Transcript Highlights:

• This is an opportunity for states and general purpose local governments and tribal governments to provide
• This is an opportunity for states and general purpose local governments and tribal governments to provide
• But in addition to that, states and local governments or different, you know, levels of government have
• You rely on data, so do businesses, and so do local governments.
• So we relied in some respects on local governments to tell us who are this—we know this group.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a hearing on census preparation, focusing first on testimony from U.S. Census Bureau staff James Whitehorn and Andrea Grace Johnson. They described the Bureau’s decade-long geographic and redistricting programs, including the Boundary and Annexation Survey, School District Review Program, Participant Statistical Area Program, and Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA), along with the Block Boundary Suggestion Project and voting district collection. They emphasized that Massachusetts has been a strong partner in these efforts and explained how the Bureau is using updated street data, building footprints, machine learning, and change detection to improve address lists and track new housing. Whitehorn also reviewed the 2030 redistricting data program, the legal basis for it under PL 94-171, the role of state nonpartisan liaisons, and the expected timeline for data delivery. He noted that OMB’s revised race and ethnicity standards will merge those questions into one and add a Middle Eastern/North African category. Committee members asked about the new standards, state contacts, and how boundary updates are submitted, and the witnesses said they would provide the slide deck and contact information. Wendy Underhill and Helen Brewer of NCSL then testified about why census preparation matters for states, stressing its impact on data, federal funding, and political representation. They outlined optional steps states can take before 2030, including staying in touch with Census Bureau staff, identifying state and local personnel involved in census work, supporting local participation in Bureau programs, and creating complete count committees or commissions. They cited Massachusetts’s prior complete count committee and grantmaking efforts as an example and said such efforts can improve self-response and overall accuracy. They also noted that state legislatures can act as conveners and trusted messengers, and they discussed broader issues such as privacy protections, differential privacy, budget uncertainty, and the possibility of future litigation or a citizenship question. Secretary of State William Galvin then gave extended remarks on Massachusetts’s 2020 census experience and the need to prepare early for 2030. He said the state faced major challenges in 2020 from the pandemic, litigation, and rhetoric about citizenship, and that Massachusetts relied heavily on local records, university data, and community outreach to document residents, especially students and non-native-born populations. He argued that the state should strengthen local recordkeeping now through LUCA, annual resident lists, assessors’ and zoning records, and other local data sources, and he urged support for a proposed $500,000 appropriation for census-related grants and technical assistance. Galvin said better preparation is needed because housing patterns, population shifts, and local administrative capacity have changed since 2020, and he emphasized that the goal is to improve the completeness of the records the Census Bureau will use in 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• And now our Texas flag.
• The Committee on Local and Consent Calendars will meet at 915 a.m.
• Please give them a warm welcome to their Texas State Capitol.
• We have our Texas District Director Daryl Robinson.
• of the Texas Tenants Readiness and the Law.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think this is good feedback, although it's current and can be allowed under current code administrative
• I just want to let the committee know also this bill is mirrored after a Texas bill that passed in 2023
• Representative Frank from Texas... ...Representative Frank from Texas passed this bill in 2023's chief
• working with the committee on mirroring the bill from... ...the committee on mirroring the bill from Texas
• Is the bill from Texas parallel to what you got, or what are you getting there?

Bills: HB340

Keywords: child protection, due process, family preservation, child custody, human resources, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He went down to Texas.
• You did it in Texas. You got it licensed in Texas. How about New Hampshire?"
• She said there is no doubt that this bill represents bigger government, not smaller government.
• <02:01:22.000> not bill represents bigger government not bill represents bigger government
• :24.079> will<02:01:24.239> far smaller government the cost will far smaller government

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Six months ago the federal government used the federal budget reconciliation procedure to enact a new
• Senator, I work with FGA Action, Foundation for Government Accountability Action. Thank you.
• this bill for the testimony you heard this morning, speaking of the burden that it's creating on our local
• food... ...you heard this morning, speaking of the burden that it's creating on our local food banks
• After moving my parents from Texas to live with us in 2017, I immediately saw concerning red flags with

