Transcript Highlights:

• <01:32:19.320> plan, defined in the state's benchmark plan, defined in the state's benchmark
• We provide an opportunity to test our theory of change, test whether an intervention is working to achieve
• and may need to be retaking that same test over and over again.
• same test over and over again.
• that same test over and over again.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a benchmark on what administrative tasks should be? Uh, sorry, to the testifier.
• Is there a benchmark on what administrative tasks should be? Uh, sorry, to the testifier.
• Is there a benchmark on what administrative tasks should be? Uh, sorry, to the testifier.
• listen, if there's a is benchmarking listen, if there's a is benchmarking that<00:43:36.600>
• Is is there a benchmark on what that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we have a couple benchmarks in there.
• And then we have a couple benchmarks in there.
• And then we have a couple benchmarks in there.
• And then we have a couple benchmarks in there.
• We have a sunset of benchmarks in there.

Bills: HB151, HB152, HB138, SB221, SB190, SB69, SB225, SB272

Keywords: fire chaplains, distinctive license plate, firefighter, volunteer service, criminal penalties, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, pregnancy, pregnant defendant, incarceration, jail intake, pregnancy test, bail, pre-incarceration probation, supervised probation, electronic monitoring, electronic supervision

Transcript Highlights:

• 53.680> performance passed a dental access performance passed a dental access performance benchmark
• benchmark to be achieved by 2024. benchmark to be achieved by 2024.
• /c><00:08:03.840> 2026<00:08:04.720> if<00:08:04.960> that<00:08:05.120> benchmark
• <00:08:05.680> was January 1 of 2026 if that benchmark was January 1 of 2026 if that benchmark
• building capacity and kind of the measurement of, you know, we've been looking at a measurement of a benchmark

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know in some of my schools in APS they're teaching to the test again.
• So the tests are raising because they're taking AMIRA materials.
• Do you just have any quick perspectives on this testing and use of AMIRA?
• One of the things that was surprising to me coming here is that there's a lot of testing that we do,
• Chair, as a coach, I always told people to save all the former systems of testing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Test your come back Department of Finance, so just you know want to provide the clarity And we do not
• individuals who work inside prisons, and then allows those employees who are new to complete their testing
• We also had a testing contract for the employees that was being underutilized.
• We put in what we think is achievable and the contract would have benchmarks and steps along the way
• We feel that these budget actions taken together represent a significant stress test of California's

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I'm going to give you a benchmark of January the 14th, just to be consistent with other information
• 00:13:54.959> total<00:13:55.279> number Uh, but this is the middle of January as a benchmark
• is the middle of January as >> Uh but this is the middle of January as a<00:14:14.399> benchmark
• <00:14:15.680> So<00:14:15.920> within<00:14:16.240> the a benchmark time period
• So within the a benchmark time period.

Keywords: 00:05 Call to Order and Roll Call 01:42 Department of Corrections 04:14 Department of Juvenile Justice 16:22 Kentucky Law Enforcement Council 28:01 Adjournment, 958, all

Summary: The committee heard budget-related testimony from the Department of Corrections on a request for additional funding to take over operations of the Lee Adjustment Center, including $2.2 million in fiscal year 2027 and $5.2 million in fiscal year 2028. The witness said the governor’s budget did not recommend the request. Members asked about the cost savings of private operation versus state operation, the facility’s role in the department’s long-term goals, and whether the state intends to move toward operating all adult correctional facilities directly. The Department of Juvenile Justice then presented on staffing, recruitment, retention, and facility planning. Officials described recent pay increases and other investments, including a 10% security pay raise in 2021, an 8% state employee raise in 2022, higher youth worker starting salaries, and $4.8 million in 2023 funding to sustain salary increases. They said DJJ has also expanded mental health and medical staffing, improved recruitment efforts, and seen an upward trend in hiring. In response to questions, the commissioner said barriers to recruitment and retention include the Tier 3 retirement system, the structured and restrictive nature of detention work, and competition from other employers. He also said the department wants to move toward a regional model for female facilities under SB 162 and believes those facilities can be staffed. DJJ provided staffing figures showing 1,339 funded positions, with 157 filled and 182 vacant at a January benchmark, and 524 detention positions with 450 filled and 74 vacant. Officials said 30 correctional officers were in basic training and expected to join posts soon. Members also asked about the feasibility of staffing additional facilities and the department’s vacancy trends. Finally, the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council testified on a funding request for one attorney, one paralegal, one additional monitor, higher costs for existing monitor positions, and Lexington office rent. Officials said the request is needed to handle a growing decertification caseload and expanded oversight responsibilities as the number of academies has increased to about eight, with more than 2,100 instructors requiring biennial review. They said KLEC currently has one attorney and about 15 total staff, with roughly 180 cases pending, more than 50 complaints left to file, and another 30 cases expected soon. Members asked about current staffing, attorney salary, the number of academies, and the move to a separate Lexington office. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned without a quorum for approving minutes.

