Transcript Highlights:

• So there's two agreements that happen here: a performance-based one.
• That's the performance-based side of it.
• Is the trigger for a School of Hope the persistently low-performing...
• So that was the performance-based agreement that I had mentioned previously.
• They actually have to perform.

Summary: The Pre-K through 12 Budget Subcommittee heard and advanced three bills. CS/HB 1267, by Rep. Boussada, would require school districts to allow Schools of Hope to use vacant or surplus facilities or co-locate in schools with capacity, with non-instructional services handled through a pro rata agreement and a performance-based agreement requiring Schools of Hope to meet expectations within five years. Supporters argued it would better use underfilled public schools and help students in the bottom 10% of schools statewide; opponents raised concerns about local control, funding, and the effect on public schools. The bill passed 13-2. The committee also heard CS/HB 1115, by Rep. Valdes, which would require sharing certain discretionary sales surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment, create a standardized charter school monitoring tool, and align Schools of Hope sponsoring-entity rules with charter school processes. Supporters said it would improve consistency and accountability; critics questioned fiscal impacts and district flexibility. That bill passed 13-2. The final bill, CS/HB 1213, by Rep. Alvarez, would create a K-12 School Route Optimization Pilot Program using five counties to test AI-assisted analysis of school bus routes and walking conditions, with the goal of improving child safety for students who currently walk long distances. Members discussed hazardous conditions, possible use of safe-school transportation funds, and the bill’s lack of fiscal impact. Public testimony included support from education and parent groups. The bill passed unanimously, 15-0. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Additionally, the board would like to provide increases based on performance to incentivize high-performing
• And you said that the general counsel is having to go.
• However, the general counsel is the liaison.
• Well, I, why did your general counsel not respond to me, sir?
• Generally, our agency is only appropriated.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then we focused on mechanisms that generate funding for local jurisdictions.
• So the first question is, can this funding mechanism effectively generate revenues?
• So that means, is it going to generate enough money, and is it going to generate money stably?
• So what this will generate to do that?
• And then finally, under performance monitoring, does the program have clear, trackable performance metrics

Summary: The committee began with member introductions, then heard a presentation on a draft final report studying alternative funding mechanisms for sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure. Consultants said current local funding sources are insufficient, with most jurisdictions unable to complete planned sidewalk networks within 50 years. They evaluated four options: a sidewalk utility fee, a modified transportation benefit district sales tax, a new real estate excise tax option, and expanded stormwater fee use for ADA sidewalk ramps. The consultants recommended authorizing the modified TBD sales tax and new REET option, considering a sidewalk utility despite legal uncertainty, broadening any authorization to all pedestrian improvements, and not pursuing the stormwater fee option. Members asked about legal authority, fairness, revenue adequacy, and whether jurisdictions had been consulted; the presenters said state enabling legislation would likely be needed for a sidewalk utility and that fairness could be defined either by direct benefit or by need. The committee then received an update on the 2025 assessment of city transportation funding needs. The consultants reported that city transportation revenues have grown in some local and federal categories since 2019, but state revenues have remained relatively flat and smaller cities are especially affected by declining fuel tax revenues and limited tax bases. They estimated annual city transportation needs at $4.25 billion, average annual spending at $1.89 billion, and a funding gap of $2.37 billion, larger than in the prior study because of updated data, inclusion of system improvements, and higher preservation costs. Draft recommendations focused on reducing costs and improving efficiency, preserving and increasing state support, and expanding local funding options, including preservation-first spending, a permanent federal fund exchange program, streamlined review processes, better coordination with WSDOT, possible property tax flexibility, and exploration of new local tools. Members raised questions about design standards, the role of density and transit, federal compliance, and whether the report would identify specific consolidation or process changes. The committee also heard a project update on evaluating zero-emission vehicle and electrification programs funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Consultants said they had reviewed roughly 23 programs and projects across seven agencies and were now evaluating options to improve delivery, including process improvements, reorganizing programs, or consolidating governance and administrative functions. Early findings highlighted staffing shortages, duplication and variation across agencies, differing levels of risk, and the challenge of coordinating climate priorities across agencies with other core missions. Members asked about program outcomes, administrative costs, whether some programs should have exit strategies, and how to strengthen the EV Coordinating Council. Finally, WSDOT provided an implementation update on its new public-private partnership authority under SB 5801, saying work is underway to prepare governance, legal, policy, and organizational structures ahead of the January 1, 2027 effective date.

