Video & Transcript Research : 'auditor'
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CO
Colorado 2026 Regular Session
Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 066 Mar 20th, 2026
Colorado House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly to appoint a State Auditor to Assembly to appoint a State Auditor to serve<00:37:22.720>
- And whereas since becoming State Auditor, Ms. Hunter has demonstrated... Auditor, Ms.
- Auditor Hunter makes that work possible.
- <01:32:05.320>
The <01:32:05.520>auditor the auditor is trying to do. - The auditor the auditor is trying to do.
Summary:
The House convened, established a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved through announcements recognizing Nowruz/Persian New Year, Ute Day at the Capitol, Mosaic students, and other brief invitations and tributes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order to resolutions and adopted House Joint Resolution 1017, which urges the federal government to fulfill obligations to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe regarding water rights and the Animas-La Plata project. Supporters emphasized tribal water security, federal funding, and the tribes’ longstanding stewardship; an amendment (L.004) was adopted 60-0, and the resolution then passed 60-0, with several members adding as co-sponsors.
The House also adopted Senate Joint Resolution 17, reappointing Carrie L. Hunter as State Auditor for a five-year term. Speakers from the Legislative Audit Committee praised Hunter’s professionalism, nonpartisan leadership, and the office’s national recognition; the resolution passed unanimously, 62-0, and members invited Hunter to be recognized in the chamber. After that, committee reports from Appropriations and Finance were read and several bills were set as special orders for later consideration.
In Committee of the Whole, the chamber considered several measures. Senate Bill 39, dealing with Fire and Police Pension Association disability and survivor benefits, received a technical cleanup amendment and passed. House Bill 1311, concerning bonds in lieu of retainage in construction contracts, was amended to clarify public versus private projects and passed; supporters said it would help smaller contractors, including contractors of color and women contractors, enter the market. House Bill 1184, continuing the Colorado Forest Health Council, passed after committee report amendments. House Bill 1305, on aligning state and federal statutes to improve access to inpatient behavioral health, passed despite some committee-level concerns about regulation. House Bill 1234, concerning access to child abuse or neglect records, passed after an amendment limiting access unless courts explicitly grant it; supporters said it would help victims access their own records, including for legal defense. Finally, Senate Bill 50, on child care center policy disclosures, was introduced with sponsors explaining it would require centers to disclose mandatory reporter obligations, camera and footage policies, and related privacy/access rules, in response to a case where parents were denied access to video footage.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (12/19/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We put in the budget that we would have the ability to hire two more auditors."
- The first section is the management letter section prepared by auditors, and it contains our report on
- To our knowledge, the PSTC did not consult with any other independent auditors about financial-related
- Any other independent auditors about financial-related matters during the audit.
- <00:56:55.760>
agree the department and the auditors agree the department and the auditors
Summary:
The Fiscal Committee met on December 19, with Senators Long and Lang serving as replacements. The committee approved the November 21 minutes and adopted the consent calendar after removing two Department of Health and Human Services items for separate discussion. It then took up an HHS request involving nursing facility rates, where Nathan White explained that $2.2 million would be transferred from a long-term care Medicaid eligibility contract to the nursing facilities budget. He said the funds would offset an otherwise projected 3.9% average rate decrease and bring the overall average change to zero for the next six months, with rates reset again in July under state law. Members asked about the budget adjustment factor, bed counts, and whether additional funds could raise rates further; White said the factor is statutory, capped at 28.76%, and that more money would lower the factor and increase rates. The committee also corrected a date in the request from February 1, 2025 to February 1, 2026, and approved the item.
The committee next approved another HHS item related to rural health transformation grants. Members confirmed the request covered the full amount applied for this biennium, and asked about the technology component. HHS said the grant is not solely about AI, but about broader technology improvements such as electronic medical records, back-end systems, and tools to improve access and sustainability in underserved areas. The committee approved that item as well.
The Judicial Council then requested funds for contract attorneys providing indigent defense on a fixed-fee basis. The council said current funds had already been exhausted and that the new appropriation would be used immediately. Members questioned the size of the request and the number of people awaiting counsel; the council reported about 150 incarcerated people and about 300 non-incarcerated people waiting for counsel, more than in recent years. It attributed the increase to competition for attorneys, public defender offices closing intake in some locations because of caseload limits, and broader case and court-system changes. One member raised constitutional concerns about delays in counsel for incarcerated defendants. The committee ultimately amended the request downward to $1 million, approved it, and then approved a motion to place several annual financial reports on file and release them to the public when available. The committee also discussed dashboard reporting from HHS, asking for more detail on community mental health center caseloads and budget-reduction information, and HHS agreed to provide more useful monthly detail.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Sep 2nd, 2025
Mortgage Finance Authority Act Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Them and assisting them in getting an auditor.
