Transcript Highlights:

• discovered did you report discovered did you report or<00:46:52.119> that's<00:46:52.720>
• speak to the State University system speak to the State University system because<01:10:49.520><
• working together and working we ended up working together and working it<03:44:47.640> out<03:
• Also, on page 24, the report notes that there is a problem with the American legal system because we
• <04:19:24.359> uh<04:19:24.560> work NOS doing the resettlement work uh work NOS doing

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on HB 650, a housekeeping-style bill from the Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds. Testimony explained that the bill would remove references to two already-repealed dedicated funds, split the state parks dedicated fund so Cannon Mountain winter activities would be tracked separately from the rest of the parks system, and place a $1 million cap on the robotics education fund so excess money would revert to the general fund. Supporters said the changes were mainly administrative but would improve accounting and avoid timing issues; committee members asked about a typographical error in the bill text and whether the measure was more than housekeeping. The committee later voted 16-0 to recommend HB 650 ought to pass, and then placed it on the consent calendar. The committee also opened a public hearing on HB 585, which would revise the property tax exemption for religious organizations. Representative John Janigian, the sponsor, said the bill was intended to help small churches and other religious groups that own parsonages or worship buildings but no longer have a resident pastor, allowing them to rent space or use property for church purposes without losing the exemption so long as the money is used for church operations, maintenance, or outreach. He described his Salem church’s parsonage being taxed after it was no longer occupied by a pastor, and said the bill would prevent similar burdens on small congregations. Former Representative Betty Gay testified in support, describing prior assessor actions in Salem that taxed church land and buildings very aggressively, while a Municipal Association representative testified in opposition. Committee members raised questions about how terms such as “regularly recognized and constituted denomination” would be defined, whether the bill could be applied consistently to larger denominations with multiple parishes, and whether legislative research should review past treatment of similar cases.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:28.520> with<00:08:28.680> our system where you have um work with our system
• <00:08:43.200> with adult system and um we were working with adult system and um we were working
• And I'm just wondering, now that you've done this mapping, the extent to which our IT systems are working
• That's what I want our systems and Granite Families going to work seamlessly together.
• That's what I want our systems and Granite Families going to work seamlessly together.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first handled organizational business, electing Representative Mark Pearson as chair for the coming term, appointing Representative Lucy Weber as clerk, and approving the November 22 minutes with abstentions from members who were absent. Members also noted excused absences for Senator Avard and Representative Jessica Lontine. After the vote, the committee moved to the DHHS commissioners’ update. DHHS associate commissioners Patricia Tilly and Chris Santinello described a process-improvement effort to improve transitions for youth moving from DCF care into adult developmental services and Medicaid. They said the old process was fragmented, dependent on personal relationships, and not sustainable, so staff from DCF, the Bureau of Family Assistance, Developmental Services, and public health used a Kaizen/Lean event to map the workflow, identify bottlenecks, clarify roles, and create a more consistent playbook. Members asked about IT support and whether the process would create new bureaucracy; DHHS said current systems are antiquated, especially DCF’s CWIS, but the goal is to streamline coordination, not add bureaucracy, and future systems like Granite Families may help with reminders and age-based ticklers. Several members praised the work, including a CASA volunteer who said the added attention has improved services for vulnerable youth. The committee then received the annual healthcare-associated infections update from Ctin Hansen of the Division of Public Health Services. Hansen reported that New Hampshire’s HAI program, created by statute, tracks infections in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, and long-term care facilities. For 2023, hospitals reported fewer infections than predicted nationally, with 135 infections statewide and 174 C. diff infections also below national rates; hospital influenza vaccination was 89.9%. Ambulatory surgery centers reported low infection counts and an 80.1% staff flu vaccination rate; dialysis centers reported fewer infections overall than the prior year but higher local access-site infections, with staff vaccination at 52.6%; and long-term care facilities reported a 50.1% flu vaccination rate, up from 37.8%. Hansen also said the program conducted over 100 investigations, handled 84 antibiotic-resistant organism reports, completed 20 infection-prevention assessments, and operated on a budget of about $348,000 plus grant funding, including an Epidemiology Laboratory Capacity Grant that was later reduced.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, members, it's work time. Here we go. Okay, members, it's work time. Here we go.
• system in education.
• The current governance structure is not working.
• And I know that the Position, the work is very recognized, and especially the work from the chair himself
• I can't say enough about her work.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the way they want the system to work. This is why they brought their net.
• Thirty percent of the time, the text report that they have the wrong part when they come to work with
• I couldn't go to work. My team that I was working with at work could not understand...
• that works. ...repairs for the young folks coming up behind me who deserve a system that works, and
• By requiring the Bureau to create guidelines for licensing these technicians who work on these new systems

