Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, where is the executive branch on this? Are we talking about an additional secretary?
• But I think that the executive branch and the legislative branch will be working together on all of this
• So has the members of the executive branch been following us and working along with this? Oh, yes.
• branch and the legislative branch will be working together on all of this because it's to everybody's
• So has, has the members of the executive branch been following us and working along with this?

Summary: The committee met to review an audit and recommendations from the Alliance for Opportunity as part of a broader study of social service and workforce development reform under Act 145 of 2025. Members discussed creating a more integrated, regional, and “one door to work” system that would combine eligibility screening, service delivery, and workforce connections across DHS, workforce, and related programs. Much of the discussion focused on reducing administrative overhead, improving coordination, and using tools such as AI and centralized databases to help applicants learn about benefits, training, and job opportunities while still preserving case managers and in-person help for people without digital access. Members also emphasized targeting groups with low labor-force participation, including people in generational poverty, rural residents, individuals reentering from prison, and people involved in the court system who may be employable but are not currently connected to employers. Several members raised concerns about benefit cliffs, the burden of repeated paperwork across agencies, and whether the system should include performance measures tied to cost per person served and return on investment. The committee agreed that quantifiable savings and outcomes should be part of the study and future recommendations. The committee then considered and discussed a draft consultant services agreement with Work Ed Consulting LLC, represented by Mason Bishop, to assist with the study. Bureau of Legislative Research staff explained that the contract would run through June 30, 2027, with a maximum amount of $158,000, billed on actual hours and expenses, and could be expanded by up to 10% if needed. Bishop said he could provide ongoing ROI updates and technical assistance based on his experience in other states. After discussion, the committee voted to move forward with the contract, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is the result of the failure of the executive branch to take fraud seriously. And, Mr.
• This bill is the result of the failure of the executive branch to take fraud seriously. And, Mr.
• branch.
• branch.
• <00:36:22.880> uh is best housed in the executive uh is best housed in the executive uh branch

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• branch of government gets a free pass. branch of government gets a free pass.
• No one branch dominates.
• the legislature above the other branches the legislature above the other branches and<01:15:51.280
• courts are left to the judicial branch courts are left to the judicial branch to<01:57:50.239>
• to start executing some of these bills. to start executing some of these bills.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:13.279> branch<00:15:13.600> of they're they're the executive branch of they're
• they're the executive branch of government<00:15:14.240> and<00:15:14.480> then<00:15:
• .<00:15:16.880> So,<00:15:17.040> the<00:15:17.199> executive<00:15:17.600> branch
• So, the executive branch of government.
• So, the executive branch of government<00:15:18.320> is<00:15:18.480> going<00:15:18.639

Bills: HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, HB117, HB17, HB22, HB153, HB140, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134, SB12, SB42, SB93, SB28, SB35, SB134

Keywords: procurement, county commission, administrative savings, public services, government efficiency, HB17, municipal audits, municipal audit clarification act, municipal finance, local government, city council, mayor, city manager, Department of Examiners of Public Accounts, independent public accountant, annual audit, biennial audit, annual report, financial accountability, public records

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:37:00.080> Um<01:37:00.400> and executive branch what to do.
• Um and executive branch what to do.
• For example, is the executive branch telegraphing any actions on issues affecting voting by mail, funding
• For example, is the executive<01:37:49.199> branch<01:37:49.679> telegraphing<01:37:50.400
• > any executive branch telegraphing any executive branch telegraphing any actions actions actions

