Transcript Highlights:

• Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and<00:02:46.720
• understand what the amendment states understand what the amendment states rather<00:31:08.920>
• <00:35:43.960> state the state state the state state Department<00:35:45.560> of<00
• The state is doing periodic clarified. The state is doing periodic data<01:02:49.000> matching.
• the state of Minnesota was 2.1%. the state of Minnesota was 2.1%.

Bills: HF4110, HF4101, HF4144, HF3546

Keywords: workplace regulations, employee rights, meal breaks, rest breaks, exemptions, medical assistance, data matching, eligibility, reporting, human services, assisted living, health regulations, inspection authority, vulnerable adults, local government, program integrity, high-risk providers, enrollment requirements, fraud prevention, compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• been admitted to into the United States been admitted to into the United States and<00:29:30.000
• Back in 2017, the Secretary of State and the commissioner of safety compared the voter database from
• the November 2016 election with the DMV database and issued a joint report stating that 6,540 individuals
• In 2017, the Secretary of State and the commissioner of safety compared the voter database from the November
• 2016 election with the DMV database and issued a joint report stating that 6,540 individuals presented

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• passed it hence force allows the state passed it hence force allows the state party<00:45:51.280
• the at the state at the state archives the at the state at the state archives all<00:50:39.119><
• <00:50:52.160> will cost to it and secretary state will cost to it and secretary state will
• Are they charging the state with harming them, so the state would be the defendant in every case?
• There is basically the state.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• information to the Secretary of State information to the Secretary of State um,<00:14:07.040>
• /c><00:14:57.760> then<00:14:57.920> the<00:14:58.160> DMV state or within the state
• then the DMV state or within the state then the DMV or<00:14:58.959> the<00:14:59.279> voting
• <01:35:04.080> local<01:35:04.400> enabling state goes to change local enabling state
• the state level? the state level?

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that at least we the people of the state that at least we the people of the state of<00:04:07.200
• One of the things I did in state government was, among other things, be the person that state agencies
• NYU pays these attorneys, not the state, which may violate state law.
• not the state which may violate<00:21:23.559> state<00:21:23.840> law<00:21:24.679>
• should<00:26:59.760> the States States in Minnesota should the States States in Minnesota

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So, thank you and my state on that.
• state procurement office. state procurement office.
• state uh is mandated by state state uh is mandated by state constitution<01:09:58.080> and
• It would only apply to the state.
• It would only apply to the state. It would only apply to the state.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1525, which would appropriate funds to counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting, provide money to the Office of Elections to print and mail the voter information guide to all registered voters, and support a public outreach campaign to increase voter participation. The Office of Elections supported the bill and estimated costs of a little over $2 million to print and mail the guide and about $178,000 for outreach, noting it spent about $441,000 on election advertising in 2024. Testimony from advocacy groups including Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Common Cause Hawaii, and Indivisible Hawaii strongly supported the measure, emphasizing access for neighbor island voters, people with disabilities, new voters, and voters who need ballot assistance. County election officials from Honolulu, Maui, and Kauai provided comments or testimony that were more cautious. They said additional funding would be welcome, but staffing and logistics remain major constraints, especially for election-day service centers. Honolulu’s city clerk said funding alone would not necessarily solve long lines, while Maui’s county clerk explained that voter service centers require trained seasonal employees, extensive training, and the ability to handle many ballot styles. Maui also described its current pop-up sites, including Hana, as expensive but necessary for remote communities, and said the county is already running at bare minimum staffing. Members asked questions about who decides how many service centers are opened, how staffing is handled, and whether there is a middle-ground model between the old precinct polling places and the current voter service center system. Honolulu explained that county clerks make those decisions under current law and that the county has tried pop-up sites in addition to its main centers. The discussion also noted that in 2024 most voters used vote by mail, while a smaller number used early in-person voting or final-day service centers. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• > consistent The state must mandate consistent The state must mandate consistent standards<00:21:
• Minnesota's<00:21:44.240> state-managed, Minnesota's state-managed, Minnesota's state-managed,
• . state. state.
• what a couple other states are doing. what a couple other states are doing.
• <01:23:25.160> Daycare we're lacking in this state. Daycare we're lacking in this state.

