Video & Transcript : 'counties authority' :

Page 243 of 500
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We have no Senate authors currently in the room.
  • Former Senator Mark Leno authored Senate Bill 1371 in 2014.
  • Everything the author stated is exactly on point.
  • Everything the author state is exactly on point.
  • We have no authors at the moment.
Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy heard several bills focused on utility rates, wildfire safety, carbon capture, methane reduction, large energy users, low-income energy programs, and clean energy supply chains. Early items included SB 613, which would direct state agencies to prioritize reducing methane emissions from imported fossil fuels, and SB 614, which would allow California to move forward with carbon dioxide pipeline safety rules and potentially lift the state’s moratorium on new CO2 pipelines. Both bills drew support from advocates and industry-related witnesses, with no opposition registered at the time they were presented, and the committee indicated it would vote once quorum was established. After quorum was called, the committee took up SB 57, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs for large energy users such as data centers to prevent cost shifts to other ratepayers and address stranded infrastructure costs. Supporters argued the bill would protect affordability and encourage clean energy use, while opponents, including utilities and business groups, warned it could create uncertainty and interfere with existing regulatory processes. The committee also heard SB 256 on wildfire mitigation and emergency response, including undergrounding, PSPS communication, and removal of abandoned lines; supporters emphasized the need for stronger action after recent fires, while utilities raised concerns about duplicative requirements and public disclosure of sensitive infrastructure information. Both SB 57 and SB 256 were approved on roll calls. The committee then heard SB 647, which would expand and standardize oversight of low-income energy savings programs and performance metrics, with strong support from community advocates and some neutral or “tweener” positions from utilities that sought further work on data collection and implementation. SB 787 followed, proposing a state strategy to coordinate supply chains and workforce development for clean energy industries including EVs, building decarbonization, and offshore wind; it received broad support and no opposition. The committee also considered SB 332, a study bill on utility ownership models and affordability reforms, which drew strong support from consumer and climate advocates but opposition from utilities and business groups concerned about bias, investor signals, and executive compensation provisions. The consent calendar was later approved, and several bills were reported out with votes or held open for absent members to add on.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Counties are dual enrolling individuals.
  • Danielle Bradley on behalf of the California State Association of Counties representing all 58 counties
  • Joint authors and co-authors on.
  • Secondarily, I'm here on behalf of the urban counties of California and the rural county representatives
  • supports for county residents.
Keywords: 988, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Revenue and Taxation Apr 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • It'll be questions of the author, Senator Irk. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
  • Other questions for the author, Senator Howard.
  • This is happening in 99% of the counties.
  • There be questions of the author, House Bill 4305?
  • Is that also from Pin County?
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> Minnesota</c> Association of Counties, Minnesota Association of Counties, Minnesota Inter-County
  • can exercise a statutory these counties can exercise a statutory authority<01:30:44.520><c> in</c><01
  • </c> specific county. specific county.
  • </c><01:46:40.240><c> and</c> County as well as the other counties and County as well as the other counties
  • </c> No, eastern Beltrami County. No, eastern Beltrami County.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Feb 18th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • 67, of course, correlating to the county. Oh, the counties. Okay.
  • , Hillsborough, and Lee counties; two additional judgeships in Orange County; and three additional judgeships
  • each in Duval and Miami-Dade counties.
  • judgeships in Orange County and three additional judgeships, each in Duval and Miami-Dade counties.
  • Counties.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • Um as the Hawaii County prosecution.
  • County of Kawaii Police Department in County of Kawaii Police Department in support. support. support
  • Authorizes the Department of Transportation and county police departments to impound vehicles with expired
  • </c> county, enforcement can begin. county, enforcement can begin.
  • county on each island.
Keywords: 910, house, all
Summary: The House Committee on Transportation heard several vehicle and traffic safety measures. HB 2347, which would require the director of transportation to adopt rules allowing mobile vehicle safety inspections, drew support from DOT and individual testifiers who said it would add convenience and efficiency for passenger vehicle owners. Committee members questioned how home or driveway inspections would handle safety standards such as headlight checks and whether added convenience would come with higher costs; DOT also said it would follow up on inspection fees and audit procedures. HB 182, which would exempt motorcycles and passenger cars from safety inspections, received opposition from DOT, the Hawaii Police Department, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Customer Services, with Grassroot Institute in support. HB 2022, which would equalize county and state annual vehicle registration fees, was opposed by the Hawaii Transportation Association because it would raise costs that would likely be passed on to consumers. The committee also took testimony on HB 1708, which would make operating a vehicle under the influence at a high intoxication level a class C felony and add probation requirements. Prosecutors, police, DOT, and the Honolulu customer services department supported the bill, while the Public Defender’s Office opposed it, arguing that it would increase court workload, require more defense resources, and create collateral consequences, including possible immigration impacts. Several witnesses and members discussed a proposed HD1 that would change the bill to a graduated penalty structure, making a first offense a misdemeanor and a second offense a felony, while also addressing deferred pleas and DUI deferrals. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office supported the bill’s intent but warned that Oahu lacks a reliable electronic or telephonic warrant system, which could lead to more refusals and additional court impacts. HB 2086, which would amend negligent injury in the first degree to include injuries negligently inflicted by intoxicated drivers, received support from DOT, county prosecutors, police, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office. Honolulu’s prosecutor supported the bill but recommended against the attached HD1, saying the current drafting better preserves negligent injury as a lesser included offense and avoids blending it with a separate statutory scheme. HB 2154, which would create a framework for intelligent speed assist technology and require a report to the legislature, was supported by DOT, county police, Smart Start LLC, AAA Hawaii, and others, with the Alliance for Automobile Innovation offering comments and proposed amendments. A testifier described the bill as a way to prevent repeat speeding by limiting vehicles from accelerating beyond the speed limit. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the excerpt.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

