Transcript Highlights:

• Approaches between public entities by adding clarity and additional protection to Chapter 572 of the
• However, when we had to purchase the system, those individual entities stood tall, stepped forth, and
• We decided that our legislation would make water available to all government-formed entities in Wise
• customer class instead of from people or entities who are categorized differently.
• So, a lot of these larger commercial or industrial entities... Which we do the same thing.

Bills: SB1169, SB1285, SB1583, SB1611, SB1898, SB1976, SB2160, SB2161, SB2658, SB2661, SB2662, SB2692, SB1055, SB1359, SB2660

Keywords: water service, sewer service, public utility, joint operation, infrastructure, municipality, compliance, SB 1285, bats, bat protection, wildlife protection, Texas Parks and Wildlife Code, Parks and Wildlife Code Section 63.101, hunting bats, bat possession, bat sales, bat trade, pest control, licensed pest control professional, animal control officer

Transcript Highlights:

• adverse economic impact on small entities, and these are not emergency rules.
• adverse economic impact on small entities, and these are not emergency rules.
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were...
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and also
• A small entity regulatory analysis and small entity economic impact statement were prepared and attached

Summary: The committee approved the March 12, 2026 minutes and granted the Board of Medicine an extension of time to implement rule changes tied to House Bill 1620/1622, which concern North Dakota’s entry into the physician assistant licensure compact. The Board said it is waiting on compact rules, especially fee structures, before finalizing its own rules. The committee then took up extensive Office of Management and Budget personnel rule revisions, covering salary administration, recruitment, leave policies, funeral leave, service awards, appeals, and shared leave. OMB said the changes modernize HR practices and implement recent legislation, including new hire leave and enhanced annual leave for hard-to-fill positions; the committee raised concerns about the subjectivity and fairness of the hard-to-fill leave provisions, but no action was taken against the rules. The North Dakota Lottery presented emergency and regular rule changes, including updates tied to the Millionaire for Life game and miscellaneous clarifications. The Board of Examiners for Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology described rule updates that add speech-language pathology assistants to the rules, ease continuing education requirements for out-of-state applicants, expand temporary licensure, and clarify supervision standards. The State Electrical Board reviewed numerous code updates, including changes to electrical and fire alarm standards, receptacle labeling, countertop receptacles, and a major new conveyance/elevator inspection program added by the Legislature; the board said it is preparing to begin inspections by August 1. The Industrial Commission’s Geological Survey Division presented new rules implementing House Bill 1459 on critical minerals in coal-bearing formations, including permit, reporting, confidentiality, and royalty-related provisions. The committee asked about confidentiality of exploration data and drilling depth. The Public Employees Retirement System outlined rule changes implementing several bills affecting defined benefit, public safety, defined contribution, insurance, deferred compensation, and retiree health credit programs, and noted possible future proposals to add state EMS or create a LOSAP-style plan. The Department of Health and Human Services presented substance use disorder voucher rules implementing House Bill 1012, including allowing individuals to apply directly and setting reimbursement procedures; the rules were expected to have a $250,000 general fund impact already included in the budget. The longest discussion involved the Gaming Commission rules. Members questioned whether the commission had authority to raise poker tournament buy-ins from $300 to $1,500, viewing it as an expansion of gaming rather than a mere clarification. After debate, the committee voted to void that specific rule section for lack of statutory authority. The rest of the gaming rules covered higher raffle limits from House Bill 1192, the change from “bar” to “alcoholic beverage establishment,” veterans’ organization proceeds, credit ticket voucher kiosks, online raffles, and advertising restrictions; the presenter said several public comments led to revisions or withdrawals of proposed language. The meeting ended with discussion of upcoming Ethics Commission travel-reporting rules and scheduling the next committee meeting in September.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> entities then would be covered by this? entities then would be covered by this?
• </c><01:51:19.080><c> to</c> it would not require those entities to it would not require those entities
• </c><01:53:05.920><c> to</c> you know, those smaller entities to you know, those smaller entities to
• </c> there are exceptions for family entities there are exceptions for family entities in<01:58:52.480
• entity entity because<02:22:54.920><c> the</c><02:22:55.040><c> goal,</c><02:22:56.040><c> as</c><02