Transcript Highlights:

• But then the national lab infrastructure in general and the university system generate a lot of excellent
• I'm the first general counsel that was in quantum.
• So I'd say in general, you know, the state has not trended well.
• In general, though, we have seen more student support services being offered and some performance measures
• performance, we're going to start targeting those places where at least performance happens and recruitment

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I will move this motion to the general register. We do have an amendment.
• Um to performance of official duties.
• in the performance of official duties. in the performance of official duties.
• the performance of official duties. duties. duties.
• as amended uh be referred to the general as amended uh be referred to the general register. register

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This shows the all funds, the general revenue, and all state funds, which is general revenue, general
• General detail is provided on slides three through five, showing the all funds, the general revenue,
• and all state funds, which is general revenue, general revenue dedicated, and other funds, and how this
• Unidentified Speaker: …general because OCA serves the judiciary in general from the lowest level court
• We're accomplishing less core work because our staff is busy performing tasks that could be performed

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:34.280> to<00:37:34.520> come fishing for generations to come fishing for generations
• /c><00:37:46.319> for generation to generation a way for generation to generation a way for families
• Rich fishing heritage is preserved, celebrated, and passed on to future generations.
• She said that investing in arts and heritage means investing in the next generation.
• General John W. Vessie was America's Cold War soldier and statesman.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• been on everyone's mind recently is government efficiency, and our state has been well served by performance
• of students. ...to 1595, well, mostly on 1593, in the performance of students.
• On the data and the indicators based on the student's performance.
• What we're doing is just giving them greater flexibility at how they're determining performance on the
• I will hope my... ...performance is what we get from this.

Summary: The Committee on Fiscal Policy considered several bills and reported all of them favorably. SB 70-24, on state planning and budgeting, was presented as a modernization of the long-range planning program to simplify reporting, remove outdated measures, and focus on key data points and outcomes; it passed without opposition. CS/SB 166, on administrative efficiency in public schools, made broad changes to school accountability and operations, including lowering the stakes of certain student assessments, giving districts more flexibility on evaluations, contracts, certification, calendars, facilities, and VPK oversight. Two amendments were adopted: one clarifying that Title I funds may be used for STEM services, and another refining how advanced degrees count on salary schedules. The bill passed favorably after testimony both supporting and opposing the changes, with supporters emphasizing flexibility and opponents raising concerns about teacher evaluation and instructional practice. CS/SB 164, on vessel accountability, was described as a measure to address derelict and at-risk vessels by improving owner identification, creating a free long-term anchoring permit program, increasing penalties, and authorizing grants for local governments in the FWC prevention program. It received support from marine industry groups and was reported favorably. CS/SB 472, on education and correctional facilities for licensed professions, would allow inmates to receive credit toward licensure for qualifying coursework; a strike-all amendment added coordination with DBPR and professional boards. The bill drew support from criminal justice, business, and policy groups and passed unanimously. The committee spent the most time on CS/SB 438, on food and hemp products. Senator Burton and co-sponsor Senator Davis argued the bill was needed to regulate intoxicating hemp products, restrict child-appealing packaging and signage, ban synthetic hemp products, cap THC content in edibles and beverages, and require hemp beverages to be sold through alcohol-style distribution channels. Supporters, including alcohol distributors and some public safety advocates, said the bill would improve testing, labeling, and consumer protection. Opponents, including hemp retailers, farmers, and libertarian advocates, argued it would harm small businesses, reduce consumer choice, and push sales to the black market. After extensive debate, the bill was reported favorably. At the end of the meeting, senators requested to be recorded as voting in the affirmative on tab five, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• From the Institute for Reforming Government, we will hear from Jake Curtis, General Counsel, and Director
• This necessary process was performed in a very open and transparent manner,” he said.
• We have to work across different folks who were in our Office of General Counsel.
• I am general counsel at IRG. I do have prepared remarks that I would like to read through.
• The state... scores for the Forward Exam's performance levels in English language arts and math.

Keywords: 970, all

Transcript Highlights:

• >> It's performing.
• >> It's performing.
• >> It's performing.
• >> general funds. >> general funds.
• could generate funds, right? could generate funds, right?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I performed oral surgery procedures in the hospital under general anesthesia for years and years.
• I performed oral surgery procedures in the hospital under general anesthesia for years and years.
• I performed oral surgery procedures in the hospital under general anesthesia for years and years.
• And so any general licensed dentist can perform these services.
• more important services that's provided under this—and that any general dentist could perform.

