Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, was there a funding allocation in the governor’s budget for this program?
• It’s a voluntary program. Yes. I just want to clarify that. So we’re not mandating any... No. No.
• But we already have an incentive program to buy the EVs in the first place. Right.
• Lays out a specific program to encourage the secondary market.
• They currently have a new vehicle rebate program, so it will just attach onto that. Thanks.

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, chaired by Senator Kevin Parker, considered a lengthy agenda of energy- and utility-related bills. The committee discussed measures on utility outage penalties for combination utilities, a NYSERDA-backed electric landscaping rebate program, stronger utility storm response compliance, a study on utility reporting of late payments to credit agencies, a used zero-emission vehicle rebate program, alternative fuels along the New York State Thruway, a property tax exemption for energy-related utility real property, a NYSERDA pilot microgrid at Glenwood Houses, a prohibition on PSC approval of certain utility rate increases, a sustainable aviation fuel tax credit, a usage monitoring program, and a bill on denial of increased utility rates and charges. Several bills prompted questions about who would pay for the programs or penalties, with sponsors and staff repeatedly stating that fines would be paid by utilities and that many programs would be funded through NYSERDA or existing appropriations, though members raised concerns about whether ratepayer funds or system benefits charges could be used. The electric landscaping rebate bill drew extended debate over whether its equipment definitions could allow companies to use battery equipment charged by generators, while the microgrid pilot and used EV rebate bills were defended as investments to improve reliability, lower peak costs, and build a secondary EV market. Senator May spoke in support of the Glenwood Houses microgrid and the related investment rationale. Most bills were advanced after motions and votes, often with some no votes or without-recommendation votes. The committee reported several measures to third reading, including the utility outage penalties bill, the utility storm response bill, the utility rate increase restriction bill, the usage monitoring program, and the denial of increased utility rates and charges bill. Other bills were advanced to the Finance Committee, Budget and Revenue Committee, or Local Government Committee, including the electric landscaping rebate program, the used EV rebate program, the alternative fuels bill, the tax exemption bill, the Glenwood Houses microgrid pilot, and the sustainable aviation fuel tax credit.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they kept the PERS pilot program intact. So that process remains the same. They did.
• It did remain as a two-year pilot program.
• So we'll still do the report at the end of the pilot program as far as the cost and impact to PERS.
• The other. pilot program detail as part of that.
• So at the start of the pilot program, there's a cost-benefit analysis done.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The conference committee on HB 1248 met to review differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill, which concerns the PERS pilot program and insurance mandate process. Rebecca Frickie, executive director of PERS, explained that the Senate version removed the House provisions repealing the insurance mandate process, kept the two-year PERS pilot intact, and preserved the requirement for a report at the end of the pilot while removing language that would have required PERS to submit a bill to expand coverage to the commercial market. Members discussed the bill’s cost-benefit analysis requirements. Frickie said the current law triggers a cost-benefit analysis at the start of the pilot and again when a bill is introduced to roll coverage out commercially, but the Senate draft would change that to only one analysis at the end of the pilot if a rollout bill is introduced. Legislative Council indicated that if the committee wants that simplified approach, additional conforming changes are needed elsewhere in the code. Senators also asked about the purpose of the initial analysis and whether it is used beyond being attached to the bill packet; Frickie said PERS relies primarily on its own actuary and was not aware of broader use. The committee discussed whether the revised process would still require legislative sponsorship for any future rollout, and Frickie confirmed that a legislator or other sponsor would need to introduce such a bill. Examples mentioned included insulin caps and breast exams as possible future pilot items. The committee agreed to request Legislative Council draft the needed language changes and planned to reconvene after receiving the updated draft; no final vote was taken and the meeting was adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The first one is early intervention day program, we call it EIDD.
• The second one is adult day program.
• And then the fourth program or service is intermediate care facilities.
• So these are very important programs for a lot of people in Arkansas.
• You hope to get into an ABA program.

