Transcript Highlights:

• Unfortunately, when it comes to delivering major construction projects, community colleges are held to
• a procurement standard that requires a selection based on the lowest bid, which limits their ability
• And this measure aligns our community college districts' procurement authority with that of K-12 school
• But we know that the vast majority of community college students, especially adults, need to and choose
• But we know that the vast majority of community college students, especially adults, need to and choose

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee heard several Senate measures focused on community college procurement, higher education access, and student support. SB 1154 by Senator Reyes would allow community college districts to use best-value procurement for public works projects over $1 million. Supporters, including San Bernardino Valley College, the San Bernardino Community College District, labor groups, and several districts, said it would improve delivery of complex facilities and align community colleges with other education systems. Opponents, including the Associated General Contractors, argued the bill’s skilled-and-trained workforce requirements and labor-compliance scoring would narrow the bidder pool and raise costs. The committee passed the bill to the Assembly Floor on a due-pass vote, with some members voting no or not recorded. SB 1255, also by Senator Reyes, would create a California Hispanic-serving institution designation. Supporters from HACU, the CSU Chancellor’s Office, UC, community colleges, and other education organizations said the designation would recognize campuses that serve large numbers of Latino and low-income students and strengthen accountability and student success. The committee approved the bill as amended and re-referred it to Appropriations, with one no vote. SB 1328, presented on behalf of Senator Cervantes, would require LGBTQ+ points of contact at satellite or branch campuses of CSU and community colleges, either through designated staff or regular office hours. Testimony emphasized gaps in access at remote centers and the need for confidential support; one member raised concerns about staffing, costs, and whether existing systems could meet the need remotely. The bill was passed as amended and sent to Appropriations. The committee also considered SB 960 by Senator Cabaldon, which would expand the circumstances under which community colleges could offer bachelor’s degrees in response to unmet workforce needs, especially where CSU programs are impacted or not realistically accessible locally. Supporters said the bill would help meet workforce demand and expand access for place-bound and adult learners. CSU and faculty representatives opposed unless amended, urging stronger partnership requirements, clearer workforce-need standards, and safeguards around duplication and Prop 98 funding. Members discussed impaction, regional access, and the role of partnerships; the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations. Finally, SB 632 by Senator Otagan would extend the California College Promise fee waiver to part-time community college students enrolled in nine units. Supporters said many students cannot attend full time because of work, caregiving, and living costs, and the bill would better reflect student realities; the transcript ends during testimony on this measure, before any vote is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Secretary, when you mentioned the updates of the major highway priority program, and I don't know how
• So let's just say we have one of those major projects finally going on right now, and it's a major one
• For major projects, they're on the news a little bit more about them.
• Asking, can major projects that may be relevant to our area, maybe we should have to say that there's
• But that was one of the... ...to the Emergency Procurement Authority, the chairman carried a cleanup

Summary: The committee met for an information-only hearing with no votes or other action items. DOTD Secretary Glenn LaD and Deputy Secretary Beau Black gave an update on the department’s transformation efforts, focusing on faster project delivery, improved construction administration, and new technology. They said monthly contractor payment approvals have been reduced from roughly 35 days to 15 days or less, change orders from about 40-45 days to around five days, and that DOTD delivered 86% of its advertised projects in the last fiscal year. They also described new tools such as Headlight for field inspections, Smart PM for schedule tracking, Hall Hub for e-ticketing and work-zone mapping, and a pilot using advanced sensors on district vehicles to identify potholes, guardrail damage, and other asset issues. The department also outlined a district reorganization that replaces the area engineer model with dedicated district points of contact for construction, maintenance, and operations, with no increase in total staff. Members raised concerns about local maintenance issues, especially mowing, drainage, culverts, potholes, and communication with district offices. Several members asked for clearer coordination on jurisdictional questions, more frequent meetings with district administrators, and better public updates on long-running projects. LaD said DOTD would schedule follow-up meetings, use the coming customer service portal to track complaints, and improve public communication through project information officers, social media, and other outreach. Questions also covered contractor accountability, utility relocations, road transfer maps on the DOTD website, and whether maintenance work adjacent to capital projects should be handled by district crews or through new IDIQ contracts. The secretary also reviewed the Highway Priority Program process, saying DOTD will work between June and September to review projects not included in the prior program, explain why, and refine a five-year fiscally constrained plan before the fall road show. He said the department is using IDIQ authority to award bridge maintenance and other task-order work, and that this should help address a two-year bridge repair backlog. Members discussed whether current funding levels are enough to reduce the statewide backlog, and DOTD said the current program likely maintains rather than eliminates it absent new revenue. The hearing ended with a project-specific update that a barge struck the Black Bayou Pontoon Bridge that morning, causing significant damage; DOTD said divers and staff would inspect it and determine emergency repairs. After DOTD’s presentation, Archie Chesson of the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction gave a brief update on that office’s first year, describing its use of consultant pools, master service agreements, a public GIS map, and a data tool to prioritize rural road and bridge projects, with several early projects already completed or under construction.

