarkana to launch and scale
• One, TEAS delivers excellent at scale.
• Our $78 million in annual research expenditures is a testament to TTI's scale and commitment. commitment
• TTI conducts over 700 annual projects that range from local... initiatives to national-scale research

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are one of the few providers that provide sliding fee scales for people who are underinsured or uninsured
• Not all of our members, for example, have full-scale pharmacies; mostly they have small drug rooms.
• But full-scale prescriptions May actually be better dispensed by a pharmacy that is subject to Board
• It does allow for auditing, full-scale audits by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, last year we developed the food security scale.
• So, last year we developed the food security scale.
• It includes four uh security scale.
• It's a sliding scale based on the percentage of errors.
• Um it's a sliding scale error rate.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our most effective treatment models haven't been built to scale, and we do not have sufficient capacity
• Our most effective treatment models haven't been built to scale, and we do not have sufficient capacity

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And lastly, it requires government entities to notify workforce boards about large scale subsidized job
• performance measures, and requiring that local workforce development boards are notified of large scale

Transcript Highlights:

• On a smaller scale, as courts have themselves engaged community resources and community supports, in
• solving some of these problems within our own community, then if we can get this right on a smaller scale

Bills: SB502, SB513, SB622, SB670, SB731, SB732, SB916, SB961, SB1122

Keywords: SB 502, Texas peace officers, Health and Human Services Commission, HHSC Office of Inspector General, OIG investigators, law enforcement classification, Schedule C, state employee benefits, injury benefits, peace officer status, commissioned officers, state auditor classification, Government Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, human services, health and human services, law enforcement compensation, public employee benefits, Texas state law enforcement, child welfare

Transcript Highlights:

• Testing in one spot can be okay initially, but really you need to scale that out.
• That's now a product that's in the market that's scaling across the U.S.
• This is a technology that can scale worldwide that came from the development in North Dakota.
• vision of how we want to move these areas of agriculture forward, develop the startups, be able to scale
• , you know, not only, you know, starting North Dakota first, but not North Dakota only so they can scale

Summary: The committee met in Fargo and approved the minutes from the March 31 meeting before hearing a series of informational presentations focused on North Dakota agriculture, water, and research. NDSU President David Cook opened with remarks about NDSU’s land-grant mission, emphasizing statewide service through research, teaching, and extension, and highlighting examples such as the Lilac Agriculture startup and the university’s role in applying research to real-world problems. He said he intends to spend time listening across the state to better understand local needs. The committee then received a detailed presentation on a state irrigation and drainage study from Tom Bodine on behalf of Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. The study projected significant potential for expanded irrigation acreage, especially in counties such as McLean, Williams, Sargent, Burleigh, Mountrail, McKenzie, McIntosh, Dunn, and Bottineau, and estimated major economic gains from irrigation, including higher farm returns and support for value-added agriculture. Members discussed water permits, surface water versus aquifers, infrastructure, drought resilience, and the role of legal drains in improving productivity and generating economic activity. The presenters also noted that the full report is available online. Dr. Greg Lardy followed with NDSU’s required interim report, outlining the university’s agricultural research and extension system, including the State Board of Agricultural Research and Education, seven research-extension centers, and the economic importance of agriculture to the state. He highlighted recent research impacts such as new crop varieties, potato breeding successes, virtual fencing, AI-assisted weed control, weather-network tools, and 4-H programming. He also described NDSU’s budget priorities: restoring the governor’s proposed 10% cuts, additional operating support, and deferred maintenance funding. Committee members asked about the new agricultural field lab, storage sheds, and NDSU’s partnership with Grand Farm. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Water Resources Research Institute and a professor presenting water-related research, including data center cooling, water reuse, smart irrigation, and a feasibility study on co-locating data centers with greenhouse and aquaculture production. Members asked about water use, ownership, and whether the concepts were operational or still speculative. Finally, North Dakota AgTech presented its NSF-funded innovation engine work, describing startup commercialization, on-farm trials, workforce development, and partnerships with NDSU, UND, tribal colleges, and other land-grant institutions. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the prior meeting minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• wanted to dovetail what Representative Nash was saying is that when we talk about building these larger-scale
• pace over the next decade and talked with many employers who are trying to grow their business and scale
• 00:29:54.480> their<00:29:54.640> business<00:29:54.880> and<00:29:55.120> scale
• trying to grow their business and scale trying to grow their business and scale up<00:29:55.520>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 1141, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency supplemental budget bill. Representative Howard described it as a bipartisan housing package aimed at addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage by funding housing infrastructure bonds, Greater Minnesota workforce housing, homeowner education, a senior housing pilot, and family homelessness assistance and prevention. He said the bill is budget-neutral, using unspent interest earnings and other redirected funds, and includes transparency and accountability reforms for MHFA. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply, affordability, and the need for more homes across the state. The main floor debate centered on the Norris A6 amendment and the Igo A1 amendment to it. Norris proposed changing rent-increase limits in low-income housing tax credit properties from area median income to the lower of area median income or the consumer price index, arguing that seniors on fixed incomes were being priced out as rents rose faster than Social Security COLAs. Igo’s A1 amendment instead would have preempted cities, counties, and townships from adopting or renewing rent control ordinances statewide, with supporters arguing rent control harms development and affordability. Opponents said the proposal had not been fully vetted in committee and that public subsidies justify rent limits. Both the A1 amendment to the amendment and the underlying A6 amendment failed on tied 67-67 votes. After the amendments were defeated, the bill received its third reading and further discussion. Howard and other supporters reiterated that the bill would help produce an estimated 2,000 to 2,200 housing units, with HIB-funded projects historically spread across the metro and Greater Minnesota. Members also highlighted the bill’s support for first-time homebuyers, manufactured housing, senior housing, and homelessness prevention. No final passage vote is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• And while, on a number scale, yes, compared to everything, you could say these are low numbers, but what
• And while, on a number scale, yes, compared to everything, you could say these are low numbers, but what
• while<00:23:28.080> on<00:23:28.320> a<00:23:28.679> number<00:23:29.240> scale
• ,<00:23:30.320> yes, And while on a number scale, yes, And while on a number scale, yes, compared