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The committee reviewed a series of Medicaid and health-related administrative rules, most of them tied to 2025 acts. Early items covered presumptive eligibility end dates, adding a definition of fictive kin for foster children, and updating ABLE account disability onset age. The committee also reviewed rules on continuous glucose monitors, RSV vaccine administration fees, ET3 telemedicine exemptions for ambulance services, dental rate increases, physical and occupational therapy access, and the Healthy Moms Healthy Babies and lactation consultant provisions. Most rules were reviewed without objection, though several members asked for fiscal and implementation details, especially on the CGM rule and the dental rate rule. The most extended discussion centered on the dental rate increase under Act 1025. DHS said the rule applies only to oral surgeons’ dental services as written, while the Arkansas State Dental Association and legislative sponsors argued the intent was to raise rates for a broader set of dentists performing the same procedures, especially for adults with special needs. Members discussed the statutory language, CMS constraints, bifurcated rates, and the estimated additional cost of about $1.5 million annually if general dentists were included. The committee ultimately reviewed the rule, but the chair noted the testimony and lawmakers indicated they would work on a fix next session. Another major exchange involved the CGM rule. Members questioned the reported $3 million two-year fiscal impact, the prior authorization process, and whether DME providers would be forced into a pharmacy-based system. DHS explained that the same vendor would handle prior authorizations and that the billing system changes were already live, but one member moved to expunge the earlier review vote and then said he would hold the rule pending further clarification. The committee also reviewed rules on adverse decisions appeals, CNA training, substance abuse and mental health network-status disclosures, new certification rules for doulas and community health workers, cosmetology/body art, massage therapy, lead-based paint, radiation control, radiologic technology licensure, and mobile home/RV park standards. The meeting ended with all remaining items reviewed and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome, General Reid.
• There are some performance issues.
• And Asia Pacific, do you think you could perform? We could perform.
• Thank you, General Reid.
• I'd like your view on that, General.

Keywords: Transcom, logistics, military readiness, air refueling, KC-135, KC-46, strategic infrastructure, geopolitical threats, Alaska

Summary: During this meeting, the committee hosted an extensive discussion on the operations and logistical challenges facing the U.S. Transportation Command (Transcom). General Reid provided testimony on key areas including the importance of maintaining robust logistical capabilities in contested environments, particularly in relation to geopolitical threats posed by adversarial nations. Various members emphasized the necessity for modernization of the air refueling fleet, addressing issues such as the readiness of the KC-135 and the procurement of the next-generation KC-46 aircraft, which has experienced delays and technical challenges. The dialogue further extended to the strategic importance of U.S. ports and transportation infrastructure, especially in regions like Alaska which play a crucial role in military logistics and power projection.

Transcript Highlights:

• management and performance management and performance activities<00:13:17.199> so<00:13:17.440
• site visits and 50,000 by performing site visits and Performing<00:19:54.240> financial<00:19
• the person who had was generated the person who had generated<00:35:53.319> that<00:35:53.480
• investigation by the Attorney General investigation by the Attorney General eneral<00:46:27.119>
• <01:03:45.760> new our Inspector General has taken a new our Inspector General has taken a new

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Human Services Committee met on January 22, 2025, to focus early in session on waste, fraud, abuse, and program integrity in Minnesota human services programs. The chair said taxpayers expect funds to reach people in need and asked the Office of the Legislative Auditor (OLA) to present on resources, progress, and possible solutions. Members also asked the auditors to note where the legislature or agencies had already taken action to address prior findings. OLA staff summarized recent reports on grants management and oversight. They said noncompliance with grants policies has been pervasive across agencies, including problems at DHS in conflict-of-interest documentation and pre-award financial reviews. In one DHS review, 30 of 41 grant reviewers had missing or incomplete conflict forms, and 20 of 57 grants lacked required financial review documents; the issues affected about $11.5 million in grant funding. OLA said DHS spent more than $400 million in grants to nonprofit organizations from 2018 to 2022, and they identified broader factors affecting compliance such as inconsistent funding for grants administration, ad hoc training, inconsistent data systems, and limited enforcement authority. They noted 2023 legislative changes that allowed agencies to retain some grant funding for administration and directed an assessment of a statewide grants management system, and they said OGM training and staffing have increased, though training is still not required for all staff. The Financial Audit Division then discussed the senior nutrition program at DHS, which delivered about 3.1 million meals to more than 40,000 participants in 2022 through the Minnesota Board on Aging, area agencies, service providers, and subcontractors. The audit found nine findings across documentation, monitoring, contract oversight, participant recertification, and data quality. Examples included service providers failing to recertify participants or recording inaccurate data, the Board on Aging not performing monitoring visits since 2017 or financial reconciliations in 2022, and area agencies failing to complete required site visits. Survey results also suggested participant database inaccuracies. OLA recommended stronger monitoring, clearer procedures, and more reliable data to ensure services reach intended recipients. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The administration is withdrawing that request to generate a budget solution.
• This fund doesn't just support performing artists, it strengthens California's.
• performing arts at a young age.
• No, and as it relates to this tax increase in general.
• I'll cover the BCP on the generation and handling fee.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, everybody would.
• There's the general revenue funds, general revenue dedicated funds.
• Yeah, that'd be helpful just in general. based on that information but just in general and talking to
• We're performing better than that.
• So, on slide seven, we really focus on process, how an agency performs. performs its functions rather