Summary: The Arkansas Legislative Autism Task Force approved the April 1, 2026 meeting minutes and then reviewed several vacant membership slots on the task force, including appointments from the Arkansas Psychology Board, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, UAMS, and parent or guardian positions. Members discussed trying to fill those vacancies before the next meeting, and noted that if they remain open they may be addressed in the task force’s legislative report and through possible statutory changes in the next General Assembly. Representatives from the Developmental Disabilities Provider Association (DDPA) and Civitan Services presented on DDPA’s role serving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Arkansas. They said DDPA now represents 80 providers serving more than 13,000 individuals in 75 counties, with services including early intervention, adult day programs, supported employment, intermediate care facilities, work activities, and community/residential waiver services. They also shared survey data on older clients and said these services remain available to seniors with IDD, including people with autism. The task force then heard a proposal to amend Act 656 of 2021 to include licensed psychological practitioners as qualified providers for autism waiver-related evaluations. The presenter argued this would reduce wait times, avoid duplicate assessments, and help families access services sooner, while still maintaining quality standards. Members asked about training, licensure, and whether other professionals such as speech-language pathologists or audiologists should be included; Dr. Scott noted that current practice already relies on a two-provider model and that speech-language pathologists play a role because autism diagnosis considers communication, cognitive ability, and language. The discussion also touched on the need for proper testing standards and board oversight. No vote was taken on the amendment, and the meeting ended with plans to return to fraud-related discussion and to begin prioritizing recommendations for the 2027 session before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Among our member providers, these are the programs that are available.
• The first is early intervention day program, or EIDD.
• The third program is supported employment.
• So these are very important programs for a lot of people in Arkansas.
• You hope to get into an ABA program.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bay County, and the Pompano RYZE program in Broward County.
• in addition to nursing education programs.
• , institutional health science education degree, or certificate program.
• in addition to nursing education programs.
• institutional health science education degree or certificate program.

Summary: The Fiscal Policy Committee met and first adopted a late-filed amendment to SB 774, which expands enhanced workers’ compensation coverage to 911 public safety telecommunicators for mental or nervous injuries. The bill drew supportive testimony from a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher and others, and was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably SB 770 on forensic services for certain defendants, which would allow the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to consolidate secure forensic services for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism whose charges were dismissed after incompetency findings. Members then considered several public safety, family, and workforce bills. CS/SB 86, which declares unauthorized aliens operating commercial vehicles an imminent safety hazard and imposes vehicle impoundment and a $50,000 penalty on motor carriers, was reported favorably after questions about impound procedures and cargo handling; one speaker opposed it. SB 1594, protecting veterans’ benefits for foster youth so the funds are reserved for postsecondary education, training, and after-care services, was reported favorably with supportive testimony from a former DCF attorney. CS/SB 760, creating a new offense for willful violations of no-contact pretrial release conditions in violent crime cases, was reported favorably despite criminal defense attorneys’ concerns about a provision allowing warrantless arrests without officer observation. The committee also approved a complete rewrite of the nonprofit corporations chapter in SB 554, a sickle cell continuing education bill (SB 844) after extensive emotional testimony from patients, advocates, and family members, and SB 1022 adding two children’s initiative programs in Bay County and Broward County. CS/SB 1246 broadened the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to include health science education programs and related workforce needs and was reported favorably. Finally, the committee approved CS/CS/SB 1230 restricting use and sale of certain firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS, and CS/CS/SB 128 directing DEP to mark Red Harris Spoil Island; both passed with favorable votes. Several senators later asked to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on specific tabs, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• Through this program, the state has optimized nearly $1.5 billion.
• And with me today, I have the Secretary of the Healthcare Authority, which is over this program.
• If this program is eliminated in 2030, the HDAA program has stabilized and strengthened the state's health
• The program will ultimately phase down by about two-thirds.
• Our program is new—it's about three years old.

Bills: SB101, SB58, SB55

Keywords: SB 101, Health Care Delivery and Access Act, repeal of repeal, sunset repeal, delayed repeal, health care, healthcare, access to care, medical services, provider regulation, state health law, New Mexico, SB58, metropolitan redevelopment, redevelopment property, property tax exemption, payments in lieu of taxes, PILOT, municipal redevelopment, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• They're already eligible for the federal programs.
• Because the existing program is fairly complicated. It works very well.
• It's not part of the maintenance program, which is what we're talking about here.
• The fact of the matter is, quite frankly, this program is operated by UF/IFAS.
• So getting this over to FDACS, we may bring in a lot of the BMP program...