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee took up House File 2687, as amended by a DE1 amendment. The amendment narrowed the bill to prohibit private equity companies from buying single-family homes and to limit corporations and partnerships to owning no more than 50 single-family homes, with enforcement through the Attorney General’s office. The committee adopted the DE1 amendment, and the author, Representative Bajaj, described the bill as a step toward expanding homeownership and reducing corporate concentration in the housing market. Representative Bajaj and supportive testimony argued that corporate ownership of single-family homes makes it harder for first-time buyers and working families to compete, especially in lower-income neighborhoods, and can lead to absentee ownership and poor maintenance. Ellen Sahli of the Family Housing Fund cited research on single-family rentals showing that larger portfolios are associated with worse renter experiences, higher rents, and more repair problems. Rachel Ruby Jones testified in support based on her experience renting from Havenbrook, describing flooding, delayed repairs, safety concerns, and poor treatment by management, and said private equity ownership can shift risks and costs onto vulnerable tenants. Opposition focused on market effects and the bill’s scope. Mark Brunner of the Minnesota Manufactured Home Association said the language was too broad and could unintentionally affect manufactured home communities on leased land. Paul Eger of Minnesota Realtors warned that market prohibitions could create unintended consequences, especially in a cyclical housing market, and suggested alternatives such as tax incentives for sales to owner-occupants and more first-time buyer assistance. In member discussion, Representative Nash questioned whether the problem was widespread and pressed for details on enforcement and divestiture; Representative Agbaje said the current language is forward-looking, would not force existing owners below the cap, and would rely on lawsuits and remedies the Attorney General deems appropriate, with more detail to be worked out later. The chair indicated the bill would be laid over for further consideration and likely move next to Judiciary, with some discussion of whether Commerce should also be a stop.

Transcript Highlights:

• someone more of that strategic partner so that we can help with those efficiencies and economies of scale
• And typically the difference in expense would scale along with the plant capacity for that plant.
• expense And typically the difference in expense would<00:42:24.720> would<00:42:25.119> scale
• along<00:42:25.920> with<00:42:26.160> the<00:42:26.480> plan would would scale
• along with the plan would would scale along with the plan capacity<00:42:27.520> for<00:42:27.760

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• was talking about and instead as a business is a way to extract wealth, um it's going to tilt the scales
• was talking about and instead as a business is a way to extract wealth, um it's going to tilt the scales
• was talking about and instead as a business is a way to extract wealth, um it's going to tilt the scales
• was talking about and instead as a business is a way to extract wealth, um it's going to tilt the scales
• was talking about and instead as a business is a way to extract wealth, um it's going to tilt the scales

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• suggest that if it goes forward, which we don't suggest, that it be dramatically reduced in scope and scale
• suggest that if it goes forward, which we don't suggest, that it be dramatically reduced in scope and scale
• reduced<00:51:19.200> in<00:51:19.440> scope<00:51:19.680> and<00:51:19.920> scale
• dramatically reduced in scope and scale. dramatically reduced in scope and scale.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I do want to talk about the viability of doing this on a large scale, because we have lots of hopes and
• You have to do it at economies of scale; it's got to be commercially viable, which is what AA is saying
• I do want to talk about the viability of doing this on a large scale, because we have lots of hopes and
• You have to do it at economies of scale; it's got to be commercially viable, which is what AA is saying
• You have to do it at economies of scale; it's got to be commercially viable, which is what AA is saying