Bills: SB1636, SB1584, SB1730, SB1255, SB1627, SB137, SB2062, SB1470, SB1284, SB1632, SB1594, SB2045, SB1251, SB1884, SB1250, SB1630, SB1262, SB1374, SB1292, SB1432, SB1199, SB1790, SB1481, SB1614, SB1734, SB1437, SB1489, SB1718, SB1778, SB1327, SB1372, SB1403, SB1937, SB277, SB2131, SB1749, SB1348, SB1469, SB2018, SB1931, SB1530, SB2155, SB2030, SB1926, SB2170, SB2151, SB2166, SB1213, SB1381, SB1824, SB1876, SB1728, SB1582, SB1286, SB1386, SB1708, SB1618, SB2106, SB1471, SB2139, SB2154, SB1619, SCR15, HB2786, HB2787, SB1525, SB2011, SB2159

Keywords: cold case, unsolved homicide, violent crime, case file review, law enforcement, police records, victim family, immediate family member, designated person, forensic testing, witness reinterview, investigative leads, cold case unit, unsolved murder, public safety, Title 21, Oklahoma statutes, sexual assault, evidence kits, DNA testing

Transcript Highlights:

• junior ROTC programs and connects students to military career pathways, providing grants for aptitude testing
• This bill also strengthens Texas' statewide education goals by adding two key benchmarks: that high school

Bills: HB1022, HB2856, HB3114, HJR5, HB6, HB120, HB210, HB1458, HB1188, HB3126

Keywords: HB 1022, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Texas State University System, Education Code, higher education, course levels, upper-level college, lower-division courses, community college-style courses, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Uvalde, Board of Regents, academic programs, university expansion, HB 2856, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, clinical training placements, clinical rotations

Transcript Highlights:

• Emotion test. OK. There being 4 ayes and 1 nay, the motion does not prevail.
• The state law ties other bond issues to procedural or financial benchmarks.

Transcript Highlights:

• 01:05:20.240> uh we have to meet certain spending uh we have to meet certain spending uh benchmarks
• for quality benchmarks particularly for quality activities<01:05:24.000> uh<01:05:24.160>
• and so on and so forth and benchmarks and so on and so forth but<01:10:15.199> then<01:10:15.360
• within the categories and the benchmarks within the categories and the benchmarks can<01:12:56.239
• already in use to meet those benchmarks already in use to meet those benchmarks including<01:13:

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Just a quick question: I'm not real familiar with the Classic Learning Test.
• One of these that we greatly support is the Classical Learning Test.
• One of these that we greatly support is the Classical Learning Test.
• Pablo's test. Thank you for your testimony.
• And that included taking some tests on the computer.

Bills: SB530, SB757, SB769, SB1085, SB1241, SB1242, SB1409, SB1878, SB2138, SB2314, SB2231, SB2361, SB2431, SJR59

Keywords: accreditation, postsecondary education, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, baccalaureate degrees, junior colleges, program delivery, faculty recruitment, higher education, performance standards, student loan debt, degree programs, funding, students with disabilities, accessibility, enrollment, report, SB 1085, Sul Ross State University, Rio Grande College, Del Rio