- I do think Auditor is probably one.
- I'm kind of surprised that the state auditor hadn't gotten involved in this years ago.
- And I remind us that when the auditor presented, he said that Sort of a program management for agencies
- and see what And it may behoove us to actually ask the auditor to come in and talk about this program
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, we have SC8 SD1 requesting the auditor to assess both the social and financial effects of the proposed
- Moving on, we're on STR 120 SD1, requesting the auditor to assess the social and financial effects of
- ><00:28:41.120>
to <00:28:41.880>assess <00:28:42.880>the SD1 requesting the auditor - to assess the SD1 requesting the auditor to assess the social<00:28:43.600>
and <00:28:43.919> - Um, we're on STR 120, Senate Draft 1, requesting the auditor and we just finished that.
Summary:
The Committee on Health met on April 11, 2025, and heard testimony on a series of Senate concurrent and Senate resolution measures focused on health system oversight, workforce standards, and access to care. Topics included an auditor study on mandated insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy for depression (SCR 8 SD1), a working group on prior authorization reform (STR 10 SD2), a task force on minimum professional standards for community health worker training (STR 16 SD1), a pharmacy benefit manager reform working group (SCR 69 SD1), a pharmacy reimbursement working group (STR 70 SD1), an aeromedical services working group (STR 86 SD1), a catchment-water feasibility study for business use (STR 118 SD1), an auditor study on mandatory coverage for continuous glucose monitors (STR 120 SD1), and a resolution encouraging reduced use of disposable surgical equipment and more sustainable health care practices (STR 194 SD1). Testimony was generally supportive across the measures, with several agencies and organizations noting the need to address complex health policy issues and improve access, transparency, and sustainability.
For STR 16 SD1, community health worker advocates strongly supported the resolution but asked for amendments to include the Hawaii Community Health Worker Association on the task force and to require that at least half of the task force members be community health workers. For the PBM-related measures, SHPDA said it was willing to convene the work group and described the issue as complex, while the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association asked that PBMs be included in the working group. For STR 10 SD2, SHPDA supported the effort to reduce prior authorization burdens and said the process is a "black box" that needs reform; the chair later noted the administration’s commitment to the issue. For STR 86 SD1, the Department of Health supported the aeromed working group, and the chair proposed a House Draft 1 with technical changes and added representation from independent provider operators.
In decision making, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations on all measures considered. SCR 8 SD1 was passed as is. STR 10 SD2 was deferred. STR 16 SD1, STR 70 SD1, STR 118 SD1, STR 120 SD1, and STR 194 SD1 were passed as is. SCR 69 SD1 was passed with amendments, and STR 86 SD1 was passed with amendments. The meeting concluded with adjournment after all votes were taken.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The county auditor is appointed to that position in all...
- But in the largest counties, the county auditor is appointed.
- However, the county auditor is not appointed by the.
- And that was my testimony on the auditor.
- Auditor, would you be for this bill?
Bills:
HB2065, HB2462, HB2621, HB3187, HB3539, HB3563, HB3726, HB4164, HB4207, HB4368, HB4706, HB4916, HB4950, HB4967, HB5177, HB4429, HB5597
Keywords:
commercial vehicles, parking regulations, residential areas, local governance, land use, traffic safety, high occupancy vehicle lane, pregnant operators, transportation, parental rights, motor vehicle regulations, live video feed, state agency, transparency, public safety, regional transportation, mobility program, sales tax, public infrastructure, local government
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE, HRE-HHS Public Hearings 03-24-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- The first item on the agenda is SCR 137, requesting the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance
- Office of the Auditor testifying? Anybody here? If not, members, any questions?
- The first one is SCR 137, requesting the Office of the Auditor conduct a performance audit on the University
- :14.800>
the is 13 137 requesting the office of the is 13 137 requesting the office of the auditor
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education, meeting jointly at points with the Committee on Health and Human Services, heard testimony on SCR 137, which asks the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation, and on SCR 203/SR 163, which asks the University of Hawaiʻi to explore establishing an Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and to identify requirements for federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The meeting also noted that it was being streamed live and could be recessed or adjourned due to technical issues, with any unfinished business to be taken up later.