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee held an informational briefing on the State of Hawaii’s affirmative litigation against the federal administration, with no public testimony. Attorney General Lopez and deputies said the office’s goal is to enforce the rule of law, not make partisan points, and noted that Hawaii is involved in 27 ongoing cases. They grouped the cases into four broad areas: immigration, funding freezes and grant terminations, federal agency dismantling/reductions in force, and protecting elections, health, and safety. Several immigration-related cases were discussed in detail. These included a challenge to the federal sharing of Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement, a similar challenge to USDA’s demand for SNAP applicant and recipient data, and litigation over immigration-enforcement conditions attached to federal grants. The office also described the birthright citizenship executive order, saying it conflicts with the 14th Amendment and Supreme Court precedent; lower courts granted preliminary relief, and the U.S. Supreme Court later addressed only the scope of nationwide injunctions, not the merits. In the Department of Transportation case, the court granted a preliminary injunction against the “Duffy directive,” finding the immigration conditions lacked statutory authority, were arbitrary and capricious, and violated the Spending Clause and APA. The briefing also covered multiple funding disputes. In the education funding freeze case, the Department of Education and OMB withheld about $6 billion in formula funds, including roughly $33 million for Hawaii; after suit was filed, the funds were released. Other cases included the termination of over $11 billion in public health grants, which affected Hawaii Department of Health grants, the NIH indirect cost cap case, and NIH grant terminations tied to DEI, transgender issues, and vaccine hesitancy. The speakers said some cases have already resulted in preliminary or permanent injunctions, while others remain on appeal or are still being litigated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Many of the financial documents the executive branch produces show the kind of combined budget area between
• Many of the financial documents the executive branch produces show the kind of combined budget area between
• financial documents of the the executive financial documents of the the executive branch<00:14:59.959
• forecast um produced by the executive forecast um produced by the executive branch<00:15:47.880>
• <00:18:15.240> branch documentation that the executive branch documentation that the executive

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The committee convened for an opening discussion of the 2025 Human Services session, with members emphasizing bipartisan collaboration, the committee’s mission to strengthen support systems for Minnesotans, and a focus on helping vulnerable people thrive. The chair and members welcomed new and returning senators and staff, including new pages and interim committee administration, and several members briefly introduced themselves and their backgrounds in public service and human services work. Members identified the main issues they expect to address this session: workforce shortages in human services professions, long-term care, program integrity, and efforts to limit waste, fraud, and abuse so funding reaches people who need it most. The chair also previewed upcoming hearings on eligibility and redeterminations for people with disabilities, MnCHOICES reassessments, assisted living and provider payment delays, and updates on direct care and treatment, noting that more detailed discussion would come in later meetings. The committee then received a budget overview from fiscal analyst Kyle Raymond. He explained the combined Health and Human Services budget area, noted jurisdiction changes tied to the creation of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the planned separation of Direct Care and Treatment, and said some figures may differ from the November forecast because of those shifts. He outlined the major funding sources for the budget area, including federal funds and the general fund, and said the presentation would focus on the fiscal year 2026-2027 budget the legislature will be considering.

Transcript Highlights:

• branch agencies, including the comptroller, the data and information that he's looking for. to give
• The governor is the commander of the executive branch, and I saw. him as the best integrator of all the
• The 2006 study was very comprehensive. and we do need to update it, absolutely. among the executive branch
• branch officers.
• You're welcome. what I envision here is, in the same way the president is the chief executive.

Bills: SB825

Keywords: illegal immigration, economic impact, environmental impact, financial impact, annual study, Texas, government report, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, executive branch, judicial and legislative branches. Please take note.
• Uh executive<00:05:09.880> branch,<00:05:10.960> judicial<00:05:11.600> and executive
• branch, judicial and executive branch, judicial and legislative<00:05:12.400> branches.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:47 SB 197 Discussion 00:01:50 SB 197 Vote 00:08:40, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to thank you as now we move to a judicial branch.
• Judicial branch.
• Let's start with the department, judicial branch. Good afternoon, Assemblymember Ramos.
• I'll be providing an overview of the May revision to the governor's budget for the judicial branch.
• I am the executive director of Project Sister Family Service.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• He's the branch chief of our groundwater branch that does our well processing statewide.
• management branch, and our groundwater branch.
• Ryan here is the branch chief of the groundwater branch. We were disconnected.
• Ryan does, as the branch...
• Um, it's so from my understanding that there's no executive director or executive... >> Correct.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the executive branch director a little bit about this from the Department of Corrections, was that
• > this the executive branch responsible of this the executive branch responsible of this that<
• a little bit, the with the executive a little bit, the executive<00:50:45.599> branch<00:50:46.480
• branch uh director a little executive branch uh director a little bit<00:50:47.680> about<00:
• We might need to get to the point where we kind of become the executive branch in addition to the legislative

