Transcript Highlights:

• Los Alamos Labs, for example, spent over 1 billion dollars in procurement within New Mexico, including
• Such an increase in taxes could have adverse effects on hiring and procurement practices.
• Last year, we conducted $606 million in procurement in New Mexico with companies across the state.
• Over 1.5 billion on procurement in New Mexico.
• you know, billions of dollars; that's, you know, over a billion dollars in local small business procurement

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, we're procuring the resources and expect to make selection by the end of this month.
• systems that we're looking at COTS solutions for, and those are just getting going because we're procuring
• Once you develop the plan, you develop how you're going to procure that, whether it's internal resources
• clear scope of work internally, taking your time to develop that scope, and then moving into the procurement
• The Division of Elections requests $2,494,800 non-recurring and $44,000 recurring to competitively procure

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a panel on state cloud modernization efforts after canceling an LBR on the Department of Corrections’ OBIS project because the presentation materials were not submitted on time. Florida Digital Service, the Northwest Regional Data Center, and several agencies described how the state is assessing and migrating applications to cloud environments under the cloud-first policy. Northwest explained its 2023 cloud readiness assessment of 890 applications from 24 agencies, the criteria used to rate readiness and risk, and its recommendation to tackle lower-risk applications first. Agency updates covered the Department of Corrections’ modernization of 98 legacy applications tied to OBIS and cloud-native infrastructure, the Department of Elder Affairs’ Microsoft Power Platform modernization, the Department of Health’s health management and child protection systems, and FDOT’s large cloud program for transportation systems. Members repeatedly asked about costs, data ownership, disaster recovery, single sign-on, security tools, and whether cloud migration actually saves money; presenters generally said the focus is more on modernization, resilience, and efficiency than immediate savings, and that cost analyses are often application-specific rather than enterprise-wide. The discussion also covered governance and architecture questions. Florida Digital Service said agencies remain responsible for their own databases and cloud tenants, while FLDS provides advice and an enterprise architecture framework; it does not have statutory oversight over most projects, except for OBIS project oversight due to its size. Northwest said it is acting as a cloud broker for some agencies and is consolidating Azure and AWS payer tenants to seek better pricing, but agencies still make system-by-system decisions based on business needs, risk, latency, and total cost of ownership. Members raised concerns about fragmented data structures, the lack of a complete statewide application inventory, and the need for better interoperability and enterprise standards. Several agencies said disaster recovery is built into their cloud plans, and FDOT and Corrections described ongoing efforts to keep systems current through core platforms, training, and ongoing support. In the second half of the meeting, the Department of State presented two new technology requests. Secretary Byrd described the SunBiz corporate registry system as a 34-year-old platform supporting more than 3.5 million business entities and generating over $575 million in annual general revenue. He said the department had already virtualized the legacy hardware after earlier modernization efforts failed and is now seeking $800,000 recurring for password protection and $5 million nonrecurring to continue procurement for a replacement system. The department also presented the Florida Voter Registration System modernization request, noting that the current system is outdated and requires manual workarounds for some statutory changes. The department requested $2.4948 million nonrecurring and $44,000 recurring to procure a modernized FVRS solution, and staff said the feasibility study recommended a hybrid approach. Members asked about the study’s findings and about creating a database for voter eligibility information for returning citizens; the department said that would require data sharing with all 67 clerks of court and other entities such as DOC.

Transcript Highlights:

• Exemption for the State Board of Investment from new procurement contract term prohibitions that are
• grant programs and when to appropriate money to a named organization and when services could be procured
• grant programs and when to appropriate money to a named organization and when services could be procured
• grant programs and when to appropriate money to a named organization and when services could be procured
• Procured through contracting.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The fourth finding involves procurement, and I'll tell you frankly, this one troubles me the most as
• Procurement authority in this agency lived in one person.
• The fourth finding involves procurement, and I'll tell you frankly, this one troubles me the most as
• Procurement authority in this agency lived in one person.
• Completed the required procurement training, with certification documented rather than assumed.