Summary: The Senate Committee on Education K-16 met with a large agenda and repeatedly recessed for floor activity and other committee conflicts. The committee heard and left pending several higher education bills, including SB 2361 to transfer University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M System and rename it Texas A&M University Victoria; testimony from university officials, local leaders, and industry representatives strongly supported the move as a way to better align degree programs with regional workforce needs in engineering, agriculture, and STEM. SB 530, which would align Texas accreditation statutes with federal rules allowing institutions to choose among nationally recognized accreditors, also received supportive testimony and was left pending. SB 1085, allowing Sul Ross satellite campuses to offer lower-division coursework toward bachelor’s degrees, was laid out and left pending as well. The committee also took up a series of education policy bills. SB 1241 would expand the standardized tests Texas public universities may accept for admission beyond the SAT and ACT, with supporters from the Classic Learning Test, homeschool advocates, and student-choice groups arguing it would increase access and competition; it was left pending. SB 769 would require a TEA/Higher Education Coordinating Board report on barriers faced by students with disabilities in higher education, and testimony from The Arc of Texas and others emphasized the need for better data and accessibility; the bill was left pending. SB 2231 would designate the second week of October as Free College Application Week, and SB 1878 would modernize terminology and support workforce-oriented programs at the Josie School; both were laid out and left pending. The committee reported several bills favorably after adopting committee substitutes. SB 605, concerning charter school expansion applications while under conservatorship or a management team, passed on a 9-0 vote. SB 1871, SB 1873, and SB 1874, all related to school discipline and teacher immunity/placement review provisions, were adopted and reported favorably, with members noting the need for further discussion on some language. SB 762, dealing with flag displays in public schools, passed on a 7-1 vote. SB 1962, relating to public school accountability and challenges to school system operations, passed 7-1 after a corrected vote. SB 1750, replacing a $60 million statewide charter facilities cap with an attendance-growth-based allotment, passed 7-1 with one member voting present not voting. SB 2252, supporting kindergarten readiness and early literacy/numeracy, SB 2253, concerning educator preparation and certification, SB 2365, on student use of wireless devices during instructional time, and SB 1924, restoring local peace officer citation authority for school offenses and adding reporting and parent-notification requirements, were also reported favorably. The committee additionally heard SB 37 on higher education governance and compliance oversight, which passed 7-1 after a substitute that refined curriculum review, governing board authority, faculty senate rules, and a new compliance office within the Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Transcript Highlights:

• We benchmark them nationally.
• We benchmark them nationally.
• We benchmark them nationally.
• We benchmark them nationally.
• We benchmark them nationally.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• They look at industry benchmarks, and in particular they asked the question, and we can pay ourselves
• we just we surveys with all guests where we just we try<00:34:32.280> to<00:34:32.440> Benchmark
• ourselves against the try to Benchmark ourselves against the industry<00:34:34.240> and<00:34
• <00:34:44.200> and<00:34:44.560> in they look at industry benchmarks and in they look
• at industry benchmarks and in particular<00:34:45.919> um<00:34:46.679> they<00:34:46.879

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Fiscal Committee met on February 21 and first approved the January 30 minutes and the consent calendar, with item 2540 removed by the Department of Education and item 25057 set aside for discussion. The committee then took up FIS 25057, a Department of Transportation request tied to a federal grant for building information modeling and related data standardization across DOT systems. Transportation officials explained that the $2.405 million consultant-heavy request would connect surveying, design, construction, and asset management systems, improve efficiency and long-term asset tracking, and help the department catch up with other states. Several senators questioned the lack of immediate, quantifiable budget savings and the reliance on consultants, but the item was ultimately adopted. The committee next approved FIS 25054 for the Department of Health and Human Services after questioning a $16 million shortfall in the Children’s Health Insurance Program. DHHS explained the variance as a budgeting and accounting issue tied to separating CHIP from Medicaid managed care, pandemic-era continuous enrollment, and the new federal requirement for 12 months of continuous coverage for children. Members also approved a Cannon Mountain fee item, where park officials described a proposed price freeze for early-bird passes, a new in-season tier, and modest increases in off-season pricing, while noting operating cost pressures, strong snow conditions, and favorable customer value ratings. That item was adopted unanimously. The committee also approved the Department of Corrections item after discussion of staffing, retirement eligibility, overtime, and recidivism. Commissioner Helen Hanks said retirement-eligible staff had declined slightly, recruitment was improving, overtime hours were down, one housing floor had been closed because of lower population, and the department had reduced reincarceration by 8% over seven years, which she said produced substantial savings. The item was adopted. During informational items, the committee heard a Legislative Budget Assistant performance audit of the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights. The audit found the commission inefficient and ineffective in processing complaints, with average case closure taking 840 days, significant backlogs dating back decades, expired administrative rules, weak management controls, disorganized and outdated procedures, unreliable data, and unresolved prior audit findings. The audit included 25 recommendations, two of which may require legislative action. Commission staff said they appreciated the recommendations and expected the additional resources from the prior budget cycle to help address the backlog and improve transparency and efficiency.

