Transcript Highlights:

• death penalty could be applied, diluting the standards and leading to an inconsistent arbitrary application
• threshold to just one or more, which is not only unnecessary but a blatant attempt to broaden the application
• the death penalty. ...or more, which is not only unnecessary but a blatant attempt to broaden the application

Summary: The committee first considered the appointment of Michelle Whitworth to the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Whitworth described her 30 years of criminal justice experience, and the committee voted to recommend her confirmation favorably. The committee then took up SB 1692 on material harmful to minors, adopting a delete-all amendment that shifted the focus to K-12 instructional materials and objections by parents or residents. Supporters argued it would create clearer standards and protect children from pornographic content, while opponents warned it would worsen book bans and remove consideration of literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. After extensive debate and public testimony, the bill as amended was reported favorably. The committee also reported favorably on several criminal justice and public safety bills. SB 1422 increased penalties for certain drone-related offenses near critical infrastructure and for weaponized drones; SB 1360 clarified xylazine’s veterinary use while creating stronger trafficking penalties; and SB 1732 increased penalties for animal cruelty involving minors and for contributing to a minor’s delinquency. SB 776 added an aggravating factor for the assassination or attempted assassination of a head of state, and SB 984 added aggravating factors for capital felonies committed where people are gathered for religious, school, or government activities. SB 1640 made domestic violence lethality assessment forms confidential, and SB 1268 updated FDLE operations and increased reimbursement for retired police dogs. All of these bills were reported favorably after brief debate and mostly supportive testimony. Later, the committee approved SB 1084 on sexual cyber harassment, with a strike-all amendment addressing digitally forged intimate images and extending prosecution time limits. SB 1654 updated sexual offender and predator registration rules, including definitions of residence and online reporting for in-state travel, though one witness raised concerns about vague language and employer privacy. SB 1774 created a rebuttable presumption in certain second-degree murder cases when the victim had a controlled substance in their system, drawing criticism that it could devalue victims who used drugs. Finally, SB 1838 strengthened protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, with an amendment adding magistrates, hearing officers, and related staff; defense attorneys warned the tampering language could inadvertently reach zealous advocacy. Each of these measures was ultimately reported favorably, and the meeting ended with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• ... 84% of respondents to our survey agree that policies like AB 231 will open up a pool of job applicants
• The only other question I have is: there are state laws, as you referenced, against asking an applicant
• So they are currently exempt, so they can ask already the applicant on the front end.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation held its first regular hearing of the 2025-26 session, adopted its proposed committee rules on a 5-0 vote, and reinstated a suspense file for bills with fiscal impacts over the committee threshold. The chair explained that only AB 418 would be eligible for an immediate vote, while several other measures would be held for suspense consideration because of budget constraints. AB 330 was pulled by the author. AB 418 by Wilson, which would create a clearer process and administrative remedy for county Chapter 8 tax sales, received support from county tax collectors and housing and taxpayer groups. Supporters said the bill would add transparency, due process, and a noticed public hearing for negotiated sales of tax-defaulted properties, while helping counties dispose of low-value or problematic properties more efficiently. The committee voted 6-0 to send AB 418 to Appropriations. Several other bills were heard and then referred to suspense: AB 27 by Chau, which would exclude Chiquita Canyon landfill relief payments from gross income and protect recipients’ eligibility for public benefits, drew strong support from affected residents and environmental advocates; AB 258 by Conley would increase funding for California fairs, with supporters emphasizing fairs’ emergency-response role; AB 397 by Gonzalez would expand the California Young Child Tax Credit into a broader child tax credit for older children; and AB 398 by Aaron would set a $300 minimum refundable Cal EITC benefit. The committee also heard AB 231 by Tye, which would offer a tax credit to microbusinesses that hire formerly incarcerated people, and it too was referred to suspense after supportive testimony from reentry and small-business advocates.

Transcript Highlights:

• like if we haven't seen anything with the state level like I make the making at at making any applications
• You mentioned that there hasn't been any applications, you know, of at least in the last 10 years.
• Tortoise is you can see that 153 properties there in pre application.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We see this in other applications as well, obviously with the announcement of the ongoing effect on TikTok
• These applications are where people are getting news in America.
• We have laws to block them in TV and radio stations, but not for applications like TikTok. Mr.