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a rare area of public procurement where government agencies are asked to sign contracts they
• In other forms of public digital procurement, software, databases, media agencies receive predictable
• , software, databases, media procurement, software, databases, media agencies<00:07:51.360> receive
• And if you think of our publicly funded libraries as procurement agents, so to speak, if we were in a
• um have a better pro public procurement um have a better pro public procurement process<00:24:40.559

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We continue to allocate our dollars either to people or to procurements.
• Chair, we did implement a new procurement system. Yeah, it's called Ariba.
• Log on and get procurement notifications. Mr.
• How much procurement would you say a year you do through that system?
• Do you open up procurement outside of those counties? Mr. Chair, yes, absolutely.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you don't necessarily just want to look at one single contract because oftentimes when we go out to procure
• you don't necessarily just want to look at one single contract because oftentimes when we go out to procure
• you don't necessarily just want to look at one single contract because oftentimes when we go out to procure
• , meaning that we don't have procurement, meaning that we don't have all<00:13:41.680> of<00:13
• and they don't apply in procurements and they don't apply in every<00:29:39.200> single<00:29

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee met after recess to hear a Department of Health and Human Services overview of its contract structure, with CFO Nathan White explaining that DHS currently has 969 active agreements spanning service contracts, grants, data-sharing agreements, use-of-premises agreements, and MOUs. He said contracts are budgeted across multiple class lines and accounting units, often braided with federal funds, which makes the system complex; he also noted that the department’s top spending list was limited to 18 items rather than 20 and included both individual contracts and grouped regional/provider contracts. White emphasized that many contracts support direct services to residents, while others support departmental operations such as software support and staffing. Commissioner Hardy said the listed contracts are essential to serving vulnerable populations and supporting required administrative infrastructure, and she stressed that the department tries to work with providers and families rather than impose changes on them. In response to questions about area agencies and developmental disability services, DHS officials said the agencies’ duties are spelled out in contract and statute, including family support services, billing-related functions, and services tied to the state’s community-based system; they said some billing duties have already been moved outside the contract. They also explained that the department rejected a previously discussed two-tier waiver concept after stakeholder feedback in October 2023 and instead shifted to rate-based work, including CIS assessments, to better align payment with individual need. Members also raised concerns about possible waste, sole-source contracting, and subcontracting. Hardy said she had not seen specific evidence of waste beyond a whistleblower call mentioned by a member, but acknowledged that inefficient execution can occur in government and said the department is trying to improve management. On procurement, she said sole-source contracts require her approval and that competitive procurement is the default when possible. White added that subcontracting is allowed only with written state permission under the standard P-37 terms, and subcontractors must meet the same obligations as the prime contractor. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• This should apply universally because the state procurement law definitely has room to make some language
• Since we moved some of the procurement...
• Was there a procurement standpoint? Was there an RFP? Was there a statewide pricing agreement?
• I don't know how procurement law works from that standpoint.
• So, we are doing some things to help with the procurement.

Transcript Highlights:

• And with that has come a lot of issues and struggles in procuring data throughout the state.
• After a year of going through and procuring data, we currently only have three data sources that we're
• We were having such issues procuring data within the state that we felt the only productive way to have
• The closest we have come to procuring real-time data was when we talked to the Department of Health with
• In the past, ICASA has worked on behavioral health projects, and we've struggled to procure behavioral

Transcript Highlights:

• So with that, we've also done digital resources, procurement, navigation, technical and financial assistance
• So with that, we've also done digital resources, procurement, navigation, technical and financial assistance
• Lisa Gonzalez, our vice chair, and also strong partner of ours, that has also helped us develop a procurement
• they can contribute to the success of the mine, to understand the facets that go into just even procurement
• I love the procurement piece.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House Committee on International Trade held its first meeting of the year, with members introducing themselves and the chair emphasizing Arizona’s role in foreign relations, especially with Mexico. The committee then heard presentations from the Nogales-Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce and related local partners about the region’s importance as a trade, tourism, agriculture, logistics, and mining corridor. Chamber representatives described efforts to support small businesses with bilingual resources, digital and procurement assistance, entrepreneurship training, Google certificates, and workforce development tied to the South32 mine and other emerging industries. They also highlighted tourism promotion efforts to counter negative perceptions of Nogales, noting increased online engagement and stronger visitor activity. Members asked about state and federal improvements that could help trade, and witnesses said the top needs were infrastructure upgrades, especially roads and port-of-entry access, along with more pedestrian-friendly crossings and housing to retain workers. The Santa Cruz County Provisional Community College District described its unusual provisional status, its contract with Pima College, and the challenge of limited spending authority despite expected revenue growth from mining. The college said it is expanding workforce training, especially in AI, advanced manufacturing, trades, and ESL support, and is working toward eventual accreditation. The committee also heard from cattle industry representatives from Cattlemex, T4 Ranch, and J.M. Fletcher Cattle Co. They urged the reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border to live cattle imports, arguing that Sonoran cattle are safe, traceable, and vital to Arizona’s economy and the national beef supply. Witnesses said the New World screwworm-related border closure has reduced imports, raised beef prices, hurt feedlots and packing plants, and shifted cattle trade to other states. They asked lawmakers to advocate with USDA for a Sonora-specific reopening and to support Arizona’s livestock infrastructure and grazing lands. No bills were heard and no votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• seeks to provide Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the flexibility to establish different procurement
• These restrictions and requirements have led the led to the department having difficulty procuring private
• HB 3088 grants TPWD targeted authority to establish procurement standards and procedures for items bought
• them for resale, it does so explicitly exempting their standards and procedures from certain state procurement
• It would address TPWD's issues while retaining procurement oversight for the Comptroller's office.