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• overview to the other entity staff and governing body members.
• The delivery of the detailed audit results is given directly to the entity staff with a need to know
• Overall, what we've seen is that agencies and entities that have a dedicated cybersecurity person or
• The audits underscore the importance of safeguarding the IT systems that these agencies and entities
• Same time period from 2024 to 2025, we saw 322 incidents against government entities.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office cybersecurity performance audits for fiscal year 2025, covering both state agencies and local governments. SAO staff explained that the audits are conducted independently under Initiative 900 and are kept confidential at the entity level, with detailed findings shared directly with the audited organizations. They reported that state agency audits found nearly one-third of assessed safeguards fully implemented on all systems and 227 vulnerabilities across seven agencies, including three critical and 21 high-severity issues. For seven local government cybersecurity audits, nearly a quarter of safeguards were fully implemented on all systems, and auditors identified nearly 300 vulnerabilities, including nine critical and 47 high-severity issues. SAO also summarized its ransomware resiliency audits and critical infrastructure audits for local governments. In six ransomware audits, a little over 35% of assessed safeguards were not in place, while about 60% were at least partially in place. In 39 critical infrastructure audits, focused largely on water and sewer providers, auditors found over 260 vulnerabilities and said more than 10% were critical or high. Staff highlighted that these audits have led to improvements, including one vendor making security changes after SAO testing that were later echoed in a federal advisory. They also described related services such as cybersecurity checkups, policy guidance, and other cyber-related work by the office. Washington Technology Solutions’ state chief information security officer, Ralph Johnson, praised the audits and said they help protect essential public services. He cited a sharp national rise in ransomware incidents against governments and said Washington has used more than $11 million in federal and state cybersecurity grant funds for over 200 projects. In response to questions from Representative Scott, SAO and WOTEC discussed options for addressing urgent vulnerabilities, including compensating controls, grant funding, and low-cost mitigation steps. The committee also discussed how Washington’s program compares nationally, with Johnson saying Initiative 900 is unusually comprehensive and that local governments often seek audits voluntarily. No votes were taken, and the hearing adjourned after public testimony was offered but none was given.

Transcript Highlights:

• There's no single entity that can solve these challenges alone.
• In year one of the program, entities were required...
• Through this program, in year one of the program, entities were required, all the entities were required
• With this measure, MassHealth is requiring entities to train staff.
• In the very first year, 79 entities began to implement, for example, new online training.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities held a public hearing focused on health equity for people with disabilities. The chair opened by explaining that the session was not about specific legislation, but about sharing data, lived experience, and strategies to inform more inclusive health systems. Presenters included representatives from the Health Equity Compact, the Department of Public Health, MassHealth, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts, UMass Chan Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation, and the Arc of Massachusetts/Operation House Call. Speakers described how structural racism and ableism contribute to poor health outcomes, unemployment, poverty, and barriers to care for disabled people, especially disabled people of color. Testimony highlighted access problems such as inaccessible medical equipment, transportation, inadequate provider training, lack of culturally competent care, and insurance barriers. Several speakers emphasized the importance of collecting and disaggregating disability data, training providers in disability-competent care, and screening for accommodation needs. MassHealth described its Quality and Equity Incentive Program under the 1115 waiver, including disability-related metrics on data completeness, staff training, and accommodation screening, and reported early increases in hospitals collecting self-reported disability data. Brain injury advocates focused on inequities in rehabilitation access, including the impact of CMS’s “three-hour rule,” which they argued denies needed inpatient rehab to people with severe traumatic brain injury. They called for policy changes, a TBI task force, and possibly bipartisan legislation if CMS cannot revise the rule. Other testimony described DPH efforts such as one-to-one navigation, health promotion workshops, mini-grants for accessible recreation, and the Massachusetts Health and Disability Partnership. The hearing also highlighted medical education efforts like Operation House Call, which uses home visits and disability-led teaching to reduce bias and improve provider competence. No votes were taken and no formal actions were announced.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> other government entity. other government entity.
• :32.800><c> is</c><00:43:33.200><c> my</c> other government entity is is my other government entity is
• c> on</c><00:43:52.400><c> lines</c> other government entity on lines other government entity on lines
• </c> um we're allowing any government entity um we're allowing any government entity in<01:00:20.000>
• If the government entity thought.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This provides relative to nonprofit entities that have appointments on boards and commissions.
• Representative Newell, is this aimed at a particular entity that you have issues with?
• It's not, it doesn't mean that the entity is not functioning.
• And one of the things that I think Councilman Morel said was a quasi-state entity.
• I'd rather it not be any state entity and be a city entity, because, as you said, the sewage and water