Transcript Highlights:

• from and that's where our the majority from and that's where our the majority of<00:51:49.200>
• And when I asked RCUH, I said, "So you did the procurement. So do you have a staff?
• Because why would you run a procurement that you're more than capable of doing?
• > exemption<01:46:05.280> which you do enjoy procurement exemption which you do enjoy procurement
• practices relating to procurement practices relating to procurement contracts<01:51:53.440> property

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• have a new election of membership of leadership because the former senator from Jefferson 37 was majority
• :14:13.760> was former senator from Jefferson 37 was former senator from Jefferson 37 was majority
• web during our precaucus or or majority web during our precaucus or or pre-legislative<00:14:18.720>
• So we ask that the our new majority web.
• <00:16:09.839> a<00:16:10.160> vendor<00:16:10.800> to Commission to procure

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Kentucky Senate convened for the opening of the 2026 regular session with an invocation and pledge, then administered the oath of office to Senator-elect Gary Clemens of Jefferson 37. The chamber adopted Senate Resolution 1, establishing the 2026 Senate membership, and declared a quorum present with 36 members. The absent senators were excused, and the journal from March 28, 2025 was approved. The Senate then adopted Senate Resolution 2, which set the rules of procedure for the 2026 session. The rule changes included moving certain resolutions and announcements, removing the 12-member limit on standing committees, shifting administrative regulation jurisdiction, eliminating hard-copy posting and bill-printing requirements in favor of electronic versions, allowing same-day action on conference reports, striking COVID-era remote voting language, tightening floor privilege and lobbying access rules for the temporary chambers, and repealing vote-pairing language. Democratic leadership also reported a change in majority whip, naming the senator from Jefferson 19 after the former whip resigned. The clerk reported a large number of newly filed measures, including memorial resolutions, policy resolutions, and bills on topics such as safe room rebates, trauma center coverage, planning commission membership, paid maternity leave for state employees, veterans benefits, wages, CASA, podiatry, mushrooms, motor vehicle operation, schools, city government, music therapy, dual credit scholarships, geoengineering, educational discrimination, cremation, solid waste, motor vehicle commission, economic infrastructure, recovery residences, property transfer at death, oaths, and an Article V convention term-limits resolution. Senate Resolution 3, inviting Frankfurt-area pastors to open sessions with prayer, was adopted. Members also announced an ethics training for the next day and a reception for Senator Clemens. The Senate then adjourned until the next scheduled meeting date announced by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• In alignment with those goals, I present to you AB 485, the Firearm Procurement Act, which would ensure
• Every year, the state of California spends millions of taxpayer dollars to procure firearms, ammunition
• tax dollars have been spent by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to purchase or procure
• While these items are procured with the intent to promote public safety, without proper vetting many
• Obviously, I think that's the majority that we're trying to help.

Summary: The Assembly Public Safety Committee met to consider several bills, with six measures approved on consent, including bills on background checks, female offender prison facilities, a juvenile justice hunger survey, protective orders and firearms, a youth offender camp pilot, and peace officer behavioral health training. AB 710 and AB 848 were pulled by the authors. The committee also took up AB 458, AB 394, AB 1094, AB 1092, and AB 1036, with extensive testimony on each. AB 458, by Assembly Member Stephanie, would require state agencies purchasing firearms, ammunition, or accessories to vet vendors for compliance with firearms laws and procurement standards. Supporters, including Brady and the California Police Chiefs Association, said taxpayer funds should not go to dealers with serious violations; opponents argued the bill added burdens and vague standards. The committee approved the bill as amended and sent it to Appropriations. AB 394, by Assembly Member Wilson, would expand protections for transit workers and riders by broadening enhanced battery penalties, clarifying who may seek temporary restraining orders in the transit context, and making those orders system-wide. Transit agencies, labor groups, and law enforcement supported the bill, while public defender and civil liberties groups raised concerns about vagueness, duration, and impacts on access to transit. The committee passed AB 394 to Judiciary as amended. AB 1094, by Assembly Member Baines, would raise the minimum parole eligibility term for child torture convictions involving a child under 14 in the perpetrator’s care or custody from seven years to 20 years. Prosecutors, sheriffs, and police groups supported the bill, citing the severity of the abuse and the need to protect child victims; opponents argued the parole system already screens for risk and that harsher sentences do not improve public safety. The committee approved the bill as amended to Appropriations. AB 1092, by Assembly Member Castillo, would extend concealed carry weapon license renewals from two years to four years; supporters said it would reduce costs and administrative burdens, while the chair and others opposed it as unnecessary. The committee ultimately voted the bill down. AB 1036, by Assembly Member Schultz, would expand post-conviction discovery access for people convicted of felonies with sentences of one year or more, including Brady materials and jury selection notes. Innocence organizations and defense groups supported it, while district attorneys opposed the broader discovery obligations; the committee passed it to Appropriations as amended.