Summary: The Committee on Environment and Natural Resources heard and approved several bills. SB 636 by Sen. Leek would create additional pathways for counties and municipalities to obtain critically eroded beach or area of critical state concern designations, with the sponsor and supporters describing it as a forward-looking beach management approach that could improve access to state and federal funding. Questions focused on whether the bill imposed an unfunded mandate and how it would affect existing designations; the sponsor said it was voluntary and not retroactive. Pepper Uchino of the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association supported the proactive concept but stressed that funding remains the central issue. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also considered CS/SB 544 by Sen. Truenow, which transfers the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Program from DEP to FDACS. The sponsor said the move would improve continuity and encourage more golf courses to enroll in BMPs, while maintaining existing environmental requirements and enforcement through DEP if problems arise. Senator Smith and an opponent from the Florida Springs Council questioned whether golf courses are truly agricultural and raised concerns about water quality protections and possible tax or land-use implications; supporters from the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association said the bill does not change taxation or existing nutrient reporting requirements. After a technical amendment, the bill was reported favorably, with Senator Smith voting no. CS/SB 848 by Sen. Truenow, dealing with stormwater treatment and water quality enhancement areas, was also amended and reported favorably. The sponsor said the bill clarifies the difference between permanent, secured water quality credits and stormwater allocations, and the amendment would allow WQEAs to address new stormwater rule requirements until rulemaking is complete and make public-land reviews forward-looking only. A representative of Resource Environmental Solutions supported the measure and said it would help create a reliable market for water quality credits. The committee then approved CS/SB 546 by Vice Chair Mayfield, which strengthens public notice requirements for the sale or exchange of state conservation lands and extends similar notice requirements to water management districts; conservation groups and Sen. Smith supported the bill as a transparency measure. Finally, DEP presented its State Park Amenities Report, estimating nearly $759 million in repair and maintenance needs over 10 years and $1.39 billion in contemplated new construction and development across the state park system. The committee took no further action and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It removes the sunset on the aggregate supply chain grant program.
• detailing program details for interested businesses.
• Is there a current program? I was trying to understand the analysis and the language.
• Is there a current program under Commerce that gives grants for this?
• We don't have a program that gives grants currently under the department.

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to consider a full agenda of bills, beginning with CS/CS/SB 1662, the Department of Transportation agency bill. Senator Collins presented a strike-all amendment that retained creation of the Florida Transportation Academy, clarified the Florida Transportation Research Institute, restored legislative budget commission review for certain work program amendments, adjusted small-business and supply-chain grant provisions, added airport and seaport accountability measures, and allowed special blanket permits for oversized cranes to travel at night under FDOT safety protocols. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also favorably reported SB 574, allowing Florida Purple Heart license plate holders to pass tolls free, and CS/SB 824, creating a specialty plate supporting Florida Highway Patrol troopers and scholarships. The committee then took up CS/SB 324, which creates a revolving low-interest loan program at the Department of Commerce for small businesses harmed by significant public works construction. Senator Smith described a local example involving prolonged sewer work in Orlando that hurt businesses in the Lake Ivanhoe district. Members raised concerns about fiscal impact, eligibility standards, proof of loss, business age, and whether financial records should be protected from public disclosure. The bill was amended to remove a hotline, add a webpage, and refine liability language, and the committee reported it favorably. The committee also favorably reported CS/SB 1714, requiring local housing assistance plans to include support for mobile home owners, including lot-rent assistance; CS/SB 766, revising registration requirements for agents and organizations tied to foreign countries of concern; and CS/SB 1024, creating specialty plates for the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy. Additional measures approved included CS/SB 1246, authorizing a Save Coastal Wildlife specialty plate with proceeds going to the Zoo Miami Foundation; CS/SB 1644, expanding warning light use for volunteer firefighters, medical staff, and organ transport vehicles, with discussion focused on Hatzalah emergency services; SB 1152, increasing the Florida Wildflower specialty plate fee to support conservation, research, and native seed industry development; and CS/SB 532, exempting 100% disabled veterans from tolls. An amendment to SB 532 also added Purple Heart recipients to the toll exemption. Several members requested to be recorded voting in the affirmative on selected tabs, and the committee adjourned after all bills were reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• The substitute makes transfers from the water fund to the program funds irreversible.
• Under both of these programs, existing facilities need support.
• It's been an incredibly successful program.
• So, it's been a very, very successful program.
• gathered for each funding program, how much we can fund and how much remains.

