Video & Transcript Research : 'block groups'
Page 261 of 500
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (05/29/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- Notification to the next two groups that ... >> Notification to the next two groups that are coming up
- on as a council to address that group. on as a council to address that group.
- <01:16:08.920>
and speak to our highest risk groups and speak to our highest risk groups and - Why is that group? Why is that group?
- <01:27:56.880>
and reasons why in that that age group and reasons why in that that age group
Summary:
The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published.
Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2.
Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm excited about this group, and they've been very effective.
- Just for the edification of the committee, would you all talk about some of the work that this group
- Mason actually works for both—Mason Bishop—and he's the lead for this work group.
- So he's actually part of the group that was here.
- So this contract, again, Attachment A has the hourly rates that Kyle's group will charge.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee 1/23/25
Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Barr provided the data in the scientific research, and the Policy Navigation Group really put a price
- Barr provided the data in the scientific research, and the Policy Navigation Group really put a price
- Barr provided the data in the scientific research, and the Policy Navigation Group really put a price
- Barr provided the data in the scientific research, and the Policy Navigation Group really put a price
- Barr provided the data in the scientific research, and the Policy Navigation Group really put a price
Summary:
The committee approved the January 21, 2025 minutes and then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Chamber Foundation on its report about Minnesota’s environmental permitting system. The presenters said the report was based on research by Barr Engineering and the Policy Navigation Group and argued that permitting delays can discourage investment and make Minnesota less competitive for manufacturing, mining, energy, clean tech, and other industrial projects. They highlighted that Tier 1 permits are generally issued quickly, but Tier 2 air and water permits often take much longer than the state’s 150-day goal, with some median timelines ranging from 419 to 771 days for Tier 2 air permits and similar delays for industrial water permits. The report also said Minnesota’s permit timelines were longer than peer states and estimated that reducing delays could increase annual output by $260 million to $910 million and support 960 to 3,400 additional full-time-equivalent jobs per year.
Committee members asked about which businesses fall under Tier 2 permits, the economic impact of permitting delays, and whether the Chamber had discussed the report with the governor or MPCA. The presenters said Tier 2 permits typically involve higher-emitting facilities such as manufacturing, utilities, mining, and other industrial operations, and that the economic estimates were based on modeling rather than exact lost-job counts. They also noted that the governor had been briefed and that MPCA had been invited to the hearing but did not attend.
The committee then took up House File 8, which Chair Heintzeman said is intended to improve permitting efficiency while maintaining environmental standards. He described provisions that would reduce the number of 60-day wetland application extensions, require MPCA to issue permitting efficiency reports twice a year, break out data on missed timelines by municipal versus industrial applicants, treat failure to meet the 150-day Tier 2 deadline as a final action subject to judicial review, and require quicker notice when applications are incomplete. He also outlined sections that would allow separate construction and operating permits, expand expedited permitting, and change environmental assessment worksheet petition rules. The bill was moved to be re-referred to the Labor and Workforce Development Committee, and the discussion began, but the transcript ends before any final vote on the bill is shown.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Energy Finance Bill Working Group 6/8/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, appreciate you making the time to be here today for the Energy Finance Working Group meeting.
- I know finding a time that worked for all of the working group members was a challenge.
- I know finding a time that worked for all of the working group members was a challenge.
- Um I'll be grouping together policy.
- Um I'll be grouping together sections<00:10:37.120>
that <00:10:37.360>were <00:10:38.000
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I have the climate change and health working group in support.
- My name is James McCallen, and I'm speaking on behalf of the climate change and health working group
- <00:23:11.919>
We working group in support of HR 182. - We working group in support of HR 182.
- <00:23:13.200>
professionals, are a group of medical professionals, are a group of medical
Summary:
The Committee on Health met on April 2, 2025, and heard several resolutions focused on student mental health, autism data collection, school heat exposure, and climate change as a public health issue. Testimony on HCR 96/HR 92 supported encouraging the University of Hawaii to evaluate and expand student mental health services; the University of Hawaii testified in support, and a student speaker said expanded services would make students more likely to seek help. The committee also heard HCR 145/HR 139, which urges state agencies to collaborate on planning for Hawaii’s participation in CDC autism prevalence surveillance; supporters included the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and an autism advocate who said Hawaii needs better local representation in the data.