Bills: HF4277, HF3819, HF3489, HF4408, HF3901, HF4316

Keywords: child care, child care center, day care, licensed child care, video security cameras, surveillance, security cameras, maltreatment, child abuse, child safety, public and shared areas, camera mandate, child care assistance program, CCAP, Great Start Compensation Support, early learning scholarships, licensed provider, Minnesota Statutes 142B.68, Harvey's Law, privacy

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:56.160> of worst natural disaster in the state of worst natural disaster in the state
• study ever done in the state of Hawaii. study ever done in the state of Hawaii.
• These are red states.
• These are states also at the red states.
• State level coordination is the done. State level coordination is the next<01:06:23.039> step.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Public Safety held an informational briefing on the second anniversary of the Maui wildfires, with Chair Dela Alani framing the discussion around emergency preparedness, recovery, and lessons for future disasters. The main presentation came from researchers involved in the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study, who described the project as a grassroots academic-community partnership that has enrolled more than 2,000 adults and children for health screenings, social assessments, and biomonitoring. They said the study has documented elevated mental and physical health conditions, housing instability, unemployment, barriers to care, and exposure to heavy metals and other toxicants, while also noting some modest improvement in adult mental health and self-rated health compared with the prior year. The presenters emphasized that wildfire impacts remain severe two years later. They reported that about half of adult participants had worsening health since the fires, roughly 40% had direct or frequent fire exposure, and many adults showed chronic disease burdens such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory impairment. They also said about half of adult survivors reported depressive symptoms, about a quarter had moderate to severe anxiety, more than 4% had considered suicide in the prior month, and nearly one in four had PTSD. A clinician from the Lahaina Certified Community Behavioral Health Center described the clinic’s no-turn-away model, with case management, therapy, psychiatric evaluation, and medication management for anyone who needs it, and urged lawmakers to fund and expand that approach. The researchers also highlighted environmental findings, saying urine testing of more than 1,200 adults found heavy metal signatures that differed between burn-zone residents and those on the perimeter, with higher levels associated with displacement and ash re-exposure. They said about 20% of participants had higher-than-expected heavy metal levels 6 to 12 months after the fires, and cited a negative association between nickel levels and lung function. They argued for long-term monitoring, better cleanup methods, and a centralized health surveillance system tied to community outreach. No vote or formal committee action was taken during the briefing; the chair said the presentation materials and related reports would be posted for public access, and members were invited to ask questions after the presentation.

Transcript Highlights:

• um my community and the greater state um my community and the greater state community. community
• districts, they'll use the state districts, they'll use the state insurance<00:23:06.559> and
• Megan Deanfelder, state committee.
• But these states are catching up. And I will not sit back and let these states pass by Wyoming.
• >> I'm the state agency. >> I'm the state agency.

