Video & Transcript Research : 'competency evaluation'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
CPN, CPN, CPN, CPN-JDC DEFER, CPN Public Hearings 04-07-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- of resolutions: SCR 109 and SR 102, requesting the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to evaluate—oh
- resolution were amended to incorporate some of the areas you identified in your testimony, you know, to evaluate
- a.m. agenda are SCR 193 and SR 1802, requesting the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to evaluate
- request to add language requesting cooperation from state and county agencies and including an evaluation
Summary:
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee heard House Bill 1481, which would require cemeteries, crematories, funeral establishments, HSI facilities, and mortuaries to dispose of human remains within 60 days after a burial transit permit or related affidavit is issued. The Hawaii Funeral and Cemetery Association and several funeral-related entities supported the bill, and the association said it had already implemented consistent cremation authorization language regarding notice and consent for recycling metal implants, effective January 1. The committee later recommended HB 1481 be passed with a defective effective date of July 1, 2050; the vice chair voted with reservations, saying the prior version with Department of Health rulemaking was stronger consumer protection.
The committee also considered several resolutions. SCR 96 and SR 91, on a status update for implementation of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator, were recommended for passage with amendments adopting the PUC’s requested changes. SCR 172 and SR 163, seeking a comprehensive analysis of ways to reduce costs and financial risks while meeting state goals, drew support from the PUC and Energy Office with comments, and the committee recommended passage with amendments removing a disputed whereas clause. SCR 109 and SR 102, on studying expanded mail-order pharmacy use, drew mixed testimony: the Insurance Division and HMSA supported a study, while the Hawaii Pharmacist Association and others raised concerns about patient outcomes, rural access, and community pharmacy sustainability; the committee amended the resolutions to require broader agency cooperation and evaluation of community pharmacy impacts, then recommended passage.
In additional decision-making, the committee deferred SCR 193 and SR 1802 on trust transparency due to no testimony. It recommended passage with amendments on several bills, including HB 1782 after clarifying terminology with the Attorney General’s Office, HB 1514 on workers’ compensation, HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure, HB 1643 on pharmacy, HB 1721 on housing, HB 1864 on insurance, HB 1946 on timeshare registration, and HB 2475 on labeling requirements. HB 350 on energy was deferred for more work. The committee also reconsidered HB 2101 on commercial aquarium collection and recommended passage as amended after hearing from supporters and noting concerns about enforcement and statewide consistency.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue (3-3-26)
Appropriations & Revenue
Transcript Highlights:
- implements that program by allowing funding to go out on projects that have been recommended and evaluated
- 06.480>
and projects that have been recommended and projects that have been recommended and evaluated - <00:10:09.520>
Yes, evaluated by KIA. Is that correct? Yes, evaluated by KIA.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Roll Call 00:00:15
HB 503 Discussion 00:01:30
HB 503 Vote 00:05:30
HB 651 Discussion 00:07:15
HB 651 Vote 00:10:25, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue met on March 3, 2026, with a quorum present and took up two bills. First, the committee considered House Bill 503, the legislative branch budget, as amended by committee substitute PHS 1. Sponsors and presenters described it as a continuation of recent budget approaches for the smallest of the three branches. One member asked about language in the substitute related to capital and capital annex construction expenditures and why certain statutes would not apply; the response was that the provisions were standard in recent years and intended to give the legislative branch flexibility for ongoing capital projects. The committee adopted PHS 1 and then passed HB 503 out favorably by a vote of 19-0, with no nays or passes.