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is it the legislative branch, the executive branch, to the judicial branch?
• Do you believe that the executive branch could choose not to spend dollars that are appropriated by Congress
• branch to comply with that law.
• If I'm part of the executive branch, you all make the laws, and it's our job, for those of us who might
• be in the. executive branch to execute the laws, assuming the law is constitutional.

Transcript Highlights:

• I don't think that the legislature could compel the executive branch to bring a prosecution.
• But I don't think that we could compel the executive branch to bring a prosecution. Thank you.
• ><02:08:26.880> prosecution executive branch to bring a prosecution executive branch to bring
• a compel the executive branch to bring a compel the executive branch to bring a prosecution<02:08
• <04:18:49.800> of separate and independent branches of separate and independent branches of

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Judiciary Committee met to hear House Bill 520, which would authorize the Department of Education to issue subpoenas in investigations and hearings involving the code of conduct for New Hampshire educators. Representative Lynn, the bill sponsor, said the measure was intended to give the department standard subpoena power during investigations and in later adjudicatory proceedings, with a process for challenging overbroad subpoenas. He argued that agencies with investigative and hearing authority should also have the power to compel witnesses and documents, and said the bill was narrowed from an earlier broader draft to focus on teacher credentialing and address concerns about scope. Members raised several concerns about whether the department already has enough authority, whether the Attorney General could handle subpoenas instead, and whether the bill creates an imbalance by giving subpoena power mainly to the investigating side. Representative Burroughs said she did not feel she had enough information and was uncomfortable with the bill, especially regarding who bears subpoena costs. Representative Biron questioned the trial analogy and whether both sides truly have equal subpoena rights. Lynn responded that the investigative stage is like a grand jury process, where only the investigating body subpoenas witnesses, while the adjudicatory stage allows both sides to seek subpoenas through the hearing officer. Other questions focused on the bill’s scope. Representative Andreos asked what investigative authority the Department of Education already has, and Representative Organ questioned why the bill is limited to educators rather than also covering vendors, charter school boards, or the EFA scholarship organization. Lynn said the limitation to educators was deliberate, because earlier broader versions drew objections for being too expansive. Representative Tur asked whether the Attorney General could already handle such matters, and Lynn said that while the AG might be able to pursue some investigations or court subpoenas, agencies should be able to conduct their own internal investigations. No vote or final action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• I agree with Representative All that they are at the discretion of the executive branch, who is elected
• ... uh, they are accountable to the voters through the executive branch.
• <00:13:18.199> s<00:13:18.440> sorry executive branch who is elected s sorry executive
• c><00:13:22.639> am through the executive branch um so I am through the executive branch um so
• folks that are work in the executive folks that are work in the executive branch<00:14:33.959>