Bills: HB0023, HB0024, HB0025

Keywords: extracurricular activities, public school participation, enrollment, Wyoming, student access, charter schools, application process, authorizers, public hearing, community support, scholarship, education, eligibility, continuous enrollment, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Today I'm here representing the State Veterans Advisory Committee, and uh we're chartered by state RSA
• And it's state if you can find it.
• <00:34:01.840> from information from uh databases from information from uh databases from
• The bill for ADUs across the state.
• the state.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Recreation ELR 802 Jessica puff State Recreation ELR 802 Jessica puff State historic<00:02:15.720
• We have 25% of our state covered in invasive grasses, and we manage 26% of the lands in the state.
• Okay, but is it only state lands that you're looking at, or we're looking at state lands and, to the
• Okay, but is it only state lands that you're looking at, or we're looking at state lands and, to the
• That is state property. Me and you can just go cut out state property and live there.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• affecting the revenues of the state affecting the revenues of the state under<00:02:50.560> rule
• <00:35:22.224> [clears throat] and Family database [clears throat] and Family database [clears
• The state highway system is 2700 miles. The state highway system is 2700 miles.
• , pressures as the state, pressures as the state, increasing<00:58:12.720> pressure<00:58:
• So if you're driving out of state.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Telework saves the state time and money. It saves state workers time and money.
• This is not a new issue for state agencies or state employees.
• These states will begin issuing multi-state licenses in 2026.
• standing to apply for a multi-state license in their home state.
• standing to apply for a multi-state license in their home state.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce met with a quorum and took up a long list of pending House bills, most of them on motions by Senator King or Senator Campbell. The committee adopted committee substitutes and favorably reported numerous bills, including HB 252, HB 700, HB 1500, HB 1545, HB 1562, HB 1732, HB 267, HB 2213, HB 2221, HB 2520, HB 2818, HB 3016, HB 3214, HB 3250, HB 3512, HB 3623, HB 3689, HB 3833, HB 4063, HB 4395, HB 4690, HB 4751, HB 5331, HB 3824, HB 4464, HB 4468, and HB 5247. Most of these were sent to the local and uncontested calendar, while some, including sunset and other significant measures, were reported to the full Senate. HB 146 was the only bill reported out on a divided vote, passing 6 ayes to 4 nays. Several bills received brief explanation of committee substitute changes. HB 3016, dealing with rental car collision damage waivers and stolen vehicles, was amended to change a cooperation standard from “fully cooperate” to simply “cooperate.” HB 3689, a major ESF/TWA financing bill, was described as making technical changes to align terminology with the Comptroller’s authority and to avoid creating state debt or new liability. HB 5247, a capital cost recovery bill for transmission in the Permian Basin, was revised to clarify how the new mechanism fits with existing Utilities Code provisions and to add a 2035 expiration date. HB 3824, the battery fire safety bill, also received technical changes to align terminology with industry usage. The committee heard public testimony on several pending measures. HB 3069, which would direct the PUC to develop supplemental multi-decade planning criteria for transmission certificates in ERCOT, drew support from industry, environmental, and manufacturing witnesses who said it would help address congestion costs while balancing consumer protections; the bill was left pending. HB 5196, requiring state agencies to adopt and post telework policies and use written telework agreements, received both support and concern: supporters said it would preserve productivity and retention, while a senator raised concerns about notice and family logistics; it was left pending after testimony. HB 3112, allowing closed deliberations on cybersecurity policy details, was laid out and left pending after brief discussion. HCR 102, supporting federal nuclear tax credits, drew testimony from nuclear industry and energy advocates, who argued the credits are essential for existing plants, new nuclear development, grid reliability, and U.S. competitiveness; the resolution was left pending, with discussion about whether the language should focus more exclusively on nuclear. HB 705, creating a cosmetology licensure compact, was supported by industry, employers, and compact experts as a mobility tool that preserves state authority; HB 3516, expanding a public information exemption for Railroad Commission administrative law judges and technical examiners, and HB 3388, authorizing group property and casualty coverage for personal lines, were also heard and left pending. At the end of the meeting, the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• If you took the states with the number, that, that's more bridges than any other state, if you took the
• We have 23 of those in the state of Texas.
• The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles supports mobility across the state by administering state motor
• These states are investing billions to leverage ports as an economic tool for their state.
• and from other states.

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative States, you're recognized. Representative States: Thank you, Mr. Chair.
• Thank you, Representative States.
• I'm director of a state agency, one of 5 in the state. We have a long name.
• I'm the founder of State Armor.
• Bruce Bartlett: State Attorney for the 6th Circuit. Been State Attorney...

Transcript Highlights:

• Today, we will hear from our state agency.
• Today, we will hear from our state agencies about how the state prepares for a response to these storms
• As I stated in my portfolio, I have IT, finance, As I stated in my portfolio, I have IT, finance, communications
• part of the state of Florida.
• We have a great synergy among state agencies.

