Transcript Highlights:

• We had more job vacancies than we had workers to fill them.
• <00:09:37.600> than<00:09:37.839> we<00:09:38.000> had we had more job vacancies
• than we had we had more job vacancies than we had workers<00:09:38.480> to<00:09:38.720> fill
• <00:10:13.920> job balance point where for every job balance point where for every job vacancy
• but many of applying to their vacancies but many of them<00:13:07.279> don't<00:13:07.519>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And number two, it ensures timely filling of vacancies in the Minnesota Department of Health Home Care
• <00:05:37.280> in<00:05:37.360> the timely filling of vacancies in the timely filling
• of vacancies in the Minnesota<00:05:37.840> Department<00:05:38.200> of<00:05:38.320><
• The language in this bill lays out a clear and common-sense timeline for filling the vacancies.
• filling the vacancies. filling the vacancies.

Bills: HF3526, HF3375, HF3469

Keywords: home care, licensing, fines, advisory council, grant program, client safety, healthcare regulation, HF3375, Minnesota disability waiver, waiver rate system, human services, individualized home supports, individualized home supports with training, individualized home supports with family training, positive support services, employment support services, employment development services, employment exploration services, billing limits, service authorization year

Transcript Highlights:

• He said we have about a 25% vacancy rate.
• He said we have about a 25% vacancy rate.
• He said we have about a 25% vacancy rate.
• He said we have about a 25% vacancy rate.
• He said we have about a 25% vacancy rate.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The House convened with a quorum, approved the journal, and then moved out of order to consider Senate Joint Resolution 7, recognizing February 2026 as Black History Month. The resolution was read at length and grounded in the history of Black history commemoration, Carter G. Woodson’s work, the evolution from Negro History Week to Black History Month, and Colorado-specific Black leaders and pioneers such as Barney Ford, Clara Brown, John T. Gunnel, Joseph H. Stewart, and others. Members emphasized that Black history is American history and that the centennial observance should honor both the struggles and achievements of Americans of African descent. Several representatives spoke in support. Representative Bacon described the resolution as an important tradition and said the chamber should record its history. Representative Joseph framed Black history as a living story of resilience, innovation, and justice. Representative Jackson said the resolution matters especially amid efforts to erase or minimize Black history, and tied it to Colorado figures and to her own family history. Representative Carter highlighted the importance of naming schools after Black Coloradans and introduced guests, including educators and community members connected to the resolution. Representative Gonzalez also spoke in support and honored a community member, Tony Gomes, who died of cancer. Representative DeGraaf stated full support for the resolution but offered a lengthy amendment to add more historical references, including Black patriots of the American Revolution, Nat Love, James Beckwourth, Harriet Tubman, and the Tuskegee Airmen. The transcript ends during his proposed amendment, and no final vote or disposition on the resolution is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, two of the boards have vacancies.
• Um, I mentioned that one of those boards has had vacancies for multiple years.
• , terms of why there have been vacancies, terms of why there have been vacancies, you<00:58:41.599
• Um I mentioned that one of vacancies.
• <00:58:51.359> for those boards has had vacancies for those boards has had vacancies for multiple

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The Legislative Audit Commission heard a presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on its evaluation of the Office of Ombuds for Families (OBFF). Auditors said the office remains important because of Minnesota’s long history of racial disparities in the child protection system, but they found major problems with how OBFF is operating. The report said OBFF’s statutory duties are very broad compared with its small staff and budget, and that the ombuds persons are not carrying out all required duties while spending substantial time on activities not required by law. Auditors also said the office’s recent impact is unclear and that its complaint-handling work has significant deficiencies, including poor documentation, limited data, few policies, inconsistent handling, and failure to follow best practices. The presentation also focused on oversight and accountability. Auditors said OBFF’s three community boards, which are supposed to appoint and oversee the ombuds persons, have not provided adequate oversight: meeting requirements were often not met, attendance was low, and there was little evidence the boards were fulfilling their statutory duties. The auditors further said OBFF’s unusual structure, with no single designated leader and shared authority among the three ombuds persons, creates unclear lines of accountability. Their recommendations included revising OBFF’s statutory duties to better match legislative goals and resources, improving complaint-handling practices, strengthening board oversight, and establishing a single leadership position for the office. Members asked follow-up questions about racial disproportionality in out-of-home care, spending on nonrequired activities, and whether the ombuds persons met statutory qualification requirements. Auditors referred members to the report for more detailed data, said the office does not track expenditures by function, and noted that while the ombuds persons have relevant professional backgrounds, the evaluation raised concerns about whether they are meeting their duties as expected. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• That vacancy rate is currently at 20%, or 31 positions.
• authorized is largely due to a vacancy authorized is largely due to a vacancy rate<01:34:33.040>
• > at<01:34:40.639> 20%<01:34:42.000> um<01:34:42.159> or vacancy rate is
• So it impacts all of our divisions that have vacancies.
• All of the positions have vacancies.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Bills in the Third Reading, third reading of the bill: An act further regulating the filling of vacancies
• An act further regulating the filling of vacancies on the City Council relative to the office of ward