Bills: SB348, SB444, SB485, SB517, HB87, HB115, HB162, HB362, HB368, HB377, HB431, HB441, HB466, HB664, HB741, HB822, HB990, HB1243

Keywords: motor vehicles, enforcement, administrative support, law enforcement, private service provider, regulatory compliance, expropriation, public purpose, property rights, compensation, city governance, St. George, insurance premium tax, city of St. George, municipal authority, local taxation, East Baton Rouge Parish, economic development, Baton Rouge North, commissioners

Summary: The committee on local and municipal affairs met on May 7, 2026, approved the prior meeting minutes, and then took up a series of local bills. HB 362 creating the Regency Park Towns Townhomes Crime Prevention and Security District in Orleans Parish was reported favorably without objection. HB 822, dealing with nonprofit entities that hold appointments on boards and commissions while not in good standing with the Secretary of State, drew questions about whether it targeted a specific entity and about how long an entity should be out of good standing; the committee adopted an amendment changing the trigger to three consecutive years and then reported the bill as amended. A major portion of the meeting focused on HB 1243, which would give the Orleans Parish City Council more authority over the Sewer and Water Board. The sponsor, Council President J.P. Morrell, and Representative Hilfordy argued the bill would move New Orleans toward a more local, responsive public-works model and help address long-standing dysfunction. The Bureau of Governmental Research testified that it supported increased local control but urged a formal study or transition plan so the city would document the future governance structure. Despite those concerns, the committee adopted an amendment clarifying ownership of assets and then reported HB 1243 as amended. The committee also handled several St. George bills and other local measures. SB 348, allowing third-party administrative support for motor vehicle enforcement, and SB 444, granting expropriation authority for certain public projects, were reported favorably. SB 485, transferring insurance premium tax authority to the City of St. George, was initially amended but then reconsidered; the amendment was stripped and the bill was reported favorably. HB 990, concerning Jefferson Parish and unpaid water/sewer bills on multifamily properties, HB 466 on West Feliciana Parish property-tax rebates, HB 664 raising parish ordinance fines, HB 87 increasing per diem for a Livingston Parish gas utility district board, HB 115 abolishing the police chief for the Village of Edgefield, HB 741 creating emergency housing vouchers for human trafficking survivors, HB 377 removing civil-service pay restrictions for state examiners, HB 162 updating a crime prevention district fee, HB 368 raising fines for improper demolition of historic properties, and HB 441 returning Sewer and Water Board employees to city civil service were all reported favorably, most without objection. HB 431, requiring mayors to complete 16 hours of annual training, was amended to add continuing legal education and national conferences and then reported as amended. The committee adjourned after completing its agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• It allowed other entities to enter into that negotiation.
• or other entities, for-profit entities. ...rent their certificate of need out to other agencies or other
• entities, for-profit entities that they just collect a fee on, for example.
• That means other entities are free to provide, apply to be a provider agency.
• That means other entities are free to provide, apply to be a provider agency.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> data that is stored by by these entities data that is stored by by these entities so<00:03:55.079
• , with a constraint that the eligible entity would be having a population greater than 5,000.
• </c> providing for that eligible entity providing for that eligible entity statement<00:19:35.640><c>
• </c><00:26:51.000><c> that</c> then that that there are entities that then that that there are entities
• </c><00:27:04.840><c> are</c> about that because um entities are about that because um entities are protecting