Bills: HCR6

Keywords: Meals on Wheels, senior services, nutrition, community support, volunteerism

Transcript Highlights:

• <01:52:03.280> of, considering, is utility procurements of, considering, is utility procurements
• 01:52:04.719> of you know, long-term procurements of you know, long-term procurements of energy
• are looking into long-term procurements are looking into long-term procurements of<01:52:13.440>
• utility procurement or sorry procurements<01:52:22.159> of<01:52:22.560> um<01:52:23.520
• procurements of um you know long-term energy<01:52:24.400> procurements<01:52:25.280> would

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So just about every procurement that we do to replace an old system goes from the capex model to the
• that we do to about every procurement that we do to replace<03:22:22.840> an<03:22:23.040>
• They did that analysis with McKenzie, and then we did a competitive procurement, and a DEOE won that
• They did that analysis with McKenzie, and then we did a competitive procurement, and a DEOE won that
• <04:06:20.600> and or you have to repr procure and or you have to repr procure and sometimes

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard the Banking Department’s fiscal year 2026-2027 budget presentation from Commissioner Amelia Galeri. She described the department as a self-funded consumer protection regulator overseeing two main areas: the Banking Trust Division, which supervises state-chartered banks, credit unions, and trust companies, and the Consumer Credit Division, which oversees more than 7,000 licensees including mortgage and money transmitter businesses. She said the department’s budget is about 86% salaries and benefits, with 53 positions all filled, and explained that the agency funds itself through fees, fines, and end-of-year assessments on regulated entities. Galeri said the department is facing workload growth from several directions: continued growth in the trust industry, increased fintech supervision, and a new requirement to regularly examine auto dealers that take finance applications, which adds about 300 exams over two fiscal years. She said the department was directed to flat-fund its budget based on 2025 levels but was allowed to increase travel and training. To stay within that limit, she said the department reduced office space, went paperless, converted administrative and licensing positions into examiner positions, and expects to defund an embedded DOJ database administrator position once a new SharePoint system is fully implemented. Members asked about how the department’s revenue and assessments work, including whether fees were increasing and how much existing banks would pay. Galeri said fees are not being raised, most banks pay little or no fines, and assessments are based largely on asset size, with trust companies paying the bulk. She also explained that fines are set by statute, generally capped at $2,500 per violation for consumer credit entities, and said she would not recommend increasing that cap. The committee then voted to accept the Banking Department’s budget proposal as presented in HQ1, with a motion and second and no discussion. The transcript then moved to the Department of Energy budget. Commissioner Jared Chakin and Chief of Operations Lenny Radio discussed federal program funding, including LIHEAP fuel assistance and weatherization. They said the apparent drop in fuel assistance funding from FY 2024 actuals to the budgeted amount is due to the loss of ARPA and CARES Act supplemental funds, while weatherization remains a federally constrained program with a waiting list and limited flexibility. Members also asked about a proposed transfer from the renewable energy fund; staff said the transfer would still allow the department to carry out its statutory duties for the year, though the committee deferred deeper discussion until House Bill 2.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then when it comes to procurement, right now that's an issue.
• <01:39:50.159> uh then when it comes to procurement uh then when it comes to procurement uh
• process because right now they have to use the state procurement process.
• <01:55:50.880> process through a different procurement process through a different procurement
• So that's why state procurement process.

