Transcript Highlights:

• Second is the risk corridor, which would replace the current risk pool process.
• that are coming to the risk pool are the same ones.
• coming to the risk pool are the same ones.
• I want to make sure that we do have that risk corridor or risk pool as we used to have.
• I want to make sure that we do have that risk corridor or risk pool as we used to have.

Bills: S0042, S0578, S0624, S7018

Keywords: child protection, medical records, investigation, abuse, neglect, healthcare, Child Protection Team, diagnosis, Alzheimer's disease, Alzheimers, dementia, related dementias, brain health, early detection, caregiver support, elderly affairs, Department of Elderly Affairs, Department of Health, public health outreach, memory loss

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first heard SB 624, which would codify DCF’s current practice of allowing batterers intervention programs to offer supplemental faith-based activities so long as participation is voluntary. The bill drew support from faith-based and family organizations, which argued it would restore access to effective rehabilitation options and remove discriminatory barriers. SB 624 was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee then heard SB 42, which would require child protective investigators and child protection teams to rely on qualified medical professionals when a child has a documented pre-existing diagnosis or when a parent requests an exam, and would require clearer notice to parents and custodians at the start of an investigation. Testimony overwhelmingly came from parents, advocates, and disability rights representatives describing cases in which medically complex children were allegedly misdiagnosed as abuse victims and families were separated unnecessarily. Members expressed sympathy and support, and SB 42 was reported favorably. Next, the committee considered CS/SB 578, creating an Alzheimer’s disease awareness initiative within the Department of Elder Affairs to promote early detection, brain health education, research updates, and clinical trial awareness, with outreach focused on older adults and at-risk populations. An amendment was adopted to place the campaign within the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative. A caregiver testified about the need for public education and early diagnosis, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also took up SPB 7018, a committee bill on child welfare that would extend the definition of “visitor” for foster homes to reduce repeated background checks, make the Step Into Success foster youth workforce pilot permanent and statewide, and create a program through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to catalog best practices among community-based care lead agencies. The bill was approved as a committee bill and reported favorably. Finally, the Department of Children and Families presented its 2025-26 final funding methodology and rates report for community-based care. Members questioned the proposed tiered model, including insurance costs, risk corridors, prevention funding, performance measures, and regional funding disparities. No vote was taken on the presentation, but members discussed the possible need for follow-up legislation and additional stakeholder input.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm paraphrasing here, but she essentially said, 'I didn't need to go underneath the swimming pool and
• We've already said directly to the governor that the labor community will roll up our sleeves and say
• It has rolling hills, horse stables, a pool, and a gym, and a breathable environment for kids to thrive
• However, at a recent labor management meeting, our leadership at Pappas informed us that this criteria
• Unfortunately, over the past year, he could not go swimming because the pool was in disrepair.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The special legislative commission on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children held a hybrid public hearing focused on the hospital’s future, admissions, staffing, infrastructure, and whether the facility should be preserved, expanded, or reimagined. Opening remarks from legislators, commissioners, parents, and union representatives emphasized that Pappas provides a unique combination of medical, rehabilitative, educational, and residential services for children with complex needs, and several speakers argued that the hospital is effectively being depopulated through reduced admissions and ongoing discharges despite public assurances that it remains open. Multiple speakers urged the commission to extend its authorization and continue its work before any closure or major change can occur. Testimony from labor leaders, including AFSCME, SEIU Local 509, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, described a “silent closure” in practice, with staff reporting confusion about the hospital’s status, declining census numbers, blocked admissions, and uncertainty about the workforce’s future. They called for immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed short-term solutions such as temporary modular structures to address infrastructure barriers and allow admissions to resume. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing independence, specialized therapy, and campus-based supports that they said could not be replicated elsewhere, and they criticized alternative placements as inadequate. Commissioner Robert Goldstein of the Department of Public Health said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and funded while the commission works, but he argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits the kinds of children who can safely be served there. He said the department is continuing admissions for appropriate patients, working to expand outreach and services, and exploring long-term options, including broader statewide models of care. Commissioners pressed him on whether discharge status or lack of a clear discharge plan had been used as a barrier to admission, and requested de-identified data on patients recommended for admission but denied. No formal votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• This report is being provided at a time when the structure and operations of public entity risk pools
• Risk pools emerged as a solution to that problem, allowing these entities to collectively self-insure
• their effectiveness... ...in the United States participate in at least one risk pool, demonstrating
• A lot of it is moving to the Department of Labor.
• A lot of it is moving to Department of Labor.

