Transcript Highlights:

• It's tested every year.
• On top of that, we also do, with both Rio and PERS, employer testing, so part of our testing of the census
• data, both Rio and PERS employer testing.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.
• They go through and do penetration testing for NDIT and the university system right now.

Committee: Joint Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee

Summary: The Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with approval of the prior meeting minutes and a review of the state’s annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and the Office of Management and Budget reported a clean opinion on the state’s financial statements and described continued growth in net position, strong general fund balance, and significant Legacy Fund investment income. Committee members asked about how the report reflects long-term finances and how North Dakota compares with other states, and OMB noted that the ACFR is based on audited actual results rather than budget forecasts. The committee then heard the North Dakota University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund construction money, insufficient monitoring of service organizations, improper bank reconciliations at several campuses, and investment/cash recording issues at Bismarck State College. University System officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations and greater use of shared services. Members also questioned practices such as campus use of certificates of deposit and whether repeated findings were being adequately addressed. Additional audits were presented for the State Fair Association, 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 Securities Department, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Most received clean opinions with no findings; exceptions included a repeat component-unit issue at the State Fair Foundation, a securities personnel-evaluation finding, and a Housing Finance Agency finding involving a late return of escrow surplus. The committee also discussed broader oversight issues, including the need for independent auditing of the Ethics Commission, possible legislative changes to give the State Auditor more subpoena power and independent legal counsel, and future work on data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, and audit capacity. The meeting recessed for lunch after these discussions.

Transcript Highlights:

• This site will offer commercial skills testing beginning very soon, passenger vehicle testing starting
• later this year, and motorcycle testing starting in the spring of 2026.
• The lower picture shows an advanced air mobility aircraft, the Pivotal BlackFly, which conducted a test
• flight this summer at our drone test site in Windsor, Massachusetts.
• We're starting to test it.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a hearing at UMass Amherst on Governor Healey’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, focusing on energy/environment-related transportation issues and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The hearing opened with welcomes from the co-chairs and local legislators, followed by remarks from UMass Amherst Chancellor Javier Reyes, who highlighted the university’s research, sustainability, transportation, and workforce contributions and thanked the administration and legislature for support of public higher education. MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, along with agency leaders, presented the administration’s transportation budget package. They described a combined funding plan through House 2, a Fair Share supplemental budget, and a Chapter 90 bill, emphasizing investments in MassDOT operations, snow and ice response, regional transit authorities, the MBTA, bridge and pavement repair, housing-related transportation improvements, sustainable aviation fuel, microtransit, and local road programs. Officials also highlighted record highway construction activity, safety initiatives such as work zone speed cameras and pedestrian protections, RMV service and equity improvements, airport and drone technology programs, and MBTA gains in reliability, accessibility, ridership, and service expansion. Committee members asked about Western Massachusetts priorities, especially Chapter 90 funding for rural road mileage, bridge repairs, and the Compass Rail/West-East Rail program. MassDOT officials said pending federal grants were moving forward, with some awards recently obligated and others expected as federal processes advance, and they said Palmer Station remains part of the long-term rail plan. Members also raised the Cape Cod bridges and the need for multi-year Chapter 90 funding. Officials said the Sagamore Bridge procurement would begin soon, with construction targeted for 2027, and reiterated that transportation investments support jobs, local economies, and municipal infrastructure statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• 29:56.799><c> lead</c> fund for lead fund for lead lead<00:29:59.279><c> um,</c><00:29:59.679><c> testing
• </c> lead um, testing lead um, testing for<00:30:01.440><c> the</c><00:30:01.520><c> lead</c><00:30:01.840
• ><c> testing</c><00:30:02.320><c> and</c><00:30:02.559><c> water.
• </c> for the lead testing and water. for the lead testing and water.
• </c><01:19:12.719><c> assessments</c> a section for certain test assessments a section for certain test