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 00:13 Approval of Minutes - 4:07 Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing - 5:18 Math Improvement Committee Report - 21:02 ETS Praxis Exam - 41:47 KDE Performance Review Data - 1:15:04 Adjournment - 1:57:54, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from KDE on the revised Kentucky academic standards for reading and writing. KDE explained the statutory six-year review process, the public comment periods, and the main revisions, including updates tied to the science of reading, decodable text, encoding/decoding, and an updated vision statement. KDE said 308 responses were received on the initial public comment, most respondents favored keeping standards as-is, and about 12% of standards were revised. The department also said the document was streamlined by removing repeated graphics and reducing its size by about 24%, and that a later comment period drew more than 400 responses. No new standards were flagged for review. Members asked about alignment between standards, curriculum, assessments, and NAEP, and KDE said instructional resources should be aligned to standards, KSA assessments are aligned to the standards, and screeners/diagnostics help identify student needs. Representative Truett raised the idea of a textbook-to-standards crosswalk, and KDE said publishers and a future repository partner should provide such crosswalks for local districts. Representative Bojanowski asked why foundational reading skills are not directly assessed on the third-grade KSA; KDE responded that the assessment is designed to measure end-of-grade expectations, while screening and diagnostics are used earlier to identify decoding needs. Representative Gel asked about early childhood supports, and KDE said it is working with early learning and special education offices and promoting LETRS professional learning for both teachers and preschool educators. The committee then received the mathematics improvement committee report. KDE said the mathematics committee unanimously approved a new strategic plan for improving math achievement from pre-K through grade 20 and adult education. The plan centers on six priorities: student empowerment, effective mathematics teaching and learning, continuous educator development and growth, a continuum of learning, community and family partnerships, and teacher recruitment and retention. KDE said the plan is intended as a living document with goals, recommended actions, and evidence bases, and that it aligns with the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act by supporting high-quality instructional resources, professional learning, and family resources. In response to Senator Thomas, KDE explained that the professional learning recommendation means districts should tailor teacher training to classroom needs and instructional materials so math teachers are better equipped to implement standards and support students.

Bills: SCR58, SB309, SB514, HCR63, HCR69, HB401, HB487, HB722, HB730, HB745, HB988, HB989, HB1001, HB1024, HB1032, HB1050, HB1081, HB1086, HB1108, HB1172, HB1173, HB1175, HB1192, HB1218, HB1244

Keywords: SCR 58, Senate Concurrent Resolution, DOTD, Department of Transportation and Development, public-private partnership, P3, public-private partnership contracting, Belle Chasse Toll Bridge, Belle Chasse Bridge, toll bridge, tolling, tolls, transportation infrastructure, roads and highways, Plaquemines Parish, bridge project, toll fees, unauthorized charges, contract oversight, procurement

Bills: HB2240, SB896, SB2060, SB2152, SB2315, SB2544, SB2577, SB2580, SB99, SB2110, SB2115, SB2259, SB2382, SB2442, SB2485, SB895, SB2112, SB3019

Keywords: appropriations, legislative expenses, auditor, legislative reference bureau, state ethics commission, ombudsman, government transparency, education, capital improvement, reporting, transparency, technical expertise, rental housing revolving fund, HHFDC, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, mixed-income housing, mixed-income rental project, affordable housing, low-income housing, housing finance

Bills: HB3880, HB3263, HB2970, HB3043, HB3044, HB3078, HB3940, HB4117, HB3428, HB4275, HB3257, HB3901, HB4298, HB4260, HB2981, HB3695, HB2960, HB3967, HB3968, HB4339, HB4341, HB4342, HB2940, HB4295, HB4196, HB3134, HB1016