Transcript Highlights:

• APPLIES TO THE 57, IT DOESN'T APPLY TO THE 10 COUNTY RUN JAILS BECAUSE THE LAW TODAY SAYS IT'S APPLICABLE
• TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY SO NOW WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS MAKES IT APPLICABLE TO EVERYBODY ACROSS THE
• PROVISIONS WHEN OUR DEPUTIES AGAIN IN THE JAIL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A CRIME ON THE STREET, THERE IS NO APPLICABILITY

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's just an application process to be approved for it by this.
• And so typically we pay our health plans, a monthly premium comic application payment.
• are currently in the process and 19 are interested in pursuing if all hospitals currently in the application

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that was rejected in our application, but that we very quickly had a backup plan.
• The application, and we put it through to see because there wasn't anything else like that.
• So, we set their rates upon their application and the proof that they come forth with.
• and and and rates upon their application and and and the<02:16:44.920> proof<02:16:45.200>
• That's where that WYDOT and patrol process will come in to approve the application.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Maine fully prohibited the application of coal sealant products beginning in October 2024.
• and demand by ordinary applications and demand by consumers<01:32:57.840> such<01:32:58.000><
• What this captures is is application.
• That is more applicable to this.
• Again, if there is a more applicable body, that's the one that, um, at least talking initially with OS

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A July 1st of 2027 date for applicability, distinct from the effective date, would give us the time to
• A July 1st of 2027 date for applicability, distinct from the effective date, would give us the time to
• A July 1st of 2027 date for applicability, distinct from the effective date, would give us the time to
• A July 1st of 2027 date for applicability, distinct from the effective date, would give us the time to
• and that is done only application and that is done only when<02:57:05.439> the<02:57:05.920><

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think it's all, you know, from a just a application perspective, I can't imagine the school's not
• just<00:10:31.640> a it's all you know from a just a it's all you know from a just a application
• perspective I can't imagine application perspective I can't imagine the<00:10:34.399> school's
• The reason for that is, you know, some of these applications get approved before they really have all
• These applications get approved before they really have all their ducks in a row.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We're going to try to follow the same kind of application of clear messaging because I think the fact
• of of clear messaging application of of clear messaging um<00:27:03.720> because um because um
• would call the host system,<00:44:44.920> the<00:44:45.040> main<00:44:45.360> application
• <00:44:46.320> How<00:44:46.520> are system, the main application.
• How are system, the main application.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• , and is being moved from the budget language to Title 10, where it belongs, so it's easier for applicants
• This bill expands the program to consider applicants looking to develop properties that are considered
• to learn about the for applicants to learn about the details<00:48:25.839> of<00:48:26.079>
• ><00:48:29.440> consider expands the program to consider expands the program to consider applicants
• looking to develop properties applicants looking to develop properties that<00:48:32.640> are

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• the ACFR is prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, or the GAAP, applicable
• ><02:18:30.160> GAAP accounting principles or the GAAP accounting principles or the GAAP applicable
• to<02:18:32.080> governments<02:18:32.479> as<02:18:32.719> prescribed applicable
• to governments as prescribed applicable to governments as prescribed by<02:18:33.439> the<02:
• <02:22:25.840> to in conformity with the GAP applicable to in conformity with the GAP applicable

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when they make that application,<00:09:02.720> it's<00:09:03.040> predicated<00:09:
• 03.600> on<00:09:04.480> the<00:09:04.880> hope application, it's predicated on
• the hope application, it's predicated on the hope and<00:09:05.360> expectation<00:09:05.839><
• you know, if it's only a little bit of money, it might be just the top couple applications.
• If it's a lot more funds, then many more of the applications.

