Transcript Highlights:

• In this bill, nurses, first responders.
• The Minnesota Budget Project is a program of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.
• That program is closed, and we could start there.
• I said from a program that was closed, but it’s still in the budget. The program no longer exists.
• ,</c><01:45:06.640><c> first</c> overtime, trade workers, nurses, first overtime, trade workers, nurses

Bills: HF3127 , HF3524 , HF3525 , HF3754

Committee: House Taxes

Keywords: taxation, pass-through entity, qualifying owner, partnership, S corporation, tax return, overtime compensation, tax deduction, income tax, federal regulations, tax reform, tip income, federal tax deduction, Minnesota Statutes, individual income, employer contributions, Trump accounts, federal law, gross income exclusion, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• Career and Technical Education Program CTE play a critical role in preparing students for high-demand
• Texas school districts and charter schools offer diverse CTE programs designed to equip students with
• However, the effectiveness of these programs is often hindered by inconsistent.
• House Bill 1876 seeks to establish a career and technical education reporting grant program administered
• In closing, this will track welding classes, nursing, and the actual practical hands-on, uh, application

Committee: House S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:

• The first program we're going to talk about is the Empower Program.
• And Ashley Bradley is the director of the program. The program launched in 2017.
• So the students who are in the program, they So the students who are in the program, they demonstrate
• programs?
• It is an individualized program.

Committee: All TASK FORCE ON AUTISM

Summary: The committee heard presentations on three Arkansas programs serving students and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. University of Arkansas representatives described the Empower Program, a non-degree, four-year inclusive postsecondary program for young adults with mild intellectual disabilities, and the Autism Support Program, which provides intensive academic, peer, and career coaching for degree-seeking students with autism. They explained the programs’ person-centered planning, residential and employment supports, fee structure of $5,000 per semester for each program, and scholarship/fundraising efforts to offset costs. Members asked about dorm arrangements, mentoring, individualized plans, and how students move in and out of support services, and the presenters emphasized independence, integrated campus life, and transition planning. Pulaski Technical College staff then presented the 3D program, a three-year transition program in culinary, baking, and hospitality for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They outlined integrated classes, internships, job placement outcomes, and data showing strong completion and employment retention rates. Questions focused on how success is measured, tuition and financial aid, and the challenge of securing community partners for practicum and employment sites. The presenters said the program uses rubrics that include technical and professional skills, charges $5,700 per semester, and is pursuing accreditation through the Inclusive Higher Education Accreditation Council. The final presentation was from SLS Community, a Fayetteville nonprofit serving neurodivergent adults through residential supports, supported employment, and community initiatives. Leaders described their vision for a future mixed-use “live-work-play” development at Cato Springs, current residential and vocational services, and community events such as a 5K and a neurodiversity health care conference. Family members testified about the need for adult services, trained direct support professionals, and better reimbursement and behavioral health supports after age 21. No formal votes were taken beyond approving the prior meeting minutes, and members also announced upcoming autism-related events and requested future discussion on task force appointments and ABA-related issues.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs.
• Overall, the program provides about 40 hours of programming weekly, and this includes one-hour family
• for the youth who sexually harm program and the substance use program.
• program in a new location.
• programs.

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee held an invited-testimony hearing on LR 425, which examines the Whitehall campus in Lincoln and possible long-term options for youth currently served there. Chair Brian Hardin explained that Whitehall houses two separate programs for adolescent males: a substance use program and a youth-who-sexually-harm program. Testimony from DHHS officials described Whitehall as a Joint Commission-accredited psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) that provides about 40 hours of weekly programming, family involvement, school services, and community reintegration activities. Officials said the department is evaluating whether the programs should remain at Whitehall or move to another state-owned facility, with Hastings described as the department’s preferred alternative because it is more residential in design than a youth rehabilitation treatment center (YRTC).