Transcript Highlights:

• But although there are procurement flexibilities for public housing redevelopment that were added by
• But although there are procurement flexibilities for public housing redevelopment that were added by
• relief for a complex project that we sought many times before. and This form of procurement relief is
• The Commonwealth ranks in the third quartile and behind other major metropolitan areas like New York
• establishing a safety standard for both worker and pedestrian protection that aligns with those of other major

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The joint committee held a public hearing on several bills covering state administration, land/public housing redevelopment, construction safety, memorialization, records management, rural grant equity, and animal research. Testimony in support of H. 3329 described an inequity in the Governor’s Council reimbursement statute, which currently cuts off travel, meals, and lodging reimbursement after four terms; the witnesses argued this disproportionately burdens members from western Massachusetts and creates geographic and economic barriers to service. The Boston Housing Authority supported legislation for the Brighton/Faneuil Gardens area, saying it would allow a mixed-use redevelopment that replaces all existing public housing units one-for-one, adds new affordable housing, creates replacement rehearsal space for displaced musicians, and preserves prevailing wage standards. A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 2112, a construction safety bill. Suffolk Construction, Boston building trade representatives, and local inspectors testified that the measure would strengthen training, site safety standards, oversight of high-risk work, and enforcement, while helping protect workers and the public and improving retention and recruitment of inspectors. Witnesses said the bill would align Massachusetts more closely with higher safety standards in other states and build on lessons from past construction-related incidents. The committee also heard support for S. 2162, which would create a COVID-19 memorial; the witness emphasized the scale of pandemic deaths in Massachusetts and the educational value of public memorials. Other testimony addressed H. 3321, which would modernize records preservation for registers of deeds by reducing reliance on costly microfilm in an increasingly electronic system; the witness said current law is outdated and expensive. H. 3311, aimed at advancing equity for rural communities receiving state grants, drew support from town officials in Leyden and Ashfield, who said small towns lack staff for grant writing and should be evaluated more on need and regional impact, especially for climate and public safety projects. Finally, S. 2117, concerning animal research, was supported by an animal welfare advocate who urged prohibiting state funds for animal experiments and shifting to non-animal research methods. After the hearing concluded, the chairs noted that additional hearings and polling votes would follow, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It is posted on our state procurement website, but I understand that it can be a little bit difficult
• mr. representative rime I'll make sure that he has the contract posted it is posted on our state procurement
• Okay, just for clarification: so I did hear you say that it is posted on the state procurement website
• transparency, where they're posting the bill online through the procurement website.
• This is a waste of time, and with proper planning I think the majority could have swapped these bills

Bills: SB1198, SB1199, SB1286, SB1683, SB1761

Keywords: Arizona beef council, beef promotion, agricultural marketing, commodity council, livestock, cattle industry, ranching, rural affairs, self-financed program, sunset extension, continuation bill, market development, beef products, Arizona agriculture, Title 41, Title 3, sunset review, marketing order, producer assessment, Salt River horse herd

Transcript Highlights:

• THE MAJORITY OF THE PERFORMANCE MEASURES USER MEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE ARE FOR STANDARDIZED
• ACROSS THE PLANS AND CATEGORIES WHERE THERE IS ONE THAT JUMPS OUT AS BEING IN UNDER PERFORMER AND A MAJORITY
• BACKING UP FROM THERE WE WENT THROUGH THE STEPS OF THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.
• AND AWARDING ALREADY OCCURRED WILL BE ON A CYCLE TO RE-PROCURE THE SIX-YEAR CONTRACTS.
• THE AGENCY HAD A DEPARTURE HOW THEY APPROACH THIS PAST PROCUREMENT AND I'VE ASKED FOR A LOT OF DATA AND