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The House first adopted several ceremonial resolutions, including recognition of the Melanoma Action Coalition, 411 directory assistance workers, the Plimpton Historical Society’s Deborah Sampson Day observance, and Frank and Alice Susky’s 80th wedding anniversary. Members also adopted an order extending the reporting deadline for the Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security on House No. 2424 to June 12, 2026. The chamber then took up House No. 5316, a bill promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment. The House voted not to concur with the Senate’s amended version and instead agreed to appoint a committee of conference, naming Representatives Cahill of Lynn, Vargas of Haverhill, and Vaughan of Wrentham. The House also suspended rules to advance local bills, including a Somerset bill allowing the town to prohibit water fluoridation and a Petersham bill authorizing continued employment of two police department members, both of which were ordered to a third reading. Later, the House passed several local bills on final action, including measures for Dartmouth liquor licenses and the Westwood charter. It also engrossed bills raising the Boston Police Academy entrance age, creating an attainable housing trust in Harwich, establishing an affordable housing trust fund in West H... (West H...bury), and regulating vacancy filling on the Marlboro City Council. The House adopted an order to meet again Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a formal session and roll calls at 1 p.m., and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Due to the vacancies on the Fifth Circuit courts that this appointment will help fill, she has been temporarily
• of the Judicial Selection Commission, which has been working tirelessly to continue to fill the vacancies

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Bills: HB9, SB2069, SB2342, SB2861, SB3123, SB2623, SB585, SB2211, SB2446, SB2919, SB2125, SB2116, SB2999, SB2656, SB2001, SB3169

Keywords: HB9, Hawaii Purple Heart state, Purple Heart, Purple Heart recipients, veterans, military, armed forces, service members, combat wounded, war veterans, military honors, state designation, symbolic legislation, honorary designation, Chapter 5 HRS, Hawaii Revised Statutes, military appreciation, veteran recognition, SB2069, Hawaii housing

Bills: HB95, HB111, HJR1, HM7, HM17, HM4, HM22, HM3, HM11, HM14, HM15, HM21, HM34, HB2, HB32, HB33, HB61, HJM2, HM23, HM24, HM26

Keywords: HB95, additional judgeship, district court, judicial district, First Judicial District, Second Judicial District, district judges, court administration, judicial staffing, caseload, access to justice, New Mexico courts, judiciary, judge vacancy, court backlog, state courts, water law, state engineer, civil penalty, compliance order

Transcript Highlights:

• So, at that particular point in time, uh, he was concerned about the vacancy savings as far as he had
• Uh, since then, uh, I rather than to I could give you a walk through 101 on vacancy savings, but I’m
• :40:21.520> concerned<00:40:22.000> about<00:40:22.240> the<00:40:22.320> vacancy
• uh he was concerned about the vacancy uh he was concerned about the vacancy savings<00:40:23.960
• savings, but I'm sure you don't vacancy savings, but I'm sure you don't want<00:40:42.120> to

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have a vacancy rate that you can't be happy about.
• Still have a high vacancy, a number of positions there, even at this facility, in an ideal world.
• We need to help you fill that with those vacancies, Mr.
• Chair, members of the committee, someone did ask About a vacancy rate.
• positions in the facility The vacancy rate is 32.

Transcript Highlights:

• House initial proposed budget proposed cutting over 3,000 FTEs from these agencies that represented vacancies
• Are we creating any type of incentive opportunities to try to fill in the vacancies within the Department
• Just thinking about the vacancies and some of the state jobs that were eliminated due to vacancies— .
• ..vacancies and some of the state jobs that were eliminated due to vacancies.
• We also have vacancies in some essential areas like the Department of Corrections, and so I did ask this