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• There's a balancing test that the court engages in if a government entity does not want to provide that
• There's a balancing test that the court engages in if a government entity does not want to provide that
• applicable rules of evidence, civil procedure, or criminal procedure, and then conduct a balancing test
• </c><00:13:15.600><c> about</c> then conduct a balancing test about then conduct a balancing test about
• if someone were to challenge it, it test if someone were to challenge it, it would<00:15:05.040><c>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The conference committee took testimony on Senate File 3051, which would allow law enforcement to release unredacted collision crash investigation video and related data to certain requesters, rather than requiring redaction first. Joel Carlson, speaking for the Minnesota Association for Justice, said the bill is intended to save local governments time and money because redacted video is often later released unredacted through court motions anyway. He emphasized that the proposal is limited to people already entitled to crash reports, requires a written request and accident report, does not create an affirmative duty to release data, and preserves law enforcement’s ability to withhold data for active investigations or other protected information. He also cited the Burks decision as support for the view that a subject of data is entitled to the full data even if it includes other subjects. Colonel Christina Bogavich of the Minnesota State Patrol raised concerns that the bill would still require staff to review videos for exceptions, including private data involving bystanders, juveniles, undercover officers, CAD information, and other protected material, so it would not create the claimed time savings. She also said the bill expands the number of potential requesters and lacks a liability provision if released data is improperly disseminated. Committee members and staff discussed the current Data Practices Act, including that private data can still be discoverable in litigation through a court balancing test and that protective orders may apply. A preliminary fiscal note estimated a Department of Public Safety cost of $4,026,334 annually, and members requested copies of the note. Members questioned whether the bill would actually reduce work or simply shift when the work occurs, and whether a litigation-specific exception to redaction should be added. Carlson said he was open to changes, including making release permissive rather than mandatory and strengthening the use restrictions, while members noted the proposal had not yet been heard in the House and would need more vetting. No vote or final action was taken on the provision during this discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• It assigns responsibilities, timelines, and testing requirements for that system.
• ><01:25:24.080><c> that</c><01:25:24.320><c> amends</c><01:25:24.800><c> the</c><01:25:25.280><c> testing
• </c> public notice uh that amends the testing public notice uh that amends the testing public<01:25:26.560
• ><c> test</c><01:25:26.960><c> public</c><01:25:27.199><c> accuracy</c><01:25:27.760><c> testing</c><
• 01:25:28.880><c> uh</c> public test public accuracy testing uh public test public accuracy testing uh

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Transportation, Motor Vehicle Safety Office: Right now, you do need to take your written knowledge test
• It's not a requirement to take the class if you can learn on your own and then go take the road test,
• and you pass then you're given road test and you pass then you're given your your your endorsement<00
• Thank you. we indicated in our written test Tony we indicated in our written test Tony there<00:23:28.960
• </c><01:20:56.760><c> and</c> string ENT um balancing test and string ENT um balancing test and Analysis

Committee: House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard a series of transportation and public safety bills, beginning with HB 706, which would require skateboard users under age 16 to wear helmets. The Department of Transportation supported the measure, and the chair noted written support from AAA Hawaii, Kulani Medical Center for Women and Children, and several individuals. No opposition was mentioned, and the bill appeared to draw no questions. Members then heard HB 860, which would grant immunity to the state or county that repairs or maintains a street when ownership or jurisdiction is disputed. DOT and DLNR supported the bill, with county support from Maui and a Hawaii Island county representative, while the Hawaii Association for Justice opposed it. The committee also heard HB 1162, requiring applicants for a motorcycle instruction permit to complete an approved basic rider course, with DOT support and a recommended amendment to exempt motorcycles used for training; the Public Defender asked about the current process, and DOT explained the bill was intended to improve safety given motorcycle fatalities. HB 1259, allowing speed-limit reductions within 10 mph of the current limit without an engineering study, also drew DOT support and support from the AAHU Metropolitan Planning Organization and individuals. The committee next considered HB 1158, a governor’s package bill limiting civil liability for people who provide firefighting services with vessels at commercial harbors or roadsteads to gross negligence or wanton conduct. DOT Harbors said the bill was prompted by lessons from the Lahaina fires and was intended to encourage privately owned firefighting-equipped vessels to assist without hesitation; the Hawaii Harbor Users Group and an individual supported it. HB 54, which would make a third or subsequent excessive speeding offense a Class C felony and allow vehicle forfeiture, drew DOT support but strong opposition from the Public Defender, who argued the bill was overly harsh, would force jury trials, and could create sentencing problems; the Public Defender also said existing penalties were already significant. The committee then heard HB 1334, which would exempt donations of wild game meat, including axis deer, to charitable and nonprofit organizations from certain meat inspection and transportation laws; DLNR and multiple community and food-related groups supported it, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 698 on animal cruelty, which would increase criminal penalties for various offenses. The Public Defender opposed the bill, arguing the cases are rare, enforcement is limited, and the proposed penalties—up to Class A felony treatment in some cases—were too severe; animal welfare advocates strongly supported the measure, saying cruelty cases are widespread, underreported, and under-enforced, and that stronger penalties are needed as a deterrent. No votes or final actions were taken on any of the bills in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testing. There we go. Yay. Thank you, everyone. Sorry for those technical difficulties.
• We have some other ones that are in the process of being tested, and I'm glad to tell you about those
• OEP does something similar with K-12 testing data. They do their own awards by regions.

