Transcript Highlights:

• So we do have somebody from the Department of Human Services here, Peter Butler, or welcome.
• I'm the deputy budget director here at the Department of Human Services.
• And to that point, I would say that uh in human services committee, we're hearing about how to create
• </c><00:34:46.079><c> services</c><00:34:46.480><c> committee,</c><00:34:46.800><c> we're</c> uh in human
• services committee, we're uh in human services committee, we're hearing<00:34:47.599><c> about</c><00

Bills: HF4736, HF4737, HF3806, HF3352, HF4840, HF3748

Keywords: emergency shelter, grant program, homelessness, capital investment, Minnesota Statutes, appropriation bonds, public funding, housing, infrastructure bonds, funding, appropriation, Minnesota constitutional amendment, public debt, state bonds, general obligation bonds, information technology, IT infrastructure, software licenses, technology modernization, capital improvements

Transcript Highlights:

• , Department of Health, House Human Services, and our committee had done.
• </c> House Human Services, and our committee House Human Services, and our committee had<00:44:10.600
• The DCF shall submit a written report to the House Committee on Human Services and Senate Committee on
• House Committees on Human Services, Corrections, and Institutions, the Senate Committees on Health and
• <02:43:34.680><c> on</c> on Human Services, Senate Committee on on Human Services, Senate Committee on

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• For municipalities, the committee directs the Department of Revenue and the Department of Financial Services
• municipalities, the committee directs the Department of Revenue and the Department of Financial Services
• They include criminal and civil justice, education, government operations, and health and human services
• Our Health and Human Services Unit's been conducting that for more than a decade now.
• Our Health and Human Services Unit's been conducting that for more than a decade now.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee met to receive annual overviews of its oversight responsibilities and the work of the Auditor General and OPAGA. Committee staff reviewed the committee’s authority over state and local governments, enforcement of audit-report filing requirements, repeated audit findings, Transparency Florida reporting, and lobbying compensation audits. Auditor General Cheryl Norman described her office’s independence, audit standards, quality control, and major audit areas, including the state’s annual financial and single audits, school district and university audits, operational and performance audits, and attestation work. She also noted staffing shortages, recruitment efforts, and a request for carry-forward funds to study salaries. Members asked about whether audits can quantify recoverable dollars, how school district spending comparisons are handled, and how to raise concerns about DCF-related audits or a local city audit that has been pending for years. Norman said her office can quantify findings when possible, sometimes compares costs across districts in operational audits, and that members can bring specific concerns to the appropriate deputy auditor general or the committee. She also explained that citizen or local-government audit requests may require payment of audit costs. OPAGA Coordinator Kara Collins-Gomez outlined OPAGA’s role as a legislative research unit that conducts studies directed by law, the presiding officers, or the committee, and described its policy areas, methodologies, contract monitoring, and recurring statutory reports. Deputy Auditor General Matthew Tracy explained how to read operational audit reports, including findings, criteria, condition, cause, effect, recommendations, and management responses. Deputy Auditor General Greg Senators explained financial audit reports, including audit opinions, required supplementary information, internal control and compliance findings, federal program compliance, and management letters. The meeting concluded with thanks to the presenters and a motion to adjourn, which passed without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all human values.
• Questions from the committee? Okay. Hearing none. Questions from the committee? Okay.
• Good afternoon, Madam Chair and committee members.
• on Emergency Management Services.
• , lending services, and economic development services to underserved rural and Indigenous communities