Bills: SB7

Keywords: water infrastructure, financial assistance, Texas Water Development Board, water supply, environmental sustainability, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,<00:22:29.840> helping nonprofit vocational programs, helping nonprofit vocational programs
• Paul supporting programs in West St.
• Thank you, and the work that you're doing with your AIM program, the program that you're doing to help
• <00:26:46.880> doing program, the program that you're doing program, the program that you're
• effective programs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to xylazine, and ways to address any gaps in available programs and services.
• and one of the oldest harm reduction programs in New England.
• They could be monitored in their sort of medical monitoring program called SPOT.
• Have come into a service program for drug checking information.
• And then sharing information across peer programs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Special Commission on xylazine held its first meeting, with House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Co-Chair John Keenan outlining the commission’s charge and a proposed work plan. The commission is tasked with studying the public health and safety impacts of xylazine in the illicit drug supply, including whether it should be scheduled as a controlled substance, how to regulate its production and distribution, and how to improve outreach and treatment for people exposed to it. Members were told the report deadline had been extended to March 30, 2026, and staff proposed a series of public hearings and working groups leading to a final report. The meeting also included attendance, packet materials, and procedural planning. The first major testimony came from BSAS Director Deirdre Calvert, who described xylazine’s appearance in Massachusetts drug supply data, the state’s public health alerts, and DPH’s partnership with Brandeis, CDC, and harm reduction organizations. She emphasized four priorities: reducing stigma and discrimination in health care, expanding self-directed wound care support and coverage for supplies, expanding access to drug checking and test strips, and supporting low-barrier services such as mobile vans and drop-in centers. Commission members asked about first responder awareness, medical education, and whether harm reduction services might face federal restrictions; Calvert said misinformation remains a problem and noted ongoing training efforts, including collaboration with public safety agencies. Several other speakers reinforced the need for low-barrier care and drug checking. Dr. Raghini Jala, an infectious disease and addiction medicine physician, said xylazine has become a common component of the unregulated opioid supply and urged support for rapid-response education teams, community-based drug checking, and better hospital and detox protocols for xylazine withdrawal and wounds. Recovery coach Alan Young testified from lived experience, describing severe wounds, fear of inadequate withdrawal treatment in emergency settings, and the value of mobile care vans that can provide methadone, buprenorphine, and wound care in the community. Dr. Sarah Wakeman echoed the need for naloxone, rescue breathing, low-threshold treatment, and non-stigmatizing health care settings, while Sarah Macon of the Boston Public Health Commission described Boston’s harm reduction and drug checking work, including on-site testing, wound care, and a decline in opioid mortality. Tracy Green of the Massachusetts Drug Supply Data Stream explained that xylazine has declined in recent samples while metatomidine is rising, said drug checking is increasingly used but still not enough, and argued for more funding, staffing, and statewide access to real-time drug checking and harm reduction services.

Transcript Highlights:

• This program is a formula award program of federal money, known as Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure
• It's a formula award program that goes to states and tribes. It is a five-year program.
• <00:22:43.440> Uh Uh it is a five-year program. Uh Uh it is a five-year program.
• . program. program.
• In Kucky's program, eligible entities.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The House Budget Review Subcommittee heard testimony from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on the state-owned dam repair program and Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program. On dams, Commissioner Tony Hatton explained the legal definition and hazard classifications for Kentucky dams, noting there are 975 regulated dams statewide, including 76 state-owned dams, and that hazard ratings are based on potential loss of life or property damage if a dam fails. He described the cabinet’s screening criteria, including inundation mapping, engineering condition, and compliance status, and said the cabinet uses a design-bid-build procurement process to manage public funds responsibly. Hatton outlined current and planned dam projects funded from the prior biennium, including Willisburg Lake in Washington County, where work will address hydraulic capacity, unstable downstream slopes, and likely require a coffer dam, flood wall, auxiliary spillway, and raw water line replacement. He also said Big Bone Lake State Park Dam will be decommissioned, Clemens Lake Dam at Morehead State University is in design for a major rehabilitation, and additional projects include Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chenoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and a rehabilitation study for the Mud River at Lake Malone. The cabinet also requested $500,000 for routine repairs and maintenance. Members questioned cost estimates, inflation, and whether it would be better to fund design separately; cabinet officials said estimates are current best engineering estimates, costs have generally stayed within about 10%, and the current funding flow requires all funds to be available before bidding. The committee then received a status update on the electric grid resilience program, a five-year federal formula grant under Section 40101(d) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Officials said Kentucky has received years one through three of funding, which has been allocated to state park facilities and municipal electric utilities, while years four and five have not yet been received and would go to distribution cooperatives and remaining municipal utilities. Projects discussed included upgrades at Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village, plus municipal projects in Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville. The cabinet said the selected projects focus on hardening infrastructure, replacing poles, wires, conductors, and transformers, improving vegetation management, and adding or upgrading outage management systems. Officials reported that all projects are under contract and moving into subcontracting and construction, while the Department of Parks is finalizing an agreement with Western Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative for the park-related work.