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure opened with logistical remarks about testimony procedures, time limits, accessibility supports, and the large number of witnesses. The first bill discussed was H. 451, which would allow professional license applicants who do not have a Social Security number to use an ITIN instead. Supporters said the bill would help qualified workers, especially immigrants, enter licensed trades and professions without lowering training or testing standards, while addressing workforce shortages. Committee members asked a few questions, and the bill was framed as a uniform statewide licensing reform. The bulk of the hearing focused on S. 210 and H. 1278, two bills aimed at improving wheelchair repair and warranty protections. Supporters included the Attorney General’s Office, disability advocates, wheelchair users, clinicians, and legislators, who described long repair delays, missed work and medical appointments, loss of independence, hospitalizations, pressure injuries, and other harms caused by broken wheelchairs and slow service. They argued for stronger timelines, two-year warranties, required parts availability, loaner chairs, and enforcement mechanisms, with H. 1278 modeled on a Connecticut-style repair deadline and S. 210 focused on warranty protections. Several witnesses emphasized that wheelchairs are essential medical equipment, not ordinary consumer goods. Opposition came from NCart, which said it supports solutions but raised concerns that the bills, as written, could be difficult to implement for complex rehab technology. NCart said some warranty provisions may not fit wear-and-tear components and noted that MassHealth has already taken steps such as preventive maintenance, reduced prior authorization, and transportation support. Other witnesses and advocates countered that the current market is dominated by a few profitable companies and that the legislature needs to impose clear standards because voluntary fixes have not worked. The committee also heard testimony on S. 195, a toxic-free kids bill from Senator Comerford and Representative Hawkins, which would restrict PFAS and other toxic chemicals in children’s products and create disclosure and phase-out requirements. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• not represented, to help navigate the system, to work on draft rulemakings.
• These state employees work hard.
• Fire, we're going to be putting out an interim report this year and a final report next year, and you
• We have more work. We have fewer people. We have more licensed entities. We have more work.
• What works, what doesn’t. Who is an effective director? Who isn’t? What style works? What doesn’t?

Summary: The Committee on Director Nominations met with four members present and approved the prior minutes without objection. Chair Jay Kaufman outlined the committee’s role in reviewing executive nominations and explained the hearing process for three nominees: Mary Foote for the Office of Economic Opportunity, Debbie Johnston for the Department of Health Services, and Chuck Bassett. Foote did not appear for her hearing, and members discussed her absence and alleged omissions in her disclosure materials, including prior service with Planned Parenthood-related organizations. The committee then moved to reject her nomination, and the motion passed 3-2, recommending that the full Senate reject Mary Foote. Debbie Johnston, nominee to lead the Department of Health Services, appeared and gave an opening statement describing her Arizona background, prior Senate staff work, and more than 20 years with the Arizona Hospital and Health Care Association. She said her priorities at ADHS include rebuilding trust in public health licensing, improving stakeholder engagement, standardizing rulemaking communication, addressing alleged religious discrimination and retaliation concerns in licensing, and using technology and AI to improve efficiency. In questioning, senators pressed her on her management style, conflict-of-interest safeguards given her prior industry role, enforcement priorities, budget pressures, behavioral health and assisted living oversight, and the department’s response to COVID-19. Johnston said she would follow statutes, recuse herself from enforcement matters involving former contacts, and resign if directed to carry out an unlawful policy. She also said the department does not regulate therapy itself, only facilities, and that it would rely on legal counsel regarding the governor’s conversion-therapy executive order and related federal civil-rights allegations. Several senators focused on public health trust and the department’s pandemic response, with Johnston acknowledging concerns about closures, data collection, and communication during COVID-19 while saying she would review past after-action materials and be better prepared in the future. Public testimony from stakeholders in aging services and health care strongly supported her confirmation, praising her accessibility, responsiveness, and collaborative approach. After testimony, the vice chair moved to recommend Johnston’s confirmation to the full Senate. The roll call was underway when the transcript ended, with several members voting aye and one member expressing reservations about her not reviewing the pandemic after-action report before another crisis occurs.