Summary: The Governmental Organization Committee heard a series of bills on holidays, procurement, public safety, and business regulation. AB 268 would add Diwali as an official state holiday and allow schools and state workers limited flexibility to observe it; supporters described it as a recognition of California’s large South Asian and Hindu communities, and there was no opposition. AB 770 would define “customary maintenance” for outdoor advertising displays to clarify what repairs and reinforcements are allowed; the bill was presented as a safety and consistency measure for the billboard industry. AB 783 would authorize the Department of General Services to negotiate bulk pricing for construction materials to help disaster-affected communities rebuild more affordably, with supporters from the housing and building sectors and some members raising concerns about state contracting, storage, and implementation. AB 381 would update state procurement rules to better prevent human trafficking and forced labor in supply chains, aligning state policy with federal standards and drawing support from anti-trafficking advocates, labor, and local government representatives. AB 668 would extend drink-spiking prevention measures to music festivals by requiring test strips, drink lids, and reporting procedures; supporters emphasized victim safety and underreporting, while venue operators opposed the bill unless amended, citing feasibility and cost concerns. AB 880 would require prompt payment and indirect cost coverage for nonprofits contracting with the state, with broad nonprofit support and no opposition. AB 989 would make California Native American Day a paid holiday, with tribal and allied support. AB 592 would extend and expand temporary outdoor dining and alcohol service flexibilities for restaurants, with strong support from restaurant and business groups and opposition from alcohol policy advocates who preferred a narrower or permanent grandfathering approach. Most bills advanced on committee votes, generally on party-line or broad bipartisan support. AB 770 was moved to Appropriations, AB 783 was passed as amended to the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management, AB 381 was sent to Labor, AB 668 and AB 880 were sent to Appropriations, AB 989 was sent to Public Employees and Retirement, and AB 592 was sent to Health. The committee also took up a consent calendar containing several additional bills, which was approved. The hearing ended with the roll left open for additional votes and adjournment at 3:17 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of the Committee on Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs, to which is referred our
• services and elderly health human services and elderly Affairs<04:06:18.439><c> committee</c><04:06:
• The committee on Health and Human Services and Elderly Affairs, to which was referred House Bill 704-
• The committee report is adopted, and it is going to the Finance Committee on Health and Human Services
• </c> finance committee on Health and Human finance committee on Health and Human services<04:29:12.520

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It moved to Human Services.
• In Human Services, some questions were raised about consent.
• This bill was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It moved to Human Services.
• This bill was heard in the Veterans and Military Affairs Committee. It moved to Human Services.
• It moved to Human Services. In Human Services, some questions were raised about consent.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I am accepting the committee amendments.
• Chair, members of the committee. Ms.
• Vice Chair and members of the committee.
• Waste collection is an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create
• ... ...an essential public service, and service disruptions during labor disputes can create real challenges

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on wildfire resilience, land use, and local government transparency. SB 911 by Senator Becker would require notification to fire enforcement agencies when a home in a high fire severity zone is sold with an agreement for the buyer to bring the property into defensible-space compliance; the California Association of Realtors said it would drop opposition if the bill is amended to use the preliminary change of ownership report, and the bill passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 994 by Senator Cabaldon would bar local officials from signing nondisclosure agreements that prevent them from sharing information with the elected decision-makers of their jurisdiction; supporters framed it as a transparency measure, and it also passed 4-0 to Appropriations. SB 1041 by Senator Riggins would expand PACE financing for wildfire home-hardening improvements and add consumer protections, but it drew strong opposition from homeowner advocates, county treasurers, bankers, and others over predatory lending and lien concerns; it passed 3-2 and remained on call. The committee also considered SB 1075 by Senator Reyes, which would require local governments in AB 617 communities to consider air-quality reduction measures in land-use approvals for industrial and commercial projects. Environmental justice groups supported the bill as a way to implement community air plans, while counties, cities, business groups, builders, trucking interests, and others opposed it as duplicative of CEQA and a barrier to investment and jobs. After debate over local control and environmental justice, the bill passed 3-2 and remained on call. SB 958 by Senator Cabaldon would advance the Midway Rising redevelopment project in San Diego, replacing a former arena and parking lots with housing, affordable units, parks, and a new entertainment venue; with no opposition voiced, it passed 3-0 to Appropriations. Another wildfire-related measure, SB 1182 by Senator Allen, would require local governments to consider insurance availability in safety planning for development in high fire hazard areas and direct state technical guidance on the issue. Supporters said insurance access is now a key indicator of risk, while some members questioned whether the bill would add useful information or burden local governments; the bill received a 1-1 vote and remained on call. The committee then began hearing SB 1116 by Senator Caballero, a starter-home/infill housing bill creating a streamlined ministerial path for small projects up to 10 units, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or a vote on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Nathan White, Chief Financial Officer with the Department of Health and Human Services.
• So that determination would still be made by environmental services, not by the site evaluation committee
• </c> protecting human public safety and human protecting human public safety and human health<00:46:19.480
• </c> as modified here in the committee. as modified here in the committee.
• </c> your service and the service to finance. your service and the service to finance.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:37:08.800><c> service</c> longer after decades of service service longer after decades of service
• </c> support every human life. support every human life.
• </c><02:13:18.880><c> being</c> that that human being is a human being that that human being is a human
• </c> committee a couple weeks ago. committee a couple weeks ago.
• That turtle egg or a human life? That wild rice or a human life?