The committee then took up House Bill 651, which makes changes to the Kentucky Waters program created in 2024. Representative Josh Bray explained that the bill, in consultation with the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority, updates project selection criteria to better target distressed districts and applies only to the next funding cycle. The committee substitute adds requirements for applicants to have an asset depreciation plan and ties that concept into best management practices, with the stated goal of avoiding repeated funding of the same projects as they wear out. Members clarified that the bill addresses the program’s structure rather than annual funding allocations, and Bray confirmed that annual project funding continues to be implemented through separate resolutions and KIA evaluation. The committee adopted PHS 1 and reported HB 651 favorably by a vote of 20-0.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
PSM-LBT DEFER Public Hearing 03-14-2025
Public Safety and Military Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- receive complaints from citizens on the Office of the Fire Marshal, and the State Fire Marshal shall evaluate
- marshal and State Fire<00:03:27.440>
Marshal <00:03:28.400>shall <00:03:28.840>evaluate - <00:03:29.400>
and <00:03:29.799>conduct Fire Marshal shall evaluate and conduct Fire - Marshal shall evaluate and conduct an<00:03:30.239>
annual <00:03:30.560>performance <00
Summary:
The joint Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs and Labor and Technology met on March 14, 2025, to consider House Bill 1064, House Draft 2, relating to fire protection. The bill was described as implementing recommendations from the Phase 3 report by the Fire Safety Research Institute on the August 2023 Maui wildfires, clarifying the role of the State Fire Marshal, and appropriating funds. Members also discussed structural changes to the State Fire Marshal’s office and whether the office should remain under the Department of Defense rather than the Governor’s office.
The committee heard from a senior adviser from the Governor’s office, who said the administration would support creating a State Fire Marshal selection commission and did not object to Senate advice-and-consent involvement for some commission members. He also agreed that placing the office under the Department of Defense made sense. In its decision-making, the chair recommended passing the bill with amendments, including accepting proposed amendments from the Attorney General and the Hawaii Insurance Council, with one exception to the Attorney General’s proposal.
The adopted amendments would establish a seven-member State Fire Marshal selection commission beginning January 1, 2026, with authority to appoint and remove the State Fire Marshal, receive complaints, and conduct annual performance reviews. The commission would be attached to the Department of Defense for administrative purposes, be subject to the Sunshine Law, and include both voting and non-voting members, with some appointments made by the governor, House speaker, and Senate president. The committee also made technical changes, deleted several pages and lines, and changed the effective date to July 1, 2077. The chair’s recommendation was adopted by both committees, and the meeting adjourned.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, February 6, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- First, contrary to image he has worked to cultivate, he is not a competent manager.
- Watson Coleman: First, contrary to the image he has worked to cultivate, he is not a competent manager
- <00:13:30.920>
in <00:13:31.040>an <00:13:31.199>Ever skills needed to compete - <00:51:49.200>
at group has been selected to compete at group has been selected to compete - <01:12:28.639>
for president cup where they'll compete for president cup where they'll compete
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness
- It amends an existing program for evaluations for the Arkansas Aware program for mental health awareness
- This is Department of Education, B and W Evaluation LLC. It's an original contract.
- This is Department of Education, B and W evaluation LLC. It's an original contract.
- We have already completed evaluations or are in the process of reviewing those and doing discussions
Summary:
The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of budget, appropriation, transfer, and contract items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests for several agencies, including the Auditor of State, Department of Education, and Labor and Licensing; ARPA return requests from Workforce Services; Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests for State Police and Agriculture; restricted reserve transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic stimulus; a Commerce reallocation of positions and spending authority; cash fund, budget classification, overtime, and pay plan requests; and 17 methods of finance items for universities and other agencies. Most items were approved without objection after brief explanations from staff and agencies.
Several items drew questions and were held or discussed further. A Department of Human Services discretionary grant package for the RSVP program was held over after Senator Irvin raised concerns about whether the grants were an effective use of state general revenue and asked for more information on administration costs and program operations. In the contracts section, Representative Richardson questioned a DHS sole-source contract with EMS Link for document management software and a DHS contract with Presidio; the EMS Link item was held for additional answers, while the Presidio item was clarified as not sole-source and was allowed to proceed. Members also asked for more information on a Department of Education mental health referral contract with Care Solace, which officials said is a statewide concierge/referral service connecting students to Arkansas providers and telehealth options.
The committee also reviewed monthly reports, including the Medicaid Trust Fund. DHS and DFA officials said the fund was currently sufficient to finish the fiscal year, though it was being drawn down and would likely require a $100 million transfer from restricted reserves in FY27, with another $100 million set aside in the governor’s budget as a backstop. Members discussed the need to define a minimum reserve level and to better account for ongoing Medicaid costs in the budget. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Government Finance Committee Mar 19th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Government Finance Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- So a lot of that has to be evaluated and thought about.
- And we've evaluated some of both of those. We think we'd be able to do it.