Transcript Highlights:

• student exchange program.
• student exchange program.
• student exchange program.
• </c><00:12:52.920><c> the</c> School student Exchange program the School student Exchange program the
• </c> Exchange program Exchange program this<00:13:00.720><c> program</c><00:13:01.040><c> involves</c

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> all very happy with the programs all very happy with the programs themselves<00:10:59.839><c> but
• </c> who can then access multiple programs who can then access multiple programs from<00:53:35.359><c
• ,</c> expanding community-based programs, expanding community-based programs, supporting<01:24:04.000
• </c><01:25:16.239><c> So</c> national mar program. So national mar program.
• </c> training program is a great solution. training program is a great solution.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To register as sex offenders can fully complete essential rehabilitation programs and classes that are
• And this water district participates in the MET program, I believe.
• AB 2135 makes improvements to the facility-initiated discharge notices residents receive in nursing homes
• The bill has enjoyed bipartisan support and is supported by nursing home resident advocates, ombudsmen
• in San Diego County. ...which is a district-specific bill that creates a five-year pilot program in

Summary: The Assembly convened after initially lacking a quorum, then completed the prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, journal motions, and a long series of procedural actions, including suspending rules to move bills and approve a large Appropriations Committee hearing list. Members also made several guest introductions, including Shannon Lee, district staff from Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez’s office, and later guests tied to agritourism and education recognitions. The floor debate centered heavily on AJR 31, a resolution urging Congress to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Supporters argued that recent Supreme Court decisions and redistricting efforts in other states were weakening Black and other minority representation and that California should take a clear stand for voting rights. Opponents argued the measure promoted racial division, conflicted with equal protection principles, and that districts should be drawn based on place or communities of interest rather than race. After a contentious debate with repeated parliamentary warnings over decorum, the Assembly suspended the rules to take up the resolution, added coauthors, and passed AJR 31 by a vote of 58-8. The Assembly then moved through a series of bills and resolutions, generally approving them with little or no opposition. These included AB 2341 clarifying emergency language translation rules for local agencies; AB 1816 extending court supervision for certain sex-offender rehabilitation programs; AB 2561 protecting consumer privacy settings on phones and digital devices; ACR 167 recognizing World Agritourism Day; ACR 190 recognizing California Day of the Teacher; AB 1581 improving identification of Native American students in public schools; AB 1586 requiring opioid overdose prevention training for school resource officers and safety planning; AB 1665 requiring mental health training for school coaches; AB 1693 streamlining retail tenant-improvement permitting; AB 1768 authorizing a local tax measure related to health funding; AB 1712 facilitating a water-system sale for Santa Fe Springs; AB 1792 addressing sexually exploitive AI imagery in health education; and AB 1822 prioritizing school projects that address extreme heat. Most measures passed overwhelmingly, several unanimously, and the resolution on agritourism and the teacher day were adopted by voice vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, Madam President, this amendment would require not only educator programs and initial licensure
• Massachusetts has four medical schools, training programs, and two schools.
• They started the program. Get your eyes examined.
• It would give school nurses the ability to access it.
• It is The ability to access it would give school nurses the ability to access it.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Senate first handled a House petition from John H. Rawlers and others seeking eminent domain authority for a parcel in Norwood; Joint Rule 12 was suspended and the matter was referred to the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. The chamber then resumed debate on the literacy bill, with Senator Tarr offering a series of amendments focused on school district funding, teacher competency, reporting, waivers, and curriculum implementation. Most of Tarr’s amendments were rejected, but one requiring written, appealable denials of district waivers was adopted by roll call, and another amendment on reporting from the Early Literacy Fund, including provisions for English language learners and special education educators, was also adopted. A separate amendment extending the timeline for DESE to publish high-quality curricula was adopted, while several other amendments were withdrawn or defeated. The Senate also considered and adopted an amendment from Senator Comerford addressing rural and regional equity in education funding. That amendment expanded eligible uses of the Early Literacy Fund to include screening assessments, required DESE to prioritize geographic and funding equity, mandated a public hearing in Western Massachusetts before final grant criteria were finalized, and directed technical assistance to rural districts. Senators from across the chamber spoke in support, emphasizing chronic underfunding, declining enrollment, minimum-aid pressures, and the need for a broader review of the Chapter 70 formula and a Foundation Budget Review Commission. The amendment passed unanimously. Later, the Senate took up an amendment from Senator Moore on children’s vision care, which would have created a registry for vision screening and expanded eye exam requirements, but it was withdrawn after supportive debate. The chamber then adopted the Ways and Means redraft, ordered the bill to third reading, and passed An Act relative to teacher preparation and student literacy to be engrossed by a unanimous roll call. Final passage was also achieved for a separate House land-taking bill allowing the town of Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, which passed by the required two-thirds vote and was enacted. The Senate then adopted an order to meet again the following Monday and adjourned in memory of Donna Goldstein.