Keywords: Oklahoma Today Magazine, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, tourism promotion, advertising sales, commission pay, employee bonus, sales commission, digital publication, print publication, sponsorships, bulk subscriptions, newsstand sales, ancillary products, public records, procurement exemption, administrative procedures exemption, tourism magazine, revenue sharing, executive director, state agency compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• I know there were concerns about the procurement exemption, but we do have a strong history with the
• equipment in times like this and during regular times without having to go through the onerous procurement
• And when we go through the procurement process, sometimes we do not have access to the resources we need
• And when we go through the procurement process, sometimes we do not have access to the resources we need
• Next up, we have Bonnie Kakui, State Procurement Office, providing comments.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee hearing opened with notice that the meeting was being streamed and could reconvene later if technical problems forced an abrupt end. The chair also announced a one-minute testimony limit and proceeded through several bills, taking mostly written and oral support testimony and asking limited questions. No votes were taken in the portion provided. HB 1626, relating to youth penalties, drew strong support from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, youth advocates, the ACLU, the Department of Education, and others. Testifiers said financial sanctions on youth are ineffective, disproportionately burden Native Hawaiian youth, and function as poverty penalties; they urged replacing fines with community service, restorative practices, and ʻāina-based programs, and eliminating uncollectible legacy debt. The chair moved on after no member questions. HB 1643, relating to pharmacy, was discussed with support from the Hawaii Pharmacists Association, Kaiser, the Board of Pharmacy, independent pharmacies, and PBM representatives. Testimony focused on amendment language, audit procedures, HIPAA concerns, and the need for flexibility for small island pharmacies. HB 1668, relating to Medicaid, received broad support from disability advocates and the Department of Human Services; witnesses said CMS had already approved the underlying state plan amendment removing income and asset limits for certain workers with disabilities, but they wanted the protection codified in law to preserve it long term. The chair asked whether codification was necessary and was told it would not be harmful and would help ensure continuity if federal policy changed. The committee then heard HB 1550 on drug paraphernalia and syringe access, with support from Shipta and the Department of Health; testimony emphasized preserving flexibility for the statewide syringe access program to respond to emerging drugs like xylazine. HB 1974, relating to health, was presented as a planning measure for hearing loss; testifiers said Hawaii lacks a comprehensive hearing-loss plan and that the bill would fund a state planning process, not direct services. HB 1858 on vital statistics drew support from clinicians and medical organizations, who said better data on spontaneous fetal deaths is needed and that the term used in the bill is standard medical and CDC terminology. HB 1871 and HB 1966 also received support, with HB 1966’s EMS special fund prompting discussion about the cigarette-tax revenue source; the chair questioned the nexus to EMS, and the Department of Health said the revenue currently funds the special fund and there is no alternative funding stream.

Transcript Highlights:

• for organizations to get Small grants in New Mexico is because of all the good protections in our procurement
• Our infrastructure investment in small plants to increase capacity and simplify school procurement.
• 50% beef sourcing goal with continued strategic investment in processing plants and coordinated Procurement
• So New Mexico Grown is our state incentive program for local procurement, as Mr. Chavez detailed.
• It's a strategy for advancing local procurement, and that was spoken to by U.S.

Transcript Highlights:

• It requires AAAs to competitively procure any contract in excess of $35,000.
• They simply can't just go in the procurement process solely... ...to when determining several options
• They simply can't just go in the procurement process solely... ...as it relates to costs.
• I mean, obviously, the city or county is going to invest resources, and they may even procure contracts
• I mean, obviously, the city or county is going to invest resources, and they may even procure contracts

Summary: The Florida Senate convened with a quorum, opened with a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, and heard several member introductions recognizing guests, interns, public servants, and a resolution honoring Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza for winning the Heisman Trophy. The chamber then moved to the special order calendar and took up a series of bills, with some measures temporarily postponed and others advanced after brief debate and, in several cases, substitution of House companions for Senate bills. The first major bill passed was CS/CS/HB 355 on health care patient protection, which requires hospitals with emergency departments to have pediatric emergency care policies, training, equipment, and a designated pediatric coordinator; it passed 36-0. The Senate also passed CS/HB 1113 on public records, expanding confidentiality protections for victims and temporarily protecting the name of a law enforcement officer who becomes a victim in the line of duty; it passed 33-4. CS/CS/HB 1085 on local government cybersecurity was amended to place the program under the Florida Digital Service and to adjust grant timing, then passed 37-0. CS/CS/HB 925 on clerks of court passed 38-0 after amendments affecting revenue retention, legal notices, traffic citation distributions, and municipal fee sharing. CS/CS/HB 679 on trademark registration modernization and CS/CS/HB 589 on septic permit timing also passed unanimously. The most extensive debate centered on CS/CS/HB 991 / SB 1334, an elections bill that would use Real ID data to verify citizenship, change voter ID rules, alter candidate qualifying requirements, and revise election administration procedures. Senators offered and debated numerous amendments on documentation fees, senior exemptions, human review versus automated systems, student and retirement-center IDs, and effective dates; most were defeated, though one amendment adding stock-trading disclosure language for candidates was adopted. The bill’s sponsor cited election-crimes reports and specific prosecutions involving non-citizens as justification for the measure, while opponents argued it could disenfranchise eligible voters, especially students and seniors. The transcript ends during continued questioning and debate on that elections bill, before final disposition is shown.