Transcript Highlights:

• worked with lawyers for about 20 years. worked with lawyers for about 20 years.
• person to work a an unauthorized person to work a criminal<00:19:13.919> offense.
• works that we work States and unlawfully works that we work without<00:32:54.799> words<00:32
• works I'm really not an expert. works I'm really not an expert.
• <02:24:28.399> So, work in this. So, work in this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read, and amendments adopted.
• It was... ...and limitations of public water systems in responding to wildfire.
• And, by the way, this working group did exist last year as we worked on other important energy policies
• And, by the way, this working group did exist last year as we worked on other important energy policies
• Colleagues, great work this week. We're now entering into a three-day weekend.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We’re working with others.
• We’re working with others.
• and for law enforcement work.
• All right, members, so that's basically working with the legislation, working with the parks, and working
• based all right members so that's working basically working with the legislation working with the parks

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the Facts and Figures report that we released.
• And so there's a lot of work to be done in this space as well.
• It's a very exciting time to work on this disease.
• And so, you know, they have to take off time for work.
• And so, you know, they have to take off time for work.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• would guide our work. would guide our work.
• OLA reports.
• whistleblower reports." whistleblower reports."
• Uh Uh Uh I<00:57:37.120> have<00:57:37.960> worked I have worked I have worked at<00:57
• through me and my work area. through me and my work area.

Bills: HF3900, HF1849

Keywords: permanent school fund, school endowment fund, Minnesota constitutional amendment, school aid, public school funding, State Board of Investment, investment income, distributable amount, school districts, property taxes, income taxes, voter approval, ballot question, constitutional amendment 2026, education finance, fund perpetuity, purchasing power, trust lands, swamp lands, internal improvement land fund

Transcript Highlights:

• Reports of committees will be deemed read and amendments adopted.
• She first joined the board in 2021 and is the executive director for the Central Valley Health Policy
• racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity is essential to developing therapies that work
• We are best suited to advance real results that address aging at a systemic level through groundbreaking
• As we continue, in the long process of rebuilding and work through the discord and disagreement that

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or not represented, to help navigate the system, to work on draft rulemakings.
• These state employees work hard.
• We have more work. We have fewer people. We have more licensed entities. We have more work.
• months a month, having sort of a class time and then go back and work on this time and report next time
• We have more work. We have fewer people. We have more licensed entities. We have more work.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• When you talked about 40% layoffs, you're talking about working families.
• You talk about people who go to work every day, work hard, work for government.
• I used to work for government. I'm a retiree, but I love my job and I love serving people.
• When you talked about 40% layoffs, you're talking about working families.
• You talk about people who go to work every day, work hard, work for government.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So students in the pb Lcbo courses reported increased social work, knowledge and leadership communication
• And we've been sitting on workgroups through the development of that work with other work groups that
• Cpi has worked to keep children safe from abuse and neglect and worked to establish strong resilient
• and dignity, their work strengthens families reinforces community values and their work strengthens
• in 2023, the department spearheaded and facilitated a dedicated work group to bring together key system

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We did see a reduction of about 15% in campus workload across the whole system.
• Is the UC and the CSU system, the community college system, prepared to offer more work-study hours and
• We are, as a system, working with some lenders to try to get the best percentage interest rates for our
• The financial aid model is working.
• There hasn't been any notable increases for the community college system.