Bills: SB1017, SB1149, SB1162, SB1192, SB1249, SB1253, SB1331, SB1333, SB1334

Keywords: informed consent, surgical procedures, healthcare professionals, patient rights, regulatory compliance, child welfare, dependency hearings, foster care, court procedures, parental rights, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing, monitoring, administrative burdens, basic first aid, good samaritan, medical licensing exemption, Arizona medical board, A.R.S. 32-1421

Transcript Highlights:

• , Texas AgriLife, and Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• I'm the director of government relations for the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.
• The return of New World screwworms to Texas will be devastating to rural Texas and to all of Texas, in
• The state of Texas and the federal government need to step up and employ these guys to go out there and
• -based, that is Texas-based, that is flexible and can be rented back to the federal government or the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a delete all if we could go to the delete all we shall we will take up Amendment bar code 3,
• seek to ensure their care and safety with clear reporting a notification processes requires non government
• governments rely regarding exemptions from taxes, quite frankly, for those that are affiliated with
• Texas and Arkansas have recently passed similar laws.
• My husband is a local business owner here in Tallahassee. We've had 3 boys together.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• for college admissions in Texas.
• , local governing board.
• That's all good for Texas. It's good for businesses in Texas.
• from the Texas-Louisiana border to the Big Bend region of West Texas.
• We'll have the Texas Tech system in as well as, uh, Texas State Technical College.

Transcript Highlights:

• governing body.
• I'm also a TSTA and a Texas AFT member, as well as the president of my local union.
• Because there are no local, state, or federal protections in place, when Texas workers asked, Governor
• We are the governed, but we govern, too.
• I am a Texas...

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Periodically, not just in education, but other parts of state government, the federal government will
• It was just in the department rec coded the wrong area.
• And so in our gov rec, we coded it the correct area.
• Did we not do that, or did the local jurisdiction not do that? And we do.
• Did we not do that, or did the local jurisdiction not do that?

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the Administration of the Mexican Government in Portland.
• For state permitting, it would be governed under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico.
• I am a state government agency in permitting, so I'm unable to answer just due to outside my area of
• I know we're doing a lot of checks and balances with the federal government as well.
• I believe Wyoming and Texas. Yeah, Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the chief compliance officer and director of government affairs for the Treasurer of State.
• Of government affairs for the Treasurer of State. All right. You're recognized to present the rule.
• Without objection, the rule is of government affairs for the treasurer state. All right.
• The only state that pays less of a percentage of a dentist's normal fee is Texas.
• Your constituents don't live in Texas. They don't live in Mississippi or anywhere else.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee of the Arkansas Legislative Council reviewed several agency rules and requests. The Insurance Department’s amendment to its holding company system rule was reviewed and approved, as were two State Board of Election Commissioners rules: one clarifying poll watcher conduct, vote challenges, and provisional voting, and another increasing pay for certified election monitors and defining training, observation, and report-writing compensation. The Arkansas Financial Education Commission also had its rule reviewed and approved after removing membership requirements tied to DEI language to comply with Act 938. The committee held over the Department of Education’s request to be excluded from reporting requirements for one month to allow further discussion about who should write or implement the rules. A major portion of the meeting focused on the Department of Human Services’ request to be excluded from reporting requirements for Acts 567, 568, 967, and 1025. DHS said CMS had raised comparability and other federal approval concerns, especially for the dental and diagnostic lab provisions, and that it might not be able to meet the acts’ effective dates. DHS described several possible paths forward, including broader benefit changes, waivers, or splitting the dental provisions so the pediatric rate increase could move separately from the special-needs adult cap increase. The Arkansas State Dental Association disputed DHS’s conclusion that the acts could not be implemented as written, argued that Act 1025 is workable, and urged DHS to continue pursuing implementation and preserve the September 1 effective date where possible. Public testimony also supported expanded dental access for adults with disabilities and special needs. After discussion, the committee voted not to exclude DHS from reporting requirements for those acts. The committee then reviewed the Division of Higher Education’s Act 781 report. The division said it has 32 rules in effect, asked to repeal three rules—two replaced by new rules and one no longer supported by authority or current law—and to continue the remaining 29 rules. The committee approved that request, with the repeals effective upon adjournment of the Legislative Council meeting on January 16, 2026. The meeting concluded with no questions on the remaining written rulemaking updates from prior and current sessions, which were filed without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and contributing to the economy of Texas.
• Each year, TCEQ contacts over 100,000 small businesses and local governments to offer them tools to comply
• A combination of factors. factors, the economy of Texas growing, the population of Texas increasing,
• How does that impact Texas?
• President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, and the Honorable Todd Staples, Texas Oil and Gas Association