- We do always evaluate the rates and services that we're doing from the aspect of, do we need to keep
- But we continue to evaluate whether there are services that maybe we shouldn't be doing at all anymore
- Our goal is to add one more program evaluator. They've been really difficult to find.
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Government Finance Committee Mar 19th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- So a lot of that has to be evaluated and thought about.
- And we've evaluated some of both of those. We think we'd be able to do it.
- We do always evaluate the rates and services that we're doing from the aspect of, do we need to keep
- We're shooting for four program evaluators that will be working to, well, right now they're working on
- Our goal is to add one more program evaluator. They've been really difficult to find.
Summary:
The Government Finance Committee met with new leadership, approved the December 11 minutes, and received a series of informational updates on the state’s finances and related policy issues. The Office of Management and Budget reported the general fund is tracking very close to forecast, with revenues about $2 million above forecast and an estimated ending balance of about $397 million, higher than previously expected. OMB also reviewed balances in major funds, including the budget stabilization fund, legacy fund, foundation aid stabilization fund, social services fund, and strategic investment and improvements fund, and answered questions about oil tax revenues and fund management.
The Tax Department provided updates on taxable sales and purchases by county and industry, noting Cass County as the largest county by taxable sales and that retail trade remains the largest industry sector. Tax Commissioner Brian Kroshus also discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its estimated effects on North Dakota income tax collections, explaining that the projected revenue impacts are measured against a 2025 baseline and that some provisions are temporary while others are permanent. He also reported that primary residence tax credit applications were running ahead of last year, with more than 154,000 received so far and an expectation of roughly 160,000-plus applications.
The committee also heard fee-study presentations from the Department of Transportation and the Information Technology Department. DOT explained that driver’s license fees cover only about half of program costs and that the shortfall is subsidized by the highway fund, while also noting recent changes such as the blackout plate and motor vehicle excise tax distribution changes. NDIT described its internal service fund model, current billing structure, and possible future changes to simplify invoices and billing frequency. Legislative staff also updated the committee on office space needs in Bismarck-Mandan and on legislative branch space planning, and subcommittees reported progress on fixed-route transit funding and regional jail capacity, including a visit to the Burleigh-Morton detention facility and discussion of future prison bed needs. No formal votes or legislative actions beyond approving the minutes were taken, and the committee adjourned with its next meeting set for June 25.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Chapter 405 of the Texas Labor Code requires the workers' compensation research and evaluation group
- group to conduct medical network performance studies The workers' compensation research and evaluation
- Next, the bill provides the insurance carrier 60 days to evaluate the medical records from a medical
- evaluation and either accept or deny the claim.
- A medical evaluation and either accept or deny the claim.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard testimony on a broad agenda of workforce, labor, and workers’ compensation bills. HB 4676 would require political subdivision workers’ compensation networks to follow the same notice, access, and complaint rules as certified TDI networks; supporters said public employees and first responders deserve equal access to care, while municipal risk pool representatives opposed added regulation and said existing 504 networks already perform well. HB 4479 would create a rural workforce development grant program at TWC to support college-and-career readiness and local workforce alignment, and HB 3844 would define “opportunity youth” in state law to improve data, coordination, and access to services for disconnected young Texans; both drew strong support from rural, education, and chamber witnesses. HB 5545 would clarify federal tax treatment for wage-replacement benefits in non-subscriber injury benefit plans, with proponents calling it a win for employers and injured workers. HB 5118 would direct TWC and DIR to study AI and automated employment decision tools in hiring, including bias and oversight concerns. HB 1667 would move existing PTSD workers’ compensation language into a broader Labor Code chapter so more first responders, including state and campus officers, could qualify for benefits; supporters called it a technical fix to extend coverage more evenly across agencies.
The committee also heard several first-responder and workers’ compensation bills. HB 2369 would speed up claims handling for injured first responders by allowing a single medical evaluation, giving carriers 60 days to accept or deny a claim, and letting workers seek treatment while disputes proceed; law enforcement supporters said it would help injured officers return to work faster, while opponents warned it would revive extent-of-injury waiver problems and increase litigation. HB 4483 would reclassify certain workers’ compensation maintenance taxes as surcharges to reduce retaliatory taxes imposed by other states on Texas-domiciled carriers, and HB 875, as revised by committee substitute, would create a small-project exception to municipal workers’ compensation and bonding requirements for certain low-value construction contracts in small cities; both were presented as cost-saving measures for Texas employers and local governments. HB 4415 would extend anti-retaliation protections for workers’ compensation claimants from first responders to all public employees and expressly waive sovereign immunity for those claims, with supporters describing it as closing a loophole that leaves public workers without the same remedy available in the private sector.