Transcript Highlights:

• and program funding.
• And I think this program... The appointed counsel program is summed up.
• With the program, we are a stopgap.
• We need a streamlined rental assistance program.
• We need a streamlined rental assistance program.

Summary: The committee held a work session in Mill Creek focused first on the eviction process. Judge Michael Scott of King County Superior Court described historic highs in unlawful detainer filings across Washington, especially in urban counties, and said King County has reduced its backlog and average time to resolution to about 60 days by adding two dedicated eviction judges and using more judges when needed. He also described how King County and other counties are implementing the right to counsel for indigent tenants, and noted that additional housing commissioners may help. Office of Civil Legal Aid representatives Philippe Knapp and Jane Paxe said the statewide appointed counsel program has represented more than 30,000 tenants, referred clients to social services, and helped many remain housed, but they warned of a funding shortfall that could eliminate about 17 attorneys and leave roughly 2,000 tenants without representation. A landlord-side panel argued that eviction timelines remain too long and fragmented, creating unpaid rent, safety issues, and uncertainty for both landlords and tenants; they urged more uniform procedures, streamlined rental assistance, and procedural changes to reduce refiling and delays. The second work session addressed theft and vandalism of critical infrastructure, especially copper and telecom cable theft. Committee staff reviewed existing criminal and regulatory laws covering malicious mischief, theft, scrap metal businesses, and metal property deception. Comcast, Mason Public Utility District, and the Recycled Materials Association testified that theft of aerial cable and copper has become a crisis affecting power, internet, 911 service, schools, hospitals, and line-worker safety. Utility representatives described outages, hazards, and rising costs, and asked for stronger audits of scrapyards, tougher penalties for theft affecting critical infrastructure, and tighter rules on payment and identification. Recyclers said they oppose the thefts and already operate under heavy regulation, but acknowledged enforcement gaps and the need for better coordination; committee members discussed possible bill concepts and asked for written recommendations. The final work session covered standards for law enforcement personnel. Criminal Justice Training Commission Executive Director Monica Alexander and Assistant Director Kimberly Bliss explained current certification and decertification rules, including background checks, training requirements, mandatory and discretionary grounds for decertification, and the hearing process. They said elected sheriffs are not currently required to undergo the same pre-election background check as other applicants, though they can still be decertified if already certified, and they reported a backlog of more than 1,000 cases with about 70 to 80 new cases coming in each month. Retired Judge Ann Levinson then outlined ways the legislature could strengthen and align standards for chiefs, sheriffs, and marshals, including requiring certification within a set time, setting a minimum age, requiring recent state background checks, and making loss of certification a vacancy in office. Committee members asked questions about accountability for elected sheriffs, background-check administration, and decertification outcomes.

Transcript Highlights:

• that the state may be required to share in the costs of the administration of this new regulatory program
• that the state may be required to share in the costs of the administration of this new regulatory program
• regulatory program and of new inspection regulatory program and it<00:17:53.919> would<00:17:
• <00:25:53.039> preschool<00:25:54.039> kindergarten program preschool kindergarten program
• A community paramedicine mobile integrated health program, or a CPMI program, would focus on more community-based