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It just depends on the entity and how well they prioritize it and allocate resources to correction.
• This is fairly common to entities we audit and certified fraud examiners that every year put out the
• The total number of entities that were on the notifications The total number of entities that were on
• The entities, there's notes on those schedules of correspondence.
• And I'm available to answer any questions on any specific entity. Thank you, Debbie.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee heard the Auditor General’s operational audit of the City of Mexico Beach, which identified nine findings. The audit cited significant turnover in key management positions, late filing of required annual financial reports, weaknesses in competitive procurement and purchase approval controls, a duplicate payment on stormwater repairs that was later largely refunded, issues with the city accountant’s contract and IRS classification, IT access control problems, and the lack of fraud-reporting policies. Committee members asked about corrective action, and the Auditor General said a follow-up audit is required by statute within 18 months, with no enforcement authority beyond reporting progress back to the committee. Mayor Rich Wolf and city staff responded that the city had experienced major turnover and was rebuilding its finance and administrative team. He said the city had hired a city administrator, financial director, city clerk, and accounting firm, and was working to create policies, procedures, forms, and review processes to address the findings. Members discussed whether the turnover and hurricane-related workload contributed to the problems, and city officials said some of the larger purchases were storm-related and tied to FEMA or emergency work. The committee then received a staff update on enforcement for local governments that have not filed required financial reports. Staff said 400 entities had been notified, and as of the meeting two counties, 33 municipalities, and 48 special districts still owed reports or audits. The committee adopted a motion to proceed under section 11.42, Florida Statutes, including possible withholding of state funds for municipalities and enforcement actions for special districts, with authority for the chair and vice chair to delay action if new information warranted it. Finally, the committee unanimously directed the Auditor General and OPPAGA to conduct the required 2024-2025 audit of the Department of the Lottery, with the Auditor General handling financial, internal control, and compliance issues and OPPAGA developing operational recommendations. Members also briefly discussed whether the committee had reviewed transportation surtaxes and expressed interest in improving the timeliness and transparency of the audit and enforcement process before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, 638 awards were made to 208 entities.
• There are very few entities that have received more than $20 million, and only 19 entities have received
• There have been entities that have rescinded their return of the money.
• A successor entity that would ultimately run the water system.
• or whether or not you create a new entity from all the partners at the table.

Transcript Highlights:

• In FY26, we'll be looking at 420 entities participating.
• We are not interested in the operational business data of any entity.
• We're not going to micromanage entities at that level.
• It's these big entities—those that can afford... Cybersecurity.
• Of the entities that we go to, we do a ton of outreach. Cybersecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> direct appropriation to a private entity direct appropriation to a private entity from<00:24:41.039
• Um, they tell about private entities.
• </c> appropriations to uh private entities appropriations to uh private entities into<00:31:22.720><c
• Um you one entity is is well taken.
• </c><01:31:52.320><c> uh</c> an overpayment from a tax uh entity uh an overpayment from a tax uh entity

Bills: HF2446, HF2563, HF2444

Keywords: agriculture finance, broadband development, Department of Agriculture, Board of Animal Health, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute, Office of Broadband Development, food safety, food handler license, cottage food, home processed food, livestock dealer, meat packing company, milk marketer, milk marketing license, grain buyer, grain storage, beginning farmer, emerging farmer, farm down payment assistance, livestock investment grant

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've worked very closely with our local CBCs, our managing entities.
• The managing entities...
• We've heard from managing entities and others around recovery homes and supporting housing for those
• And Senator Harrell asked you about the managing entities and the work that they're doing.
• Natalie Kelly, Florida Association of Managing Entities. Christy Lee speaking for information.

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, as amended, the sponsor explained that the original child welfare language was replaced with a strike-all requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation to work with DCF and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability, report findings to the Legislature by January 1, 2027, and allow penalties for failure to provide requested information. The committee adopted the amendment and amendment to the amendment, heard supportive testimony from child welfare advocates, and reported the committee substitute favorably. The committee also heard CS/SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, and clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, parents, and other supporters testified in favor, and the bill was reported favorably. On SB 794, the sponsor described requirements for background screening of employees in residential facilities and day training programs for people with developmental disabilities, plus a review of waiver support coordination quality, workforce needs, geographic service gaps, and related recommendations due in 2027. The committee adopted a conforming amendment and reported the bill. The committee then took up the confirmation of Taylor Hatch as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Hatch outlined DCF’s recent work on child welfare, behavioral health, peer support, and technology improvements, and answered questions about child welfare system challenges, funding formulas, opioid settlement dollars, and interoperability of agency systems. After public comment, the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably, with Chair Graal voting no. The meeting ended with a request to record one senator’s vote on SB 1600 and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I've worked very closely with our local CBCs, our managing entities.
• CBCs and also for the resources that we need to put into our managing entities to make sure that the
• The managing entities... ...managing entities are also an incredibly valuable partner, and their insights
• And Senator Harrell asked you about the managing entities and the work that they're doing.
• Christy Lee, actually, Natalie Kelly, Florida Association of Managing Entities.