For SCR 203/SR 163, Kobe Chop of the Alzheimer’s Association testified in support, saying the measure would help get the process started for an ADRC in Hawaiʻi and that recent federal action had kept funding available long enough to clarify next steps. Another supporter said the state’s diverse population and research opportunities made the proposal worthwhile. No opposition testimony was recorded, and the committees moved the measure to decision-making.
In voting, the joint committees recommended passage of SCR 203/SR 163 as is, with members voting aye and the recommendation adopted. The Higher Education Committee then took up SCR 137 and likewise recommended passage as is; one member stated an intent to vote no while the chair and others voted aye, and the recommendation was adopted. The committee then adjourned/recessed after completing the agenda items.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House State Government Finance and Policy Committee 3/24/26
State Government Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- the auditor. the auditor.
- <00:10:03.520>
So, on the auditor. So, on the auditor. - <00:10:18.720>
comes The problem is when the auditor comes The problem is when the auditor - This is bipartisan, and we have tried to have the work driven by the auditor.
- driven by the auditor. driven by the auditor.
Keywords:
Inspector General, fraud prevention, state audit, public funds, misuse, transparency, government accountability, HF4482, Minnesota Historical Society, state historic sites, historic site management, historic preservation, county historical society, local historical society, municipality, county government, admission fees, grants-in-aid, site operations, site maintenance
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 02/24/25
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- We talked with the legislative auditor extensively about it. We had a respectful disagreement.
- Randall, the legislative auditor, can certainly give you more history about their thinking about why
- For the record, my name is Judy Randall, Legislative Auditor. Thanks for asking the question.
- auditor years ago the legislative auditor initiated<00:50:51.640>
a <00:50:51.839>change discussion with the legislative auditor discussion with the legislative auditor and<00:51:40.960
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- with that, we're going to start off today with a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor
- with that, we're going to start off today with a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor
- I think it's easy to feel like internal controls and auditor speak is a little nitpicky, right?
- by the Office of the legislative auditor by the Office of the legislative auditor if<00:41:28.680
- <00:45:54.400>
in fraud control unit and the auditor in fraud control unit and the auditor
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 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF3045 5/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The House section 22 in this line provides that the Secretary of State and county auditor should provide
- <00:05:12.479>
state <00:05:12.639>and <00:05:12.880>county <00:05:13.120>auditor - <00:05:13.600>
should of state and county auditor should of state and county auditor should - 61, which allows municipal clerks additional time to receive and secure supplies from the county auditor
- 61, which allows municipal clerks additional time to receive and secure supplies from the county auditor
Summary:
The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account.
Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land.
After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Committee (04/18/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- We'll have a performance auditor and a financial auditor actually work on this.
- It'll be Colin Quinn and Paige Lauren and maybe a couple of other auditors, who will look into this.
- We'll have a performance auditor and a financial auditor actually work on this.
- Um, I want to thank everyone, obviously the auditor and the auditors and our partners at the agencies
- <00:55:11.440>
and thank everyone obviously the auditor and thank everyone obviously the auditor
Summary:
The committee first approved the March 21 minutes and then took up a consent calendar, withdrawing several items before adopting the remainder. It also moved item FIS 25103 to the table by a 6-4 vote after Senator Gray argued the Executive Council had not yet acted on a prior $5 million approval and that the committee should avoid adding to the rainy day fund draw. The committee then approved item 25106 for the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/State Library after hearing that the department expected about a $400,000 lapse to return to the state.
A major discussion centered on New Hampshire Police Standards and Training (item 2577). Senator Gray questioned whether a proposed equipment purchase could be delayed to the next biennium in light of the state’s deficit and rainy day fund use. The agency said the equipment was needed now for scenario training, vendors had already been identified, and delaying would likely increase costs and force continued reliance on unpaid volunteer help. The committee ultimately approved the item.
The committee also approved Department of Energy item 2587 after hearing that federal weatherization funds are drawn down on a reimbursement basis, and item 2588 after similar testimony that weatherization work must be completed and inspected before reimbursement, limiting how quickly funds can be expended. Item 250094 had been withdrawn. Later, the committee discussed Senator Carson’s request for an LBA review of the YDC claims settlement fund, with members expressing concern about administrative costs, attorney fees, settlement-loan payoffs, and the need for more detailed reporting. The committee voted to direct LBA to conduct the audit described in Senator Carson’s memo, with the additional request that the review include the term over which attorney fees are paid. The meeting then moved on to an HHS staff item, where members began questioning the timing of dashboard data and reporting delays.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Auditor Blaha is unable to be with us because of an illness, so we welcome Jason Nord to present the
- <00:00:59.440>
auditor state auditor auditor state auditor auditor Blaha<00:01:01.519> - I'm the division director at the Office of the State Auditor.