Summary: The committee was called to order, the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer were offered, and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved. Members then received a memo summarizing major audit items and began hearing audit presentations from the State Auditor’s Office and private auditors on a range of state agencies and organizations. Several audits were reported as clean, including the Bank of North Dakota, the North Dakota Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the Office of the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation’s flexible transportation fund, Lake Region State College, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association also received an unmodified opinion, though repeat findings were noted for limited segregation of duties and financial statement preparation due to its small staff. The Council on the Arts audit found two findings: payroll charged to federal awards without adequate timekeeping records, and unallowable expenditures from a restricted cultural endowment fund. The Department of Public Instruction audit identified unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, though additional testing showed the funds were used for their intended purpose. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which identified four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating limit, grant conditions not being met, improper Breeders Fund awards, and improper procurement for advertising services. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson acknowledged complacency and weak controls, said the agency would tighten procedures, and explained that the commission had since worked with procurement and would follow the rules more closely. Auditors also explained that the commission would now be audited every two years because of the findings. Another major discussion involved the University of North Dakota School of Law, where auditors found a lack of documentation supporting admissions decisions for post-baccalaureate programs. UND officials said they remain in good standing with the American Bar Association but agreed better documentation and tools are needed; the committee pressed for more transparency and follow-up on admissions criteria. The committee also received an update on Dakota College at Bottineau, where Minot State University reported that bank reconciliations had been brought current after a significant backlog and would now be maintained through shared services. Members requested a written follow-up report on the issues and corrective actions. Finally, the North Dakota Fair Association explained that its foundation has been dissolved and remaining funds were transferred to another nonprofit for continued support of the state fair, and the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, saying the reported amount was about $1.1 million from a partial district survey and that debt remains a local issue, though it could be revisited if school meal funding changes.

Transcript Highlights:

• It goes back into, they relinquish the funds back into a bigger pool.
• And the Department of Labor has...
• For instance, we have what we call a talent pool report.
• For instance, we have what we call a talent pool report.
• But for me, the way I've always done it is based on my talent pool.

Keywords: 977, all

Summary: The committee met to receive a detailed financial operations presentation from the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agency, with staff walking members through funding sources, budgeting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and grants management. Sabrina Walker explained VR’s blended funding structure, including federal grants, state appropriations, program income, and interagency contracts, and emphasized that state funds are essential to meeting the federal match and maintenance-of-effort requirements. Members asked repeatedly about transparency, audit controls, and the risk that state cuts could reduce federal drawdowns; staff responded that all reports reconcile back to the SCEIS accounting system, are subject to state audits and internal reviews, and that even modest state reductions could significantly reduce total available funding. The committee also discussed pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities, with staff confirming services are offered through school districts, charters, and private schools, and that contracts are monitored for performance and compliance. The presentation then shifted to budgeting and internal controls. Walker described a zero-based departmental budgeting process, monthly monitoring reports, contingency reserves for unexpected expenses, and a formal annual cycle that culminates in board approval. Members asked about facilities tracking, culture, and how the agency maintains accountability; staff said facilities staff inspect buildings and equipment, supervisors justify line-item requests, and the process has become smoother over time as departments learned the system. Cynthia Johnson followed with an accounts receivable overview, describing invoicing, receipting, aging, customer verification, year-end reporting, and the use of cross-training, shared email inboxes, and spreadsheets as checks and balances. She also explained work training center billing, interdepartmental transfers, and the revolving fund used to issue consumer checks more quickly than standard vendor payments. Olivia Perez presented accounts payable operations, including invoice processing through SCEIS and OnBase, the three-way match, travel reimbursements, revolving fund checks, State Treasury Office interactions, and handling of reversals, rejections, and levy notices. She reported that AP processed 67,723 SCEIS payments, 13,670 case management system invoices, 3,379 travel reimbursements, and 15,693 revolving fund checks in fiscal year 2025, with only 70 payment rejections. The final portion of the meeting covered Grants and Funds Management, where Walker explained federal reporting, drawdowns, payroll allocation, asset tracking, lease and IT contract reviews, cost allocation, and closing packages. She noted upcoming system changes such as S/4HANA, Workiva, and SC Pro, but said the agency is receiving training and feedback opportunities. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the presentation portion beyond approval of the prior minutes and a brief recess.