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Government organization to set AB 445, Aguilera-Curry.
• Soon to Assembly Rule 96, I request unanimous consent to re-refer AB 557 McKenna from the Local Government
• governments.
• And local governments will have more control over the timing and efficiency of delivering this badly
• This led to her involvement in local. elections, campaigning for local environmental candidates, and

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is going to federal government.
• <00:05:07.600> governments<00:05:08.320> the floor giving local governments the floor
• giving local governments the option<00:05:09.039> to<00:05:09.360> make<00:05:09.680><
• Government because during the Walz administration the state government has grown by 45%.
• <00:58:00.880> I amendment is coded A10. I amendment is coded A10.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House adopted the conference committee report on House File 1141, the housing bill, and repassed the bill as amended by conference. Representative Howard said the compromise bill would help build thousands of homes, keep Minnesotans housed, and improve transparency and collaboration with the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, while remaining budget-neutral by using MHFA interest earnings and fund transfers. He highlighted investments in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota workforce housing, manufactured housing, FHPAP, supportive housing, and added transparency for MHFA board meetings, while noting that some Senate provisions such as a manufactured housing bill of rights and a ban on private equity home purchases were not included. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing as a basic need and linking the bill to homelessness, workforce shortages, and health outcomes. Supporters praised the bill’s funding for supportive housing, first-generation homebuyer assistance, tenant hotline services, and manufactured housing, and said the bipartisan conference process improved the measure. Representative Kosowski and others argued the bill would help people stay housed, reduce pressure on schools, hospitals, and emergency rooms, and support communities across all 87 counties and tribal nations. Republican members raised concerns about spending and government growth, arguing the state should prioritize taxpayer relief, school safety, fraud prevention, and asset preservation instead of housing investments. Representative McDonald questioned the growth in MHFA staffing over the past decade, and Representative Howard responded that the agency had taken on many new responsibilities since the state’s larger housing investments and needed staff to administer programs effectively. After the motion to adopt the conference report prevailed, the bill moved to third reading, where further discussion continued in a generally supportive but divided debate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sims obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Dallas.
• Originating government-backed loans for borrowers who can never repay them is predatory in nature.
• History has shown that direct government lending can lead to expensive loan money.
• We don't depend on government grants to function and we pay taxes.
• What I think of the government guarantee in that sense is that typically when you're asking for a government

Keywords: SBA, 7A loan program, underwriting standards, loan defaults, Community Advantage Program, small business funding, testimony

Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you look at the CPI that's been published for inflation during that period by the federal government
• Locals focus on student success.
• The next thing would be to relax the laws and regulations that govern feet changes.
• I think the local board of trustees should have the authority to set those fees.
• So it gives the local boards the ability to create state.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the public, and so if you would help me by speaking in plain English, uh, not legalese, uh, or in code
• By speaking in plain English, uh, not legalese, uh, or in code, uh, that would be great.
• <00:37:15.560> Affairs regional director of government Affairs regional director of government
• bill and representing our three local bill and representing our three local groups<00:38:29.280>
• <02:42:58.520> boy imprisonment in the penal code boy imprisonment in the penal code boy revised

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• I try to explain to my local people that general fund is also local funds because these are services
• local.
• I try to explain to my local local.
• general fund is also local people that general fund is also local funds<00:15:26.560> because
• . government. government.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Trying to force innovation into national silos is like trying to make the internet local.
• He was fooling around and coding... He said that in national news.
• Food and Drug Administration... ...approval state-by-state local. The U.S.
• There are several local governments that require retail licensure for tobacco retailers.
• There are several local governments that require retail licensure for tobacco retailers.

Bills: HB2746, HB2750, HB2765, HB4036

Keywords: trade offices, committee, Arizona commerce authority, stakeholder input, efficiency, Arizona-Sonora, Sonora, Mexico, trade commission, cross-border trade, bilateral trade, international trade, economic development, foreign relations, border economy, investment, infrastructure, business exchange, academic exchange, legislative commission