The committee then heard HCR 186/HR 179, requesting a study of heat exposure management in Department of Education and charter schools. The Department of Health and the climate change and health working group supported the measure, citing rising temperatures, heat-related illness risks during outdoor activities, and the value of wet bulb globe temperature standards. Finally, the committee heard HCR 188/HR 182, declaring climate change a public health emergency and calling for statewide coordination on cross-sector solutions. Supporters from the Hawaii Public Health Institute, the climate change and health working group, and a Native Hawaiian physician emphasized climate-related health harms such as heat illness, wildfire impacts, chronic disease, and inequities; one member opposed the measure as politicized and said it could dilute attention from other urgent problems.
In decision-making, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HCR 96/HR 92, HCR 145/HR 139, and HCR 186/HR 179 as is. For HCR 188/HR 182, the committee recommended passage with amendments, specifically a House draft one for technical clarity, consistency, and style. During the vote on the climate emergency resolution, Representatives Elos and Garcia voted no, while the rest of the members present supported the recommendation. The meeting then adjourned.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Apr 1, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- , and HR 54, HD1, requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a geothermal energy working group
- , the Department of Health, Puna Geothermal Venture, and others who are listed within this working group
- which must be which BN um Kaka groups which must be which must<00:20:17.480>
be <00:20:18.320> - in the working group and the puc<00:22:17.760>
would <00:22:17.880>be <00:22:18.080> - being existing and being as group being existing and being as complete<00:22:24.600>
as <00:22
Summary:
The House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce met on April 1 at the State Capitol and heard four measures. HCR 45/HR 38 urged the Public Utilities Commission to support transferring regulatory authority over motor carriers, water carriers, and other transportation means to the Department of Transportation; both the PUC and DOT testified in support, and members discussed that the resolution was largely symbolic because statutory changes would still be needed. HCR 58/HR 54 requested a geothermal energy working group; the Consumer Advocate, PUC, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and Life of the Land supported it, while Students for Justice in Palestine at UH opposed it, citing an active injunction, environmental risks, and the need to prioritize Native and local community voices. Members asked about the injunction and community representation, and the PUC said it would support including Hawaiian community members in the working group. HCR 91/HR 87 sought insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices; a 14-year-old amputee testified in support, describing the need for sports prosthetics and arguing that coverage should allow people with limb loss to participate fully in school and athletics. HCR 102/HR 98 urged the Real Estate Commission to allow the salesperson exam to be administered in Japanese for timeshare sales; the Real Estate Commission opposed, while ARDA supported it, arguing there is a shortage of bilingual real estate professionals and that Japanese-language testing would help the timeshare industry and Japanese visitors. Members questioned the limited-license concept and public protection concerns, and the committee later amended the measure to a limited real estate salesperson’s license for timeshare sales, changing the target from Japanese-speaking visitors to Japanese nationals, before passing all four measures out of committee, with HCR 102 passing with amendments and the others passing as is.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee. (7-1-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- outside groups um with Haner and others. outside groups um with Haner and others.
- <00:46:01.560>
by we'll go through additional groups by we'll go through additional groups - , we've been working with those groups, we've been working with those groups, those<00:48:02.520>
- 00:48:03.760>
say those technical advisory groups, to say those technical advisory groups, to - <00:48:09.520>
on <00:48:09.800>on <00:48:10.200>um groups on on um groups on on
Keywords:
0:00:03 - Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:43 - Approval of October 14, 2025 and November 4, 2025 Minutes
0:01:15 - Acceptance of Office of Education Accountability Report: Analysis Of Student Discipline Data in Kentucky Schools
0:02:10 - Implementation Update on 26 RS HB 257
0:49:38 - Career and Technical Education in the Assessment and Accountability System
1:13:50 - Office of Education Accountability Annual Report
1:47:27 – Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Education Assessment & Accountability Review Subcommittee approved the minutes from its October 14 and November 4 meetings and also approved the Office of Education Accountability report analyzing student discipline data in Kentucky schools. The main presentation came from KDE Commissioner Dr. Robby Fletcher on implementation of House Bill 257, which he said has two major parts: selection of a statewide college entrance exam through a new procurement process, and development of locally designed indicators of quality for accountability.
