Transcript Highlights:

• devoted significant effort to exploring a definition of renewable hydrogen and establishing best practices
• Second, it creates a strong market incentive for companies to improve sourcing and manufacturing practices
• for carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity set by the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment
• This creates a practical problem by limiting agencies to a single certification pathway, the state's.
• These are serious legal and practical risks as well, including Commerce Clause implications that would

Summary: The committee heard presentations on several energy, environmental, and consumer protection bills while operating at times without a quorum. Senator McNerney presented SB 925, which would direct the California Energy Commission to develop a statewide roadmap for fusion energy, and SB 1350, which would expand the use of green hydrogen in the power sector by allowing renewable portfolio standard credit for power plants using hydrogen. Supporters said both bills would help California maintain leadership in emerging clean-energy industries, attract investment, and create jobs. Opponents of SB 1350 raised concerns about greenwashing, resource shuffling, and increased NOx emissions from hydrogen combustion, while supporters said committee amendments added guardrails against those outcomes. Senator Ashby presented SB 1010, a manufacturer-funded extended producer responsibility program for refrigerants in appliances; supporters said it would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve recovery, while opponents argued existing laws already regulate refrigerants and that the bill could raise costs and disrupt recycling markets. Senator Grayson presented SB 1145 to streamline CEQA and federal reuse procedures for qualifying projects in the Concord Reuse Project Area, which supporters said would help deliver long-planned housing, jobs, and open space, while one housing group sought stronger affordable-housing guarantees. Senator Cabaldon presented SB 1341, which would give CalRecycle authority to reduce processing fees for wine and spirits bag-in-a-box containers when fee collections exceed program needs; supporters said the current fee increase was abrupt and excessive, while opponents warned against giving the agency too much discretion. Senator Padilla presented SGR 13, urging the U.S. to secure enforceable commitments to eliminate transboundary sewage pollution in the Tijuana and New River watersheds during the 2026 USMCA review, and SB 1033, which would require testing and disclosure of heavy metals in protein products; SGR 13 drew strong support from border and environmental justice advocates, while SB 1033 drew support from consumer and health groups and opposition from industry groups concerned about labeling burdens and scope. Senator Caballero presented SB 1183, requiring a state study of the environmental, land-use, and economic impacts of industrial solar in the Central Valley; farm and land-use advocates supported the bill, while solar industry groups opposed unless amended, saying it should better reflect solar’s benefits and existing state analysis. After testimony, the committee took roll and adopted several measures on a 4-0 or 3-0 basis, with bills including SJR 13, SB 925, SB 1350, SB 1145, SB 1341, SB 1033, and SB 1010 advanced on call to Appropriations or, in the case of SB 1010, already voted with a 3-1 result before being held on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is also, the office is also assessing market consolidation.
• The board is also, the office is also assessing market consolidation.
• Speaking for my family, it'd be very, very difficult for someone to pay $6,000 for an assessment.
• And what we need is we need people to get those assessments so we can figure out if it's serious or not
• To be fair, I wish I practiced less.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The board is also, the office is also, assessing market consolidation.
• The board is also, the office is also assessing market consolidation.
• Speaking for my family, it'd be very, very difficult for someone to pay $6,000 for an assessment.
• To be fair, I wish I practiced less.
• Financial incentives and support for the smaller practices.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They came to the US, and he settled in Birmingham, where he practiced medicine for over 50 years. ...
• The processor may arrange for a qualified and independent assessor to assess the processor's policies
• of the notice of violation, the attorney general may bring an action pursuant to this section and assess
• a fine of not this section and assess a fine of not more than $10,000 per violation.
• It also set the settings in which these associate levels would be able to practice once they're finished

Bills: HB 14, HJR 31, HB 43, HB 18, HB 106, HB 36, HB 26, HB 149, HB 121, HB 206, HB 136, HB 3114, HB 2733, HB 1732, HB 3700, HB 467, HB 1130, HB 1846, HB 1442, HB 1147, HB 2176, HB 2701, HB 805, HB 2890, HB 1154, HB 1644, HB 2118, HB 1718, HB 2488, HB 2596, HB 1971, HB 2468, HB 484, HB 2578, HB 3204, HB 1041, HB 307, HB 685, HB 1710, HB 538, HB 2525, HB 3125, HB 2027, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3684, HJR 99, HB 1399, HJR 5, HB 1330, HB 2110, HJR 2, HJR 6, HB 1587, HB 14, HJR 31, HB 43, HB 18, HB 106, HB 36, HB 26, HB 149, HB 121, HB 206, HB 136, HB 3114, HB 2733, HB 1732, HB 3700, HB 467, HB 1130, HB 1846, HB 1442, HB 1147, HB 2176, HB 2701, HB 805, HB 2890, HB 1154, HB 1644, HB 2118, HB 1718, HB 2488, HB 2596, HB 1971, HB 2468, HB 484, HB 2578, HB 3204, HB 1041, HB 307, HB 685, HB 1710, HB 538, HB 2525, HB 3125, HB 2027, HB 2894, HB 3077, HB 3684