- Auditor Blaha really wanted to be here today.
- Nord and the State Auditor, once again, a very excellent report. Thank you.
Summary:
The Minnesota Senate Taxes Committee met on February 6, 2025, and first approved the February 5 minutes. The main item was the Office of the State Auditor’s annual report on tax increment financing (TIF), presented by Jason Nord in place of Auditor Blaha, who was ill. Nord explained how TIF captures new property value to finance development, and reviewed statewide data for 2023 reported in 2024.
The report said TIF was used by 382 authorities statewide, with 378 authorities reporting on 1,678 districts. Redevelopment and housing/economic development districts made up the vast majority of districts, with housing districts becoming especially common in Greater Minnesota. Of the $238 million in tax increment generated in 2023, 78% came from the metro area, and most dollars came from redevelopment districts. The report also noted $7.4 million in increment returned to counties, cities, and school districts, and described long-term trends showing early growth in TIF use, reforms in the 1980s and 1990s, a drop after 2002 property tax changes, and another decline after many older districts reached maximum duration.
Committee members asked about uncodified districts, the location of the remaining pre-1979 district, whether the same cities continue using TIF over time, and how Minnesota compares with other states. Nord said the uncodified districts include housing replacement and special-law districts, the pre-1979 district is in Princeton, and the number of authorities starting or stopping use each year is usually small. He also said Minnesota differs from many states, including by allowing pooling. The presentation highlighted that TIF debt statewide is a little over $1.8 billion, mostly in pay-as-you-go notes rather than general obligation bonds, and that many districts decertify early—often years before their maximum term—supporting the chair’s interest in legislation to shorten redevelopment district duration and repeal renewal and renovation districts. No votes were taken on the report.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Mar 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- I'll just say in response to Auditor Regalia's question that this case...
- So that, you know, the auditor is correct. The agency leaders are making these decisions.
- I have the honor of serving the citizens of North Dakota as their state auditor.
- The information that we provided back to Of North Dakota as their state auditor.
- And so my IT systems auditors has actually been working with some folks on...
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Well, it was through our auditor we found out that our auditor was having to apply for extensions, and
- So our accountant and our auditor won't have to deal with that this year going forward.
- So our accountant and our auditor won't have to deal with that this year going forward.
- So our accountant and our auditor won't have to deal with that this year going forward.
- So our accountant and our auditor won't have to deal with that this year going forward.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- So, this is a heavy hand here of saying essentially forcing the auditor, with limited funds, to hire
- Which is reading the reports, asking the questions, talking to the auditor, talking with each other,
- Every year the nonpartisan OLA, Office of the Legislative Auditor, conducts financial audits of state
- <00:41:58.680>
or our office of legislative auditor or our office of legislative auditor or - , not audited, but reviewed by an auditor.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee 5/14/26
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I reached out to the legislative auditor to say, you know, what are best practices?
- And the legislative auditor told me that this legislation is important for putting in good internal controls
- So, in speaking with the legislative auditor, and I do not want to speak for the auditor, so I will use
- —so we would have to have four caucus agreement to have this looked at by the auditor.
- So, in speaking with the legislative auditor, and I do not want to speak for the auditor, so I will use
UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Health and Human Services Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the legislative deputy auditor general, and with me is Brendan Ressler, who is the lead auditor on
- Who is the lead auditor on these assignments.
- This bill is reflective of recommendations from our legislative auditor that we just heard.
- The next component required, as the auditor mentioned, there are three standards...
- The auditor mentioned there are three standards promulgated by the National Commission on Correctional
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Senate and Governmental Affairs May 6th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I interviewed a gentleman yesterday who has many years' experience as an internal auditor and a compliance
- We're going through an internal audit from the legislature and auditors, and they recommended that to
- I agree that a full-time auditor can fulfill this role even more effectively.”