Summary: The Natural Resources and Disaster Subcommittee met to continue its review of hurricane impacts and state response. The committee first heard from the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which described its four core functions—preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation—and highlighted its 24/7 State Watch Office, regional training efforts, and disaster assistance work. Deputy Executive Director Keith Pruitt detailed the state’s 2024 storm response, including Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, citing large-scale mission support, flood-control deployments, meal and water distribution, power restoration, debris removal, and billions in disaster funding and mitigation dollars. He also discussed debris management challenges and recommended that local governments update and exercise debris plans and maintain contingency contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• State Senator Catherine Blacksphere, Jim Wallace, Executive Director, California State Senator Catherine
• the state to establish standards and criteria for testing microstamped firearms, ...direct the state
• States v.
• Green (2005) and United States v.
• Certainly in our state and in probably almost all other states, none of those children were at an age

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on Emerging Firearm Technology met to review its work on intentional microstamping and personalized firearms and to discuss draft recommendations for a final report. The co-chairs summarized testimony received from manufacturers, advocates, law enforcement, and officials from New Jersey, New York, and California. For microstamping, the discussion focused on how the technology could help trace spent casings, its limits in forensic use, and concerns about wear, tampering, implementation costs, and whether it would burden lawful gun owners. For personalized firearms, members reviewed testimony about biometric smart guns, their current commercial availability, higher cost, and potential benefits for preventing accidental shootings and unauthorized use, especially involving children and suicide prevention. Commissioners expressed a range of views. Several supported microstamping as a crime-solving tool and endorsed a recommendation that the legislature direct a feasibility and viability study, set standards and training, fund implementation, and create penalties for tampering. Others opposed microstamping, arguing it has not worked in other states, may not reduce crime, and could impose costs on manufacturers and owners. On personalized firearms, most commissioners supported encouraging the technology, but there was disagreement over whether to create a temporary sales tax exemption; some favored an incentive to promote adoption, while others opposed any tax subsidy for firearms or questioned whether the data justified it. The co-chairs said they would draft a report reflecting the majority consensus and circulate it for review before a final vote at a later meeting, likely in July. The commission also discussed which executive branch agency should conduct the microstamping feasibility study, with the Attorney General’s office and EOPSS mentioned as possibilities. The meeting ended with agreement to reconvene for final votes on the report and recommendations.

Transcript Highlights:

• for the states increased dramatically in every state that has licensed iGaming.
• non-iGaming states.
• That additional in-person spending could have supported those states and those states' residents. a loss
• states residents.
• Spending could have been supported, could have supported those states and those states' residents.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure held a hearing on a range of gaming, racing, horse protection, problem gambling, and lottery bills. A major focus was H. 356 and related horse-racing legislation, which drew strong support from residents and animal-welfare advocates who argued that proposed racetrack and simulcast developments should require upfront traffic, environmental, public health, and economic studies, plus stronger local approval and transparency. They said past proposals in several communities had lacked adequate information and had imposed costs on towns. Opponents, including the New England Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, argued that the bills would harm racing, breeding, farms, and related jobs, and said horse racing is already heavily regulated and that claims about slaughter and safety were overstated. Several speakers also supported S. 280, which would protect horses and phase out or restrict horse racing, citing animal cruelty, injuries, and deaths. The committee also heard extensive testimony on SB 235 and HB 332 to authorize regulated online casino gaming (iGaming). DraftKings, FanDuel, IDEA, and the Sports Betting Alliance supported the bills, saying iGaming is already occurring illegally in Massachusetts and should be brought into a regulated, taxed market with age verification, responsible gaming tools, and consumer protections. They projected substantial annual tax revenue and argued legal iGaming would not cannibalize brick-and-mortar casinos, instead creating a “rising tide” effect. Opponents, including Local 26, the National Association Against iGaming, and problem-gambling advocates, warned of job losses, casino cannibalization, increased addiction, and greater harm to vulnerable players, citing experiences in other states and rising helpline calls. The committee asked for follow-up information on revenue and market-size estimates. Later, Rep. Scanlon testified in support of S. 240 and S. 241, which would standardize gambling disclaimers and require annual reporting on problem-gambling treatment funded through the Public Health Trust Fund. He said the bills would make it easier for people to find help and improve oversight of treatment programs. Rep. Garcia testified in support of H. 434, which would change the formula for distributing lottery revenues, arguing that gateway and lower-income communities such as Chelsea contribute heavily to lottery sales but receive too little back in local aid. After hearing additional testimony and reading into the record bills that received no testimony, the committee recessed briefly, then closed the hearing by motion and vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislature has clearly stated that we need a consistent state standard rather than a patchwork
• They often point out that our state does not appropriate.
• We will be the first state in the country to do that.
• throughout the state.
• We exist all throughout the state of Florida.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The State Administration Budget Subcommittee will come to order.
• We divided the state up into regions.
• So we, the state, The state has purchased a PeopleSoft product as its accounting system.
• And so, PeopleSoft to meet our state needs.
• look at New York, look at different states.

