Transcript Highlights:

• that allow us to collaborate with fellow colleagues across states from coast to coast to trade best practices
• to coast to across states from coast to coast to trade<00:03:24.080> best<00:03:24.319> practices
• /c><00:03:25.040> talk<00:03:25.280> about<00:03:25.519> policy, trade best practices
• , talk about policy, trade best practices, talk about policy, and<00:03:26.159> figure<00:03:26.319

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

Transcript Highlights:

• but House Bill 432 modernizes and clearly lists situations where competitive bidding simply isn't practical
• bidding situations where competitive bidding simply<00:10:04.800> isn't<00:10:05.120> practical
• <00:10:05.519> or simply isn't practical or simply isn't practical or cost-effective.<00:10

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:07 Roll Call 00:00:18 HB 333 Discussion 00:02:49 HB 333 Vote 00:06:47 HB 432 Discussion 00:08:44 HB 432 Vote 00:12:13 Adjournment 00:13:54, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum present, heard introductions, and then considered two bills. House Bill 333, sponsored by Representative Pollock, would allow faith-based organizations to develop small-scale affordable housing projects of up to 24 units on property owned before January 1, 2026, and to operate modest homeless shelters, including cooling or warming centers, in commercial, business, or industrial zones if health and safety requirements are met. Pollock said the bill is intended to help address homelessness and housing affordability while preserving building, fire, health, and reporting standards. Representative Stalker supported the measure and asked about its effect on the tax base, and Representative Fleming asked a clarifying question about the bill number. The committee voted 16-0 to give HB 333 favorable expression. The committee then took up House Bill 432, sponsored by Vice Chair Neighbors, which updates Kentucky local purchasing laws. A committee substitute was adopted first, then Neighbors explained that the bill clarifies when local public agencies may use non-competitive negotiations, such as in emergencies, with single-source providers, licensed professionals, perishable foods, replacement parts, and certain insurance products, while still requiring written justification. The bill also keeps the $40,000 advertised-bid threshold and adds clearer exceptions, including used vehicles or equipment purchased at no more than 75% of MSRP, to give local governments more flexibility and stretch taxpayer dollars. Representative Roarx explained the difference between the original bill and the substitute regarding how the 75% value is measured. The committee voted 17-0 to report HB 432 favorably as amended. Before adjournment, the chair welcomed constituents in the audience and congratulated Representative Roarx on becoming ranking member. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we have Heidi Teval, who is an MD and a FASA board-certified physician anesthesiologist who practices
• She is a An anesthesiologist who practices in Tucson. She is a native of Sonora.
• Olski lived in Germany, Israel, and the U.S., served our country during the Vietnam War, and practiced
• Now, I practiced medicine for about 60 years in the U.S.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• people having equal access under the law is, I mean, it is as old as our country as an idea, but the practical
• as old as our country as an idea but is as old as our country as an idea but the<00:05:33.360> practical
• 34.240> of<00:05:34.400> it<00:05:34.639> has<00:05:34.880> never the practical
• reality of it has never the practical reality of it has never been<00:05:35.360> something<00

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Representative Leigh Finke discussed the unusual 2025 Minnesota legislative session, describing it as difficult and fast-moving because of the House tie, the DFL quorum break, and the resulting power-sharing arrangement. She said the split chamber made committee work strange, but noted that some bills still advanced, including her free water bill through the Commerce Committee, and that lawmakers ultimately kept the government open. Finke also spoke about concerns in the trans and queer community under the Trump administration, saying she has been holding town halls statewide to separate fact from fiction about federal actions. She said Minnesota is in a relatively strong position because of protections passed in 2023 and 2024, including the trans refuge bill and the gender-affirming care insurance mandate, and noted that the Minnesota Human Rights Act has protected gender identity since 1993. On the Minnesota Supreme Court’s powerlifting ruling, she said the court correctly applied state law and affirmed transgender participation, while acknowledging that some professional questions remain for lower courts. Looking ahead to 2026, Finke said she is not focused on new trans-related legislation and argued that Republicans are likely to keep attacking the issue even though the public cares more about affordability, health care, and safety. She said the Equal Rights Amendment has been stalled because equality has become a political football and broader civil rights protections have faced resistance. She also said gun violence should be a major priority next session, expressing support for significant controls on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and saying such measures would pass if brought to the floor, though she blamed Republican leadership for blocking action.

