Transcript Highlights:

• That's been a success bringing on more providers, um, case management, so more providers, um, case management
• That's been a success bringing on more providers, um, case management, so more providers, um, case management
• talking with other disaster case talking with other disaster case managers<01:00:45.039> that
• have so many options so the big case have so many options so the big case management<01:22:49.600
• So you're looking at the unit costs? So you're looking at, like, the unit costs?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services held an informational briefing on Kupuna Care funding, distribution, utilization, and the status of program rules. The Office of Aging explained that state Kupuna Care funds are distributed using the same federally approved interstate funding formula used for Older Americans Act funds, with eight weighted factors tailored to Hawaii’s conditions: older adults, greatest economic need, low-income minority status, disability, language barriers, geographic isolation, inverse population density, and older adults living alone in poverty. The department said the formula is based on census and American Community Survey data, with current county shares listed as Kauai 7.45%, Honolulu 69.61%, Maui 11.7%, and Hawaii County 17.88%. Officials said the formula is being reviewed with current data and will need federal approval and then public hearing before final adoption. Members questioned how the program works in practice, noting that the statute and eligibility language can sound like direct individual benefits even though services are delivered through area agencies on aging, ADRCs, and contracted providers such as meal and adult day care programs. The Office of Aging said ADRCs determine eligibility and then refer clients to authorized providers, who must meet service standards in their contracts. The chair pressed repeatedly for long-delayed rules, saying the Legislature had expected them years earlier and that clear rules are needed to ensure funds are spent properly and to avoid conflicts of interest. The department acknowledged the delay, said draft rules were written in 2023 after earlier commitments to finish sooner, and said it paused while federal Older Americans Act rules were being updated; it now expects to send the rules to the Deputy Attorney General, then out for public hearing, with a goal of completion in 2025. The department also reported utilization data for the last two fiscal years. In 2023, it expended about 93% of its allocation and served 5,473 older adults at an average annual cost of $1,358; in 2024, it expended about 97% and served 5,520 older adults, with the average cost down by about $200, which officials said may indicate fewer services per person. Eligibility was described as age 60 or older, U.S. citizen or qualified alien, with cognitive impairment or disability and functional deficits, and the statewide profile showed many participants were homebound, living alone, or below poverty. The most-used services were transportation, case management, and home-delivered meals. The chair also asked about the former Kupuna caregiver program; officials said the programs are now combined under Kupuna Care, with most funding going to adult day care to provide respite for working caregivers. County representatives then described local conditions, especially on Hawaii Island. Hawaii County officials said the county covers about 5,000 square miles, has about 208,000 residents, and roughly 24% are age 65 or older. They identified three main challenges: staffing shortages and retention problems among providers, shortages within the county department itself, and the loss of adult day care capacity, with only one center remaining on the island and none on the west side. They said these constraints limit service delivery even as demand grows. At the same time, they highlighted successes such as serving people in the community before they need higher levels of care, providing caregiver counseling and training through adult day care, serving 467 individuals locally, and ensuring the Resource Center answers calls from caregivers seeking help.

Transcript Highlights:

• I am the policy coordinator in the Governor's Office of Policy and Budget in the Education Unit.
• In case I tell you, you know, and call you directly.
• I left our community to work around the state and around the United States, and then came back into our
• case unit for the last three years.
• The last 20 of those years in the Homicide Bureau, and more specifically, the cold case unit for the