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes and then heard a presentation from Maddie San Juan of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas on the report “Holding It All Together: Working Moms and Child Care in Arkansas.” She said the research found Arkansas moms are working and want to work, but child care costs, inflexible schedules, inadequate paid leave, and the mental load of caregiving are major barriers. She cited survey and focus group findings showing flexible hours were the most requested workplace support, 69% of moms identified child care costs as a barrier, and many families spend a large share of income on care. Members asked about labor force trends, what flexibility means in practice, and the cost and age structure of child care assistance programs. The presenter also noted child care affects economic development and workforce recruitment, and mentioned a Department of Commerce option that may help pay child care for people seeking training. Department of Education and Office of Early Childhood staff then gave updates on internal dashboards for enrollment, applications, and provider participation in School Readiness Assistance (SRA), saying the tools are now live for internal use and should improve transparency and data access. They said CLASS transition funding from the PDG grant would be released soon to providers who completed observations, and clarified that OEP awards based on CLASS scores are separate from OEC’s work. They also warned providers about a payment interruption during the transition to a new system: June 26 would be the last day to submit SRA payments for processing, payments would stop June 30, and billing would continue without processing from July 1 to 13, with back payments expected when the system resumes around July 14. Members raised concerns about provider cash flow, early childhood special education funding, an overpayment appeal involving a child care center, and whether CLASS data would be public; staff said the data is FOIA-able but not used by the department to set current quality or rates. The department also said it is reviewing audit requirements tied to Head Start and SRA, that Early Head Start children remained in their facilities after a closure, and that a market rate survey/cost analysis is still in procurement. Staff reported that the QRIS process will begin with a June 23 webinar and that CLASS will be part of a broader quality system still being developed with provider and parent input. They also said the local lead network was re-competed and will cover all counties starting July 1 with 23 local leads, and that the PDG partner group has been formed to provide ongoing stakeholder feedback. The meeting ended with no further business and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Testing. There we go. Yay. Thank you, everyone. Sorry for those technical difficulties.
• We have some other ones that are in the process of being tested and glad to tell you about those later
• OEP does something similar with K-12 testing data. They do their own awards by regions.

Committee: All EDUCATION- HOUSE EARLY CHILDHOOD SUBCOMMITTEE

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is to purchase and maintain lab equipment and supplies for diagnostic testing and cyclical accreditation
• This is to be used for promotional testing. It's supported by special and general revenue.
• It's for outsourcing lab testing of samples for radiation levels.

Committee: All ALC-PEER

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So you can legally possess cannabis, but we lack a safe, regulated, tested, and taxed place to buy it
• as you know, we passed legislation again to establish that retail market with licensing, product testing
• would have ensured that transactions occurred in a regulated, consistent way that would allow for testing

Keywords: Cannabis Retail Market, Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• During the transition, the department continued to perform nuclear testing, but it should have been under
• This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.
• This is a new contract for radiation testing and analysis at Nuclear 1.