On the college exam, Fletcher explained that the state had to reopen procurement after Senate Bill 197, with the RFP released May 21, vendor questions handled through the Finance and Administration Cabinet, proposals due June 22, and scoring and review expected in July and August, with a vendor decision not likely until October. He emphasized that the exam is a norm-referenced college-readiness measure, not a test of Kentucky academic standards, which are assessed by the KSA. Members asked about the science requirement in statute, the possibility of multiple vendors or district choice, and whether the CLT could participate; Fletcher said vendors must address science in the RFP, multiple vendors could be possible, and any vendor could submit a proposal if it meets the rubric. He also noted that ACT and SAT differ in structure, that either can meet college-readiness benchmarks, and that there were no major complaints about the SAT during its first year of use.
The second major topic was the locally developed indicators of quality under House Bill 257. Fletcher said these are intended to let districts measure themselves against their own goals rather than compare districts statewide, while still aligning with Kentucky standards. He described examples such as achievement, growth, student well-being, safety, fiscal responsibility, civics, internships, apprenticeships, project-based learning, and defenses of learning. He said districts may use local assessments such as MAP, STAR, and I-Ready alongside state data, and that local models should be developed with families, community members, and workforce partners. He added that KDE is providing technical assistance, has applied for a federal CGSA grant, and will use a one-time $15,000 cost offset for districts implementing local accountability models, with a superintendent webcast planned for August.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- in whatever name you use for whichever part of the group you're talking about.
- in whatever name you use for whichever part of the group you're talking about.
- <00:21:52.720>
of chair is um teaching a group of chair is um teaching a group of four-year-olds - <00:27:07.760>
I to collaborating with their group on. - I to collaborating with their group on.
Summary:
The meeting opened without a quorum, so approval of the prior draft minutes was deferred until later. The committee then heard a DHS update from Commissioner Lori Weaver and COO David Weers, who described the recent flood at the Brown building and the relocation of nearly 400 DHS staff while operations are restored. They also outlined New Hampshire Care Connections, a privacy- and consent-focused closed-loop referral platform intended to improve referrals among providers, reduce duplication, and support continuity of care, with an Upper Valley implementation partnered with Dartmouth Health and an Epic integration already underway.
Members asked whether the system would merge medical records or simply track referrals. DHS said it is not intended to store or transmit full medical records, but to integrate with providers’ electronic health record systems so referrals can be sent, received, and tracked, with consent controls limiting what information can be shared. Officials said the project will be tested over the coming months, with metrics, governance, and advisory committee oversight, and that it is tied to broader rural health transformation efforts and statewide implementation after the regional pilot.
The committee also received the annual report from the Child Care Advisory Council. Maryanne Barter and Jessica Carver said the council worked with licensing to streamline the child care licensing rules, reducing the handbook by about 30%, and is now helping develop an informal dispute resolution process, revising the Granite Steps for Quality system, and creating a clearer handbook for providers handling state scholarship audits. They reported ongoing concern about child care closures and workforce shortages, said there is currently no wait list for child care assistance, and discussed questions about federal CCDF immunization requirements, which DHS said it would follow up on with federal technical assistance partners. After quorum was established, the committee moved to approve the minutes from the prior meeting.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendments Committee Jun 9th, 2026
Elections and Constitutional Amendments
Transcript Highlights:
- Ashante Smith with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in very strong support for this bill.
- Ashante Smith with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in very strong support for this bill.
- , nonprofit organizations, and also groups of people who are making that entity?
- For example, then each ethnic group, some particular ethnic groups such as Chinese people, when they
- And any other Hispanic groups or the Filipinos, they can say their own experiences.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 18th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Please move to the center for a group photo. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
- The three largest record companies in the world—the Universal Music Group, the Warner Music Group, and
- Universal Music Group, Mark Baker, Vice President for a Catalog, Universal Music Group; Mark Baker,
- In the heart of the Arts District in downtown Los Angeles, the Warner Music Group has offices.
- And, of course, Universal Music Group is doing a lot of work here.