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Health heard testimony on several measures. On HB 1233 relating to storm water management, the Attorney General’s office said the state may need to share costs with counties for any new inspection or regulatory program. Testifiers strongly supported the bill, including the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association and a community member who described her daughter’s death in a poorly maintained detention pond and urged statewide inspections and a comprehensive approach. A member asked the Attorney General about the cost-sharing issue, and the office said state appropriations would be needed if counties are required to take on new duties. The committee then heard HB 245 on student heat exposure safety. The Department of Education, Department of Health, and the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities supported the measure. A physician testifying for the Climate Change and Health Working Group described children’s vulnerability to heat and cited examples from other states that adopted stronger heat guidelines after school heat deaths. The Department of Education said it could do the feasibility study without additional funding and preferred to wait for the study before deciding on equipment needs. The Attorney General’s office later testified on HB 903, authorizing schools to maintain bronchodilators, supporting the concept but warning that the bill’s definition of school was broad and that DOE may not have jurisdiction over all covered entities; it suggested changing “protocol” to “guidelines” and involving the Public Charter School Commission. On HB 1314 relating to youth mental health, the Department of Education testified in opposition, though no additional testimony was offered. The committee also heard HB 1334 on meat donation, with DLNR and the Hawaii Farm Bureau supporting the measure. HB 799 on health care drew support from HMSA and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, while the Department of Health said it supported the intent but wanted amendments, including limiting the bill to Maui, adding a sunset, and requiring a study of quality and access impacts. On HB 952 relating to Parkinson’s disease research, the Department of Health said the proposal would require additional appropriations and staffing and suggested a public-private partnership approach; the Hawaii Parkinson Association, Queen’s clinicians, and other supporters testified that a registry would help identify the number of patients and improve care. Finally, SHPDA strongly supported HB 1431 establishing an oral health task force, saying the state lacks sufficient dental oversight and that both keiki and kūpuna need better access to services.

Transcript Highlights:

• vulnerabilities in program integrity. vulnerabilities in program integrity.
• <00:03:12.480> processes The second uh area, program processes The second uh area, program
• all programs. all programs.
• taxpayer dollars and program integrity. taxpayer dollars and program integrity.
• Or they've been denied from that program, but program A doesn't even know that program B has denied them

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs both the unemployment<01:29:27.280> program<01:29:27.719> but<01:29:27.920>
• <01:30:42.080> for Unemployment Compensation Program for Unemployment Compensation Program
• <01:31:21.960> we week toe eligibility based program we week toe eligibility based program
• unemployment program, Reemployment Services programs.
• a short-term disability program.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> Um, I think it would be a good sector to include in the enterprise zone program.
• Um so not only is the geography program.
• Right now, they do not qualify for the program. What about creative industry?
• Uh, we currently award about 20 out of around 50 applicants per year from the current program.
• restricted to the SER program. restricted to the SER program.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Tourism heard six bills on February 5, 2026, covering timeshare registration, Agribusiness Development Corporation authority, a North Kohala land parcel, business competitiveness, state enterprise zones, and Hawaii Technology Development Corporation. Testimony was largely supportive across the agenda. For SB 2359, DCCA said the bill would streamline annual renewals and plan amendments for timeshares, though it still wanted review time rather than automatic acceptance. For SB 2169 and SB 2170, ADC and Hawaii Farm Bureau supported the measures; members asked about condemnation authority and the intended agricultural use of the North Kohala parcel, with ADC stating it had no current lands it was seeking to condemn without authorization and that the parcel would be suitable for crops such as cucumber, eggplant, and tomato. SB 2263 drew broader discussion about how to measure and improve Hawaii’s business competitiveness. UHERO’s Dr. Steven Bond-Smith supported the bill’s intent but cautioned against relying on a mainland-oriented composite ranking as a benchmark for Hawaii, arguing it could mischaracterize the state’s economy. DBEDT responded that Hawaii must compete within the broader U.S. landscape and that the bill would add accountability and planning around competitiveness goals. On SB 2360, which revises the state enterprise zone program, DBEDT and other supporters said the program helps stimulate business activity and that the bill would better align the program with current business needs; a witness from Min Plastics said the current definition excluded businesses that do substantial custom manufacturing work, and another testifier urged combining enterprise zones with foreign trade zones. Committee questions focused on current zone locations, reporting, and whether technology, aerospace, and creative industries should be included. For SB 304, which concerns the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation, HTDC said the bill would expand allowable uses of funds and help support local companies as federal R&D grant opportunities change; it currently awards about 20 grants from roughly 50 applicants each year. After testimony, the committee recessed and then took up decision-making. It recommended passage of SB 2359 with amendments, including extending a review period from 45 to 60 days; SB 2169 with technical amendments; SB 2170 with amendments blanking out the bond appropriation amount; SB 2263 with amendments and a new definition section; SB 2360 with amendments; and SB 3084 with amendments blanking out its appropriation amount. All recommendations were adopted without objections, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Speaker, and just really celebrating the great works of the New Mexico MESA program. Fantastic.
• I know they have a program... They have a lot of initiatives going on, specifically with Luna.
• She is also, along with being in the MESA program, a part of the tech leaders at her high school.
• They eat these vegetables as part of their lunch program at the school.
• Community-based domestic violence programs. House Bill 130.