Senate Chamber Mar 21st, 2025

New Mexico Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Today is Riariba County Day, and as you know, Riaiba County is geographically located in the very heart
  • Your enduring commitment to our great county, Mabel, our county of Rio Riva is a testament to your faith
  • Representing the beautiful Riariba County is Brandon Bustos, our newly elected Riariba County Chair,
  • County treasurer, Moises Morales, Riariba County commissioner.
  • Do you know what's happening in Sandoval County? It's the fastest growing county in New Mexico.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
  • As I said, this is the one county where we went in.
  • Then the county owns the monument, they think.
  • the Howard County ECD.
  • I know we have an office in Hidalgo County, in Oasis County, but in Zavala County, they do a very good
  • I know we have an office in Hidalgo County, in Oasis County, but in Zavala County, they do a very good
Bills: SB 1
Summary: The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken. The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information. The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Transportation Dec 2nd, 2025

Transportation

Transcript Highlights:
  • From the Legislature last session, we got the authority to invest in that.
  • And I always move to Duval County and I can be your senator.
  • In Broward County, the County Business Enterprise program, which focuses on small business.
  • Miami-Dade County, you're larger than 15 states, right? 2.8 million. Right?
  • Miami-Dade County, you're larger than 15 states, right? 2.8 million.
Summary: The Transportation Committee met to consider two bills and then held a lengthy discussion on Florida airport infrastructure. SB 246, presented by Senator Rodriguez on behalf of Senator Gruters, would authorize a UFC specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting the UFC Foundation’s charitable work. A UFC Foundation representative described community beneficiaries and said the plate would help raise funds for local charities. With no questions or debate, the committee voted SB 246 favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7012, a Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles public-records exemption bill that would remove the October 1, 2026 repeal date for certain active investigatory records. Senator Avila moved to submit it as a committee bill, there was no objection, and it was reported favorably as a committee bill. The remainder of the meeting focused on the Comprehensive Airport Infrastructure Program. FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue outlined Florida’s aviation system, the department’s airport funding programs, and the state’s role as a financial partner in safety, capacity, preservation, and economic development projects. He said Florida has 128 public-use airports, 21 commercial-service airports, and four large-hub airports, and noted that airport funding is largely supported by gas-tax-related revenues, with additional support from documentary stamp revenue and other fees. He also discussed the new airport infrastructure planning requirements created last session and said all required airports had submitted plans. Committee members asked about the loss of aviation fuel tax revenue, workforce development, project timelines, and how FDOT prioritizes funding, with Perdue emphasizing safety, preservation, capacity, economic return, and matching funds. A panel from Miami, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Tampa international airports then described major capital programs, passenger growth, and funding needs. The airports highlighted terminal expansions, parking, baggage systems, airfield rehabilitation, people movers, and other modernization projects, along with the importance of maintaining aging facilities while accommodating growth. They said FDOT and FAA grants are helpful but increasingly insufficient for runway and taxiway costs, and several panelists said passenger facility charges and other revenue tools are important to future self-sufficiency. Members also asked about workforce shortages, small-business participation, landing-fee negotiations, and non-aeronautical revenue. The panel said workforce challenges are most acute in trades and maintenance, small-business programs are active at each airport, and landing fees are negotiated with airlines to keep airports competitive while funding needed improvements.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Culture, Recreation & Tourism Apr 8th, 2025