Transcript Highlights:

• Program that we utilize. OK.
• program.
• been a pro-life program.
• That wasn't the original program, program intent. And so just clarifying that in statute.
• and parenting support programs.

Committee: House Public Health

Transcript Highlights:

• all the way has dwindled this program all the way down<00:14:13.920><c> to</c><00:14:14.199><c> Zero
• </c> they are commission mm MMA is a program they are commission mm MMA is a program right<00:18:28.360
• Those are currently in our program rules as well.
• </c><01:30:01.400><c> and</c><01:30:01.560><c> other</c> PPP program so the PPP program and other PPP
• program so the PPP program and other sorts<01:30:02.199><c> of</c><01:30:02.360><c> funds</c><01:30:

Committee: House Economic Development & Technology

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on March 12, 2025, and heard testimony on several measures. On SB 9, the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation testified in support, and there were no questions or objections. On SB 148, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments, and a member of the public testified in support of combining boxing and MMA oversight into a single combat sports commission, with amendments to preserve safety standards and separate or distinct treatment for the two sports. Committee discussion focused on whether proposed requirements were primarily safety-related or cost-related, how to handle smaller events, and whether a one-year implementation delay was necessary; the department said many safety provisions already exist in the MMA program, that it was open to continued discussion on costs, and that it needed time to combine rules and appoint new commissioners. The chair suggested possible amendments to account for event size and to reduce burdens on smaller events. The committee then heard SB 816, which drew extensive testimony on providing legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. Supporters included the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, ACU Hawaii, the Refugee and Immigration Law Clinic, the Legal Clinic, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights, the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Pride at Work Hawaii, and others. Supporters argued that immigration cases can be as serious as criminal cases, that counsel is essential for due process, and that representation improves outcomes; several also emphasized the economic importance of immigrants to Hawaii. One supporter noted a suggested amendment to include training for attorneys and partners doing deportation defense and asylum work. Opposition came from a Navy veteran who argued the bill would use state resources for a federal issue, create inequities, and impose fiscal burdens. The chair noted 69 testimonies in support and 44 in opposition, and later an additional supporter brought the total to 70 in support. No vote was taken in the portion of the meeting provided. The committee also heard SB 125, with the Department of Economic Development, the Agreed Business Development Corporation, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association in support, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii offering technical comments about complicated nested definitions in the bill. Testimony on SB 125 focused on updating the Enterprise Zone Program so local manufacturers selling directly to retail could qualify, along with value-added products and certain health-related sectors. Finally, on SB 732, the State of Hawaii Creative Industries testified with comments, raising concerns about county permit-fee waivers, implementation timing, and the bill’s lack of a carry-forward provision for the film tax credit. The witness said uncertainty in the credit was already causing productions to delay coming to Hawaii and urged stability to support the industry and local workers. The committee then moved on to additional testimony on the measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• And for line 134, Roosevelt Elementary School Program Enhancements, eliminate the funding.
• The House offer includes moving to the Senate's language on multiple nursing home provisions.
• new language on line 17A through 17G, including provisions related to Medicaid redeterminations, Program

Summary: The appropriations chairs’ conference committee met to exchange and accept budget offers on several issues. The Senate accepted the House’s revised offer on transportation, tourism, economic development, infrastructure, and related projects. The House accepted the Senate’s Pre-K-12 education budget and projects offer with four project-level changes: adding $200,000 for Workforce Development and High School Classrooms, reducing the Crockett Foundation by $250,000, adding $350,000 for the North Florida after-school agriculture and arts project, and eliminating funding for Roosevelt Elementary School Program Enhancements. The House also accepted the Senate’s administered funds budget offer. The House then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510) and Health and Human Services/Health Care (SB 2514). For Pre-K-12, the House said some rows were closed, some Senate positions were accepted, some were modified, some House positions were maintained, and new positions were offered on rows 12 through 16. For Health and Human Services, the House moved to the Senate position on several lines, including a five-year pediatric cancer research incubator, kept its position on some lines, and proposed new language on Medicaid redeterminations, PACE, Medicaid premium assistance, adult day training reimbursement, behavioral health teaching hospitals, and dental hygienists. The Senate then presented offers on Pre-K-12 education proviso and back-of-bill language, education capital outlay proviso and back-of-bill language, and Health and Human Services/Health Care budget projects and back-of-bill language. The Senate explained that its bump offers were reflected in spreadsheet columns, with some items closed and others marked with highlighted changes; for education capital outlay, the Senate accepted two House positions on rows 48 and 49 and proposed a new issue on row 50. No public testimony was offered on any of the items. The chairs indicated they would continue meeting later that day or evening, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was always meant to be a program.
• I am a registered nurse, hospice nurse.
• So, I've heard nurses tell me, um, nurses that treat us, you know, they deal with everything.
• ><c> um,</c><02:05:45.760><c> nurses</c><02:05:46.159><c> that</c> heard nurses tell me, um, nurses that
• heard nurses tell me, um, nurses that treat<02:05:46.480><c> us,</c><02:05:46.800><c> you</c><02:05:

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Anything above that, any degree or any program above that, would not be eligible for the program.
• , and paramedicine, law enforcement, and LVN and nursing programs that nearby colleges, including Southern
• A lot of these programs are not about an unbiased, neutral program to encourage civic participation.
• I am very supportive of work study programs.
• I very much support these programs.

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee met for a policy hearing on several higher education bills. AB 1534 (Irwin) would create a California approval process for short-term workforce Pell Grant programs; supporters said it would expand access to job training with consumer protections, while a neutral witness urged more work on implementation. Members raised concerns about the bill’s $4,000 tuition cap, but the measure passed 5-1 with an urgency clause and was sent to Labor and Employment. AB 1831 (Irwin) would cap compensation for certain CSU administrators, bar raises in years when tuition rises, and repeal a 2025 executive pay resolution; the author said she would amend the bill to remove retroactive repeal, narrow the scope, and clarify that it applies to base salary and non-represented managers. CFA, students, and labor groups supported the bill as an accountability measure, while CSU opposed it, arguing the cap would hurt recruitment and retention. The committee approved the bill 4-1-3 and sent it to Appropriations. The committee also advanced AB 1555 (Hadwick), which would allow up to 200 students to qualify for in-state tuition at College of the Siskiyous under a cross-border regional arrangement; it passed unanimously to Appropriations. AB 1552 (Jackson), requiring the community colleges and CSU and requesting UC to report recommendations on civic engagement and democracy education, also passed to Appropriations after some members objected that such programs could be used for partisan activity. AB 1829, which expands CalWORKs student-parent support by allowing more direct aid and waiving a 25% work-study employer match at the colleges’ discretion, passed 8-1 and was re-referred to Human Services. The committee later added on consent items and adjourned after announcing its next hearing date.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs following implementation of the CERT program.
• And it would be part of this new CERT program that, if a district chose ...of this new CERT program that
• that particular program.
• to remain in one program.
• to remain in one program.

Summary: The Careers and Workforce Subcommittee met with a quorum and took up four bills. The first, HB 875 on educator preparation, would align teacher-prep programs under a uniform core curriculum, create a competency-based coaching program (CERT), standardize mentor and clinical educator requirements, allow certain certification waivers, and establish a Florida Institute of Teaching Excellence at Miami-Dade College subject to appropriation. Debate focused heavily on language in the bill related to systemic racism, identity politics, privilege, and historical distortion, with supporters saying the bill is about pedagogy and opponents warning it could limit discussion of important historical and social topics. The committee adopted a strike-all amendment and then reported the bill favorably, 12-4. The committee then considered PCS for HB 541 on minimum wage requirements, which would allow employees to knowingly and voluntarily waive the state minimum wage for up to 12 months in certain structured work-based training settings. Supporters argued it would expand access to training and career pathways for inexperienced workers and help address labor shortages, while opponents said it could depress wages, invite coercion, and conflict with the state constitution’s minimum wage provisions. Public testimony included opposition from workers and labor groups and support from NFIB. The bill was reported favorably, 12-4. Next, PCS for HB 681 on apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program funding was presented as a transparency and accountability measure to improve funding reporting and address bargaining issues between education agencies and program providers. Support came from industry groups and the ranking member, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition, 16-0. Finally, PCS for HB 1105 on education and Bright Futures would broaden Gold Seal Vocational eligibility, align CTE diploma requirements with Bright Futures, add AP Capstone as an automatic qualifier, and remove barriers for certain military and public service families. The committee supported the bill, which was reported favorably, 15-0. The meeting ended after a correction to the record on one public comment card and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• into other services or programs by December 31, 2025.
• And to be clear, everybody in this program is disabled.
• These folks who have been in this program have been in this program for a reason.
• It's a community protection program.
• This one is simply establishing that these folks have. program whatsoever.