Summary: The House met on the final day of session, swore in Representatives Boyles and Hodgers, and observed a moment of silence for the Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as for Representative Rosenwald’s father. The chamber then moved into final budget work, with leaders outlining the plan to take up H.J.R. 5019, HB 7031, HB 5017, HB 5015, and then the general appropriations act once the Senate transmitted it. H.J.R. 5019, a proposed constitutional amendment to expand the budget stabilization fund, was explained and amended to raise the rainy day fund cap, require annual deposits, and allow withdrawals for critical state needs by a two-thirds vote; it passed 100-1. The House then adopted the conference report on HB 7031, the tax package. The bill repeals the business rent tax and aviation fuel tax, delays the natural gas fuel tax, creates or expands several sales tax holidays and exemptions, including permanent exemptions for disaster-preparedness items, hunting/fishing/camping items, and ammunition and firearms-related purchases, and makes changes to property, corporate income, local tax, and economic development provisions. Members debated the removal of recurring housing trust fund and transit-related revenue streams, the new ammunition exemption, and the data center tax changes; supporters argued the package reduces taxes and preserves annual budget flexibility, while opponents raised concerns about housing, transportation, and gun violence. The conference report passed 93-7. HB 5017, creating a debt reduction program funded by a recurring transfer to retire state bonds early, passed unanimously. HB 5015, the state group insurance conforming bill, which directs DMS to develop a formulary management plan and codifies the administrative health insurance assessment, also passed. The House then began explanation and questions on the fiscal year 2025-26 general appropriations act, described as a $115.1 billion budget that is down $3.8 billion from the current year and includes more than $12 billion in reserves. Subcommittee chairs summarized major spending areas, including pre-K-12 funding increases, health care funding for Medicaid, KidCare, nursing homes, opioid treatment, and mental health, transportation and economic development funding, environmental and water projects, higher education, state administration, justice, and information technology. Questions focused on school vouchers, inflationary pressures on school districts, and the adequacy of funding for housing, transportation, and other priorities.

Transcript Highlights:

• So they had some funded vacancy savings that they covered those costs.
• <05:08:48.958> We series 100 out of vacancy savings.
• We series 100 out of vacancy savings.
• 50.878> in<05:08:51.200> the talked about vacancy savings in the talked about vacancy savings
• So they had some uh funded vacancy So they had some uh funded vacancy savings<05:08:55.920> that

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It brings ready-to-work individuals right into our tax base to fill local vacancies.
• base to individuals right into our tax base to fill<00:03:24.879> local<00:03:25.280> vacancies
• /c><00:03:26.640> These<00:03:26.959> new<00:03:27.120> Kuckians fill local vacancies
• These new Kuckians fill local vacancies.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00 Roll Call: 00:38 HB 576 discussion: 01:56 HB 576 voting: 06:54 HB 593 discussion: 08:25 HB 593 voting: 21:58, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Workforce Investment met with a quorum and first considered House Bill 576, which would create the Kentucky Talent Recruitment Grant Program. Representative Robert Duvall said the bill is intended to address Kentucky’s workforce shortage by funding local recruitment efforts for out-of-state talent, with grants of up to $500,000 to cities, counties, and nonprofits, a required 20% local match, and performance-based payments. He said the program is modeled on existing efforts already operating in Kentucky and cited projected economic and tax benefits. The committee substitute removed an appropriation and emergency clause so funding would go through the regular budget process, and members approved the committee substitute, the bill, and a title amendment with favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 593, sponsored by Representative Josh Bray, which addresses data centers and utility costs. Bray said the bill is designed to protect ratepayers from subsidizing data center infrastructure and to ensure projects either bring their own generation, use power purchase agreements, or pay upfront for any needed transmission or generation upgrades. He explained that the committee substitute made mostly technical changes, including giving municipal utilities more time to set tariffs, clarifying terms, adding exemptions for certain TVA- and DOE-related projects, and preserving existing contracts and net metering arrangements. Members asked about local control, the $75,000 prepayment, and TVA authority; Bray said the prepayment covers utility due diligence and screens speculative projects, local requirements must be certified before incentives apply, and TVA is federally regulated. The bill received supportive comments from several members, who emphasized protecting utility bills and ratepayers, and it passed the committee with favorable expression.

Transcript Highlights:

• For the last several years, our top priority as a union has been to reduce the vacancy rate at our state
• Since we started this work around 2020, we haven't seen the statewide vacancy rate drop below 20%, and
• Within our union positions, the vacancy rate is often as high as 33 percent.
• I just checked yesterday, and our vacancy rate at DOH is 33 percent.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have almost 4800 vacancies though, with the correctional officers.
• Some of you that may not know, but in 2022, we had 8300, uh, correctional officer vacancies in the state
• So we've got about 20% vacancy rate on our, uh, teacher positions.
• And keep in mind that 20% vacancy rate that we have.