Transcript Highlights:

• establishing a process for agency review of existing rules to a comprehensive review of state licensing practices
• Finally, in order to address the practice of publishing a notice of proposed rule either the day after
• applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, or describes the procedure or practice
• applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, or describes the procedure or practice

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability met for its first meeting of the session, took roll, and heard a presentation from Ken Plant of the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee on SB 108, the 2025 law overhauling Florida rulemaking. The presentation focused on new deadlines for agencies to begin and publish rules, limits on automatic sunset provisions, changes to emergency rule procedures, expanded public input on statements of estimated regulatory costs, a five-year review cycle for existing rules, and new licensing-reporting requirements. Members asked about the review timeline and emphasized the need to keep agencies accountable for meeting the new requirements. The committee then reviewed the Department of Management Services’ response to Auditor General Report 2025-1096 on fleet management. DMS said the audit found 10 issues, most of which it believes it has addressed, and described the statewide fleet system as tracking about 27,000 assets with limited staff. DMS highlighted two major improvement ideas that would require funding: an enterprise telematics system to automate vehicle data and improve tracking, and centralized fleet procurement to reduce duplication and save money. Members questioned the status of FleetWave implementation, missing vehicle records, integration with other state systems, and access controls for separated employees. DMS explained that FleetWave is fully implemented but still relies on manual data entry, that discrepancies with the state accounting system largely reflect mismatched or inconsistent entries, and that policies and procedures were updated after the audit. The department said it now works more closely with People First to deactivate access when employees leave. After discussion, no further business was raised, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's exactly in line with their current existing practices.
• In practice, many Texans only learn about rate changes when their tax bills arrive.
• I'm trying to be real practical here. Sure. So, I don't know how much each mailing will cost.
• Is that practical? No. And Kelly, we're laughing because the problem is we've got...

Bills: HB17, HB23

Keywords: property tax, school funding, enrollment changes, inflation adjustment, tax rate notice, property tax exemption, ad valorem tax, Texas Tax Code, nonprofit corporation, charitable organization, educational nonprofit, scientific nonprofit, agriculture support, youth programs, community education, county population threshold, large county, local government revenue, leasehold interest, possessory interest

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and this bill actually, um, I guess you could say speaks to, um, licensing and scope of practice
• certification of deaths, there are certain parts of the state where, um, there are no physicians practicing
• this would do, um, oh, and, and most importantly is that um these professionals are um required to practice
• this would have just required them to only charge a flat fee and it would have been an unfair trade practice

Transcript Highlights:

• financial products and services, and to identify patterns of discriminatory lending and investment practices
• was previously stated, the federal CRA was passed in 1977 to counteract the discriminatory lending practices
• of large commercial banks, characterized by redlining, which is truly an awful practice worthy of the
• doing to the state of California. and its borrowers to ensure that we don't engage in discriminatory practices

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My point is just from a practical perspective.
• My point is just from a practical standpoint, people don't see the Alabama code.
• not have them later, but I want to know because I had to deal with a couple of these just in my practice
• and you know just in my practice and you know what's come up, and I'm always wondering.

Bills: HB479, HB480

Keywords: voting, elections, voter registration, voter rolls, list maintenance, address change, change of address, ERIC, Electronic Registration Information Center, AVID, Alabama Voter Integrity Database, Secretary of State, board of registrars, inactive voter, voter purge, duplicate registration, cross-state voter matching, National Change of Address, NCOA, driver license data

Transcript Highlights:

• I am a board-certified family law attorney, and I practice primarily in the Dallas area.
• I practice with Orsinger, Nelson, Downing, and Anderson in Dallas.
• I was licensed to practice law in 1996. I was board certified in family law in 2001.
• This is a system that I practice in every day. Victims again, 70%.

Bills: HB368, HB3311, HB1734, HB2495, HB2716, HB793, HB3376, HB2524, HB3421, HB3446, HB3181

Keywords: electronic devices, family violence, criminal prosecution, protective orders, tracking, harassment, family allowance, decedent's estate, surviving spouse, minor children, inheritance, child support, maintenance, HB 1734, Family Code, Section 155.207, suit affecting the parent-child relationship, SAPCR, continuing exclusive jurisdiction, jurisdiction transfer

Transcript Highlights:

• anesthesiology residency, and must complete between 12,000 and 16,000 inclusive hours of training prior to practicing
• independently, which is far more than many politicians have to practice before they start in their profession
• Legislative and Practicing Affairs Division and Christian Berenger the CSA District Director.
• We need to push forward practical support for mothers that include active community involvement and comprehensive