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• > preventing</c> human services spending and preventing human services spending and preventing fraud,
• </c><03:15:34.000><c> Services</c> And if the Department of Human Services And if the Department of Human
• </c><03:20:10.640><c> services</c> protect Minnesota's human services protect Minnesota's human services
• </c><04:03:19.040><c> services</c> taxpayers and protect human services taxpayers and protect human services
• </c><04:07:57.120><c> Services,</c> of Human Services, of Human Services, absolutely absolutely absolutely

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You know, you're not on the Health or Human Services Committee, but you are all over this topic.
• You know, you're not on the Health or Human Services Committee, but you are all over this topic.
• You know, you're not on the Health or Human Services Committee, but you are all over this topic.
• You know, you're not on the Health or Human Services Committee, but you are all over this topic.
• You know, you're not on the Health or Human Services Committee, but you are all over this topic.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 04:31.360><c> receive</c><00:04:31.600><c> a</c> hotline service will receive a hotline service will
• </c> before this committee um in the past. before this committee um in the past.
• :26.240><c> adequate</c> committee to appropriate adequate committee to appropriate adequate permanent
• Welcome to the committee. Thank you, Chair Howard, Co-Chair Igo, and members of the committee.
• </c><00:29:05.039><c> of</c> director with Habitat for Humanity of director with Habitat for Humanity

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Literacy programs, navigation services, and community connection.
• rights, and human rights...
• Human Rights Committee and Human Rights Council in Geneva, and is the founding director of the Independent
• Human Rights Investigators.
• I firmly believe in the power of human innovation.

Summary: The Assembly convened after a quorum call, offered prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then spent much of the early session on guest introductions recognizing students, interns, advocacy groups, sorority members, and other visitors. Members also noted Assembly Member Castillo’s birthday and announced a later floor photo for members wearing denim. The chamber then moved to the Daily File and took up a series of bills and resolutions. Among the major actions, AB 2323 by Assembly Member McKinnor, on modernizing public notice while preserving transparency and due process, passed 57-0. ACR 149 by Assembly Member Hart, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act and the Coastal Conservancy, drew extensive debate both in support and opposition before being adopted by voice vote, with 46 co-authors added. AB 2011 by Assembly Member Hart, codifying mental health parity standards, was also taken up, and AB 2691 by Assembly Member Addis, expanding disqualifying felony convictions for elected office to include sexual assault and human trafficking, passed 53-0. The Assembly also adopted HR 31 on Denim Day and Sexual Assault Awareness Month after lengthy testimony from members describing personal experiences and the need to support survivors. The body then approved several policy bills with broad support, including AB 1621 on housing permitting timelines (64-0), AB 1704 on studying the cost of low-embodied-carbon building materials and pausing standards if cost parity is not reached (58-0), AB 1916 updating the definition of certified interpreter to include ASL interpreters (59-2), AB 2559 on returning construction and demolition permit deposits when compliance is documented (61-0), AB 2663 as an urgency sunset extension for alcoholic beverage law (64-0 on urgency and measure), and AB 2731 expanding on-sale general alcohol licenses in Santa Cruz County (63-0). The Senate consent calendar was also adopted. The session ended with an adjournment in memory of Josado Dado Banatao, honoring his life, engineering achievements, and philanthropy, followed by a motion to adjourn until April 30 at 9 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is November 7th, 1:30 p.m., and this is an info briefing for the House Committee on Human Services
• </c><00:09:07.120><c> services</c> focus particularly on human services focus particularly on human services
• </c> human services. human services. Next<00:20:38.720><c> slide</c><00:20:39.039><c> please.
• <c> that</c><00:21:19.360><c> human</c><00:21:19.840><c> services</c> for this committee that human services
• for this committee that human services nonprofit<00:21:20.960><c> organizations</c><00:21:21.760><c>