Transcript Highlights:

• when you say, uh, some of these workers into the state government are you talking about existing vacancies
• or, if we have vacancies open?
• It's stretched over the two bienniums. add if we have vacancies open yeah if we add if we have vacancies

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• represents state employees at 13 agencies, about 2,700 positions. 27% of which are vacant due to high vacancy
• management is unable or unwilling to grant the leave due to coverage issues resulting from high vacancies
• comp time because they are the employees that are not allowing their departments to fail due to high vacancy
• theft, and we believe that it is only fair for those employees who are in departments with very high vacancy

Transcript Highlights:

• submitted to DHRD to put a shortage differential on every classification of work with 20% or higher vacancies
• /c> classification of work were 20% and classification of work were 20% and higher higher higher vacancies
• 27.160> kind<00:13:27.279> of<00:13:27.440> address<00:13:27.839> that vacancies
• to kind of address that vacancies to kind of address that members<00:13:29.839> any<00:13:30.000

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs heard several bills on January 27, 2025. SB 24, relating to identification, would require the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help inmates obtain civil ID cards and other vital documents for reentry. Testimony was overwhelmingly in support from DCR, the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission, DHS, the Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, health and youth advocates, and others, with comments emphasizing that reentry should begin on day one and that lack of identification is a major barrier to housing and employment. A senator asked about the low number of IDs issued in 2022 and DCR said it already has a satellite ID card machine at Hālawa and plans to procure more for other facilities. The committee recommended passage of SB 24 as is. SB 474, relating to psychologists, would require DCR clinical psychologists to obtain licensure within 10 years of employment and would sunset in 2035. DCR strongly supported the bill, citing a severe staffing shortage, low exam passage rates, and many vacant positions, while the Hawaiʻi Psychological Association expressed concerns and one testifier argued psychologists serving incarcerated people should be licensed before employment. Committee members questioned whether the 10-year period was too long and discussed alternative solutions such as pay incentives and shortage differentials. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, shortening the licensure period to 5 years, moving the sunset to July 1, 2030, and making other technical changes. SB 353, relating to emergency management, would clarify emergency authority, bar suspension of public records or vital statistics requests during emergencies, define “severe warning,” and allow the legislature or city councils to terminate a state of emergency. DHS and HMA opposed the bill, arguing it could limit executive flexibility and cut off access to the major disaster fund, while supporters included public-interest and good-government groups. The committee discussed whether legislative termination authority could interfere with ongoing emergency response and recovery, with the bill’s sponsor explaining it was aimed more at situations where emergency conditions have ended, such as prolonged COVID-era proclamations. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including a delayed effective date and committee report notes referencing DHS request data and HMA’s opposition. The committee also heard SB 259, relating to recordkeeping for secondhand dealers and pawn brokers, and SB 37, relating to recordings of law enforcement activities. SB 259 was set for amendment and deferred decision-making to January 29, 2025, so the committee could seek input from HPD. SB 37 drew support from the Legal Clinic and other advocates, with a clarifying question about civil enforcement actions, and the committee recommended passage with amendments and a delayed effective date. The meeting concluded with the committee adopting its recommendations and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, the method by which a locality opts into rent regulation involves a survey of the vacancy
• And then if there's a vacancy rate in that housing, that is the basis for determining that they have
• There are numerous jurisdictions that adopt rent regulation of various kinds without measuring the vacancy

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Committee on Housing, Construction, and Community Development met on March 31, 2026, with a quorum present and noted that the Legislature was in budget negotiations and approaching a scheduled break. The committee took up several housing-related bills, with most being reported to Finance after discussion. The first bill, S.3742A, would require information to be provided in new and renewal leases for certain housing accommodations, and it was reported without opposition. S.4659B, the Rental Emergency Stabilization for Tenants Act, generated the longest debate; supporters said it would give local governments outside New York City a more flexible way to determine a housing emergency and opt into rent stabilization, while opponents argued it lacked a clear vacancy-rate standard, could discourage development, and would benefit higher-income tenants. The bill was ultimately reported, with some negative votes and one or more votes without recommendation. The committee then discussed S.8168, which would create a deconstruction and salvage framework for building materials, including local options, technical assistance, grants, and related code updates. Supporters said it could reduce landfill use, lower disposal costs, and encourage reuse markets, while opponents questioned costs, market demand, and whether the program would raise housing and demolition expenses. The bill was reported, again with some negative or without-recommendation votes. S.8595, dealing with how certain valuations and amounts due are calculated in foreclosure actions, was also reported. S.8672, the Employer-Assisted Housing Matching Grant Act, would provide a state match for employer housing assistance for certain nonprofit human services employers; members raised concerns about scope, possible double-dipping, and whether the program should be expanded to other workers, but the bill was reported with some negative and without-recommendation votes. The final bill, S.94A, made a minor amendment to the Housing Access Voucher Pilot Program regarding priority applicants and unit inspections, and it was reported as well. Throughout the meeting, members repeatedly emphasized that several proposals were optional for local governments or employers rather than mandates, and many of the exchanges focused on affordability, housing supply, local control, and the fiscal effects of the bills. No floor votes were taken; the committee’s actions were limited to reporting the bills to Finance, with some reported favorably and others reported with negative or without-recommendation votes.