Bills: HF4598, HF4884, HF3732

Keywords: workers' compensation, Minnesota workers' compensation, Workers' Compensation Advisory Council, reinsurance association, Workers' Compensation Reinsurance Association, WCRA, occupational disease, presumption, first responders, firefighter cancer, PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder, police officer, paramedic, emergency medical technician, correctional officer, security counselor, public safety dispatcher, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability

Transcript Highlights:

• as Chair Howard or Representative Howard said, investments in HIVs simply do not keep pace with applications
• With your last 2025 appropriation of $47 million, we had 233 applicants, spread evenly among the categories
• Uh we had 233<01:08:57.279> applicants.
• <01:08:58.400> Um<01:08:59.199> basically<01:08:59.759> spread 233 applicants
• Um basically spread 233 applicants.

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:

• 31:10.520> questions<00:31:10.960> in<00:31:11.040> their<00:31:11.200> application
• <00:31:11.920> and and questions in their application and and questions in their application
• leaving Minnesota would<01:28:33.200> actually<01:28:33.680> be<01:28:33.840> applicable
• ,<01:28:34.400> but<01:28:34.560> this would actually be applicable, but this would
• actually be applicable, but this is<01:28:35.040> a<01:28:35.200> wealth<01:28:35.560>

Bills: HF4621, HF4123, HF4616, HF1183

Keywords: child tax credit, financial assistance, low-income families, state revenue, tax policy, net investment income, taxation, business income, self-employment, tax increase, wealth tax, fairness, public services, high-income earners, economic equity, Internal Revenue Code, employee classification, federal law, Minnesota statutes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• Why substitute your judgment for that of skilled, trained employees with the expertise to vet applicants
• They they start they start uh enrolling<00:38:35.760> applicants.
• <00:38:37.040> Um<00:38:37.839> that<00:38:38.160> same Enrolling applicants
• This is similar to the requirements of enrollees and applicants providers.
• of enrolles and and and applicants of enrolles and and and applicants providers.<01:13:07.840>

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: Judge Tim O’Malley, Minnesota’s director of program integrity, presented a roadmap to program integrity and fraud prevention built around nine areas for improvement, including leadership and culture, stronger program controls, better coordination among agencies and prosecutors, training, technology modernization, independent oversight, stakeholder engagement, and expanded resources. He said long-standing vulnerabilities in state programs have been exploited by organized criminals, and argued the state must shift from reactive enforcement to front-end prevention, faster detection, and recovery of improper payments. He emphasized that modern data sharing and analytics are especially urgent, and said oversight and accountability are essential for lasting change. Fay Bernstein, a long-time DHS employee, testified that she experienced retaliation after raising contract compliance concerns years ago. She said she was removed from the building, barred from DHS property, investigated for months, and accused of racism and threatening leadership, which she denied. Bernstein argued DHS leadership lacks a fraud-prevention mindset and said the department’s culture punishes employees who speak up, while serious program failures have harmed vulnerable Minnesotans. She called for major leadership changes and firings at DHS. Members questioned O’Malley about whether fraud was driven more by sophisticated criminals or by weaknesses in state systems. He said the vulnerabilities have existed for a long time and organized criminal groups are taking advantage of them, especially where data sharing is weak. Members also pressed him on whistleblower protections and retaliation; O’Malley said he should have included the legislature among places employees can report concerns, and said complaints should be thoroughly investigated with accurate information and appropriate consequences for supervisors who fail to act, ranging from coaching to termination depending on the case. No votes or formal actions were taken in this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee substitute also clarifies that applicants seeking to practice through the audiology and
• that the applicants seeking to practice<00:47:21.119> through<00:47:21.359> the<00:47:
• Meaning they've had training on proper use, proper application.
• proper Meaning they've had training on proper use,<01:10:58.000> proper<01:10:58.400> application
• use, proper application. use, proper application.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Senate convened, opened with an invocation and pledge, established a quorum, excused absent members, and approved the journal. The House clerk then announced that the House had passed several bills and requested concurrence. The chamber also received second-reading reports for a number of bills and resolutions, which were referred to the Rules Committee, and committee reports from the Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and the Judiciary Committee recommending passage of several measures. New resolutions were also introduced, including one honoring Michael Mingi, Amanda Maize, and Senator Maize Bledsoe, and another designating March 31, 2026, as Kentucky Transitional Science Day. The Senate then took up Senate Bill 145, relating to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The chamber concurred in House Committee Substitute 1 and House Floor Amendment 1, then passed the bill as amended by a roll call vote of 35 yeas and 2 nays. The Senate next considered Senate Bill 59, relating to prohibited uses of tax dollars and resources. After adopting Senate Committee Substitute 1, members debated whether the bill’s enforcement provisions were needed to prevent public funds from being used to influence ballot questions; supporters cited prior school-related advocacy, while one opponent raised concerns about possible uneven treatment of schools receiving federal funds. The bill passed 28-9. Finally, the Senate took up Senate Bill 137, relating to a provisional license to practice medicine. Supporters described Kentucky’s physician shortage, especially in rural areas, and argued the bill would help recruit foreign medical graduates by allowing a path to licensure based on prior residency and work experience. A floor amendment was offered to preserve standards by emphasizing U.S. residency pathways and cautioning against lowering the standard of care, but the amendment was withdrawn after discussion. The bill remained under consideration at the end of the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• What HUD has announced is that they're changing midstream the application process and changing priorities
• that they're changing<00:05:21.200> midstream<00:05:21.800> the<00:05:21.919> application
• changing midstream the application changing midstream the application process process process and
• <01:02:37.640> And<01:02:37.800> we applications from year to year.
• And we applications from year to year.