Transcript Highlights:

• Majority Leader? Introduction. Did she want to... Yes, sir. Majority Leader? Introduction.
• Up next, our majority staff, Austin Correa. Good morning, Mr. Chair and members.
• Austin Correa, majority staff.
• Majority Leader? Yes, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for the presentation.
• I love the procurement piece.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• process in state follow the procurement process in state code<00:07:06.560> and<00:07:06.800>
• and the procurement process the code and the procurement process the type<00:07:08.479> of<00
• So in other words, you you have to<00:07:15.520> procure<00:07:15.919> a<00:07:16.160><
• We saw that at Bullock Pen, which was a major project we did up in Grant County.
• We've got an estimate, but Eagle Lake is going to be a major project. did up in Grant County.

Keywords: 00:02 EEC – State-Owned Dams 21:07 EEC – Grid Resilience Grant Funds 37:24 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard presentations from the Department for Environmental Protection and the Office of Energy Policy on Kentucky’s state-owned dam repair program and the electric grid resilience program. Commissioner Tony Hatton explained how state dams are defined and classified under Kentucky law, the criteria used to prioritize repairs or decommissioning, and the status of several projects funded in the last biennium. He said the department is using a design-bid-build process, with major work planned or underway at Willisburg Lake, Big Bone Lick State Park Dam, Clemens Lake Dam, Marion County Sportsman’s Dam, Chinoa Lake Creek/Canning Creek Dam, and Lake Malone, and that $0.5 million is reserved for routine repairs. He also described the timeline and cost pressures, noting that construction seasons and bid uncertainty can affect schedules and estimates. Members asked several questions about whether the estimates were current, how accurate the bids tend to be, why the process takes so long, and whether it would be better to fund design separately before construction. Hatton said the estimates are the best current engineering estimates, that costs often stay within about 10% but can vary, and that the overall process is usually closer to two years than four, though delays can occur. He also said all of the allocated dam funds must be available before bids can be let. The committee discussed whether design work can become stale if construction is delayed. Kenya Stump then updated the committee on Kentucky’s electric grid resilience program under federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding. She said Kentucky has received years one through three of the five-year program and has allocated funds to state park electric systems and municipal utilities, with years four and five not yet received. She identified Ken Lake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village as the two state park projects in progress, and Owensboro, Princeton, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville as the municipal projects selected through a competitive process. She said the projects are under contract or in final negotiations, with municipal construction expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and finish by the end of 2026, and explained that the work includes line, pole, transformer, meter, and outage-management upgrades. Members asked about the relationship between this program and prior park appropriations, the timing of agreements with Parks, and whether the park systems could eventually be transferred to the local electric cooperative; Stump said the park agreements are imminent and that the upgrades are intended to bring the systems up to code so the cooperative can maintain them. No votes were taken, and the chair adjourned the committee until the following Wednesday, with a possible time change to avoid a scheduling conflict.

Transcript Highlights:

• No amendments to bills by one house will be concurred in by the other except by a vote of the majority
• <00:06:21.160> Review<00:06:21.800> Board that the Public Procurement Review Board
• that the Public Procurement Review Board approve<00:06:22.560> any<00:06:22.760> personal
• <00:08:05.800> Review<00:08:06.000> Board by the Public Procurement Review Board by
• except by a vote of the majority except by a vote of the majority thereof.<00:09:44.960> Taken

Keywords: MS Senate Floor - 24 March, 2026; 10:00 AM, 925, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, opened with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, and then dispensed with the reading of the journal and committee report titles. The main business was a lengthy exchange over Senate Bill 2632, the local governments disaster recovery emergency loan program bill. The governor’s veto message argued that the enrolled bill had been materially altered after conference adoption, specifically over the interest-rate language, and called for an investigation. Senate leaders responded that the veto message was inaccurate, saying the word “monthly” had been removed earlier by unanimous consent to avoid an unintended 12% rate and that the bill was intended to provide disaster relief financing for local governments affected by Winter Storm Erin. Senators McCaughn and others defended the process, criticized the governor’s accusations as false and offensive, and emphasized that the legislation was meant to help struggling cities and counties with no interest until FEMA reimbursement, followed by a 1% rate. After the veto discussion, Senator McCaughn moved to refer the bill back to the committee from which it began, and the motion carried. The Senate then moved through routine business, including introductions and recognition of guests. Visitors included the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Peanut Committee, the Mississippi School for the Deaf and Blind, the doctor of the day, and an NCSL representative, along with a National Ag Day milking champions presentation and a large group of junior pages. The chamber also honored the Starkville Oktibbeha County School District’s varsity boys and girls basketball teams. Senate Resolutions 64 and 65 were called up to commend the Starkville High School girls and boys teams for winning the 2026 Class 7A state championships, and both coaches addressed the Senate briefly to thank members for the recognition.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second major point that I'd like to raise is that no credits are offered unless energy is produced, as
• Many of those have been because of procurement issues, which you know...
• One of many of those have been because of procurement issues, which the Oil Conservation Division is
• The other two parts of the problem are the procurement side. ...can begin to ramp up.
• Chair, Representative Block, I would think probably the majority of people that are in the room today