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Economic Development and Technology heard testimony on HB 976, a measure related to incentives for renewable fuels, including renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel. Supporters said the bill would help close the cost gap between renewable and conventional fuels, strengthen Hawaii’s energy security, support climate goals, and encourage local economic development. Testifiers from Pono Pacific, PAR Hawaii, Hawaiian Electric, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Airlines, the Hawaii Department of Transportation, Pacific Biodiesel, Aloha Carbon, and others described ongoing or planned projects, local feedstock development, and potential benefits for agriculture, waste diversion, and emissions reductions. Several testifiers also discussed proposed amendments. The Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition said it wanted to remove the import tax credit, eliminate the aggregate cap increase to avoid additional state funding, and revise local-production language to rely on a carbon-intensity threshold rather than location-based preferences. The Tax Foundation of Hawaii raised technical concerns about the bill’s administration, including prorating credits if the cap is exceeded and the feasibility of a 30-day filing window. Some supporters urged keeping solid waste, including construction and demolition debris, as eligible feedstock, while Energy Justice Network opposed that approach and also urged removing GMO-related language and waste-based feedstocks because of environmental and toxic emissions concerns. Opposition testimony focused on the bill’s cost and feasibility. Energy Justice Network and Ted Metros argued the measure could become a large subsidy for a refinery and questioned whether Hawaii has enough land and water to produce meaningful quantities of biofuel locally. Metros also criticized the refundable credit structure and said the state should not bear the cost for what he described as a benefit largely tied to tourism and imported fuel. No vote was taken during the portion of the hearing provided; the chair later noted the committee had received 13 testimonies in support, 18 in opposition, and seven comments, and then invited further discussion on cost allocation and lowering caps to broaden participation.

Transcript Highlights:

• projects that leverage a number of funding sources so that community assets are improved on a much larger scale
• projects that leverage a number of funding sources so that community assets are improved on a much larger scale
• projects that leverage a number of funding sources so that community assets are improved on a much larger scale
• projects that leverage a number of funding sources so that community assets are improved on a much larger scale
• projects that leverage a number of funding sources so that community assets are improved on a much larger scale

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: Explore Minnesota Executive Director Lauren Bennett McGinty gave the committee an agency overview focused on the state’s tourism, livability, business attraction, film, and outdoor recreation promotion work. She highlighted record 2023 tourism results, including 80.2 million visitors, $4.1 billion in economic impact, more than 180,000 hospitality jobs, and $2.3 billion in state and local taxes, and said tourism sales, hotel occupancy, and other metrics continued to improve. She also described the agency’s marketing strategy, including a new campaign centered on authentic Minnesota stories, expanded domestic and international advertising, and a strong emphasis on winter, diverse markets, and accessibility. McGinty reviewed several one-time-funded programs launched or expanded in the last year, including Explore Minnesota for Business, the tourism recovery grant program, the first Tribal Nations Grant program, and the outdoor recreation industry partnership with IRRR, DEED, and DNR. She said the recovery grants had distributed $1.15 million to 110 grantees, the tribal grant program had spent $1.4 million with eight tribal nations, and outdoor recreation was estimated at $13.5 billion annually with 10.5% growth. She also noted strong media and social media results, including a viral Timberwolves-related campaign, high video completion rates, and increased website traffic. In response to committee questions, McGinty said the workforce and business attraction campaign is aimed at showing why people choose to live and work in Minnesota, using stories from newer residents and businesses, and that it is performing well in markets such as Silicon Valley, Boston, and Seattle. She said the agency is investing more in winter advertising to promote Minnesota as a winter destination and is working with partners to highlight activities beyond outdoor cold-weather recreation. Members also discussed the agency’s new film program, resident retention efforts, and a planned music-themed tourism ad tied to Prince and Bob Dylan. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:16:36.160> recognize<00:16:37.040> a<00:16:37.360> real Donna was a first-grade
• We were taught from first or second grade on calcium, vitamin A, potassium, magnesium, zinc, all the
• Um, we were taught from first or<02:51:11.760> second<02:51:12.080> grade<02:51:12.399>
• on<02:51:13.200> calcium,<02:51:13.840> vitamin<02:51:14.240> A, or second grade
• on calcium, vitamin A, or second grade on calcium, vitamin A, potassium,<02:51:15.200> magnesium,

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Monday, December 15, 2025, 1012, house, all