- I agree that a full-time auditor can fulfill this role even more effectively, provided we get the right
- with the right expertise, and I’m certainly relieved to hear that we are discussing bringing on an auditor
Summary:
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 6, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard several bills before moving into confirmation hearings. HB 205, by Rep. Bacala, would allow local governing authorities to supplement election commissioners’ pay by up to $100 per day; supporters from clerks of court and the Secretary of State’s office said the increase is needed to recruit and retain qualified commissioners amid longer days, training demands, and election security changes. The committee also reported HB 210, a cleanup bill clarifying retroactive application of a prior ethics law, and HB 228, which recreates the Department of State Civil Service and related entities through 2033. It likewise reported SR 86, which bars eyeglasses with audio/video recording capability in the Senate chamber without the Senate President’s permission, and HB 1177, which protects the identities of lottery hunt winners until after the drawing. HB 1045, limited to Pointe Coupee Parish, raises an audit threshold for certain water districts from $500,000 to $600,000 to reduce audit costs, and HB 813 would move Orleans Parish sheriff terms so the sheriff takes office in January instead of waiting until May; all were reported favorably. Senator Miller also announced that SB 491 would not be taken up that day.
The committee then questioned nominees to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East. The first group, including Peter Vicari and Ronald Schumann, was asked extensively about recent personnel actions, an internal investigation, and the authority’s handling of a report that members said would likely be released after a board vote. Senators focused on the firing of the chief of police/operations personnel, allegations of payroll fraud, and whether the authority had improperly combined the chief of police role with compliance duties in a way that may conflict with statute and Civil Service guidance. Committee members also raised concerns about the chief’s contract, whether it had board approval, and whether the authority’s bylaws and salary practices complied with law. The nominees and counsel said some matters were still under review and that a separate compliance position was being considered.
The committee later heard from additional nominees, including David Martin, Gregory Marsiglia, and Elton Jude Myers, who described backgrounds in engineering, law, procurement, and governmental contracts. Senators again pressed them on the need to separate compliance/auditing duties from the chief of police role, and the nominees generally agreed that those functions should be distinct and that the authority should have qualified auditing expertise. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after the confirmation discussion.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Policy and Administration (11/05/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- um as opposed to a elected auditor um as opposed to a professional<02:44:13.760>
auditor. - auditors is uh permissive not mandatory. auditors is uh permissive not mandatory.
- Um [snorts] professional auditor.
- or sorry elect a local local auditor or sorry elect a local auditor.<02:44:47.279>
But <02:44: - But if they have hired a auditor.
Summary:
The House Education Policy and Administration Committee met to hear a non-germane amendment to House Bill 131, which concerns bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Representative Glenn Cordelli, the prime sponsor, said the amendment was intended to revise and improve language from last year’s SB 210 and to incorporate measures from a cyberbullying bill previously passed by the House. He described changes to school communication requirements, mandatory reporting of bullying and retaliation, stronger investigation and collaboration requirements for cross-district cases, added safety and remediation language, a required conference with the alleged perpetrator and parents if available, updated reporting deadlines, and disciplinary consequences for harassment, intimidation, retaliation, and false reports. He also noted a later amendment would be needed to insert the words “the perpetrator” in one section, and he explained that some changes were meant to align with prior legislation and legislative drafting suggestions.
Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Murray questioned the treatment of private and parochial schools, the change from gross negligence to negligence, and the removal of a definition of bullying based on imbalance of power and perceived characteristics. Representative Damon also objected to deleting that definition, arguing it would narrow the scope of bullying too much. Representative Han spoke in opposition, saying the amendment was too broad, unnecessary in parts, and not ready for final action; he criticized the removal of the imbalance-of-power language, the conference requirement when parents may not participate, and the reporting obligations for bus drivers and others. Cordelli responded that some issues were already addressed in prior law or SB 210 and that private schools have their own policies.
Michelle Wongran of New Hampshire Legal Assistance testified in opposition, saying the bill was being heard without enough notice and that it does far more than the committee analysis suggests. She said the amendment adds undefined retaliation language, imposes reporting duties on school vendors and contractors, may conflict with FERPA and other federal privacy rules, and includes provisions that could have serious implications for schools and students. She said she supports parental involvement and some conference provisions in concept, but urged the committee to reject the amendment or at least send it through the normal legislative process for fuller review. No vote was taken during the hearing portion described in the transcript.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Fraud Committee Meeting - 2026-04-21
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- She is the Deputy Legislative Auditor and she is going to discuss a Legislative Auditor report from June
- Um, for the record, my name is Catherine Tiesen and I am a Deputy Legislative Auditor for the Office
- of the Legislative Auditor.
- for the Office of the Auditor for the Office of the Legislative<00:41:14.080>
Auditor. - I oversee our Legislative Auditor.