Summary: The subcommittee on Education Finance heard an overview of the governor’s budget proposals and higher education financial aid trends, with a major focus on the Middle Class Scholarship (MCS), Cal Grant spending, and the effects of recent federal student aid changes. The Department of Finance said the budget would fully fund Cal Grant at projected levels and reduce MCS coverage from 35% to 17.5% of unmet need in 2026-27, while the Legislative Analyst’s Office supported considering the reduction as a cost-saving measure given out-year deficits. UC and CSU representatives opposed the cut, saying MCS is important to affordability and debt-free degree goals; they estimated average awards would fall substantially and that campuses do not have funds to backfill the loss. The Student Aid Commission said the proposal would reduce aid but simplify administration, and members questioned how lower awards would affect students, borrowing, and work-study options. No vote was taken, and the issue was held open for possible future action. The committee then discussed federal changes to student loans and Pell Grant policy under H.R. 1, including caps on Parent PLUS loans, elimination of Grad PLUS loans, and new proration rules for federal direct loans based on enrollment intensity. The LAO said these changes would likely push some borrowers into the private market, especially graduate and professional students and some parents of students at private institutions. CSU said the changes would affect thousands of graduate and part-time students and could reduce access by about $97 million in loan availability for part-time borrowers, while UC said the new definitions of professional degrees were too restrictive and would reduce access for nursing, teaching, law, dentistry, and other programs. Community colleges said they use relatively little federal loan aid but are monitoring Workforce Pell. Members raised concerns about workforce impacts, social mobility, and whether the state should consider alternative loan programs or other ways to reduce student costs. This issue was also held open. In the segment financial aid update, the LAO reported Cal Grant spending is projected to rise to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by more recipients and higher awards tied to UC and CSU tuition increases, while CSAC said FAFSA and CADAA applications are up significantly year over year. CSU, community colleges, and UC described their aid packaging and rising aid totals, with CSU reporting over $5.5 billion in aid to 381,000 students, community colleges reporting over $4.3 billion to more than 920,000 students, and UC reporting $3.17 billion in grant aid to undergraduates. Members asked about Cal Grant reform, application trends, and long-term outcomes; UC and community colleges pointed to alumni and wage dashboards, and the LAO noted the state’s Cradle to Career data effort. The committee then took public comment, including testimony on library funding and other education-related priorities, and concluded by holding the issues open without formal action.

Transcript Highlights:

• This was the Facts and Figures report that we released.
• It's a very exciting time to work on this disease.
• But another thing that we've been working on is...
• I would be happy to work with you on that.
• To do this work, or the PAs to do this work, at least follow the patients, then they can see the new