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education received a presentation from the Governor’s Office and the Commissioner of Education on the proposed higher education budget. The presentation highlighted a $117.4 billion overall state budget, with education at $32.5 billion and higher education receiving a modest overall increase. Key items included no tuition or fee increases for Florida residents, major financial aid funding such as Bright Futures, Benacquisto, EASE, Open Door, and first responder scholarships, as well as workforce investments including apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, nursing pipeline funding, and performance-based funding for colleges and universities. Committee members asked questions about the proposed expansion of the Guardian program at state colleges and the $100 million university recruitment and retention fund. Officials said the Guardian funding would give colleges flexibility to use trained personnel for campus safety, sometimes alongside or in place of campus police or private security. The Chancellor explained that the recruitment and retention money would be distributed to universities with no specific directives beyond using it for faculty recruitment and retention, emphasizing Florida’s favorable demographics and the opportunity to attract faculty from states facing enrollment declines. The committee then heard testimony from multiple appointees and reappointees to boards of trustees at state colleges and universities, including Eastern Florida State College, Lake-Sumter State College, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota, Miami Dade College, Northwest Florida State College, and St. Johns River State College. Each described their backgrounds and stressed themes of affordability, workforce alignment, nursing and technical programs, dual enrollment, and local community needs. Several cited strong nursing licensure pass rates and college outcomes. After hearing all appointees, the committee voted unanimously to confirm the full block of nominees, and the confirmations were reported favorably before the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unite us in charity and purpose that together we may build a society.
• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
• I've got a head cold, so please forgive me and be patient with me.
• It has to do with access to care, in this case, anesthesia care.
• In this case, welfare for the wealthy.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the prior journal, and recognized several guests, including the Doctor of the Day, representatives from the Arizona LEND Program, Friends of the Salt River Wild Horses, and other visitors. The chamber then moved into Committee of the Whole to consider bills on two calendars. On the first calendar, SB 1280 drew the most discussion and a failed floor amendment by Representative Gutierrez related to Mexican gray wolves; members debated wildlife recovery, federal conservation efforts, ranching impacts, and state funding restrictions before the amendment was defeated and the bill received a due pass recommendation. The committee also recommended due pass for SB 1418 and SB 1785, while SB 1200 was retained on the calendar. On the second calendar, members debated SB 1053 on concealed carry permit fees, SB 1259, SB 1372 on health care provider recruitment and anesthesia access, SB 1475 on student participation in interscholastic activities after certain criminal offenses, and SB 1478 with a technical floor amendment changing its effective date. SB 1053, SB 1259, SB 1372 as amended, SB 1475, and SB 1478 as amended all received due pass recommendations. The House adopted the Committee of the Whole report, placing SB 1372 and SB 1478 on engrossing and SB 1053, SB 1259, and SB 1475 on third reading. The House then took up third-reading votes on several bills. SB 1078, SB 1107, SB 1123, and SB 1142 were passed by recorded vote, with SB 1142 prompting extended debate over a federal education tax credit and whether it would divert resources from public schools; supporters argued it would not affect state revenues and would help Arizona families, while opponents said it favored wealthier households and undermined public education. The session ended with personal announcements and adjournment until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• On one occasion, she voted against funds to the United Nations.
• Taken together, these malign actions are a threat to the United States.
• That would be similar to what United Front Work is.
• The CCP's United Front sees this as a tool to achieve its goals.
• That effort was wildly successful, so much so that it neared case capacity.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:13:56.519> units<00:13:56.839> for affordable and Workforce units units for affordable
• and Workforce units units for people<00:13:57.199> with<00:13:57.360> disabilities<00:
• units.
• of extreme heat or extreme cold.
• We know the detrimental impacts for residents in cases of extreme heat or cold, such as increased risk

Bills: HF2148, HF2693, HF2542, HF1141, HF1770, HF1489, HF1709, HF244, HF1266, HF807, HF2619, HF1340

Keywords: affordable housing, local control, revolving loan fund, community partnerships, Minnesota housing policy, housing, locally controlled housing, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, housing infrastructure bonds, state bonds, bonding bill, supportive housing, permanent supportive housing, homelessness, veterans housing, senior housing, manufactured home parks, community land trust, single-family housing, multifamily housing