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• or contract negotiation. for two years after the contract is signed or the procurement is terminated
• , and the procurement involved the... the software—the actual software vendor here.
• He clearly was involved in this procurement, and he worked directly with the ultimate beneficiary, an
• You see, the majority of the PAC communication flowed through my former employer.
• Thank you. $10,000 is the vast majority of her remaining outstanding fines. I see. Thank you, Ms.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm the new CEO of Network for Hope, the organ procurement organization that covers the Commonwealth
• Under this bill, any health care provider, organ procurement personnel, or patient representative who
• :48.000> care<00:02:48.239> provider,<00:02:48.720> organ<00:02:49.040> procurement
• health care provider, organ procurement health care provider, organ procurement personnel<00:02:
• >> But the pause in procedure is the major part of the bill.

Keywords: This meeting failed to start and as part of it was not live streamed. This is the complete meeting pulled from backups. 00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 01:03 - Discussion of 26RS HB 510 05:32 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 510 06:32 - Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up one item: House Bill 510. The bill, presented by Representative Neas with testimony from Network for Hope CEO Barry Massa and Kentucky Right to Life executive director Adia Wishner, would create new statutory protocols for organ donation. Supporters said it clarifies medical and legal definitions, requires an immediate pause in organ recovery if anyone observes a concerning neurological change or indication of life, and mandates reassessment before proceeding, with the goal of protecting patients and rebuilding public trust in organ, tissue, and eye donation. Testimony emphasized that the bill is intended to ensure organ recovery only proceeds when death has been confirmed with certainty and that the safeguards largely reflect practices already used by Network for Hope. Supporters framed the measure as both protecting donor dignity and preserving confidence in the donation system. The committee chair said he supported the clarification and noted the importance of the issue. A motion and second were made, and the committee voted by roll call to advance HB 510. The bill received favorable expression and was reported as likely to pass on the House floor. The committee then announced its next meeting date and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• The majority of our funding for the Statewide Economic Development Finance Act has been federal funding
• They won't have to do procurement.
• But they're not going to have to do the administrative burden of procurement. We can pay as we go.
• We've allocated or procured for about 90% of those funds.
• The vast majority of that is with the tax-exempt bonds that we issued.

Transcript Highlights:

• defer to the experts here, one sitting next to you, but those Class 1 railroads, we think of those major
• defer to the experts here one sitting next to you, but those Class 1 railroads, we think of those major
• carriers that we know that we see going up and down, I guess, Those major carriers that we know, that
• Challenges such as excessive records retention requirements, limited procurement authority, and rigid
• Your major point. Okay. I'll let you try to members' questions of this panel. Senator Hinojosa.