Bills: HB1

Keywords: feed bill, legislative appropriations, legislative branch, New Mexico Legislature, general fund, legislative council service, legislative finance committee, legislative education study committee, house chief clerk, senate chief clerk, per diem, mileage, session expenses, interim committees, district staff, capitol complex, capital outlay data system, legislative processing system, redistricting, census redistricting

Transcript Highlights:

• Stacey Boone, she's our Senior Statewide Program Manager for Behavioral Health.
• We've received three petitions and accepted one into the program.
• Program.
• And so we've begun these programs, and now we're not going to be able to continue those programs until
• We do have graduates of that program.

Transcript Highlights:

• care programs in the single-rate system for future fiscal years.
• And climate programs is fiscally irresponsible.
• , and $500 million for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program.
• stipends to students in teaching certification programs and funds numerous important programs and services
• served by the program that are intended to protect and strengthen the program for future years.

Summary: The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, first establishing a quorum and then moving through a long budget and concurrence session. After procedural motions, the house took up several budget trailer bills and related measures presented by Assembly Member Gabriel. SB 103, a technical budget cleanup bill addressing the Public School System Stabilization Account, a CDCR shortfall, and Middle Class Scholarship funding, passed 52-16. SB 120 on child care and preschool funding passed 65-1; SB 124 on natural resources and wildfire response passed 69-1; SB 127 on climate change and zero-emission transportation passed 53-17; SB 128 on transportation and DMV/LA Olympics implementation passed 53-17; SB 132 on taxation, veterans, wildfire settlements, film tax credits, and housing passed 64-1; SB 141 on cannabis enforcement and illicit market suppression passed 71-1; and SB 142 extending the Deaf and Disabled Telecommunications Program passed 68-1 on both urgency and the measure. The Assembly also approved a motion to re-refer several bills to committees and later suspended rules to take up Senate-amended bills without reference to file. The chamber then considered AB 102, the main budget bill reflecting the final three-party agreement with the Governor. Supporters said it balanced compassion and fiscal responsibility while preserving housing, health care, child care, education, wildfire resilience, and public safety funding. Opponents criticized it for unsustainable spending, insufficient Prop. 36 funding, and other omissions. After extended debate, the Assembly concurred in the Senate amendments by a 55-16 vote and sent the bill to the Governor. The Assembly then concurred in Senate amendments to AB 116 on health care, AB 118 on human services, AB 121 on TK-12 education, AB 123 on higher education, AB 134 on public safety, AB 136 on courts, AB 137 on general government, and AB 143 on developmental services, with each bill passing on largely party-line or broad bipartisan votes. Debate on AB 116 focused on Medi-Cal, HIV program backfills, pharmacy benefit managers, and health care cuts; opponents objected to funding for undocumented immigrants and to hospice prior authorization. AB 118 drew support for child welfare, CalFresh disaster readiness, and CalWORKs simplification. AB 121 emphasized record K-12 funding and a $1.7 billion block grant. AB 123 extended the Golden State Teacher Grant Program and supported higher education and fire-impacted career technical education. AB 134 updated CDCR and tribal policing provisions, AB 136 streamlined court reporting and funded courthouse facilities, AB 137 made technical budget adjustments and fee changes, and AB 143 made developmental services reforms while preserving the state’s entitlement commitment. The final item shown was AB 470 on telecommunications, which was presented and discussed as a transition away from copper landlines toward fiber and modern networks, with supporters emphasizing public benefits and labor concerns, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.