Bills: HB2510 , SGA9305

Committee: Senate Human Services

Keywords: community custody, probation, Department of Corrections, DOC supervision, Washington criminal law, sentencing, felony supervision, risk assessment, sex offense, serious violent offense, domestic violence, repetitive domestic violence, failure to register, sex offender registration, dangerous mentally ill offender, indeterminate sentence, parole, conditional commutation, gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor

Transcript Highlights:

• It also invests in the challenge program.
• This is a not just a policy program.
• ,</c> restrictions from key programs, restrictions from key programs, broadening<00:30:53.679><c> access
• There are no new programs and no win.
• ,</c> teachers, nurses, police officers, teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters,<00:34:33.760

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have testimony in support first for the nominee from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing. Hello.
• I'm the director of the Hawaii State Center for Nursing.
• </c> the Hawaii State Center for Nursing. the Hawaii State Center for Nursing.
• Board of Nursing, which at that<00:10:37.520><c> time</c><00:10:37.800><c> she</c><00:10:37.920><c>
• She's also, when we look at the generation span, a younger nurse, and so it's also very helpful to have

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard several governor’s message nominations for health-related boards and commissions. Kanwardeep Kaleka was considered for the Substance Abuse Kauai Service Area Board; he said his work as a psychiatrist and family physician on Kauai motivates him to improve mental health and addiction services. Kunani Dryer was considered for the Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances; he emphasized 26 years of personal recovery, harm reduction experience, and representation of rural, LGBTQIA+, and Native Hawaiian communities. Olivia Kim was considered for the Center for Nursing Advisory Board; testimony highlighted her experience in nursing leadership, long-term care, and LPN workforce issues. Trisha Lynn Yamashita was considered for the Kauai Subarea Health Planning Council; she described her hospice leadership, public health and palliative care background, and focus on data-informed, community-centered planning. Emily Dong was considered for the Board of Certification of Operating Personnel Wastewater Treatment Plants; she stressed wastewater’s public health importance and the need to strengthen the operator workforce pipeline. Testimony in support came from the Department of Health and several organizations and individuals, including the Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hina Mauka, the Kauai mayor, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and others. Committee members generally praised the nominees’ credentials and community ties, and repeatedly noted the value of lived experience, rural perspective, and workforce expertise. One nominee, Olivia Kim, was not present and was deferred to a later meeting for decision-making. At the end of the hearing, the committee took up the governor’s messages and recommended advise and consent for GM707, GM537, GM545, GM724, and GM790, with Senator Fevella excused and no objections recorded. GM662 was deferred to Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 3:20 p.m. in Room 225 because the nominee could not attend. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a state cost-share program.
• So, I mean, if you're applying to— ...part of the program.
• So there— ...the cost-share program.
• Yeah, just the ones that are part of the program.
• just the small portion that may be a cost share program.

Bills: HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469 , HB4338 , HB3977 , HB2100 , HB2975 , HB3056 , HB3406 , HB3720 , HB4316 , HB3405 , HB1907 , HB3142 , HB3173 , HB3270 , HB3728 , HB2440 , HB2596 , HB3466 , HB3469

Committees: House Energy , House Energy and Natural Resources Oversight

Keywords: HB4338, Oklahoma Brine Development Act, brine unitization, produced water, produced water unit, oil and gas wastewater, produced water recycling, reclaimed water, constituent elements, brine rights, solution gas, Corporation Commission, unitization, royalty interests, surface owner, oil and gas produced water, recycling and reuse, wastewater disposal, mineral extraction, lithium extraction

Transcript Highlights:

• This program has a sunset.
• So therefore, this program pays for itself.
• So therefore, this program pays for itself.
• So we went and researched those programs, and we took the best from those programs, and that's what you
• Existing program, got to love that.

Committee: House Economic Development

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• about the failures of their care through conversations and programming.
• </c> fosters engaged within my program fosters engaged within my program through<00:17:19.199><c> the
• Some of our youth have programming.
• </c><00:31:39.360><c> and</c> impact of just cultural programming and impact of just cultural programming
• </c><00:32:00.080><c> of</c> being a mom and how these programs of being a mom and how these programs

Keywords: 1183, house