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • On Juneteenth, he resides in Galveston County.
  • I, along with the support of County Judge Darryl Milton, president of the Sabine County Chamber of Commerce
  • This HCR 93 is for Nacogdoches County.
  • Which is a, a, a lifeguard bill in Matagorda County.
  • By working with local jurisdictions, counties, cities, neighborhoods, river authorities, and private
Bills: HCR6
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee Jun 22nd, 2026

Revenue and Taxation

Transcript Highlights:
  • SB 1053 authorizes the County Board of Supervisors of any county affected by a disaster declared by the
  • I want to thank the author for this bill. Thank you.
  • I have one question for the author.
  • I want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
  • I want to be considered as a principal co-author, if you would allow me.
Keywords: 988, house, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee Apr 27th, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have two suspense items that will have author presentations.
  • The authors for the remaining suspense bills have waived presentation.
  • Karen Lang, on behalf of the Delta Counties Coalition, which is the five counties ringing the Delta:
  • Again, I ask for your authorization.
  • Senate Bill 962 is simply an authorization.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Appropriations heard a large suspense-file agenda and established a quorum at the start. SB 1167 was announced as not being heard and will be rescheduled. The Department of Finance did not attend because it had no comments on the bills before the committee. Most measures on the agenda were taken up briefly with public testimony, then moved to suspense without objection. Two bills received fuller presentations. SB 872 by Senator McNerney would create a fund to support repairs to Delta levees and State Water Project canals, with testimony from Restore the Delta, State Water Contractors, and numerous water agencies and coalitions emphasizing flood protection, water reliability for 27 million Californians, protection of state assets, and long-term infrastructure costs. Committee members noted the importance of the investment and the likelihood it would be considered in the final suspense decision; SB 872 was moved to suspense. SB 962 by Senator Archuleta would authorize CDCR to use blue emergency lights on parole vehicles, with supporters from the California Correctional Peace Officers Association citing the line-of-duty death of a parole agent and the need for a low-cost, discretionary safety tool. The bill was also moved to suspense. SB 950, dealing with coverage for FDA-approved medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, was discussed as having a minimal near-term fiscal impact, though members noted costs could rise if new treatments emerge. The committee asked the author to consider a sunset amendment, but the bill received a do pass motion and was approved on a 7-0 vote, then placed on call for additional members. The remaining bills taken up, including SB 870, SB 1120, SB 888, SB 904, SB 986, SB 1029, SB 1186, SB 895, SB 1004, SB 1123, SB 909, SB 945, SB 1037, SB 953, SB 1001, SB 1188, SB 1407, SB 967, SB 1135, SB 1136, SB 988, SB 1069, SB 1000, SB 1024, SB 1179, SB 1025, SB 1040, SB 1081, SB 1091, SB 1131, SB 1138, SB 1146, SB 1279, SB 1158, SB 1401, SB 1162, SB 1293, SB 1334, SB 1382, SB 1397, SB 1178, SB 1414, SB 1214, SB 1218, SB 1257, SB 1265, SB 1286, SB 1322, SB 1337, SB 1340, SB 1276, SB 1358, and SB 1412, were moved to the suspense file without objection, with a few witnesses registering support or opposition on selected measures.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Public Safety Committee May 6th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • I will note that this bill passed out of the Assembly Elections Committee this morning, where the author
  • accepted elections-related amendments with the understanding Committee this morning, where the author
  • In March, Maricopa County, Arizona election officials were served a subpoena from the FBI for records
  • In March, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco seized more than 600,000 voted ballots from last year's
  • You know, it is the county district attorneys that take the lead on investigating election crimes.
Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety heard one item, Senate Bill 73 by Senator Cervantes, and took up committee and Elections Committee amendments. The bill was described as strengthening protections against interference in elections by extending restrictions to military personnel at polling places, protecting the chain of custody of voted ballots, and limiting law enforcement access to voting machines and voter rosters without a court order. The chair explained that the committee amendments would remove certain criminal penalties for peace officers, restore a uniform requirement for some polling-place personnel, and clarify the effect of objections by the Secretary of State or Attorney General. The author and supporters, including API Force and CHIRLA, argued the bill was needed to respond to threats of intimidation and election interference, citing concerns about armed personnel at polling places and the Riverside County sheriff’s seizure of ballots. Supporters said the measure would protect voters, especially immigrant communities and in-person voters, and preserve confidence in election administration. Opposition from the California State Sheriffs’ Association and CALA argued the bill was vague, could hinder lawful criminal investigations, and improperly restrict law enforcement and federal election oversight. After closing remarks, the committee voted to pass SB 73 as amended to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The vote was 6-1, with one member not voting. The chair and another member recommended an aye, while one member voted no.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • There was not a specific amount earmarked from the bond authority for that purpose.
  • Pamela Gibbs, representing the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
  • Christina Salazar with the Riverside County Superintendent of Schools.
  • I'm the San Joaquin County SELPA Director.
  • I'm the San Joaquin County SELPA director.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Judiciary Committee Apr 28th, 2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • patient, and it will help providers correctly identify authorized surrogates and exclude those not authorized
  • patient, and it will help providers correctly identify authorized surrogates and exclude those not authorized
  • I want to thank the author for bringing this forward.