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services held an informational briefing on the impacts of federal funding cuts, inflation, labor shortages, and chronic underfunding on Hawaii’s nonprofit social safety net. Hawaii Community Foundation opened with a story about a federal worker family relying on food pantry support, then described a “perfect storm” facing human services nonprofits: historically high demand, rising costs, staffing challenges, federal cuts, and state and county contracts that do not cover true service costs. The foundation said it has reactivated its Hawaii Resilience Fund, launched strengthened service grants, and is tracking policy changes and data to help nonprofits respond. Trey Gordner of UHERO presented research on the vulnerability of Hawaii’s nonprofit sector, explaining a framework that assessed political, financial, and structural risk. He said about 8,200 501(c)(3) nonprofits are active in Hawaii, but only about 200 receive direct federal funds; 74 grants to 59 organizations were flagged as politically at risk, totaling about $126 million in unpaid obligations. He said about 68 of the direct-funding recipients rely on federal funds for more than 20% of annual revenue, and that human services nonprofits are among the most exposed subsectors because they serve vulnerable populations and depend heavily on federal support. Catholic Charities Hawaii and the Hawaii True Cost Coalition said community-based organizations were already under strain before the current crisis, with most contracts not covering full costs and many groups depending on private philanthropy to fill gaps. They reported that half of surveyed organizations expect to reduce programs, more than a third may decline future contracts, and some are waiting months for reimbursements. Examples included reduced shelter admissions, fewer case management hours, and cutbacks in kūpuna services. The coalition urged higher contract rates, regular inflation and cost-of-living reviews, and timely reimbursement; no votes or formal actions were taken. Partners in Development Foundation described the loss of Native Hawaiian education funding as especially damaging, saying the federal Department of Education has zeroed out support that creates a roughly $46 million gap, including about $20 million for early childhood programs. The speaker shared a family story from the Nā Pono program to illustrate how early learning services support both children and parents, and warned that the organization’s federal funds make up 72% of its budget. The briefing ended with a call for continued emergency funding and longer-term structural changes to sustain nonprofits statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• Last March, as a member of the J-LOC Committee, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, I participated
• That report was presented to this committee previously this year, as well as before the J-LOC Committee
• Chairman and committee members.
• Chairman and committee members.
• One of our goals in our strategic plan is to make sure that we maintain that human connection and human