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are opposed to SB 1208 unless it is amended to address certain practical and constitutional concerns
• A growing part of my practice is something I never trained for and never wanted: representing students
• There is no requirement for practical scenario-based training, even though communication is one of the
• There is no requirement for practical scenario-based training, even though communication is one of the
• I should have practiced speaking before I came up here today with all these syllables.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Enterprise, um, and also allow the IG to review agency's compliance with those best practices.
• Some data practices stuff, the stuff with the D1, should be looked at in judiciary.
• Some data practices stuff, the stuff with the D1, should be looked at in judiciary.
• Some data practices stuff, the stuff with the D1, should be looked at in judiciary.
• Some data practices stuff, the stuff with the D1, should be looked at in judiciary.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, a bill to create a statewide Office of Inspector General to combat fraud. Representative Norris presented a delete-everything amendment that would keep most of the Senate bill but add more emphasis on fraud prevention, fully fund the office, avoid duplicating work already done by the BCA’s financial crimes division, and preserve subject-matter expertise by keeping some existing inspectors general in their agencies. He said the amendment would retain strong investigative powers, including subpoenas, while using the BCA for arrests, and he acknowledged his original version was likely too broad, so he planned to offer smaller amendments if needed. Chair Nash and other members challenged the DE on both process and substance. Nash said the amendment had not been shared with key stakeholders, noted that the Senate author had publicly distanced herself from it, and pointed to a governor’s office document saying the administration wanted a different approach than the Senate bill. He argued the Senate bill was a bipartisan, bicameral product and said the committee should be careful about accuracy and process. Representative Davis questioned Norris about the claim that the Senate bill was underfunded and about the governor’s role in selecting the inspector general, arguing that the governor should not have broad control over the office. Norris responded that the Senate bill’s fiscal note estimated roughly $12 million for the biennium, but the bill appropriated less than that amount, and he said the Constitution requires the governor to appoint the inspector general if the office is in the executive branch. He said the DE tried to preserve independence through a bipartisan advisory commission, Senate confirmation, a five-year term, restrictions on partisan activity, and removal only for cause with a public hearing. After debate from several members, the committee held a roll call and the DE failed on a 7-7 tie, so it was not adopted.

Transcript Highlights:

• As I mentioned handling best practices.
• <00:19:56.720> And<00:19:56.880> we complaints handling practices.
• And we complaints handling practices.
• In practice, each of OBFF's three ombuds persons kind of share equal powers and responsibilities. an
• In practice, each of for the office.

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:

• <00:04:26.800> is of what the current state of practice is of what the current state of practice
• So, I'd rather be practical in terms of our core need to continue to collect revenue.
• <00:55:25.359> immediate more practical immediate more practical immediate >> um<00:
• Um, what I would recommend is a focus on the implementable and the practical.
• <01:29:00.960> Um implementable and the practical. Um implementable and the practical.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The working group approved the prior meeting minutes with one correction to reflect Laura Ziggler’s attendance. Staff then outlined the report due February 13, 2026, which must summarize the group’s activities and include findings and recommendations adopted by the group; the report will go to the governor and legislative transportation leaders. The chair emphasized that the group’s charge is broad and includes analyzing electricity used as vehicle fuel infrastructure opportunities and barriers, developing policy and funding recommendations for sustainable transportation funding, and reviewing other states’ laws and policies. Discussion focused heavily on how to replace declining gas tax revenue as more vehicles become electric. The chair framed the issue as a fairness and implementation challenge, noting that EVs are a growing share of the fleet and that the group should consider both policy and funding, not just one or the other. Members and guests raised several ideas already submitted, including a road user charge, changes to the EV charging tax, ending or modifying the EV surcharge, broadening the tax to publicly owned charging stations, reducing the charging level threshold to level 2, ending sales tax on electricity, addressing off-road use, and expanding the definition of auto parts to include charging equipment. Representative Elkins argued that charging based on electricity used at home is impractical for most vehicles, that public charging is already much more expensive than home charging, and that the current sales tax plus surcharge amounts to double taxation for public-charging users. He said a mileage-based user charge modeled on Utah’s approach is workable, could be phased in, and could preserve privacy by allowing a voluntary or alternative method for home charging estimates. Senator Howe responded that home electricity use can be estimated similarly to mileage deductions on taxes and said the state should tax all electricity used as fuel, regardless of charger level, if it can be identified. Other speakers echoed that all road users should pay a fair share and that the main challenge is implementation. Tony Kis of Quick Trip asked that a late letter be included in the record and urged clarification of the sales, use, excise tax, and collection rules to avoid double taxation and reduce administrative burden, noting the current monthly collection date and suggesting the group should streamline collection methods. No final policy decisions or votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.