Summary: The State Administration Budget Subcommittee heard presentations from the Department of Financial Services on the My Safe Florida Home program, the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot, and the Florida PALM financial system replacement project. For My Safe Florida Home, Stephen Fielder explained the wind-mitigation grant program, including its inspection-first process, two-to-one matching grants for most homeowners, low-income exemptions from the match, and eligible improvements such as roofs, clips/straps, water barriers, and opening protection. He reported roughly 109,000 initial inspections, nearly 59,000 grants approved, 31,000 final inspections, 25,000 reimbursements, and about $240 million paid out through the end of 2024. Members asked about premium savings, contractor pricing, fraud, owner-builder eligibility, reimbursement timing, and whether the program should have a dedicated funding source; Fielder said the program is currently closed, more than 40,000 people have signed up for updates, and the office has seen some price-gouging and impersonation issues but no major fraud trend. The committee also discussed the new prioritization rules that took effect July 1, 2024, which direct grant awards by age and income. Fielder said the program used a survey of existing applicants to implement the new priority groups and that the first group was over age 60 and low-income. Members raised questions about how premium reductions are measured, whether insurance company changes or rising insured values affect the data, and whether the program can track long-term outcomes after reimbursement. Fielder said the office reports raw premium changes based on declarations pages, knows the insurer for participants, and has validated results with multiple insurers, but does not track homeowners after they leave the program or enforce continued insurance coverage. For the My Safe Florida Condo Pilot, Fielder said the program is modeled on the home program but uses association-level applications, a maximum grant of $175,000 per association, and a similar two-to-one match. He said the application window opened briefly in November and was closed quickly because available funding could be exhausted and the department is prohibited from creating a waiting list. He identified several needed statutory changes, including better distinguishing condos from single-family homes, adjusting roof requirements for flat concrete roofs, and revisiting the unanimous unit-owner vote requirement, which he said has been a major obstacle. Chair Lopez noted the pilot is intended to be a learning process and thanked DFS staff for identifying implementation issues. The final presentation covered Florida PALM, the state’s effort to replace the 40-year-old FLAIR accounting system with a PeopleSoft-based financial management system. Fielder and PALM Director Jimmy Cox said the project began in 2014, the state contracted with Accenture in 2018, cash management went live in 2021, and the project was paused in 2022 for legislative review and remediation. They said the system is expected to go live in 2026, possibly in July rather than January, and that the project has spent about $225 million to date, with a current-year budget of about $60.9 million and a projected next-year request of about $64 million. Members asked about cybersecurity, cloud hosting, project scope, and whether the system is unique to Florida; staff said the system is not Florida-specific, access is credentialed through agency identity management, and the cloud host location is confidential. After the presentations, Chair Lopez assigned members to work with specific agencies on budget review meetings, asked them to discuss agency structure, priorities, staffing, waste reduction, and other budget issues, and set a deadline to report findings in the first week of regular session. The meeting then adjourned without objection.