Keywords: 00:00 Call to Order 01:55 Attendance Roll Call 02:10 HB 422 Discussion 03:35 HB 422 Vote 04:55 HB 6 Discussion 11:30 HB 6 Vote 16:45 HB 87 Discussion 20:22 HB 87 Vote 21:43 HB 255 Discussion 24:33 HB 255 Vote 26:19 HB 437 Discussion 29:09 HB 437 Vote 30:25 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Wade Williams, which would require administrative regulations with a major economic impact of $500,000 or more over two years to go through the legislature. Williams argued the bill would rein in regulatory overreach, improve transparency, and still allow emergency regulations. Several members raised concerns about executive-branch authority and the role of subject-matter experts, while others supported the bill as a way to improve communication and legislative oversight. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 87, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, with a committee substitute adopted first. The bill is aimed at reducing barriers for people with felony records who are seeking occupational licenses, while preserving existing public hiring practices for cities and counties. Callaway said the changes were mostly technical and intended to make the process more transparent, with no fiscal impact. The committee approved the bill, and it passed with the committee substitute. House Bill 255, sponsored by Rep. Amy Neighbors, also passed with a committee substitute. The measure updates and modernizes the Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy statutes, which sponsors said have not been substantially revised since 1958. Supporters said the bill clarifies outdated language, defines terms more clearly, and better reflects current practice, including physical therapist assistants. The chairman noted the long effort to update the practice act and praised the work of the stakeholders involved. Finally, House Bill 437, sponsored by Rep. Tony Hampton, was presented as a cleanup bill for alcohol beverage control law. It would limit state and local ABC administrators and investigators from making arrests unless they are POP certified, while leaving their other authority intact. Hampton and supporting witnesses said the change would align the statute with other law enforcement certification requirements and help keep civilian administrators from being put in harm’s way. The transcript ends during discussion of this bill, with no final vote shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• to executive branch agencies. versus executive.
• It is executive branch branch agency. It is executive branch agencies. agencies. agencies.
• branch, we are embedded in the executive branch, we are not<01:10:22.560> going<01:10:22.640>
• <01:19:50.719> branch<01:19:51.040> in me, I look at the executive branch in me, I
• And that kind of executive branch.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 856, which would create an Office of the Inspector General to combat fraud in state public programs. Representative Norris described the bill as the product of a long bipartisan, bicameral working group and emphasized the office’s independence, five-year term, Senate confirmation, removal-for-cause protections, authority to investigate entities receiving public funds, prevention-focused duties, and required public and annual reporting. Representative Anderson PE also thanked the bipartisan authors and staff, saying the bill was the result of extensive negotiations and should move forward without reopening the agreement. Members then considered several amendments. Norris offered a technical cleanup amendment, A44, to clarify language about embedding employees at the Department of Education, distinguish civil and criminal investigative authority, and update law-enforcement terminology; it was adopted. Anderson PE then offered and secured adoption of a technical amendment, A45, to correct a drafting error. Representative Cleorne offered A37 to add prepayment review procedures for all agencies, but it failed on a roll call, 65-67. Cleorne also offered A38 to appropriate $15 million for OIG modernization and data-sharing improvements, but withdrew it after noting it would be out of order. A39, which would have renamed the proposed law enforcement unit from an anti-fraud and waste bureau to an anti-fraud and enforcement unit, failed on a roll call, 66-67, after debate over whether “waste” should be included in the title and scope. During debate on the naming amendment, supporters argued the title should better reflect law-enforcement work and avoid implying the office was a “waste” agency, while opponents said the existing language reflected the bipartisan working-group agreement and that changing it could jeopardize the bill’s progress. Representative West cited inspector general standards that include waste among their duties, and Representative Pinto questioned the substantive basis for opposing the change. Later, Representative Mhler offered A41 to eliminate the future law-enforcement agency entirely, arguing it would be duplicative and unfunded; the transcript cuts off before the vote on that amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• In other cases, you have just an evolution of an executive branch or a bureaucratic system that is functioning
• In other cases, you have just an evolution of an executive branch or a bureaucratic system that is functioning
• To legislate to the executive branch most often.
• or the executive branch?
• The executive branch, we execute, right?

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• This clarifies that it's under the executive branch.
• This clarifies that it's under the executive branch.
• This clarifies that it's under the executive branch.
• This clarifies that it's under the executive branch.
• <00:16:08.560> branch agency was part of the executive branch agency was part of the executive

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I also am here as the chair of the Court Executive Advisory Committee, representing the 58 court executives
• So I'm here as the chair of the Court Executive Advisory Committee, representing the 58 court executives
• That, as we heard from the judicial branch, has already been implemented.
• I think you're the most underfunded branch, and I think that...
• My name is Linnell He, and I'm the Executive Director of Appellate Defenders.