Summary: The committee first considered RS 33030 C2, introduced by Representative Doug Pickett, which would add transparency and accountability requirements for virtual education programs, especially Idaho Home Learning Academy. He said the proposal would require school board approval of contracts with education service providers, confirm Idaho residency for students, require state standards for curriculum, disclose services and costs, address conflicts of interest, prohibit direct payments to parents, require certified teachers, and define eligible uses for supplemental learning funds. The committee voted to introduce the RS. Superintendent Jeff Simmons then presented on Idaho Digital Learning Academy (IDLA), describing it as the state virtual program created to provide choice, access, flexibility, quality, and equity through supplemental online courses. He said IDLA is funded mainly by a per-enrollment state appropriation and course fees, serves all students statewide, uses Idaho-certified teachers and principals, and offers a broad catalog including core classes, electives, dual credit, CTE, credit recovery, LaunchPad literacy support, and open educational resources. Anthony Butler, superintendent of Cambridge School District, testified that IDLA has been valuable for a small rural district by expanding course offerings, supporting dual credit, credit recovery, and helping students stay on track to graduate. Members questioned Simmons extensively about IDLA’s original purpose, its growth in budget and enrollment, teacher pay, audits, accountability, use by homeschool and private school students, and whether the program is serving rural students as intended. Simmons said the program remains supplemental, that most courses are asynchronous, that teachers are part-time and paid per enrollment, and that IDLA undergoes annual independent audits and reporting. He also said a proposed $10 million cut would significantly reduce services, likely affecting rural schools and programs like LaunchPad. The committee did not take a vote on IDLA during this portion, but the chair indicated further budget discussions would continue later.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, and welcome to the Friday, February 20th House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
• I'm going to start by asking any members of the committee if they have questions.
• Consistent with the HEAL Act, That affect both livestock and human health.
• Good morning, Madam Chair and members of the committee. My name is Karina Allen.
• I will give the caveat to the committee that our team is very, very new.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on HEAL Act implementation, beginning with an orientation from Environmental Justice Council member David Mendoza. He described the law’s purpose as integrating environmental justice into agency decision-making, community engagement, tribal consultation, strategic planning, and environmental justice assessments, with the goal of reducing environmental health disparities and improving accountability to communities and tribes. He also discussed the council’s role, the interagency work group, challenges with limited volunteer and agency capacity, and concerns about inconsistent assessment formats and future funding pressures. Committee members asked about council composition, including the balance of tribal, community, business, and other representation, whether the HEAL Act increases permitting time or costs, how “overburdened” and “vulnerable” populations are defined, and whether the council should be refreshed or audited. Mendoza said the statute is not limited to racial categories and can include rural and low-income communities, that the council has not quantified permitting delays, and that there is no formal audit requirement, though the council is discussing how to improve its work. Members also raised questions about the relationship between the Environmental Justice Council and the Office of Equity, with Mendoza saying the bodies are complementary but should coordinate more closely. The Department of Agriculture then reported on its HEAL Act work. Director of Equity and Environmental Justice Nicole Johnson said WSDA conducts environmental justice assessments for significant actions, applies an equity lens to licensing, funding, rulemaking, and strategic planning, and has completed 11 EJ assessments to date. She highlighted pesticide regulation, animal health, and weights-and-measures work as examples of environmental and economic justice, and said the department recently hired a full-time tribal consultant and has only 1.5 FTE supporting HEAL implementation. Members asked whether WSDA’s assessments apply to its role on boards such as the Forest Practices Board; Johnson said the department’s current understanding is that assessments are conducted on agency work. The Department of Natural Resources then presented on its HEAL Act implementation, focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, tribal consultation, environmental justice assessments, and equitable funding. DNR officials said environmental justice is being embedded in the agency’s 2025-2029 strategic plan, in its Community Access and Impact Plan, and in its advisory committee and board representation efforts. They reported conducting EJ assessments for sustainable harvest calculations, agency request legislation, and a prescribed burn manager certificate program, and said DNR has invested about $130 million in overburdened communities and vulnerable populations in fiscal year 2025 through wildfire resilience, youth education, and urban forestry programs. Committee members pressed DNR on how it identifies impacted communities, why landowners were not more visible in the process, how agency-request legislation is being assessed, and whether assessments are required for actions taken through other boards and commissions. DNR said its current interpretation is that assessments apply to internal agency actions, that some notices may appear on OFM’s notices page rather than the completed-assessments dashboard, and that it would follow up on specific questions about its posted assessments and process.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota Department of Human Services.
• </c><00:03:45.200><c> Services,</c> of Human Services, of Human Services, and<00:03:46.680><c> I'm</c
• as well as the Health and Human Services Committee to join our SAU teams for a program integrity 101
• ><c> Human</c><00:31:49.440><c> Services</c><00:31:49.920><c> Committee</c><00:31:50.280><c> to</c> Health
• and Human Services Committee to Health and Human Services Committee to join<00:31:50.920><c> our</c>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• services.
• services.
• </c><00:08:01.199><c> services.
• </c><00:08:02.080><c> The</c> act relating to human services. The act relating to human services.
• </c> Senate has appointed a such committee. Senate has appointed a such committee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Then from there it went to the Human Services Committee.
• Services Committee. services committee.
• /c><02:45:47.920><c> services</c><02:45:48.399><c> committee</c> uh because the human services committee
• </c><02:48:24.080><c> services</c> provenence of the human services provenence of the human services
• /c><02:48:38.479><c> services</c><02:48:38.960><c> committee</c> I'm not on the human services committee

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee.
• Chair, members of the committee. My name is Susanna Pratt. I'm staff to the committee.
• Chair, members of the committee. My name is Susanna Pratt. I'm staff to the committee.
• We are staff to the committee.
• Chair and members of the committee, I'm Jill Satrin. I'm staffed to the committee.

Summary: The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office. Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September. JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met. The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.