Summary: The Arkansas Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Advisory Council met to introduce members, adopt its rules and procedures, approve prior minutes, and authorize the co-chairs to approve special expenses. The main discussion focused on updating the Arkansas State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, with David Cook of the Alzheimer’s Association outlining major changes in prevalence, caregiving burden, diagnostics, and treatment since the prior plan. He noted rising disease and caregiver numbers in Arkansas, the expansion of amyloid PET access, the growing use of blood-based biomarkers, and the availability of FDA-approved treatments such as Leqembi and Kisunla, while emphasizing that access, insurance coverage, and provider education remain major barriers. Members and presenters also discussed the need to better reach rural primary care providers, who may not be aware of new diagnostics and therapies, and the bottlenecks caused by limited specialists and infusion capacity. There was concern about overreliance on blood tests without confirmatory evaluation, and several members stressed the importance of collaboration, public education, and promoting brain health through exercise and diet. The council also heard about existing programs such as the dementia services coordinator, the BOLD grant, caregiver respite grants, workforce training, and a pilot dementia resource center with UAMS Centers on Aging. The council approved a new four-part outline for the next state plan: advancing risk reduction and brain health/early detection, strengthening family caregiver support, improving access to diagnostics and treatment, and supporting access and quality of care, including workforce and crisis response. Members also agreed to consider future agenda items on new treatments, brain health and lifestyle prevention, workforce training, and possible legislative changes to the enabling statute. The meeting ended with discussion of scheduling the next meeting, tentatively set for August 12 in Hot Springs, and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• How do we work for the common good of How do we work for the common good of everyone?
• officers report to the astant general. officers report to the astant general.
• May I interrogate the reporter? The reporter is interrogated. So, Mr.
• I thank the reporter.
• President. reporter. Um, just for the awareness of reporter.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by your vote, CS for SB 1444 is reported favorably. Is reported favorably. Thank you.
• As per the KPMG report last year, our prison system is unsustainable.
• in the court system.
• And by your vote, CS for SB 716 is reported favorably. Is reported favorably.
• . imbalance in the system.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they're working our population reports<00:19:47.360> are<00:19:47.919> are<00:19:48.720
• That's when the actual office itself had opened, and all the reports started coming out and the work
• That's when the actual office itself had opened, and all the reports started coming out and the work
• That's when the actual office itself had opened, and all the reports started coming out and the work
• We're working with CDC. When we get the final report, we've got a drafted report.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• biologists who are working for aphas. biologists who are working for aphas.
• work in in in extension. One is is 4. work in in in extension. One is is 4.
• Last year, you reported that you're working with Beam to improve the services.
• You reported that you were working with Beam. >> With Beam. [ Sighs and gasps ] Yeah, the Beam funding
• that<01:32:29.360> we<01:32:29.600> can working for long-term system that we can working

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 216, 20 January, 2026; 2:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: Mississippi State University officials testified in support of the university’s separately funded agricultural, forestry, and veterinary units, emphasizing their economic impact, research output, and need for continued state support. Keith Cobalt, vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, said the division generates a $1.7 billion impact on Mississippi, but warned that state and local funding has not kept pace with federal dollars or inflation. He argued that global competition, especially from China and Brazil, is hurting row crop and forestry producers, and highlighted a Vision 2030 study finding about $10 billion in agricultural and forestry value leaves the state through value-added processing. He also raised concerns about rural depopulation and proposed rural innovation hubs to help retain population and jobs. Nick Frank, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, said state appropriations make up about 25% of the college’s operating budget and are needed to support salaries, staffing, and service capacity. He described the college’s education, diagnostic, and clinical missions, including disease surveillance and responses to threats such as avian influenza, screwworm, and equine herpes virus. Frank said the college is expanding facilities with $18 million in 2024 state funding for a new farm animal hospital and cattle handling facility, but still needs additional support for equine and small animal renovations. He also requested support for rural veterinary scholarships and said inflation and salary competition from other schools and private practice are making retention difficult. In response to committee questions, Frank said the college enrolls about 118 to 119 students per class, with roughly 54 to 55 in-state students and tuition of about $29,900 for in-state and $53,000 for out-of-state students. He clarified that the “vet assistants” program is a four-year bachelor’s degree in veterinary medical technology, not a certificate. He also explained that staffing growth has largely been in the hospitals to address clinical shortages and improve care. Dr. Westberger, dean of the College of Forest Resources and director of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, said Mississippi’s forests support a $19 billion economic impact, 84,000 jobs, and a $4.5 billion payroll, while also providing environmental benefits. He said the college and research center are nationally recognized, including an NSF ranking placing Mississippi State 10th in natural resource conservation research expenditures for a small university. Westberger highlighted research on forest management, pest detection, mass timber, wildlife disease surveillance, and value-added bioproducts, including efforts to attract mills and manufacturing. He said Mississippi has added 10 mills or mill expansions in five years with more than $1.5 billion in investment and over 1,000 high-paying jobs, and noted the college is planning a new mass-timber annex to address capacity and showcase the material. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the portion provided.