Bills: S0556, S0794, S1600

Keywords: high school diploma, graduation requirements, physical education credit, performing arts credit, marching band, Special Olympics, students with disabilities, IEP, individual education plan, 504 plan, Florida education, school credits, diploma substitution, ROTC, dance class, State Board of Education, public schools, graduation pathways, adaptive physical education, Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Summary: The Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs considered three bills and a confirmation. On SB 1600, the committee adopted a strike-all amendment and a technical amendment that shifted the bill from creating an accreditation process to requiring the Office of Insurance Regulation, DCF, and community-based care lead agencies to study liability insurance coverage and availability in the child welfare sector and report findings to the legislature by January 1, 2027; the bill also included enforcement provisions for failure to provide requested information. Support was noted from child and family advocacy groups, and the committee reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard CS for SB 556, which would allow students with disabilities to satisfy a physical education graduation requirement through participation in Special Olympics, if included in the student’s IEP, and would clarify that two years of marching band participation can satisfy both PE and fine arts credit. Special Olympics Florida, families, and other supporters testified in favor, emphasizing flexibility, access, and recognition of rigorous activity. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered CS for SB 794, which requires background screening for employees of residential facilities and day training programs serving people with developmental disabilities and directs a review of waiver support coordination, including quality, consistency, access, competencies, recruitment and retention, caseloads, and geographic gaps in services. An amendment to conform to the House version was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably. Members then questioned Secretary Taylor Hatch regarding her confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Children and Families. Senators raised concerns about child welfare system performance, parent notification and rights, CBC funding formulas, managing entities, opioid settlement spending, peer support expansion, and technology/interoperability improvements. Hatch described DCF’s recent data and initiatives, including reductions in out-of-home care entries, youth advisory efforts, missing children recovery operations, expanded behavioral health capacity, and technology upgrades for benefits processing. Public comment included support from family and provider organizations and concerns from a former foster care worker about medical misdiagnosis cases. The committee voted to recommend Hatch’s confirmation favorably, with Chair Grall voting no, and adjourned after allowing Senator Sharief to be recorded as voting in favor of SB 1600.

Transcript Highlights:

• award. going out to different entities.
• All of those have been finalized and sent out to the entities.
• , or actually in a larger entity.
• So, it depends on which entities are receiving what.
• Those are known entities. Those are good to go.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said there may be entities generating ammonia certificates in other states, and that Minnesota is
• Davis explained that the intent is that entities registering within the M-RETS system become customers
• Davis explained that entities may transact on a number of energy certificates or ammonia certificates
• there might be entities that would be you<00:15:36.160><c> know,</c><00:15:36.280><c> generating</c>
• as a way of making Minnesota entities as a way of making sure<00:15:50.040><c> that</c><00:15:50.480

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We take a portion of that and provide funding to those entities that have a median household income of
• One is to allow for rural electric co-ops to be eligible entities so they can now apply for the fund.
• We have already made loans to entities that were not on the PPRF authorization bill.
• Where we take a subordinate pledge is when the other lender is a governmental entity.
• It was clarifying language because it was financial assistance to disadvantaged entities, qualified entities

Transcript Highlights:

• And again, I'm looking: is this something that you see or have talked with other harbor entities that
• Ecology maintains a public roster of all the program's covered entities, opt-in entities, and general
• a definition of affiliated entities, I think that would assist at what Joel's trying to get at.
• entities, I think that would assist at what Joel's trying to get at Mr.
• as affiliated entities, what Mr.

Bills: HB2426, HB2606

Keywords: pollution control, efficiency, appeals process, environmental regulation, hearing board, data protection, privacy, performance measures, reporting requirements, office of privacy, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> So the answer is somebody has to take the ball if we're going to establish some entity in order to
• </c><00:15:38.560><c> in</c> we're going to establish some entity in we're going to establish some entity
• Um, but again, we're setting up an entity.
• We have an entity do that.
• </c> They still handle those issues relative to whatever professional entity there is.

Bills: HB163, HB344, HB163, HB344, SB11, SB92, SB164, HB22, HB89, SB227, SB6, SB11, SB92, SB164, HB22, HB89, SB227, SB6

Keywords: income tax, research expenditures, economic development, tax deductions, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Alabama tax law, educational intervention, State Superintendent, local boards of education, subpoena, accountability, state control, property improvement, private financing, energy efficiency, capital expenditure, local government, volunteer fire departments, federally insured financial institutions, fund management