The committee also took testimony on HB 5400, which would expand remedies for sexual harassment victims by removing the requirement to first file an administrative charge, extending the filing deadline from 300 days to two years, clarifying retaliation, and eliminating current damages caps. Supporters, including employment lawyers and a parent of a victim, said the current deadlines and caps prevent many survivors from obtaining counsel or full relief, especially younger workers and those in small workplaces or franchises. Across the agenda, witnesses repeatedly emphasized access to care, fair treatment for injured workers, rural workforce development, and stronger protections for vulnerable employees. After each bill was laid out and testimony heard, the chair generally closed the public hearing and left the bill pending; no final votes were taken, and the subcommittee adjourned after completing the agenda.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- injury, disfigurement, or impairment, or is shown to exist through objectively verifiable medical evaluation
- injury, disfigurement, or impairment, or is shown to exist through objectively verifiable medical evaluation
- to get involved with, testify to, relive through this, through an objectively verifiable medical evaluation
- minors get into this loop of having their statements being somehow objectively verifiable medical evaluation
- ...mean somehow objectively verifiable medical evaluation.
Keywords:
election officials, confidentiality, personal information, government transparency, public safety, spirit beverages, alcoholic beverages, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, distribution, taxation, firearms, local regulation, archery equipment, weapons, voter registration, statewide list, county requirements, election integrity, computer services contracts, mental health
Summary:
The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed.
Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Mar 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And even that study points out the need to evaluate the price impacts of changing pumps and other fueling
- guess my other concern is just allowing the E-15 sales before CARB has an opportunity to do their evaluation
- the evaporative piece on that one, and again, there's three phases of the multimedia work, that evaluation
- How is the agency going to go about making those determinations when there hasn't been an evaluation
- So there are evaluations that we have to make on the back end to justify, and we need to make absolutely
Summary:
The committee heard and advanced a series of natural resources and climate-related bills. AB 70 would codify a definition of pyrolysis and allow procurement credit for projects using organic waste to generate pipeline biomethane; supporters said it would help divert organic waste from landfills, reduce methane, and support energy reliability. AB 30 would authorize E15 fuel sales in California, with supporters arguing it could lower consumer fuel costs and emissions, while opponents from boating and marine groups raised concerns about engine damage and the need for clear labeling and continued E10 availability. AB 66 would create a CEQA exemption for emergency evacuation routes in high fire-risk areas; supporters emphasized wildfire evacuation safety, while some members worried the bill lacked sufficient guardrails and environmental review. AB 399 would let the Coastal Commission consider blue carbon sequestration in coastal permitting and authorize blue carbon demonstration projects; environmental groups supported it, while business groups objected to new costs and regulatory uncertainty. AB 491 would codify California’s nature-based solutions climate targets for lands and wetlands, with supporters citing climate and adaptation benefits and the Farm Bureau opposing statutory targets. AB 580 would extend Metropolitan Water District authority related to the Colorado River Aqueduct, and AB 43 would make permanent state authority to protect federally designated wild and scenic rivers if federal protections are weakened. The committee also considered AB 436 to streamline siting and permitting of composting facilities and AB 539 to streamline certain Coastal Act procedures and reporting. Most measures received due-pass recommendations and were reported out on roll calls, with several bills also moving on consent; AB 404 was pulled at the author’s request.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
- They evaluate and hospitalize, or they evaluate and release. There have to be other options.
- And I think, you know, once we open this up and get folks the assessment and the evaluations that they
- And this allows the court to enter an order to compel someone to get a mental health evaluation as well
- as well as treatment and that evaluation as well as treatment and that include<00:26:08.960>
can< - Currently, anyone subject to 202A, after a mental health evaluator certifies the person is mentally ill
Keywords:
00:00:06 - Call to Order/Roll Call
00:01:23 - Review of Referred Administrative Regulations
00:02:00 - Discussion of 26RS HB 485
01:00:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 485
01:03:25 - Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 485, a major mental health measure addressing both KRS 202C and KRS 202A. The committee first adopted a committee substitute and then approved a committee amendment correcting misspellings in the bill. Members and witnesses described the bill as the product of years of work with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health professionals, advocates, and the Kentucky Judicial Commission on Mental Health.