  • GSAs formed through JPAs have additional enforcement authority, such as the authority to impose liens
  • Our other issue is with the ...amendments taken by the author.
Summary: The Senate Judiciary Committee heard several bills focused on health care planning, mental health court participation, homeowners association governance, groundwater enforcement, pet-policy disclosure in rentals, and post-disaster property speculation. SB 1088 would update California’s POLST and DNR laws by renaming POLST to Portable Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment, allowing electronic signatures, clarifying who may sign on a patient’s behalf, and making clear that these forms are voluntary; it drew support from the Coalition for Compassionate Care and no opposition. SB 1242 would let original family petitioners participate in CARE Court for care coordination and information-sharing, while preserving judicial discretion to exclude them if harmful; supporters said it would improve treatment coordination, while Disability Rights California opposed it as coercive and a removal of patient consent. The committee advanced SB 1242 on a 7-0 vote, with the bill placed on call. The committee also considered SB 1007, which would require more HOA budget transparency, disclosure of evidence for violations, and a lower cap on regular assessment increases without a homeowner vote. Supporters argued it would improve accountability and protect homeowners from steep fee hikes, while HOA industry groups warned it could undermine funding for insurance, maintenance, and other operating costs. Members raised concerns about the cap and the need for flexibility for large expenses; the bill passed 6-1 and was placed on call. SB 1364, as amended, would prevent a person convicted of sexual assault from obtaining custody or visitation of a child conceived from that assault, while preserving the possibility of voluntary co-parenting and aiming to qualify California for federal grant funding; it passed 8-0 and was placed on call. Later, SB 997 would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to enforce fees and its groundwater sustainability plan, addressing an enforcement gap for a GSA created by special legislation rather than a joint powers agreement. It drew support from agricultural and county groups and passed 9-0, placed on call. SB 1296 would require landlords to disclose pet policies up front on applications, websites, and ads, and allow refund of an application fee if disclosure was not provided before payment; supporters said it would reduce wasted application costs and pet relinquishment, while rental housing groups said the ad disclosure requirements were impractical. The bill passed 8-0 and was placed on call. The final bill, SB 1090, was introduced to prohibit large property owners from making unsolicited purchase offers for five years in wildfire-disaster areas, responding to investor activity after the Eaton and Palisades fires; the author and a SAGE witness described it as a protection against disaster capitalism and predatory low offers to displaced residents.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The Burdoyne fire in Klickitat County was the most damaging.
  • And then the association of cities, counties, And then, you know, the association, cities, counties,
  • But do they have the authority? Was that the part that I heard? They have a temporary authority?
  • Do they have the authority? Was that the part that I heard? They have a temporary authority?
  • We can buy this stuff to do it, but we don't have the authorities.
Summary: The committee held a work session focused on the effects of tariffs on Washington’s economy, agriculture, and small businesses, followed by updates on emergency management, cybersecurity, disaster resilience, tsunami preparedness, and World Cup security planning. Office of Financial Management economist Abdelamintrawe Trieri said tariff increases are expected to raise prices, reduce output and employment, and lower state revenue over a four-year horizon, with the hardest-hit sectors including aerospace, food and beverage manufacturing, and agriculture. Members asked about updated tariff scenarios, crop-specific impacts, inflation versus deflation in different goods, and whether some manufacturing sectors could benefit; staff said updated numbers would need to be rerun as tariff rates changed. Washington Department of Agriculture representative Ryan Hamm described how tariffs raise costs for farm inputs such as equipment, parts, packaging, and fertilizer, while also affecting exports of key commodities like wheat, potatoes, apples, cherries, dairy, and wine. He said some sectors support tariffs on competing imports, but retaliation and market restrictions have hurt exports, especially to China and, in the wine sector, Canada. Department of Commerce representative Andrea Chartock outlined export assistance, business finance, recruitment, and industry-sector development programs, and proposed expanding tariff-resilience support through market diversification, supply-chain optimization, and efforts to attract investment and federal funding. She also noted uncertainty around delayed federal STEP funding for small business export assistance. Emergency Management Division Director Robert Ezell warned that federal disaster and mitigation funding is becoming less reliable, citing the denied bomb cyclone disaster declaration, delays in FEMA grant processing, and possible restructuring of FEMA that could shift more responsibility to states. He said Washington may need stronger state-funded public assistance, individual assistance, and mitigation programs, along with broader coordination among state agencies and local governments. Cybersecurity staff described state efforts to support local governments through the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, threat intelligence sharing, vulnerability assessments, and a proposed volunteer incident response team, while noting the loss of MS-ISAC funding and the importance of continued state matching funds for cybersecurity grants. Hazard mitigation and tsunami staff emphasized the need for sustained investment in flood, wildfire, earthquake, lahar, and tsunami resilience, including vertical evacuation structures and language-access outreach. Ezell also briefed the committee on World Cup security preparations and federal grants for counter-unmanned aircraft systems, explaining that the state can buy mitigation capabilities but current authority to use them remains largely federal; the committee asked follow-up questions about fan zones, training, and the meaning of drone mitigation. No votes were taken, and the meeting ended with adjournment after the presentations and questions.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Insurance Mar 5th, 2025