Summary:
The Assembly met on June 4, 2025, after a quorum call and opening prayer led by Assembly Member Ramos, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and routine procedural actions. Members handled several motions on bill referrals and file management, including disputes over SB 280 and ACA 8. The Speaker’s rulings were repeatedly appealed and sustained, and the body ultimately approved re-referral and notice waivers related to ACA 8 and SB 280, along with related committee hearing notices and shortened file notice requirements. Several bills were also removed from consent, moved to inactive file, or withdrawn from committee as nonfiscal measures.
The chamber then held a Native American Day ceremony centered on ACR 102 by Assembly Member Ramos, recognizing California Native American Day and the California Indian Cultural Awareness Conference. Multiple caucus leaders and members spoke in support, emphasizing California’s Native history, past state harms, and recent legislative efforts affecting tribal communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 71 coauthors were added. The ceremony also honored Native leaders and students, including Judge Abby Abinanti, Councilwoman Catalina Chacon, Rosemary Salgado, Chairman Frederick Massetti, and Clovis Unified students who defended their right to wear regalia at graduation.
Later, the Assembly took up concurrence votes on several Senate-amended bills, all of which passed unanimously: AB 829 on Parkinson’s disease, AB 463 on emergency medical services, AB 493 on mortgage escrow interest, and AB 1387 on behavioral health coordination for justice-involved individuals. The body also adopted ACR 100 honoring India’s Independence Day and H.R. 44 recognizing homeless service providers, both by voice vote after substantial support from members and coauthors. Guest introductions highlighted the music industry, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, and visiting officials from Pakistan.
The session concluded with adjournments in memory of Joel Nilsen and Grace Akiko Kojima, followed by announcements of upcoming session dates and adjournment under the call of the Speaker.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Investments and Pensions Oversight May 22nd, 2025
Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a chart produced by the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group in September 2024.
- Don't reinvent the wheel and just say, OK, this is what's performing well for this group.
- Where we would only have one investment group, and they invest for all the funds.
- get their investment groups.
- There aren't elections, but there are appointed members by different, uh, by different groups.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
TCA Public Hearing 03-25-2025
Transcript Highlights:
- to develop and recommend a working group to develop and recommend federal,<00:31:42.960>
state, Working group. Thank you. Thank you. Up next is Young Brothers. Good afternoon.- just to facilitate us getting that group just to facilitate us getting that work<00:32:15.600>
and - just to facilitate us getting that group just to facilitate us getting that work<00:32:15.600>
- Moving on to STR 150, requesting the Department of Transportation convene a working group to develop
- Moving on to STR 150, requesting the Department of Transportation convene a working group to develop
Summary:
The Committee on Transportation and Culture heard a series of resolutions covering cultural preservation, civic education, dark-sky protection, Taiwan relations, aviation safety reporting, waterborne cargo subsidies, and Maui transportation planning. Testimony on the Hawaii Theatre resolutions (SCR 131/SR 110) came from the Hawaii Theatre Center in support, with a question about whether acquisition funding was in the current budget; the witness said he was not aware of any such funding. The state archivist strongly supported SCR 169/SR 138 on expanding public outreach and civic engagement, and a student testifier supported the measure while urging stronger language to include Indigenous culture and closer work with Native communities. On STR 12/SR 8 recognizing International Dark Sky Week, testimony emphasized light pollution’s effects on birds, marine life, human health, and astronomy, and suggested stronger lighting ordinances and possible dark-sky reserve efforts. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan received support from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, while STR 180/SR 150 on aviation safety reporting drew support from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters but opposition from the Department of Transportation, which said much of the requested information falls under FAA jurisdiction and would be voluntary at the state level. STR 150 on waterborne cargo subsidies was supported by DOT, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Food Industry Association, with DOT asking that the working group be smaller to speed a report to the 2026 session. STR 37/SR 21 and STR 38/SR 22 on Kihei road planning drew support from the Kihei Community Association, which described severe congestion and safety concerns in South Maui.
In decision-making, the committee advanced SCR 131/SR 110 on the Hawaii Theatre as introduced. SCR 169/SR 138 was advanced with amendments to address comments about Indigenous culture. STR 12/SR 8 on International Dark Sky Week was deferred for further discussion until the following Tuesday. STR 31/SR 17 on Taiwan was advanced with technical, non-substantive amendments. STR 180/SR 150 and STR 150 were both deferred to the same later decision-making date to allow further work on possible amendments and jurisdictional issues. STR 37/SR 21 was passed as introduced, and STR 38/SR 22 was passed with technical, non-substantive amendments. In each vote taken, the measures were adopted without recorded opposition from the members present.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25 - Part 2
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:08.400>
out just a You brought a lot of groups out just a You brought a lot of groups - And that's a group that you want included in your section 3 of your bill?