Testimony on the 202C portion focused on individuals charged with serious violent offenses who are found incompetent to stand trial. Witnesses, including a circuit judge and a family member whose mother was killed by her mentally ill brother, argued that current timelines require repeated evidentiary hearings and impose unnecessary trauma on victims’ families and strain on courts and KCPC. Supporters said the bill would lengthen review intervals, clarify the role and payment of guardians ad litem, and reduce repeated relitigation while preserving due process and public safety. They noted that 202C cases are few in number but consume a significant share of KCPC bed space.
The committee then turned to the 202A portion, which covers civil mental health commitments for people who may not have committed a crime. Supporters said current law leaves courts with only two choices—hospitalization or release—and that the bill would create a third option by allowing court-ordered outpatient treatment and other guardrails such as medication compliance and follow-up care. Witnesses emphasized that the bill defines terms such as “benefit” and “serious mental illness,” expands the definition of danger, and aims to provide a least restrictive alternative to inpatient hospitalization. No final vote on the bill itself was taken during the portion of the meeting provided, but the substitute and amendment were adopted and testimony continued in support of the measure.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- And that's the real focus of our program evaluation division, and Ms.
- And that's the real focus of our program evaluation division, and Ms.
- And that's the real focus of our program evaluation division, and Ms.
- And that's the real focus of our program evaluation division, and Ms.
- And then finally, they did not perform any closeout evaluations.
Summary:
The Human Services Committee met on January 22, 2025, to focus early in session on waste, fraud, abuse, and program integrity in Minnesota human services programs. The chair said taxpayers expect funds to reach people in need and asked the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to present on resources, progress, and possible solutions. Members also asked the auditors to note where the legislature or agencies had already taken action to address prior findings.
OLA staff summarized recent reports on grants management and oversight. They said noncompliance with grants policies has been pervasive across agencies, including problems at DHS in conflict-of-interest documentation and pre-award financial reviews. In one DHS review, 30 of 41 grant reviewers had missing or incomplete conflict forms, and 20 of 57 grants lacked required financial review documents; the issues affected about $11.5 million in grant funding. OLA said DHS spent more than $400 million in grants to nonprofit organizations from 2018 to 2022, and they identified broader factors affecting compliance such as inconsistent funding for grants administration, ad hoc training, inconsistent data systems, and limited enforcement authority. They noted 2023 legislative changes that allowed agencies to retain some grant funding for administration and directed an assessment of a statewide grants management system, and they said OGM training and staffing have increased, though training is still not required for all staff.
The Financial Audit Division then discussed the senior nutrition program at DHS, which delivered about 3.1 million meals to more than 40,000 participants in 2022 through the Minnesota Board on Aging, area agencies, service providers, and subcontractors. The audit found nine findings across documentation, monitoring, contract oversight, participant recertification, and data quality. Examples included service providers failing to recertify participants or recording inaccurate data, the Board on Aging not performing monitoring visits since 2017 or financial reconciliations in 2022, and area agencies failing to complete required site visits. Survey results also suggested participant database inaccuracies. OLA recommended stronger monitoring, clearer procedures, and more reliable data to ensure services reach intended recipients. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/12/25
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- There's a whole process to evaluate what that would cost.
- There's a whole process to evaluate what that would cost.
- There's a whole process to evaluate what that would cost.
- There's a whole process to evaluate what that would cost.
- <01:30:12.480>
we evaluation the number of evaluations we evaluation the number of evaluations
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
AI use prohibited during health insurance prior authorization request review 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
- We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
- We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
- We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
- We can and should return to a human-centric system of evaluating these potential denials and working
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Office of Inspector General delete-all amendment 2/19/26
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- entity that receives public funds to ensure compliance with applicable laws, conduct inspections, evaluations
- entity that receives public funds to ensure compliance with applicable laws, conduct inspections, evaluations
- c> inspections, applicable laws, conduct inspections, applicable laws, conduct inspections, evaluations
- and<00:04:01.960>
investigations <00:04:02.760>of <00:04:02.880>state evaluations - , and investigations of state evaluations, and investigations of state executive<00:04:03.600>
branch
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Department of Public Safety Press Conference 2/13/26
Transcript Highlights:
- We will be evaluating how the weapon screening process works and we'll make adjustments as needed to
- We will be evaluating how the weapon screening process works and we'll make adjustments as needed to
- We<00:03:09.040>
will <00:03:09.280>be <00:03:09.440>evaluating <00:03:10.080> - how<00:03:10.319>
the <00:03:10.480>weapon We will be evaluating how the weapon We - will be evaluating how the weapon screening<00:03:11.280>
process <00:03:11.760>works <
Summary:
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families.
Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors.
In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- After those three years of funding are exhausted, that program goes through an accountability evaluation
- , and LESC for what you all could put into the Public Education Reform Fund for that three-year evaluation
- As I just mentioned, the Public Education Reform Fund's whole purpose is to evaluate the impact of programs
- It's really difficult to evaluate the impact of a program if it can be a lot of different things depending
- We still need to think about how we evaluate special education in particular and how we improve special
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government Jan 15th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to evaluate, do they still meet the goals? Do they still improve water quality?
- Risk screenings help our staff evaluate the likelihood that a species will cause harm to Florida, and
- And to date, we have conducted risk evaluations on 246 species, and some of these we do in-house and
- platform is coordinated across multiple entities, and when a report is received, it is verified and evaluated
- platform is coordinated across multiple entities, and when a report is received, it is verified and evaluated
Summary:
The committee meeting began with quorum, member introductions, and an overview of the Agriculture, Environment, and General Government budget process. The chair emphasized using the committee resource book and performance metrics to review the base budget and invited members to identify areas of interest for later discussion. Members were also reminded about appearance forms and speaking procedures.
Wes Gregory of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services presented on agricultural best management practices and water policy. He said the office had updated all nine commodity BMP manuals and added a manual for small farms and livestock, expanded enrollment by 742 producers covering 677,000 acres, and used GIS and data analysis to target areas such as the Indian River Lagoon. He also described cost-share projects, a new field application for enrollment and inspections, cross-training staff, and a request for $20 million for regional water quality projects. Members asked about BMP enrollment, compliance, and enforcement; Gregory said noncompliance is uncommon and cases can be referred to DEP.
Adam Blaylock of DEP reviewed environmental grant programs, saying the state has appropriated $2.9 billion since 2018 for water quality projects, with about 1,100 projects reducing nitrogen and phosphorus statewide. He described the Water Quality Improvement Grant, Indian River Lagoon, Biscayne Bay, Springs, Alternative Water Supply, and Resilient Florida programs, including a planned public dashboard and a water-quality monitoring portal. Senators asked about the application window, award timing, and the high cost of septic-to-sewer conversions, with Blaylock estimating a blended average of about $35,000 per home.
Chief Conservation Officer George Worthing of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission then presented on invasive animal control. He discussed prevention, risk screening, law enforcement at ports, public outreach programs such as the Python Challenge, Lionfish Challenge, and Exotic Pet Amnesty Program, and early detection tools like the Ive Got One reporting system. He also described control efforts for Burmese pythons, tegus, and lionfish, along with research and partner coordination. Members asked about the most harmful invasive species and whether iguanas may be taken; Worthing said iguanas are open for take, subject to other laws. The meeting ended after members briefly identified priorities such as water quality, recreation water quality, sustainability, sea level rise, and septic-to-sewer infrastructure, and the committee adjourned without any formal votes.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Before, four students, particularly lower-income students like myself, had to compete to get on the radar
- /c><01:47:56.360>
to income students like myself had to income students like myself had to compete - 47:57.880>
radar <01:47:58.280>of <01:47:58.400>a <01:47:58.560>school compete - to get on the radar of a school compete to get on the radar of a school and<01:47:59.000>
try - are now competing for students Northstar<01:48:13.280>
promise <01:48:13.840>like <01:48
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- We had nine students get top 10 in the world out of 1,200 students that competed.
- The University competes nationally for this money, and its faculty are very high quality across their
- We compete nationally for this money, and our faculty are really high quality with respect to whatever
- We compete nationally for this money, and our faculty are really high quality with respect to whatever
- We compete nationally for this money, and our faculty are really high quality with respect to whatever