Committee: All JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Summary: The committee considered and approved several temporary appropriation requests in Section B, including spending authority for the Court of Appeals to pay appointed counsel in criminal appeals, Commerce/Aeronautics airport and aviation grants, and Insurance Department items for workers’ compensation benefits and premium tax refunds. It also approved ARPA-related requests in Section C to return unused federal funds from DHS aging, mental health, substance abuse, and Older Americans Act grants. In Section D, the committee reviewed and approved Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act requests, including Agriculture grants for wildfire preparedness and forestry capacity, a large Commerce broadband BEAD request, environmental recycling-related reallocations, and Oil and Gas Commission grants for facility repairs and sample preservation. Members questioned the broadband program’s audit process and performance safeguards; the State Broadband Director said the funds are federal, subject to audits, and payments are released only after engineering certification of completed work. The committee also approved DHS reallocations in Section E, including major transfers within Medical Services from hospital medical appropriations to private and public nursing home lines, as well as transfers for children and family services, developmental disabilities, and youth services. The committee then reviewed cash fund requests, miscellaneous federal grants, pay plan and performance fund transfers, methods of finance, and a large set of contracts. A Northwest Arkansas Community College official explained storm-damage repairs and insurance settlement issues, and DHS explained its hospital medical transfer was moving excess appropriation rather than cash. Members also questioned several UAPB tobacco prevention subgrants, especially arts-based outreach, and asked for more data on effectiveness; the committee later voted to expunge and re-refer the J-2 item for further review at a later ALC meeting. Additional discussion covered a DEQ grant to Free Geek of Arkansas for e-waste recycling, a UAPB tobacco program, and various contracts for universities, DHS services, corrections, and public safety. The meeting ended with reports filed for information and a brief member comment thanking others for concern after a tornado in Stone County; no one was injured.

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency is required to conduct or contract for systemic and continuous testing of the provider network
• When was the last time we did a provider network adequacy test? Mr.
• However, I wouldn't want this to be implied that this is the only time we've ever tested network adequacy

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• restoration of the immunization assessment fund, $200,000 ongoing for fee-for-service laboratory testing
• the restoration of the Immunization Assessment Fund, and $200,000 ongoing for service laboratory testing
• . $200,000 ongoing for service laboratory testing, $6,533,701 one-time for ARPA-funded multi-year grants

Summary: The joint Senate Finance and House Appropriations committee met to consider several budget items and related language for the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Health and Welfare. For the Attorney General’s office, members debated competing restoration proposals tied to the Consumer Protection Fund and the Internet Crimes Against Children program. The committee first rejected a narrower substitute focused only on the Internet Crimes Against Children personnel costs, then approved the broader restoration motion and sent it forward with a do-pass recommendation. The committee then took up reconsideration of Senate Bill 1428 items for Health and Welfare, including the Division of Early Learning and Development, the Division of Youth Safety and Permanency, and the Division of Family and Community Partnerships. Members approved funding for moving the Idaho Home Visiting Program to Early Learning and Development, a Walker mower replacement for the Southwest Idaho Treatment Center, transfer authority language, a reporting requirement for the Home Visiting Program, unlimited transfer language for Youth Safety and Permanency to Switzie, restoration funding for post-adoption services and safety assessments, and $180,000 for kinship navigation services. All of these actions received do-pass recommendations. The committee also revisited the Division of Public Health Services after Senate Bill 1401 failed on the House floor. Members approved a substitute that kept the Idaho Home Visiting Program in Public Health Services for now, restored funding for immunization assessment, laboratory testing, ARPA grants, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and suicide prevention, and reduced the Health Care Policy Initiatives program. The committee adopted reporting language on outcomes and return on investment for several public health programs, plus a new report on immigration status data for HIV prevention services. That last language item drew debate over privacy and discrimination concerns, but it was adopted. Finally, the committee addressed the Rural Health Transformation Program, a new federal funding stream for Idaho. Members approved a supplemental appropriation for FY 2026 and a larger FY 2027 appropriation, both with 12 limited-service positions, to support the program’s administration and spending. The committee also adopted intent language clarifying that physician assistant and dental hygienist reforms proposed to CMS should continue and be reported back to JFAC and germane policy committees. The meeting ended early because of time constraints, with the remaining items postponed until the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• physicians on how to do comprehensive screening so that we can ensure that our children are being tested
• early and then being tested correctly, so they get the right diagnosis.
• This is Amendment 5 to an existing contract for laboratory diagnostic testing services at the state hospital

Committee: All ALC-REVIEW

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• has had under consideration Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5214, relating to drug testing
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5214, relating to drug testing of parents who have had
• Engrossed Committee Substitute for House Bill 5214, relating to drug testing of parents who have had

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The test would be: are the child's feet on the pegs or the floorboards?
• But the real test is, does the officer see feet on the pegs or the... ...seems like a pretty good number
• But the real test is, does the officer see feet on the pegs or the floorboards or not?