Transcript Highlights:

• algorithms and applications, how to actually use these computers once they're ready, as well as benchmarking
• Yeah, I'm really going toward the operational testing evaluation piece to get things out the door faster
• And I would argue it helps us when you're doing testing because you don't have to go out to, you know
• , the old big trestle out there and start doing radiation testing on some coupons or whatever, but you
• It's going to have a multi-node quantum network, dilution refrigerators, a quantum test bed, a Quantum

Transcript Highlights:

• Just testing that you can hear me okay. We can hear you loud and clear, thank you, Commissioner.
• expand Or eliminate the use of mercury-containing skin lightening creams through outreach, product testing
• available for the term of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to be distributed for PFAS planning, pilot testing
• As the MPCA has continued to benchmark ourselves with other states at the encouragement of the Minnesota
• allows for an extension, this time frame asks for a narrow window to conduct potentially costly site tests

Bills: HF1587, HF2293, HF2218, HF1208, HF1482

Keywords: HF1587, Cass County, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, DNR, condemnation, eminent domain, state land, surplus land, public waters, tribal land transfer, federally recognized Indian Tribe, tribal ownership, land conveyance, no consideration, land appropriation, natural resources, U.S. Highway 2, Section 27 Township 145 North Range 28 West, land return, Tribal sovereignty

Transcript Highlights:

• come<00:26:30.799> up<00:26:30.960> to<00:26:31.039> the<00:26:31.200> test
• <00:26:31.520> fire and Paul Borg come up to the test fire and Paul Borg come up to the test
• 19:02.640> We'll<01:19:03.040> bring<01:19:03.440> um<01:19:03.520> the test
• We'll bring um the test testifiers.
• benchmark of $23 in our region. benchmark of $23 in our region.

Bills: HF3790, HF3654, HF3371, HF3470, HF1099

Keywords: education finance, lease levy authority, graduation ceremonies, school districts, Minnesota Statutes, local revenue, funding increase, education, state appropriation, local control, HF3371, local optional revenue, school finance, general education aid, school district funding, referendum revenue, referendum market value, equalization aid, state aid, property tax levy

Transcript Highlights:

• For 42 years, since 1981, this was a model program in this country with a benchmark rate set against
• the Fed funds rate, which is in this country the universally used benchmark for savings rates.
• What specific facts would be considered sufficient to meet this reasonable test?

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met with a quorum present and considered several bills. SB 106 on exploitation of vulnerable adults would allow service of process on scammers through the same nontraditional communication methods they use; it passed 8-0. CS/SB 280 on candidate qualification would create an enforceable party-affiliation requirement and a private right of action to disqualify noncompliant candidates; it passed unanimously. CS/SB 948 on flood disclosures was amended to extend disclosure requirements to residential leases, condo developer leases, and mobile homes, with tenant remedies if disclosures are not provided and flooding causes major losses; it passed 8-0. The committee also advanced CS/SB 498 on IOTA interest rates after a lengthy debate over legal aid funding and bank regulation. Supporters argued the bill would restore sustainability and fairness to the program by setting alternative interest-rate benchmarks, while opponents said it would cut funding for civil legal aid and that banks participate voluntarily. After testimony from legal aid leaders and bankers, the bill passed 7-2. SB 774, requiring clerks to electronically transmit certain mental health, substance abuse, and risk protection orders to sheriffs within six hours, was presented in response to a fatal Volusia County incident and passed 11-0. CS/SB 752 on defamation and online publication was amended to require removal from a website rather than the internet, then passed 8-2 after testimony from the media, a private attorney, and supporters who said it would help people harmed by false online reports. The committee also heard SB 832 on former phosphate mining lands, which would create a narrow defense against strict liability claims if notice and gamma radiation survey requirements are met. The bill was amended to clarify notice provisions and received support from industry and technical witnesses describing radiation surveys and reclamation practices. The transcript cuts off before the final vote on SB 832, so no committee action on that bill is shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the English language arts standards that early educators teach specific technology-integrated benchmarks
• Both of these benchmarks carry an asterisk indicating direct alignment with state computer science standards
• Both of these benchmarks carry an asterisk indicating direct My question to you is: how can we legally

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So I refer to that as the majority benchmark.
• <00:04:43.720> as<00:04:43.880> the<00:04:44.080> majority<00:04:44.720> Benchmark
• so it was that as the majority Benchmark so it was the<00:04:46.440> idea<00:04:47.160> that
• The older that benchmark is, the less accurate it becomes at reflecting the current cost of care.
• which means that the or wage benchmarks which means that the elderly<00:49:06.599> waiver<00:

Bills: HF1419, HF500

Keywords: nursing facilities, reimbursement rates, elderly care, minimum wage, healthcare funding, nursing home, employment standards, worker rights, Minnesota Statutes, labor compensation, 1183, house