Keywords: nuclear energy, advanced reactors, energy security, grant programs, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, farm products, tax exemption, ad valorem taxation, agriculture, Texas Constitution, livestock, producer, finance, young farmers, financial assistance, pest control, rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services

Transcript Highlights:

• The Department of Health leads risk assessments at home and looks at the data.
• The Department of Health leads risk assessments at home and looks at the data.
• The Department of Health leads risk assessments at home and looks at the data.
• The Department of Health leads risk assessments at home and looks at the data.
• </c><00:26:47.240><c> and</c><00:26:47.399><c> the</c> recognize the practicalities and the recognize

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 737, which would amend Minnesota’s lead- and cadmium-related product restrictions and was re-referred to the Committee on Environment, Finance and Policy. Representative Bjorn Olson said the bill was prompted by a constituent who could no longer make cadmium-based art supplies in Minnesota, and he argued the law unintentionally swept in professional art materials that are used safely and are important to Western art culture. The committee first adopted the author’s A2 amendment, which broadened the bill to include additional exemptions beyond paint and pastels, including certain pens, mechanical pencils, and vehicle keys/key fobs. Testimony in support came from Darren Reenie of Wet Paint Artist Materials and Framing, who said artist paint and related supplies account for a significant share of sales and that the ban threatens independent art supply businesses and artists’ access to essential pigments. Josh Fiser of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation supported the key and key fob exemption, saying the current law is overly broad, exposure risk is minimal, and Minnesota should align with California and European Union standards. Bill Morgan of the Arts and Creative Materials Institute and Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association also supported the amendment, arguing there was little scientific basis for including pens, mechanical pencils, and professional artist materials, and citing prior reviews in the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Union. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, through Assistant Commissioner Kirk Kadelka, opposed broad exemptions and emphasized that no amount of lead is safe for children. He said the law was based on evidence from consumer products associated with elevated blood lead levels and argued that safer alternatives exist for many of the items in the amendment, including pens, mechanical pencils, and some key components. He also raised concerns about exposure during production and disposal. Committee members questioned the scope of the exemptions and whether the industry had workable alternatives. The A2 amendment was adopted, and the bill was then advanced for further consideration and re-referred as noted by the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• I appreciate your commitment to the Judiciary Committee's longstanding bipartisan practice of vetting
• Do you believe a warrant requirement is a practical and workable, or even a necessary, element of 702
• I don't have enough of the facts in front of me to make that assessment.
• Will you end this practice, Mr. Patel, once and for all? Senator, I will always follow the law.
• You would remove any kind of two tiers of justice from the FBI, because they have practiced that every