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:11:43.200> Farm of a Dolores Huerta Day or United Farm of a Dolores Huerta Day or United
• this case, not used. this case, not used.
• When people sleep outside brutally cold.
• Some cases have it more than 9 billion, but let's just take 9 billion.
• Some cases have it more than 9 billion, Some cases have it more than 9 billion, but<00:59:42.080>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , going to need to show that in this case, going to need to show that in this case, securization<
• <01:15:24.080> prudency like this through rate case prudency like this through rate case prudency
• It's designed to contain the cold LNG and keep it cold as we store it.
• When it's really cold, you need more of it.
• When it's in cold, you need more of it.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the infrastructure unit supervisor at the Department of Health.
• And we didn't know what just went cold.
• <01:06:37.880> in Our water and heating uh it's cold in Our water and heating uh it's cold
• some recent experience at the United some recent experience at the United States<01:36:38.080>
• <01:36:47.440> States the United States the United States I<01:36:49.160> am<01:36:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:09:40.920> in Terrace in Duluth, about 500 units in Terrace in Duluth, about 500 units
• <00:09:52.440> community Chaska, another 500 unit community Chaska, another 500 unit community
• In most cases when notices do time.
• This raises serious public safety concerns. while in other cases still providing while in other cases
• <01:02:55.840> person, first, I'm not a cold-harsh person, first, I'm not a cold-harsh person

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We have been transitioning from the cold of winter towards the heat of summer.
• The weather is not too hot or too cold. And night will be of equal length.
• The weather is not too hot or too cold, not too wet or too dry.
• They go to the United States Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.
• The hardest-to-place cases—that's what my mother always wanted to step in and do.

Summary: The Assembly met on March 6, 2025, established a quorum, and opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and routine procedural motions, including unanimous consent requests and a re-referral of AB 506. The chamber then moved through a series of guest introductions and second-reading items before taking up several resolutions recognizing awareness days and cultural observances. Members adopted ACR 41 on Down Syndrome Awareness Week/Day and HR 24 on Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month after extensive bipartisan remarks focused on family experiences, inclusion, bullying, funding for services, and support for people with disabilities. The Assembly also adopted ACR 48 recognizing Women in STEM Day, ACR 49 recognizing California STEM Robotics Day, HR 18 celebrating Nauruze, and ACR 2 marking the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Each resolution drew co-authors and supportive comments from members across the aisle. The body then debated and passed AB 248, which would remove the state wage cap on county jail inmate labor and allow counties more discretion; supporters framed it as local control and rehabilitation, while opponents argued it would raise costs and conflict with voter sentiment. The Assembly also passed AB 100, a budget-process measure moving a large package of bills to the Senate, and used a substituted roll call for the remaining related bills. Consent calendar items were approved, and the chamber concluded with multiple adjournments in memory, including tributes to Eric Lopez, Johnny D. Giles, and Roger Diamond, before adjourning until March 24, 2025.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are cases that we all know. equal. These are cases that we all know.
• United States Constitution.
• It was frigid cold.
• It was frigid cold.
• It was frigid cold.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House opened with a devotional for Mental Health Awareness Month, focused on the fragility and renewability of mental health and the importance of human connection, kindness, and reaching out to people who are struggling. The chamber then handled several referral items, including first reading and referral of Senate Bill 329, an act relating to criminal procedures involving firearms, to the Judiciary Committee. It also referred Senate Bills 323 and 326 to the Committee on Appropriations because they carry appropriations, and noted that Senate Bill 278, relating to cannabis and state revenue, had been reported favorably with amendment and was referred to Ways and Means under House Rule 35A. The House took up Joint Senate Resolution 53 on weekend adjournment for May 15, 2026, and adopted it in concurrence by voice vote. The chamber also read House Concurrent Resolution 284 honoring former Senate Majority Leader and Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs’ Executive Director John F. Campbell for his public service, including his work on marriage equality and gun control, and members gave remarks recognizing his leadership, humor, and impact on the institution. Several guests were welcomed and recognized during announcements, including a representative involved in a diaper drive, local officials, and Norma Malone, who was honored for decades of public service in Barry Town and related local boards. The main floor action was on Proposal 4, a proposed constitutional amendment on equality of rights. The Judiciary Committee recommended concurrence, and the member from Burlington explained the amendment’s purpose and process, emphasizing that it would add an equal protection guarantee to the Vermont Constitution covering race, ethnicity, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and national origin, while preserving other constitutional protections. The member also reviewed the proposal’s prior passage in both chambers in the previous biennium and its current path toward appearing on the November 2026 ballot if approved again by the House and Senate. The transcript ends while the House is still hearing extended remarks on Proposal 4, with no final vote on the amendment shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:08:13.599> to There's also a very relevant case to There's also a very relevant case to
• this is the case. this is the case.
• How would that help with rate cases?
• , I think once it comes to a rate case, I think once it comes to a rate case, the<01:00:15.040>
• Um, in case there's to you folks.