Summary: The Senate Transportation Committee heard several bills focused on transportation infrastructure, public safety, and local commemorations. SB 2841 would clarify the overweight corridor designation for the Port of Brownsville so all three statutorily approved bridges are treated uniformly for northbound and southbound overweight traffic; the Port of Brownsville testified in support, and the bill was left pending. SB 39 would restore the commercial motor vehicle “admission rule” framework in collision cases; Senator Birdwell explained the committee substitute, and the bill was later reported favorably. The committee also heard and later advanced SB 682, SB 1369, and SB 1422, which rename stretches of highway or a bridge in honor of fallen firefighters and military service members, with no opposition testimony and all left pending before final votes. The committee also heard SB 2366, which would create a grant program for short-line railroad projects through rural rail transportation districts for track, bridge, capacity, and restoration work. Senator Hughes and several witnesses from rural rail districts and rail advocacy groups supported the bill, while TxDOT explained current rail funding is limited and that the bill would be the first such grant program for Class 3 short lines; members discussed that the bill would need a floor amendment because state funds cannot be paid directly to railroads. SB 1013 would expand crosswalk protections under the Lisa Torrey-Smith Act to include certain driveway curb cuts along sidewalks; it was supported by the author and left pending before later being reported favorably. The committee also considered SB 2080, which would modernize port and navigation district rules by easing records and procurement requirements, exempting certain security and cybersecurity discussions from recording, and expanding some operational authority. Port Houston and the Texas Ports Association supported the bill, while the City of Corpus Christi raised concerns that the language could expand port economic-development authority beyond navigation purposes and affect local tax bases; the Port of Galveston also noted concerns about the filed version but supported the bill as presented, and the committee substitute was later reported favorably. SB 2001 would create specialty license plates and related parking/toll benefits for permanently disabled peace officers; SB 2705 would codify registration exemptions for certain farm equipment and some specialty plates. Both were supported by witnesses, adopted with committee substitutes where applicable, and reported favorably. Final votes on the reported bills were largely unanimous or near-unanimous, and the committee recessed after leaving some motions open briefly.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I’ll start with the summary of major audit items or major items and audit reports memorandum.
• reports containing major recommendations, the audit report for the ...major audits and audit reports
• containing major recommendations.
• It sounds like it's a major error. It sounds like it's a major error, accounting-wise.
• I reviewed the summary of major findings and major items in audit reports for this meeting, but the North

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's the vast majority of what we buy.
• The vast majority of the purchasing.
• I think vast majority of what we buy.
• First, the bill states all purchases must comply with the procurement policy.
• within Minnesota's existing procurement within Minnesota's existing procurement statutes,<01:34:

Bills: HF3698, HF3067, HF3730

Keywords: libraries, electronic books, digital audiobooks, licensing agreements, public access, paraprofessional, paraprofessional qualifications, education support staff, teacher aide, teacher assistant, special education, Title I, federal personnel qualifications, Minnesota Department of Education, school district, charter school, cooperative unit, Read Act, reading instruction, math instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• to do is say if we make a major to do is say if we make a major investment<00:34:16.399> and<
• Those are major Those are jobs.
• Those are major businesses<00:43:41.920> in<00:43:42.160> our<00:43:42.319> state.
• <01:00:06.799> for at least 1 million are procured for at least 1 million are procured for
• Uh, will you be writing a majority report? Will you be writing a minority report?

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's why the fiscal impact is what it is, because the majority of dental services that we provide
• Moving to item 14, Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of State Procurement.
• Jessica Patterson, Department of Shared Administrative Services, Office of State Procurement.
• Item A on the agenda is the revisions to the procurement rules.
• They also reviewed our rules in order to ensure that they were in line with all procurement laws.

Summary: The Arkansas Administrative Rules Subcommittee met to review a large slate of agency rules and related reports. The chair announced that several items were stricken from the agenda and that the maternal health providers and remote monitoring rules were pulled by the agency. The committee filed reports on emergency rules, ALC subcommittee rule reviews, and administrative directives, then moved through agency rules from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce/Insurance, Department of Corrections, and multiple divisions of the Department of Human Services. Most rules were explained as technical updates or implementations of 2025 legislation and were approved without objection. Examples included repeal of obsolete equine ID-chip rules, updates to agriculture financing and pesticide rules, removal of duplicative workers’ compensation plan language, a unified visitation rule for correctional facilities, DHS marketing rules for PASS programs, a comprehensive DCFS policy manual revision, Medicaid-related changes for fictive kin, ABLE accounts, presumptive eligibility for pregnant women, SNAP work requirements and alien eligibility, coverage for certain incarcerated youth, nurse aide training updates, and permanent rules for state employee insurance and procurement. The committee also approved requests to exclude the Insurance Department from rulemaking requirements for Act 772 on forced organ harvesting and for restorative reproductive medicine, with the department saying it would issue rules later when more guidance is available. The most extended discussion concerned DHS’s dental Medicaid rate rule under Act 1025. Members and witnesses debated whether the statute’s language covered only oral surgeons or also general dentists performing oral surgery procedures, and whether the rate increase should apply more broadly to the services rather than the provider title. DHS said it was following the black-letter language of the law and could not confirm a broader interpretation without further approvals and funding, while legislators and a Dental Association representative said the intent was to increase payment for the services, especially in rural areas. Members also discussed the possibility of fixing the language in a future session or through a new rule if approvals and CMS review allow. Despite the concerns, the committee approved the rule. The meeting ended with approval of rule review reports and monthly updates, and the committee adjourned.