- expressed by all these different groups. expressed by all these different groups.
- <00:35:52.400>
The just aimed at this particular group. - The just aimed at this particular group.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Bulk purchasing is when a group of buyers.
- Was it a European group?
- We don't know who that group is behind the... the corporate veil, but we believe it's a group out of
- groups engaged in charitable bingo.
- These are groups of young.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Fri Jan 31, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Any update on the public land trust revenue working group that was established?
- in revenue reports to DNR provide an accounting to the group.
- uh a public land work um working group uh a public land work um working group um<00:22:51.760>
- <00:22:52.840>
was um public land trust working group was um public land trust working group- It's rife with issues, and these were all things that were identified by the working group.
- <00:22:52.840>
Summary:
The committee heard testimony on House Bill 410, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ biennium operating budget. OHA asked for a modest increase over its base budget, including $1.2 million to fund 13 new full-time positions for a strategy and implementation team tied to its long-term plan, with emphasis on housing, education, health, and economic resilience. OHA also described a broader effort to work directly with executive branch departments to improve outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Testimony was largely supportive, with several individuals speaking in favor and one testifier expressing strong frustration about Native Hawaiian rights and access to resources. The chair noted there were 38 additional written/supporting testimonies and three in opposition. Members asked about OHA’s funding sources and public land trust revenues; OHA said it is not receiving the full 20 percent share, described a public land trust working group and system issues, and said a related bill would seek funding to begin an inventory. No vote was taken in the portion provided.
The committee then considered House Bill 304, which would make the Hawaiian version of a law binding when the law was originally drafted in Hawaiian and later translated into English. The Judiciary supported the bill, saying it reinforces Hawaiian as an official language and looks to the original language for legislative intent. The Attorney General supported the intent but recommended narrowing the bill with a proviso to avoid ambiguities, limiting it to laws originally drafted in Hawaiian that were not later amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English. Public testimony was generally supportive, though one speaker raised broader sovereignty concerns. Members questioned how many laws would be affected and whether the proposed amendment would undercut the bill; the Attorney General said the amendment was meant to address uncertainty in interpretation. No final action was reported.
Finally, the committee heard House Bill 603, which would direct OHA to administer a Native Hawaiian business marketing program to promote Native Hawaiian-owned businesses through marketing and technical assistance. OHA supported the concept, saying a label or branding program could help consumers identify and support Native Hawaiian-owned businesses, but requested that funding be redirected to a working group to study program design, implementation, enforcement, and long-term viability. The chair noted four supportive testimonies had been received, and a member asked OHA to confirm that its programs serve all Hawaiians, not only those eligible for homelands; OHA said it serves all Hawaiians in the state. The transcript ends before any vote or further action on HB 603.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 30 Mar 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Provides teachers equal access to professional educator groups. Yields questions on the amendment.
- come to their school and provide information about their group.
- The teachers would have the option to choose any of these groups.
- I worked in a school where I had one option. and the group that was that option, the superintendent's
- being represented when a group of teachers are being choices made when they are not in that room.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
Legislative Finance Sub Committee Sep 24th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Then the outreach family outreach group...
- To a group home. I know 'group home' is a dirty, nasty word anymore.
- So, we do have groups like teachers' groups. groups, education groups, hospital groups, and anonymous
- I wanted to say that there used to be a number of great group homes around the state.
- Funds can no longer be used to fund group homes, so that would be another consideration.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Human Committee Meeting - 2025-04-09
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- House File 2187 for the DCT locked PRTF work group.
- This is from Representative Hicks and establishes the PRTF work group.
- This may actually result in some cuts in the group rate, for example.
- Lastly, in Section 56 on the work group, please add March to that work group.
- We appreciate the creation of the PRTF working group and the DCT-LOC-PRTF group as well.