Bills: HF3458, HF3777, HF3778, HF3912

Keywords: electric utilities, service areas, Tribal lands, Minnesota statute, energy regulation, utility rates, public utilities, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, ratepayer, consumer protection, affordable energy, energy affordability, ability to pay, just and reasonable rates, rate regulation, electric rates, natural gas rates, energy conservation, renewable energy

Summary: The committee approved the March 5, 2026 minutes and then took up House File 3458, as amended, which would exempt tribes from utility exclusive rights and assigned service areas. The bill’s author and the Upper Sioux community chairman said the measure was prompted by a dispute over a solar project at the tribal casino and argued the issue is really about tribal sovereignty, not solar, citing tribal civil regulatory authority and prior court cases. The amendment A1 was adopted before testimony. Testimony was split. Chairman Kevin Jensel of the Upper Sioux community strongly supported the bill, saying the tribe should not be forced to follow utility service territories and that the state should correct a long-standing omission in law. Derek Mo of the Minnesota Rural Electric Association opposed the bill, warning it would undermine the regulatory compact, reliability, long-term planning, and financing for electric service, especially in tribal areas. Justin Johns of East Central Energy also opposed the bill, but emphasized that many cooperatives have productive tribal partnerships and said his co-op has worked successfully with the Mille Lacs Band on solar, resilience, and workforce efforts; he cautioned that removing service obligations could leave difficult-to-serve areas underinvested. Members discussed whether the Public Utilities Commission process already underway should be allowed to resolve the dispute and whether the bill’s scope could extend beyond the current solar issue. The chair responded that the bill was a legislative approach to a problem that had not been resolved and said the amendment addressed concerns about removing the obligation to serve. A roll call was requested, and the committee voted to re-refer House File 3458, as amended, to the General Register.

Transcript Highlights:

• I will follow the law and ensure that that is the case. Is that a yes or a no? Yes.
• They're working in the cold. They're some of the hardest-working people I've ever met.
• So you're obviously pastoring a church and serving in the United States Senate.
• And may I say there is no room for racism at the United States Department of Agriculture.
• This is the United States of America.

Transcript Highlights:

• Society of the United States. Society of the United States.
• Isn't that the case? issues. Isn't that the case? >> That's<01:11:17.760> right.
• And we're actually seeing in some cases cases cases benefit<01:12:03.040> to<01:12:03.240>
• But isn't it also the case argument.
• <01:42:58.960> that it would isn't it the case that it would isn't it the case that this<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, the cold case files that I talked about in L.A.—that resulted in convictions?
• What I can say is that agencies routinely do cold case reviews every year at a 365-day mark.
• So any of those cold cases—and we talked about L.A. has 200-plus murders right now—those are reviewed
• So, you know, the best I can pull is cold cases.
• But you mentioned that there's, like, you use the example of the cold case murders in Los Angeles.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• lead times, unit lead times are well over a 2654 So even in normal times, the unit lead times, unit
• I'm going down. 3325 Case study selected Ercot projects and data requirements. 3326 Case study selected
• >> Yes. >> And in some cases that works really, in some cases.
• Then file a rate case, then have us complete the rate case and make a determination.
• Then file a rate case, then have us complete the rate case and make a determination.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce held its first interim hearing on securing critical infrastructure and supply chain integrity, with a focus on Texas’s electric grid and the Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act. The chair also highlighted Texas’s relatively low electricity prices and welcomed new committee members. ERCOT, the Public Utility Commission (PUC), and the Attorney General’s office were invited to explain how the state screens market participants and grid equipment for ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and how the agencies respond to noncompliance. ERCOT testified that it has implemented the requirements of three related Senate bills by requiring attestations on corporate affiliations and on critical grid equipment and services. ERCOT said it has processed thousands of attestations, used additional requests for information and third-party verification tools such as Dun & Bradstreet, and terminated nonresponsive market participants. ERCOT also said it has not seen a case requiring direct Attorney General involvement, but it does refer matters to the PUC when needed. The PUC said it can investigate suspected violations and impose penalties of up to $1 million per violation per day, and that most investigations into late or missing attestations have been resolved through compliance, market exit, or removal by ERCOT. The Attorney General’s office said its role is currently limited to audits and court involvement, and that it lacks broad independent investigatory authority under the act. Members pressed the panel on whether the current system is too reliant on self-reporting and whether it adequately addresses indirect foreign influence, especially through supply chains for batteries, inverters, transformers, and other equipment with routable connectivity. ERCOT acknowledged that the current attestation process has gaps and said it plans to refine definitions of critical grid equipment and grid services, improve information requests, and continue stakeholder rulemaking. The panel also discussed possible legislative changes, including tying prohibitions to the Department of Defense Section 1260H list and the Texas Prohibited Technologies list, clarifying warranty and service access, and expanding the statute to cover grid services more directly. Several senators raised concerns about cost, reliability, and the extent to which foreign-sourced components remain embedded in Texas infrastructure, while others suggested incentives for domestic manufacturing and stronger verification tools, including possible work with national labs such as Sandia.

Transcript Highlights:

• them exactly how how big so local units them exactly how how big so local units of<00:04:31.840>
• <00:15:59.079> is years in some cases is years in some cases is exponentially<00:16:01.160
• They're going to use some of the steam from those units, but same intent: have those units online by
• <01:13:30.120> that cold Winters we have those units that cold Winters we have those units
• um I mentioned we had the Vogal unit um I mentioned we had the Vogal unit come<01:21:42.480>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there are four units being built.
• that want to have United Way sponsor them.
• Thankfully, it wasn't very, very cold because they're open boats.
• in the United States in 35 years.
• The United States actually does have a deep geologic repository.