Transcript Highlights:

• And not that Congress is a shining example of anything, but why are we restricting the pool of people
• recommendation on increases to the compensation ranges based on inflation, cost of living, cost of labor
• recommendation on increases to the compensation ranges based on inflation, cost of living, cost of labor
• Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• This person stands out above the regular pool of candidates for the position and merits a higher salary

Transcript Highlights:

• I also had the privilege of serving as the Texas Workforce Commission. and representing labor during
• And again speaking to my pool. Thank you, of course. Thank You mr.
• Higher rate than the pool at large.
• And so they would be competing against the other students within that pool and there would be more...
• that's over here because there's more applicants in the non-automatic emit pool.

Bills: HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125

Keywords: higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso

Transcript Highlights:

• So do you, do you lease aircraft through the federal pool?
• So the willingness from the, from the resource pool is there.
• Well, it took 3 days to get an airplane out of the federal pool, any airplane.
• In terms of dollars and and labor talent pool, but also, you know, um, the, the long, the, the long lead
• It's something that we hear, um, you know, particularly around like labor costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill seeks to remove provisions of Florida law that are duplicative as it pertains to labor pools
• They labor centers are subject to numerous state and federal relations that will continue to apply when
• That is a pool set aside.
• Chair and senator has the Department of Labor Labor Review this legislation just to make sure that it

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• seeing healthier groups choosing to self-fund or take on some of that risk, leaving the remaining pool
• <00:17:17.760> And<00:17:17.919> then pool sicker and more expensive.
• And then pool sicker and more expensive.
• <00:18:55.039> There and more expensive pool of people.
• There and more expensive pool of people.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• counsel contract, and General Counsel: we decided that we should post again in order to increase our pool
• They're qualified, and I am requesting General Counsel: that you approve them to be added to our pool
• So they wouldn't be getting a contract, but they would be added to the pool so that the next time we
• Chair: Do I hear a motion to approve adding Bickerstaff Heath to the pool of attorneys for legal services
• That's not a Labor Day conflict, correct? Commissioner: Yeah. Chair: The following week.

Summary: The Texas Ethics Commission convened at 9:03 a.m. and held an executive session, reconvening at 10:18 a.m. During the meeting, the Commission approved a settlement agreement with Michael Quinn Sullivan, ending ongoing litigation. The agreement involved Sullivan dropping his legal challenges regarding a civil penalty previously imposed by the Commission. The Commission also announced personnel changes, including the departure of the director of enforcement, Marie Prim, and the appointment of Jordan Hun as interim director. The Commission discussed outside counsel contracts, approving the addition of Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta LLP to their pool of qualified vendors. They scheduled their next meeting for September 23rd and approved minutes from previous meetings. The agenda included several rulemaking items, with three rules adopted and five proposed for publication in the Texas Register. Notably, amendments to Chapter 20 regarding reporting contributions and expenditures were approved, as well as changes to lobbyist registration thresholds in Chapter 34, which were proposed for publication. The Commission also addressed advisory opinions, adopting several, including one regarding political advertising by charter schools and another concerning the revolving door prohibition for former state employees. Appeals for administrative waivers and reductions of fines were considered, with several fines waived or reduced based on individual circumstances. Lastly, the Commission discussed policies related to alternative dispute resolution and clarified responsibilities between the Commission and staff, concluding the meeting at 11:15 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, members of the labor side.
• , and it's private residential pools used for certified swimming lessons for infants.
• private residential pool is used by a paying guest of the homeowner or the guest is participating in
• pools and it's private residential pools pools and it's private residential pools used<01:00:13.720
• may be used as private residential pool may be used as part<01:00:23.800> of<01:00:23.920>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Can you just educate the committee on what the financial impact of being a pool member is?
• on what the financial impact of<00:33:10.159> being<00:33:10.399> a<00:33:10.559> pool
• <00:33:11.919> So<00:33:12.480> still of being a pool member is?
• So still of being a pool member is?
• So for this house committee on labor.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The House Committee on Higher Education heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to University of Hawaiʻi programs, audits, and workforce development. Testimony on SCR 50, which urged establishment of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Maui campus, was strongly supportive, with witnesses citing the state’s nursing shortage and Maui’s acute physician and nurse shortages. The committee later recommended passage with a technical HD1 amendment, and the measure was adopted unanimously by the members present. The committee also heard SCR 137, SCR 138, and SCR 142, all involving proposed audits. SCR 137 sought a performance audit of the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation; the Foundation opposed it, and the chair recommended deferral after noting the legislative auditor’s view that the office lacks jurisdiction over the private nonprofit. SCR 138 proposed a management and performance audit of the Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy, and SCR 142 proposed an audit of the UH Mānoa athletics department. UH representatives provided comments on both, with athletics explaining existing NCAA-required financial audits, internal performance evaluations, and a strategic plan that includes self-review. The committee ultimately recommended passage of SCR 138 and SCR 142 with technical HD1 amendments. For SCR 192, which proposed a veterinary medicine expansion working group, UH and other witnesses discussed the idea of exploring a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, but the chair said a community college is not the appropriate venue for a doctoral program. The committee recommended substantial HD1 changes removing Windward Community College from the title and shifting the effort to the UH system level, adding the UH president or designee and a Hilo campus representative to the working group; the amended resolution was adopted. The committee also heard SCR 193, calling for community colleges to identify bachelor’s degree and workforce pathways aligned with regional needs, and SCR 203, which sought exploration of an Alzheimer’s disease research center and federal funding requirements; both drew supportive comments and no opposition. The meeting recessed briefly for lack of quorum, then reconvened for decision-making and adopted the chair’s recommendations on the measures considered.