Summary: The committee heard extensive testimony on Proposition 36 and its implementation, with judicial and budget officials describing it as a major shift from misdemeanor to felony processing for repeat drug possession and certain theft offenses. Witnesses explained that the law creates a treatment-mandated felony process that can lead to dismissal if a defendant completes treatment, but also requires evaluations, court monitoring, and potentially long, open-ended supervision. Judicial representatives said the new law is already generating large numbers of filings, creating workload, staffing, courtroom, and facility pressures, and that access to treatment beds, housing, and evaluation capacity is limiting participation. Several speakers emphasized that collaborative courts are effective but are not a perfect fit for Prop. 36 because those programs are typically probation-based and serve different risk/need populations. Court officials from San Bernardino and Orange counties said the impacts vary by county but are severe, with some counties seeing hundreds or more filings in a short period and others moving more slowly to build treatment infrastructure first. They argued that Prop. 36 is effectively an unfunded mandate unless the state provides more resources for judges, staff, facilities, treatment, housing, and supervision. The Legislative Analyst’s Office noted that Prop. 36 will reduce the Proposition 47 savings that fund mental health and substance use treatment grants, but said the near-term reduction is relatively modest and that the full effect will take time to appear because of the way those savings are calculated. Members of the committee repeatedly raised concerns that the state is underfunding the courts and counties needed to carry out the new law. The committee also reviewed the Governor’s proposed trial court operations budget, including a partial restoration of a prior $97 million cut and additional ongoing funding. Judicial branch officials said the restoration helped avoid furloughs, hiring freezes, and service reductions, and supported cybersecurity, technology, staffing, and records management. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more detail on how midyear restorations are handled and consider clarifying language for transferring unspent trial court trust fund monies to the General Fund. Finance said the flexibility in the ongoing funding was intentional and would be taken back for consideration. In a separate item, the committee heard testimony on a $6.3 million increase for Supreme Court and Courts of Appeal appointed counsel programs. Judicial officials and appellate project representatives said the system is facing a crisis because indigent appeals have risen sharply while the number of panel attorneys has fallen, leaving many cases waiting months for counsel. They argued the proposed increase would help but is still below what is needed to recruit and retain attorneys and prevent delays that affect criminal, juvenile, and child welfare cases. The committee also discussed the Tracy courthouse project in San Joaquin County, where local officials said reopening a courthouse closed since 2011 is necessary to serve a growing population and relieve overcrowding elsewhere. The LAO and Finance both noted the project is next in line under the facilities plan, though LAO suggested the Legislature could consider whether other facility priorities should come first.

Transcript Highlights:

• I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVE AND EXECUTIVE ORDER BUT IF I
• RECALL CORRECTLY THE GOVERNOR IS IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THIS IS THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH THAT ACTUALLY
• >> IF THERE WAS A DIRECTIVE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH THAT IS UNLAWFUL AND OF COURSE THE AGENCY WOULD
• IT WILL BE GREAT TO SEE THE POTENTIAL PROVISIONS HAPPENING WITH THEM BOTH LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OR PERHAPS
• >> THERE IS ONE MASTER LEASE FOR THE PROPERTY EXECUTED IN 1975.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The assumption is that both groups—the executive branch and the legislative branch—are all for the most
• They work for all of us, and they are in the executive branch as well.
• In the executive branch as well, we see ideas and things that need to be looked at.
• In contrast, as you've heard, we're made up of equal membership from the executive and legislative branches
• U.S. policymakers, program managers within the executive branch, and lawmakers all have to do a better

Bills: SB197, HB140, SB214, HB214, HB147, HB270, SB73

Keywords: business regulation, nonprofit entities, electronic filing, merger agreements, limited liability companies, partnerships, property transfer, termination fees, HB140, private sewer systems, wastewater utilities, Public Service Commission, PSC jurisdiction, utility regulation, rate setting, rate consolidation, affiliated systems, common ownership, private utilities, sewer rates