Committee: House Joint Committee on Transportation Oversight

Summary: The Transportation Committee first met in executive session on House Bill 2741. Members adopted a committee amendment correcting a wording error, then voted the House committee substitute do pass by a roll call of 9 ayes, 2 noes, and 1 present. Supporters said the bill addressed safety concerns, especially for commercial vehicles, while opponents objected to the subjective standard for proving proficiency and to the $3,000 penalty for violations. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bills 1831, 2328, and 2553, all related to motorcycle passenger safety for children. The bills would require young child passengers to wear helmets, be able to reach foot pegs, and ride on properly equipped seats; the discussion also focused on whether officers could stop motorcycles based on a reasonable suspicion that a child passenger was underage or improperly secured. Bill sponsors said the measures were intended to prevent child deaths and injuries, citing the death of Calvin James, a 4-year-old grandson of one witness, as the reason for “Calvin’s Law.” Testimony was mixed. Family members and several supporters, including emergency nurses, argued the bills were common-sense child protection measures and could prevent traumatic brain injuries or fatalities. Motorcycle advocacy groups and some witnesses said the bills were overbroad, could lead to arbitrary stops or family services involvement, and needed clearer definitions for terms like “proper passenger seat.” Several members raised questions about enforceability, age verification, and whether the fine structure was an effective deterrent. No votes were taken on the three motorcycle bills, and the committee adjourned after closing the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• The test would be: are the child’s feet on the pegs or the floorboards?
• But the real test is: does the officer see feet on the pegs or the…” Response continued: “...seems like
• But the real test is: does the officer see feet on the pegs or the floorboards or not?

Committee: House Transportation

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Again, one of the things we've talked about is wanting to do a test run of this, maybe a couple of times
• I mean, that's just like in the IT world, you always want to test things out ahead of time to make sure
• I think we're getting really close to being able to run the core component of this on a test basis to

Committee: House Joint Committee on Education

Summary: The Joint Committee on Education met to hear an informational presentation from the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development on Missouri’s higher education funding model and related workforce trends. Commissioner Bennett Boggs described the department’s mission, its data and workforce partnerships, and the need to better align postsecondary education with Missouri’s labor market, noting projections that 65% of jobs in the 2030s will require education beyond high school. He emphasized that the current “base-plus” funding approach dates to 1992 and no longer reflects demographic, technological, or economic changes, and said the department wants every institution to remain healthy and serve its region. Deputy Commissioner Leroye Wade outlined a proposed cost-based, performance-informed funding framework with four main parts: fixed costs, variable program costs, performance measures, and a mechanism for targeted legislative investment. He said the model is intended to be data-driven, transparent, and more responsive to enrollment changes, program mix, completion outcomes, workforce needs, and collaboration among institutions. He also reviewed the history of the effort, including a 2022 legislative appropriation for a study, a 2023 report, and subsequent interim and bill activity. Committee members asked about educational attainment goals, the P20W longitudinal data system, persistence and completion rates, and how the model would account for mission differences and student outcomes. Representative John Black, sponsor of the bill discussed, said the legislation is meant to move Missouri toward a 21st-century higher education funding system by tying appropriations more closely to state goals and institutional performance rather than continuing automatic across-the-board increases. He said the department’s work and the bill are intended to prompt continued refinement of the model, and he warned that declining enrollments and tight state finances make reform urgent. No votes were taken; the committee heard the presentation, allowed brief public comment, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• We believe it's very important that there could be a competency test.
• The original bill did include a test for food handler safety, which is why the options are there.
• The original bill did include a test for food handler safety, but it wasn't the food handler safety permit

Committee: Senate Agricultural Affairs

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• But I notice in yours that they have to pass a screening or a test or something like that.
• each offender that goes into DOC has to go into the diagnostic side that does do their classification test
• diagnostic facilities, and upon going to DOC, individuals will go to the diagnostic side, get those tests

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Keywords: 959, house, all