Bills: HF3425

Keywords: supportive housing, grants, housing assistance, funding, Minnesota Statutes, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• However, there are problems with the civil and penal code that will make the real-world application of
• more practical which I application more practical which I explained<01:03:01.599> in<01:03:01.839
• real<01:03:09.119> world that will make the real world that will make the real world application
• this<01:03:10.480> bill<01:03:10.720> more<01:03:11.040> difficult application
• of this bill more difficult application of this bill more difficult and<01:03:11.599> were<01

Bills: SB3263, SB3261

Keywords: student-athletes, name image likeness, NIL, compensation, transparency, University of Hawaii, Title IX, funding, protections, athlete agents, student athletes, endorsement contracts, professional representation, registration requirements, sports law, 912, senate, all

Summary: The joint Senate Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Human Services heard testimony on several bills related to student health and safety, University of Hawaii programs, and workforce development. For SB 2969, which would appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii to expand and sustain the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study and Maui Health Registry, testimony was overwhelmingly supportive. Witnesses described the ongoing physical and mental health impacts of the August 2023 Maui fires, said the study has identified serious untreated conditions and connected participants to care, and emphasized its role in serving survivors and training students. The committee also heard support from the Department of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Lung Association, Maui residents, and study staff. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then heard SB 2657, which would establish an Alzheimer disease and related dementia research center at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. University of Hawaii and Alzheimer’s Association representatives supported the bill, saying a local center would improve coordination of existing research, build state capacity, and help Hawaii compete for future NIH designation and federal funding. A family member affected by Alzheimer’s also testified in support, citing the disease’s impact in Hawaii. In response to questions, the university said the proposal would follow a five-year phased plan, with the first year funding used to recruit a senior neuroscientist and staff person, at an estimated cost of about $375,000, and that the effort would still strengthen Hawaii’s research infrastructure even if federal funding is not secured. For SB 2612, which clarifies immunity for Department of Education employees and agents who assist students with medication administration under certain conditions, the Department of Education said the bill is intended to protect volunteers and help ensure students can participate in school activities even when staffing is limited. The committee discussed how volunteers would be selected and whether every school would have someone available, and DOE said schools currently rely on health attendants, nurses, and trained volunteers. The committee also briefly discussed liability language and gross negligence exceptions. The hearing then moved to SB 2412, which would fund a bachelor’s degree program in sign language and sign language interpretation at UH Mānoa with a future master’s pathway. Testimony from interpreters, educators, and university officials emphasized the shortage of interpreters, the need to retain local talent, and the program’s role in building a pipeline; university representatives said the initial request would fund a faculty/staff position as a first step, with additional funding needed later. No final committee action or votes were announced in the transcript.