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • the county district. attorney.
  • Today we have more than 272,000 policy holders in our coastal counties.
  • County alone. The price of reinsurance has risen significantly since 2020.
  • Matagorda County on July 7th of 2024. It was classified as a.
  • Meaning you have to be in one of the 14 coastal counties.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Aug 18th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, I'll start with the healthcare authority.
  • Really, the healthcare authority is the regulatory entity.
  • Update, Anthony Demas, the County Manager of McKinley County, had to cancel.
  • as well as Torrance County.
  • county office manager when there should be five.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House DFL Press Conference 2/25/26

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> authority rests on fraud at the BCA. authority rests on fraud at the BCA.
  • </c> swallow is that we are seeing counties swallow is that we are seeing counties increasingly<00:13
  • </c> counties have in Medicaid services. counties have in Medicaid services.
  • </c> county delivered and tribal government. county delivered and tribal government.
  • And Republican author on any of them.
Keywords: 919, house, all
Summary: House DFL leaders held a press availability outlining a broad anti-fraud agenda focused on state programs, especially Medicaid-related services, but also unemployment and tax fraud. They said the package is intended to strengthen accountability, improve oversight, and prevent fraud before it occurs, while arguing that fraud harms vulnerable Minnesotans such as children with autism, people with disabilities, seniors, and homeless people. They also tied the problem to long-term privatization of public services, arguing that outsourcing creates more layers and opportunities for fraud, and cited examples like county case management and managed care arrangements. Specific proposals discussed included strengthening the attorney general’s Medicaid fraud control unit, creating or expanding inspector general functions, requiring more in-person site visits, using electronic visit verification, improving background checks and fingerprinting, and upgrading outdated IT systems. Members said some bills would be relatively low-cost while others would require funding, and that bills without fiscal notes might move separately while others could be folded into budget discussions. They also said the House DFL had already taken steps in prior sessions, including creating a fraud unit at the BCA and adding DHS staff for site visits. The discussion also covered the Office of Inspector General bill, with DFL members saying they support placing the office in the executive branch and that the governor should make the final appointment for constitutional reasons. They said Republicans had blocked amendments they viewed as adding fraud-prevention authority to the OIG bill, and that the governor’s staff had not been involved in working groups. On a separate bill involving disclosure requirements, they said the committee version was improved but still flawed because it could interfere with investigations; they said it would next go to the Children and Families Committee. No votes were taken in the exchange, and members said they were still early in session and hoped for more constructive negotiations later.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
  • But I live in Adair County. Is there a reason why Adair County is not on the list?
  • extension, are Lafleur County, McCurkin County, and Awashmatahall Counties.
  • Jefferson County.
  • But we have had counties break off from existing counties since 1907.
  • And I don't know how many county roads on the official county map would be affected.