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, again, the risk assessment, you'll see this kind of throughout the matrix in that, again, data assessment
• see this kind assessment it you you'll see this kind of<00:43:09.680><c> throughout</c><00:43:10.640
• assessment and pathway profiling<00:43:17.119><c> again</c><00:43:17.440><c> gives</c><00:43:17.680>
• Again, risk assessments, the detection investigation, trace forwards, trace backs, diagnostics, all of
• What are the long-term disease and management practices that can be done?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint informational briefing from the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems and the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment focused on the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s update on Hawaii’s biosecurity framework, especially implementation of Act 231 (2024) and Act 236 (2025). Chairs Corey Chun and Mike Gabbard opened the meeting by framing the briefing as an update on investments to fight invasive species and improve statewide evaluation and coordination. Department leaders Sharon Her and Richard Kim described historic legislative and executive investments that have allowed the department to rebuild and modernize biosecurity infrastructure to better prevent, detect, control, and eradicate invasive species. The presentation emphasized the importance of biosecurity to Hawaii’s agriculture, economy, environment, and public well-being, citing threats such as rapid ohia death, little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, brown tree snake, and red imported fire ant. Staff explained the state’s layered approach—pre-border, border, and post-border—and compared it to New Zealand’s model, stressing that Hawaii must act as a “net, not a wall” and that prevention before entry is far more cost-effective than response after establishment. They also outlined agency roles across the system, including agriculture, natural resources, health, transportation, enforcement, and university partners, and noted that Act 231 strengthened authority over high-risk imports, offshore treatment, compliance agreements, and pest management plans, while Act 236 renamed the department and clarified statewide biosecurity coordination. Jonathan Ho then walked through specific program areas and progress. He said pre-border risk analysis is being supported by Act 231 funding and a university contract, while offshore compliance and treatment efforts have improved substantially, including Christmas tree inspections from Oregon and Washington and airline declaration systems that provide advance passenger information. For border work, he highlighted inspections, surveillance, detector dogs, and port monitoring. For post-border response and readiness, he discussed the invasive pest hotline and dashboard, trace-forward/trace-back and diagnostics, preparedness for future threats, and the need to build stronger internal capacity. He also described a developing transitional facilities program authorized by Act 236, modeled on New Zealand’s certified facilities system, and said the department has already begun outreach to industry groups such as the Hawaii Floriculture and Nursery Association. No votes or formal actions were taken; the meeting was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• for maybe newer graduates here or folks who want to return to be able to build their own type of practices
• so I'm curious as to whether you have in place to help determine the reasons why, and how you then assess
• Clinical practice, clinical care, and we are actually intentionally designing this program so that it
• There's actually a lot of interest in ensuring that practicing health care professionals can go back
• One of the steps taken before I came on board was the establishment of an observation and assessment

Transcript Highlights:

• The civil penalty and the fine, assuming it's assessed, who gets the money? Thank you.
• that don't want to develop to instead not develop but institute green stormwater infrastructure practices
• What's the best practice in that process? So yes, sir, thank you for the opportunity.
• We welcome any opportunity to collaborate with TDAM to create the best practices in the world, in the
• , but I would take it a step further and say that those best practices need to be codified.

Bills: HB2, HB1, HB18, HB19, HB20, HB1, HB 2, HB18, HB19, HB20

Keywords: emergency communication, interoperability, grant program, first responders, state council, disaster response, emergency management, mass fatality, justices of the peace, training programs, emergency manager license, volunteer management, justice of the peace training, criminal history checks, state health services, broadband, public safety, disaster preparedness, funding, flood disaster plan

Transcript Highlights:

• I've practiced veterinary medicine in Ocala for 13 years.
• I've practiced veterinary medicine in Ocala for 13 years. Just last year I started my own practice.
• They are already leaving my practice.
• I've been with the practice since its inception in 1997.
• “It’s been in business in Ocala, 100% equine practice for 43 years.

Summary: The committee first handled Senate confirmations, hearing two support waivers from the Florida Swimming Pool Association, and then voted to recommend confirmation of all appointees in a block vote. It then took up several bills, adopting amendments and reporting each measure favorably: CS/SB 462 on transportation, which included FDOT authority over speed limits, EV-related funding, MPO changes, workforce grants, and an I-4 widening report; SB 1574 on energy infrastructure investment, creating a PSC mechanism for renewable natural gas infrastructure cost recovery; SB 1002 on utility service restrictions, limiting local government energy-source restrictions; and SB 726 on swatting, adding liability for prosecution/investigation costs and restitution for injuries or property damage. The committee also approved CS/SB 496 on timeshare management and CS/SB 1076 on roof contracting, both with technical or clarifying amendments. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 408 on thoroughbred permit holders and decoupling live racing from gaming licenses at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. Senator Burgess presented a strike-all amendment that would delay decoupling for seven years, with a three-year notice period and a four-year guarantee of racing and current purse/breeder award structures. The sponsor and supporters said the longer runway was intended to create room for negotiations and align Florida with other pari-mutuel operations. The committee heard extensive public testimony, overwhelmingly opposed, from horsemen, breeders, veterinarians, farm owners, sales companies, and related businesses who warned the bill would reduce racing, depress breeding, threaten tens of thousands of jobs, and harm a major agricultural industry. A few speakers, including representatives of the Miccosukee Tribe, opposed the bill as a casino expansion that would benefit out-of-state interests and undermine existing gaming arrangements. No final vote on SB 408 was taken in the portion provided, and the committee continued public testimony after a recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thrilled with the success of the PBM unit after years of inaction against corrupt practices from
• important to note that while we are securing funds for pharmacies, we are also ensuring changes to PBM practices
• compliance monitoring and early identification of unlawful pricing recoupment and reimbursement practices
• Forensic motions practice, we're dealing with attorneys on the other side that that's all they do is
• So this effectively is a best practices counsel that would be coaching.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I oftentimes think that when we put fines in statute, it's probably not a best practice, because they
• that we've given to the Public Utility Commission, TCEQ, and the Attorney General, all of whom can assess
• This bill puts teeth to these standards and authorizes the Railroad Commission to assess an administrative
• Plugging is a practical step forward, and members I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.
• However, we recommend a more ambitious yet still practical timeline of 10 years.