Bills:
HF2434
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
House Standing Committee on Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (2-27-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- session, and especially after each general election, I meet with a very informal but serious work group
- with a a very informal but serious meet with a a very informal but serious workg<00:04:51.800>
group - made up of representatives workg group made up of representatives from<00:04:55.320>
the <00:04 - Thank you, and we appreciate your participation in that work group. Anyone else?
- Thank you, and we appreciate your participation in that work group. Anyone else?
Summary:
The House Standing Committee on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs met with a quorum and considered two election-related bills. The committee first took up House Bill 684, sponsored by Representative Jennifer Decker, and adopted a committee substitute. Decker described the bill as a “continuous improvement” measure developed with election officials, clerks, legislators, and citizens. She walked through provisions addressing precinct officer staffing in vote centers, notice to school districts when schools are used as voting centers, absentee ballot replacement when a ballot is not received, retention and disposal timelines for election-related video surveillance, permanent voting assistance certifications, write-in candidate deadlines and posting restrictions, candidate filing details, witness requirements, public posting of candidate information, felony voting language, and school district closure rules for voting locations. Members discussed the school-related provision, the handling of mail-in ballots, and a committee-substitute change removing credit cards and debit cards as acceptable voter ID. Supportive comments emphasized election integrity and the collaborative drafting process. The committee then voted to report HB 684 favorably.
The committee next considered House Bill 699, sponsored by Representative DJ Johnson, which would add a pre-certification verification process for candidate filings. Johnson said the bill was intended to prevent ineligible candidates from appearing on the ballot by requiring election officials to verify that a candidate’s residence is in the correct jurisdiction and, in partisan races, that the candidate is registered with the party sought, with appeals going to circuit court. He argued the current system relies on costly legal challenges after filing errors occur. During discussion, Representative Hancock voted no, saying the bill would create an unnecessary administrative burden and that filing paperwork should remain a basic responsibility of candidates, while other members voted yes. The committee ultimately reported HB 699 favorably. The meeting then adjourned.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency Jun 30th, 2026
Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency
Transcript Highlights:
- That is one of several topics that the policy group, the OMB and University System Policy Group, talks
- There's... ...and University System policy groups talks about.
- I think we might want a leadership group to look at what are the programs.
- I think we might want a leadership group to look at what are the programs.
- I think we might want a leadership group to look at what are the programs.
Summary:
The task force first approved the March 25, 2026 minutes as amended, including a correction removing language that suggested the auditor’s office would contract with a security vendor. Members then moved to a bill draft on concessions (LC 27.0161.00000), which would raise the competitive solicitation threshold from $25,000 to $50,000, allow requests for proposals in addition to bids, clarify that proceeds go to the entity’s operating fund or general fund, and make other technical updates. OMB explained the draft and answered questions about scope, fragmentation, vendor restrictions, school districts, and whether concession proceeds could be directed to nonprofits; OMB said the draft could be refined further, including clarifying covered entities and contract length. No vote was taken on the draft during the discussion.
OMB also reported on other survey items. It said a proposal to broadly allow agencies to create pre-qualified architect/engineering/land surveying vendor pools would not move forward, because the existing authority is working well for the agencies that already have it. On legal notices, OMB said it has been working with the North Dakota Newspaper Association on modernization, including an ADA-compliant online notice system and possible statutory updates to reflect changing technology and notice definitions. On click-through agreements for routine IT purchases, OMB and the Attorney General’s office said policy clarification—not statutory change—was enough, and the $20,000 threshold was intended to distinguish low-dollar adhesive contracts from purchases where terms can be negotiated.
The committee also heard that OMB and the Center for Distance Education had resolved questions about alternate procurements and food/beverage expenditures through existing policy, so no statutory changes were needed there. North Dakota University System representatives gave a brief update on ongoing collaboration with OMB on statutory efficiency ideas, including concessions and surplus property. Finally, the task force discussed a draft on requirements for new or expanded spending programs, which would require agencies to identify purpose, expected benefits, alternatives, success measures, and full implementation costs, and would require reporting on outcomes over time. Members debated whether OMB or Legislative Council should collect and report the information, how to use the new program evaluators, whether real-time dashboards should be used, and how to choose which programs to evaluate; staff from Legislative Council said they would work with OMB and the auditor’s office to revise the draft and process.