Transcript Highlights:

• AGS 881, sequence 1001: capital pool and ... modified to $2 million in FY 26 only for the capital pool
• and ... modified to $2 million in FY 26 only for the capital pool on page 57.
• and Ned modifi to 2 million Capital pool and Ned modifi to 2 million in<01:01:05.079> FY<01:01
• <01:01:08.200> on in FY 26 only for the capital pool on in FY 26 only for the capital pool
• page 449 lbr 1883 sequence $1 labor page 449 lbr 1883 sequence 100-1<01:22:49.520> disability

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So they're creating pools of SBA loans, and then we are purchasing those pools of loans.
• The prices of their supplies and the cost of labor have been going up, but they're really reluctant to
• We manage investments on behalf of local governments with the local government investment pool.
• I was trying my best not to use acronyms like "overnight repo pool." I just...
• A great applicant pool to be able to do it. So this is even more why I'm passionate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm thinking about the cost of firetrucks, the cost of labor beyond those two metrics.
• about my kids and over the years the summer camps, the afterschool programs, the parks, the swimming pools
• But you can do it in a way that protects the swimming pools, the parks, the summer camps I was just thinking
• Who need those swimming pools? I'm working hard and so I want these children to be protected. Rep.
• When we experience the impact of tariffs or labor shortages or corporate consolidation creating monopolies

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:06.920> for state-wide health insurance pool for state-wide health insurance pool for
• or a regional pool.
• <01:38:20.680> You<01:38:20.840> can You can create a separate pool.
• You can You can create a separate pool.
• , Committee the simple things like labor, Committee the simple things like labor, equipment,<01:44

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 24 is the Labor Industrial Relations Commission.
• On page 50 is the Division of Labor Standards Mine and Cave Safety Program.
• Department of Labor that states...
• Anything last call for the Department of Labor Industrial Relations?
• And that'll conclude the Department of Labor Industrial Relations.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• A legislative appropriation from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to conduct investigations
• Pooling resources from the CFB and the BCA will assist in our ability to use those more sophisticated
• resources from the sophisticated pooling resources from the CFB<00:08:04.960> and<00:08:05.080
• and Industry on misclassification Labor and Industry on misclassification crimes<00:23:33.679> to
• Our largest staffing pool for all of our work is at the BCA.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• shrinking the pool of available workers. shrinking the pool of available workers.
• The assumed path of monetary policy depends on both inflation and labor market conditions.
• The assumed path of monetary policy depends on both inflation and labor market conditions.
• The assumed path of monetary policy depends on both inflation and labor market conditions.
• The assumed path of monetary policy depends on both inflation and labor market conditions.

Bills: HF3425

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

Transcript Highlights:

• The end result is that more projects will get a tax-exempt bond allocation because the pool of money
• a taxexempt bond allocation<00:01:55.360> because<00:01:55.600> the<00:01:55.920> pool
• <00:01:56.159> of<00:01:56.399> money<00:01:56.640> is allocation because the pool
• of money is allocation because the pool of money is able<00:01:57.520> to<00:01:57.680> be
• the point, but I'd be happy to labor the point, but I'd be happy to answer<01:25:42.719> any<

Bills: HF4234, HF484, HF483, HF2614

Keywords: HF4234, Minnesota private activity bonds, tax-exempt bonds, bond cap, aggregate bond limitation, residential rental projects, multifamily housing, affordable housing finance, housing bonds, public finance, bond allocation, private activity bond cap, Minnesota Statutes 474A.02, tax committee, natural gas, gas hookups, residential construction, energy policy, local control, state preemption