Bills: HB2766, HB2891, HB3334, HB3791, HB3911, HB4021, HB4041, HB4042, HB4384, HB4426

Keywords: inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance

Transcript Highlights:

• the cost of capital I would imagine is very similar here than other states too, so is there a best practice
• Is there a best practice where that mix should be in a certain place, and if so, how close are we here
• in Florida to being in line with the best practices in reference to making the investments in the right
• the cost of capital I would imagine is very similar here than other states too so is there a best practice
• around the mix of generation type the fuel being generated by different types are like a best practice

Summary: The committee heard introductory remarks from Chair LaMarca and members, then received presentations on electric utility planning, transportation infrastructure, and broadband deployment. Public Service Commission staff explained how Florida’s utilities plan for reliability and cost through 10-year site plans, demand forecasting, and economic dispatch. The presentation emphasized Florida’s residential-heavy load, growing EV demand, expanding solar and battery storage, continued reliance on natural gas combined-cycle plants, and the role of nuclear power. Members asked about energy efficiency, rates, renewable options beyond solar, cybersecurity, grid resilience, data centers, and small modular nuclear reactors; the witness said efficiency programs are reviewed every five years, utilities must balance reliability and affordability, and large new loads like data centers generally must pay for their own infrastructure needs. Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue described FDOT’s five-year work program, decentralized district structure, and funding mix, noting that the agency is predominantly state-funded and prioritizes maintenance and preservation before expansion. He highlighted record investment levels, major congestion-relief projects, toll-road revenues, seaport and airport partnerships, spaceport investments, workforce and equipment needs, and emerging technology such as advanced air mobility. Members asked about project timing, MPO planning, rail and ferry funding, airport governance, winter storm preparedness, and flooding/sea-level rise; Perdue said faster delivery depends on resources, local governments lead transit operations with FDOT as a capital partner, and coastal and drainage projects are designed around storm surge and resiliency. The Office of Broadband reported on six grant programs supporting infrastructure, community facilities, digital connectivity, and future digital capacity and broadband expansion. Director Leo Garcia said the office has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars across most counties, leveraged significant private investment, and focused heavily on rural areas. He noted that broadband efforts are intended to support telehealth, education, workforce development, and economic growth, and said the state has reduced the number of unserved locations from more than 400,000 to a projected 170,000 after current awards are completed. He also said the office needs additional budget authority for the upcoming digital capacity program and that the larger federal/state broadband deployment program will be used to reach remaining unserved and underserved areas.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then practicing Deuteronomy 6:5 will help create that: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart
• transports, and records created during the intake processes for juveniles, known as observation and assessment
• transports, and records created during the intake processes for juveniles, known as observation and assessment