Summary: The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee met to hear a series of presentations on the economics, financing, workforce, and community impacts of advanced nuclear deployment in North Dakota. William Bridge of Nucleon Energy presented the committee’s economic impacts and private-sector financing report, estimating construction and operating job impacts, local spending, and state/local tax effects for hypothetical SMR projects. He said the report assumes first-of-a-kind costs are still high, used a $6 million per megawatt nth-of-a-kind proxy, and estimated peak construction workforces of about 500 for a 200-MW plant and 1,000 for a larger facility, with roughly 100 operating jobs for a 200-MW plant. Committee members questioned security costs, capital cost assumptions, water and transmission siting constraints, and whether the model included fuel and waste; Bridge said the report included initial fuel in capital cost and that waste disposal is funded through existing federal mechanisms. Lori Brady of the Nuclear Energy Institute then outlined national nuclear workforce needs and NEI’s strategic workforce planning efforts. She described declining labor-force participation, retirements, and the need for a much larger future workforce, and said NEI has organized recommendations around career awareness, pipelines, training and qualification, policy support, retention, and nontraditional recruitment. She highlighted tools such as the Nuclear Works career website, the Nuclear Energy Academic Roadmap, the new federal Energy and Natural Resources career cluster, and the Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program for community colleges. Members asked about AI, timing for training relative to plant development, and whether advanced manufacturing would reduce staffing needs; Brady said AI is not expected to replace workers and that training timelines depend on the specific project and staffing plan. The committee also heard from Gary Yaco, mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, who described Prairie Island’s role in his community. He said the plant provides a large share of local property tax revenue, supports well-paid jobs, contributes to emergency preparedness funding and training, and is broadly supported by the city despite periodic protests and public concerns. He emphasized the plant’s security, regular drills with local and federal responders, and the absence of problems with dry cask storage. Later, Benton Arnett of NEI discussed the current financing landscape for advanced nuclear, explaining how tax credits, federal loan support, off-take agreements, and new business models are helping projects move forward. He said early projects face high upfront costs and long lead-time procurement, but that investor confidence is improving as federal policy and regulatory streamlining continue. The committee asked about waste funding, comparisons with natural gas, the effect of political shifts on investor confidence, and whether the market will narrow to a few winning technologies; Arnett said the industry is still sorting that out, but expects clearer winners in the late 2020s and early 2030s. The meeting concluded with an introductory presentation from Julie Kazeraki of DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing, who said the office is focused on accelerating nuclear deployment through financing support.

Transcript Highlights:

• up putting me in the intensive care unit.
• up putting me in the intensive care unit.
• These aren't isolated cases.
• I often care for them when they are fighting for their lives in the intensive care unit.
• And if you recall, Jacobson is a vaccination case; it's not a mask case.

Bills: HB2086, HB2248, HB2688

Keywords: vaccination mandates, mask requirements, public health, government entities, COVID-19, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, government regulation, vacant positions, state budget, government efficiency, employment, full-time equivalent positions, 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard three bills, all on medical freedom or government staffing. HB 2248 would prohibit governmental entities, businesses, schools, and ticket issuers from denying employment, entry, services, or participation based on whether a person has received or used a medical intervention. Supporters framed it as protecting bodily autonomy and parental rights; opponents, including physicians, child care and public health advocates, warned it was drafted too broadly and could undermine vaccine-related protections, school and daycare illness policies, and hospital safety. After debate, the bill received a do pass recommendation on a 3-2 vote. HB 2086 would bar government entities and businesses from requiring vaccination or masks/face coverings, with stated exceptions for long-standing workplace safety and infection control measures, and it would apply to certain government-owned health care facilities. Supporters argued it was needed to prevent coercive mandates and protect individual freedom and business autonomy; opponents said it would interfere with private employers’ ability to protect customers and workers and could conflict with public health practices. The committee approved the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote. HB 2688 would require the Arizona Department of Administration to identify state budget-unit positions vacant for at least 150 days and eliminate those positions each fiscal year, with some exceptions such as corrections and DPS. The sponsor said the bill would reduce waste and prevent vacant positions from functioning as slush funds, while members raised concerns about specialized or hard-to-fill jobs. After brief testimony in support, the committee passed the bill on a 3-2 do pass vote, then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the subcommittee on workforce by Chairman Bell, relating to the conducting of certain contested case
• Semiconductors, aerospace, including space, defense manufacturing, and energy technologies— The United
• , as determined by the United States Department of Labor, the U.S.
• There's a standard of 26 weeks that is across the United States.
• In case you're not familiar with us, Asurion is the world's largest tech services company.

Bills: HB 112, HB199, HB621, HB1349, HB2214, HB3466, HB3698, HB3699, HCR9, HB112, HB199, HCR9

Keywords: science park district, economic development, technology innovation, higher education collaboration, infrastructure development, Texas Economic Development Office, workforce development, unemployment benefits, state average unemployment rate, benefit year, economic support, Texas Workforce Commission, property owners' association, free speech, assembly rights, government officials, political candidates, floodplain, landlord, tenant