Transcript Highlights:

• She said having a place to collect data that includes bringing to light predatory business practices
• <00:36:44.599> that predatory business practices that predatory business practices that include
• Business practices need to be recorded in a public manner in order for the homeowner to appropriately
• On paper, that might sound like fairness, but in practice it really strips away the flexibility that
• <01:15:15.080> it<01:15:15.199> really like fairness but in practice it really like

Bills: HF2228, HF46, HF856, HF2149, HF2215

Keywords: homeowners insurance, property insurance, commercial property insurance, insurance affordability, insurance market stabilization, reinsurance, catastrophic reinsurance fund, self-insured pool, premium costs, coverage notice, liability reform, climate risk, climate change, housing affordability, multifamily housing, rental housing, common interest communities, cooperatives, small business insurance, Minnesota Commerce Department

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think the fact that your language is really, my understanding, putting into practice what is done
• So I think the fact that your language is really, my understanding, putting into practice what is done
• So I think the fact that your language is really, my understanding, putting into practice what is done
• So I think the fact that your language is really, my understanding, putting into practice what is done
• statutes which govern our data practices statutes which govern law<00:45:00.640> enforcement<

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd be glad to make a formal data practices request if that's necessary.
• I'd be glad to make a formal data practices request if that's necessary.
• to connect university students with practical work.
• to connect university students with practical work.
• to connect university students with practical work.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Amber Cameron of the University of Minnesota’s Office for Public Engagement about the University’s Outstanding Community Service Awards and, specifically, the community partner award given to Communities United Against Police Brutality in 2021 and 2024. Cameron explained that the awards program recognizes faculty, staff, students, and community partners, that nominations are reviewed by University selection committees using criteria such as positive societal impact, innovation, extraordinary results, and overall impression, and that the committee evaluates only the application materials. She said the nomination for Communities United Against Police Brutality described a long-standing partnership with the University through student learning, including work through the Center for Community-Engaged Learning and a student white paper connected to the passage of Travis’s Law. Committee members raised concerns about the organization’s history, its public messaging, and whether it was appropriate for the University to honor it. One member argued that the group’s IRS records showed it was formally organized in 2020, questioned claims that it had existed for 25 years, and objected to the organization’s letterhead and activism. Cameron responded that the award does not require formal tax status and that the selection process relies on the nomination packet rather than outside information. She also said the award nomination documented work with 130 course offerings across 17 academic departments and about 1,000 students over 24 years. Cameron further said the award program was being phased out and retooled into a new internal Engaged Scholar Awards program focused on community-engaged scholarship rather than volunteer service. No vote or formal action was taken during the exchange, and the discussion ended with questions about the nomination materials and how the University defines the organization’s work with students and faculty.

Transcript Highlights:

• Crucially, the mandatory fee on paper and reusable bags is a best proven practice.
• debris on a two-mile stretch of Humrock Beach every time I walk, and this is part of my daily art practice
• debris on a two-mile stretch of Humrock Beach every time I walk, and this is part of my daily art practice
• Two, it incentivizes environmentally responsible materials and practices to ensure that the whole system
• Ameripen is eager to collaborate on a more practical, results-driven solution that reflects real-world

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources held a heavily attended hybrid hearing focused primarily on plastics reduction bills, along with a few local and related waste-management measures. Chair Rauch and Chair Barber outlined strict testimony rules because of the large number of speakers. Before the plastics docket, the committee heard support for a local Sharon sewer-extension bill for a Sunrise Senior Living project, and the bill’s proponents said the project would help address senior housing needs and would still require MWRA and local approvals. The chairs also noted a separate local matter involving Sharon and the MWRA. A major portion of the hearing centered on the Plastics Reduction Act and related bills addressing single-use plastics, including plastic bags, polystyrene, black plastic, plastic beverage bottles, non-flushable wipes, skip-the-stuff provisions, and truth-in-labeling. Sponsors and supporters said the bills would reduce litter, microplastics, greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste costs, while creating statewide consistency and supporting environmental justice communities. Several speakers cited local bans already adopted by many Massachusetts cities and towns, and many urged the committee to advance comprehensive statewide action. The committee also heard testimony on a boat wrap recycling bill, a mattress recycling bill, and a bill to prohibit hotels from providing small plastic toiletries. Municipal officials and waste professionals supported extended producer responsibility for paint and labeling for non-flushable wipes, saying these measures would shift costs away from cities and towns and reduce strain on wastewater systems. The Massachusetts Municipal Association, Mayor Ruth Ann Fuller of Newton, and a Franklin County waste official all backed paint EPR and wipes labeling. Fire Chief Brian Nardelli testified for the Fire Chiefs Association in support of lithium-ion battery legislation, citing fire safety and disposal concerns. Other speakers, including environmental groups, local activists, and business representatives, supported bag and polystyrene bans, though the Retailers Association of Massachusetts urged any bag policy to be truly statewide and said any bag fee should be retained by retailers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• HUD is attempting to move away from the longstanding housing first practice.
• Can you explain the line, the housing first practice? What does that mean?
• I’ll provide information on screening practices.
• Best practices...
• Our IT director made sure over the past year that our agency was using best practices.

Keywords: 908, all