Summary: The House convened with 67 members present, approved the February 11, 2026 journal, and received several communications, including a temporary substitute appointment for Legislative District 19 and a Transportation and Defense Committee recommendation to approve most Idaho Transportation Department rules while rejecting one license-plate provision rule. The chamber also received notice that Governor Little signed House Bill 559 and committee reports on multiple bills and resolutions, including printing and referral actions for new legislation. During third reading, House Bill 540 passed 69-0, expanding juvenile corrections records protections to match those of the Department of Corrections. House Bill 541 also passed 69-0, broadening child enticement law to include 16- and 17-year-olds when the offender is at least five years older, with supporters citing online grooming and sextortion concerns. Senate Bill 1222 passed 69-1, clarifying that prior water-related law applies prospectively and defining subdivisions as five or more lots, and Senate Joint Memorial 108 passed by voice vote urging federal agencies to stop discouraging graziers from seeking wolf and grizzly depredation compensation. House Bill 569, a bill to expand water skiing rules and safety requirements for certain early-morning open-water skiing, failed 31-38 after extended debate over its scope and safety provisions. The House also advanced or held several other measures, including House Joint Memorial 12 and Senate Bill 1225, and announced upcoming committee meetings. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, which passed, and the House adjourned until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• and one private practice to serve all of Machai.
• and one private practice to serve all of Machai.
• and one private practice to serve all of Machai.
• and one private practice to serve all of Machai.
• Mahalo behavioral health assessments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing focused on Act 310 grants and aid, with committee members hearing one-minute testimony from organizations first in person and then by Zoom. At the outset, the chairs explained there would be no Q&A during the briefing and asked testifiers to focus on how federal cuts were affecting their work. The meeting was organized by registration number and included both neighbor island and Oʻahu applicants. Testimony centered on organizations seeking state support to offset federal funding losses or anticipated reductions. Health and social service providers described impacts from Medicaid, SNAP, ACA subsidy, Title X, and other federal changes, including Aloha Care, Community Clinic of Maui, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies, West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center, Hawaiʻi Disability Rights Center, Hawaiʻi Youth Services Network, Alcoholic Rehabilitation Services of Hawaiʻi, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Other groups highlighted losses affecting food security, housing, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, including the Kohala Center, Feeding Hawaiʻi Together, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Dynamic Community Solutions, and the Pacific Tsunami Museum. Several arts, youth, and education organizations also testified, including Hawaiʻi Literacy, Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi, Girl Scouts of Hawaiʻi, Kids Hurt Too Hawaiʻi, and US Vets, each requesting funding to preserve programs and staffing. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing. The only action was procedural: the chairs moved through the applicant list, limited testimony time, and then transitioned from neighbor island in-person testimony to Oʻahu and later Zoom participants.

Transcript Highlights:

• Because I think that the broad assessment—I won't speak for my colleagues—my assessment is that DSGS
• My assessment is that DSGS has been successful and has been cost effective.
• So is it the assessment of the CEC that the DSC that the DSC, that the DSC? Okay.
• I’m the Director of the Energy Assessments Division at the California Energy Commission.
• In terms of growth, our office conducts annual reviews to assess our needs.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Now we'll move to the CEO of Practical Idealism Economics. Welcome.
• I am the founder and CEO of Practical Idealism Economics, formerly of finance.
• Now we'll move to the CEO, practical idealism economics.
• In practice, it doesn't work at all that way.
• In practice, as I said, it's more like a random number generator.

Summary: The Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee held an informational hearing on California’s Budget Stabilization Account, or Rainy Day Fund, with opening remarks focused on the state’s long history of revenue volatility and the role reserves play in smoothing downturns. The Legislative Analyst’s Office explained that California’s personal income tax base is highly volatile because high-income earners’ income is tied to capital gains and other fluctuating sources, and that Proposition 2’s current reserve rules set aside 1.5% of General Fund revenues plus a share of excess capital gains, but cap constitutional deposits at 10% of General Fund taxes. The LAO said its analysis evaluates reserve policy over decades and found the current system would cover about 30% of funding shortfalls in a 90th-percentile downturn scenario over 50 years, which is an improvement over no reserve but still inadequate. The LAO recommended raising the reserve cap substantially, ultimately to 50% by 2055, with an immediate increase to 20% and gradual increases thereafter. It also suggested either replacing Proposition 2’s deposit formulas with broader rules that capture volatility across all tax revenues or, alternatively, depositing all excess capital gains rather than only a share. The Department of Finance said the Governor’s prior proposal similarly sought to raise the cap from 10% to 20% and exclude reserve deposits and withdrawals from the state appropriations limit, arguing those two constraints limited the state’s ability to save during recent revenue surges. Other panelists and members discussed whether reserves should be paired with broader structural changes, including unemployment insurance reform, safety-net funding, infrastructure reserves, and the projected surplus temporary holding account. The California Budget and Policy Center supported reserve reform but emphasized balancing savings with current needs and noted other tools such as revenue increases, borrowing from special funds, and the new surplus-holding account. Members debated the causes and effects of Proposition 13, the appropriations limit, business departures, and whether reserve policy should be more directly tied to protecting Californians’ access to health care, food assistance, child care, and other core services. No votes or formal actions were taken, as the hearing was informational only.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the critical pieces they need to know how to do their work, as well as revising what we call practice
• taken that they're having an opportunity to listen to, to see if they'll come up with the same assessment
• We also will continue to develop our best practice initiatives to ensure that there is access to services
• And we are in development right now of working on state-level best practices for our CACs.
• And we are in development right now of working on state level best practices for our CACs.

Summary: The Joint Committee on Aging, Children and Youth approved the February 11 minutes and then reviewed a DCFS policy manual update from Director Tiffany Wright. Wright said the changes move internal procedures out of administrative rule into DCFS’s internal procedure manual under an executive order, while also updating terminology, conforming to enacted laws, revising foster family continuing education hours, and removing obsolete requirements. Members asked whether the changes would alter practice; Wright said they were mainly terminology and process-location changes, intended to make the department more efficient and flexible. The committee then accepted the rule review without objection. Wright next presented DCFS quarterly performance data for the third quarter of FY 2026. She reported 8,610 hotline reports accepted, 6,919 assigned to DCFS, 22% of investigations found true, neglect as the most common substantiated allegation, and continued staffing shortages in some counties affecting timeliness. She also reported 3,420 foster care cases, 1,788 in-home cases involving 4,568 children, 72% monthly home-visit compliance, 36% permanency within 12 months, 4.5% re-entry into foster care, and 156 children available for adoption. Members asked about neglect trends, sexual abuse/exploitation data, behavior-related removals, staffing recruitment and retention, training improvements, and whether ACE-style testing should be considered for children; Wright said DCFS is expanding recruitment, retention, and training efforts and was open to further discussion on education-related assessments. The committee also received DCFS’s biannual overturned investigations report, covering July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, which tracks hotline calls, accepted reports, true findings, appeals, and overturned findings by county. A member asked for comparison to the prior year’s report. Major Jeff Drew then presented the Crimes Against Children Division annual report, saying the hotline received 67,987 calls in 2025, 37,986 were accepted for investigation, and CACD handled 6,539 cases with a 28% substantiation rate. Members asked about hotline operator training, qualifications, salary, and whether Arkansas compares with other states; Drew said operators receive a four-week training that includes law, policy, scenarios, recorded calls, live-call monitoring, and evidence-chain/decision-making instruction. Finally, Elizabeth Pooley of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas reported that the statewide network of 29 CACs and 64 multidisciplinary teams served 13,568 children and families in 2025, up about 3,000 from the prior year, and hosted 259 trainings for professionals. She said funding comes from a mix of state, federal, and community sources, with state funding set at roughly $70,000 to $75,000 per center and not based on caseload. Members asked about funding stability and standards of care; Pooley said CACs follow national standards and Arkansas is developing state best practices. The meeting adjourned after no further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a bill that is a small, practical policy change that improves access to medically necessary care
• Nurse midwives are highly trained, advanced practice clinicians who provide comprehensive perinatal and
• Many practice in hospitals as part of a collaborative care team.
• Their scope of practice is already clearly defined in law, and this wouldn't impact that.
• the Office of Election Cybersecurity to consult with academic researchers and direct the office to assess

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• result of our poor sales tax is that Minnesota raises less revenue for each percentage point of tax assessed
• As an educator, I also must call attention to the predatory practices that these social media companies
• 00:13:35.760><c> to</c><00:13:35.880><c> the</c><00:13:36.000><c> predatory</c><00:13:36.600><c> practices
• </c> attention to the predatory practices attention to the predatory practices that<00:13:37.680><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting was a press-style discussion in support of House File 4343, which would end Minnesota’s sales tax exemption for digital advertising services and physical advertising space such as billboards. Supporters said the bill would raise more than $300 million in revenue and allow the state sales tax rate to be reduced, while also modernizing the tax code to reflect a digital, service-based economy. Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota argued the current sales tax base is outdated, too narrow, and unfairly shifts burden onto Minnesota businesses, workers, and property taxpayers. Representative Lislegard said the bill would help fund schools, health care, infrastructure, child care, and local government, and framed it as a response to structural budget gaps and rising property taxes. She said large corporations are not paying their fair share and that the state should cut exemptions rather than reduce public services. Several speakers from labor, education, health care, and the arts backed the proposal, including a working parent who cited high child care costs, an AFSCME representative from Hennepin County Medical Center who said the revenue is needed to support the safety-net hospital, a musician who said streaming and ad-driven platforms profit from artists’ labor, and an educator who criticized social media companies’ impact on youth. The speakers repeatedly argued that major tech and advertising companies such as Meta, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, TikTok, and Spotify should contribute more to public services, while ordinary Minnesotans already pay too much. Representative White closed by acknowledging the bill faces a difficult path but said supporters would keep fighting for it. No vote or formal committee action was taken in the portion provided, and the event ended with one question from the audience.