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As she noted, this was $300 million: $150 million from the General Fund and $150 million from the MCO
• We continue to see quite extreme disparities in the financial performance of California hospitals.
• Hospitals performing at the top of the gap are generating profit margins as high as 15%, whereas the
• The elimination of a general fund backfill has further impacted this situation.
• Limitations in the general fund this year, particularly for ongoing initiatives.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AS A FUNDRAISER SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS AND WOULD YOU DO A STATEWIDE ENDOWMENT FOR UNIVERSITIES IN GENERAL
• IT DOESN'T REALLY GO IN MY OPINION TO THE BOTTOM LINE OF ADMISSION WHICH IS TEACHING STUDENTS, PERFORMING
• FUNDING AS THE THE BOG PRIOR TO MY ARRIVAL SET OUT PERFORMANCE FUNDING AS THE STANDARD FOR EXCELLENCE
• MODEL THEY DO THESE THINGS YET WHILE WE DO AS YOU KNOW HAVE FUNDING FOR PERFORMANCE FUNDING IS OFTEN
• INCLUDING GRADING SCALE METHODOLOGY AND ACTUAL SYLLABUS FOR THE COURSE BEING TAUGHT RATHER THAN A GENERIC

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's pretty generic.
• , SEG, for general counsel services.
• Let's have the Attorney General... Let's turn this over to the Attorney General.
• Let's have the Attorney General pursue this.
• And we don't have the Attorney General exercising this general supervision and sort of displacing a state's

Summary: The committee convened, approved the prior meeting minutes, and received a memo summarizing major audit items. The State Auditor’s office and outside auditors then presented a series of audits, many of which were clean with unmodified opinions and no findings, including the Bank of North Dakota, the Guaranteed Student Loan Program, the Office of the Governor, the State Treasurer, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Environmental Quality, Lake Region State College, and the Office of the Governor. The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association audit was also clean overall, but it repeated findings about limited segregation of duties and auditor assistance in preparing financial statements, which the auditor said were expected to continue because of the organization’s small size. Committee members asked about out-of-state board addresses, and the association explained those members were North Dakota residents using South Dakota mailing addresses. Several audits did include findings. The Council on the Arts audit identified two issues: payroll charged to federal awards without supporting time records, and $12,825 in Cultural Endowment Fund spending that was not allowable under state law, including staff training, retreats, and executive director candidate travel. The Department of Public Instruction audit found unsupported scholarship applications in the paraprofessional-to-teacher program, but additional testing confirmed the funds were credited properly and students completed required school district work, so no improper payments were identified. The University of North Dakota audit found a lack of documentation and transparency in School of Law admissions decisions; the auditor said the law school used a holistic process but did not keep notes or evaluation tools to show why applicants were admitted, waitlisted, or denied. UND leadership said the school is in good standing with the American Bar Association and agreed better documentation is needed, and the auditor said the issue was the missing documentation, not ABA accreditation itself. The most extensive discussion centered on the North Dakota Racing Commission audit, which found four findings: overspending the promotion fund’s 25% operating cap, grant conditions not being met, improper breeder fund awards, and improper procurement. The auditor said promotion fund spending exceeded the cap by $327,447 and the fund balance dropped sharply over the audit period. Racing Commission director Bruce Johnson said the agency had become complacent, that grant requests were treated as routine, and that controls and documentation need to be tightened. He also explained that the breeder fund overpayments involved two horses whose ownership transfers were not properly documented before racing, and that the procurement issue stemmed from an advertising contract that proceeded without proper written procurement procedures after a misunderstanding with the State Procurement Office. The auditor said the Racing Commission will now be audited every two years because of the findings. The committee also received updates on Dakota College at Bottineau’s bank reconciliations, which Minot State University said had been brought current after an 18-month backlog, with only one account still needing cleanup; members asked for a written report on the corrective actions. The North Dakota Fair Foundation was reported to have dissolved, with remaining funds transferred to another nonprofit account for continued support of the state fair. Finally, the Department of Public Instruction provided an update on school meal debt, revising the earlier estimate to about $1.1 million based on incomplete district survey responses, and said the Anti-Lunch Shaming law likely increased meal debt because schools must feed students regardless of account balance. Members discussed the need for a more accurate year-end debt figure and possible future reporting at a later committee meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:02:28.120> in<00:02:28.239> the 5 to 10% of schools performing in the 5 to 10%
• of schools performing in the state<00:02:28.640> level<00:02:28.920> we<00:02:29.040>
• <00:08:55.680> school and if you're a high performing school and if you're a high performing
• If we're truly going to unleash our teachers to perform at their highest level and get the best performance
• development anyway um besides General development anyway um besides General funds<00:18:13.159><

Keywords: This Live stream had a technical issue part way through and will be loaded fully later today., 958, all

Summary: The committee took up House Bill 48, which would reduce the state-required formal observation cycle for tenured teachers from once every three years to once every five years, while preserving local district authority to conduct more frequent observations if they choose. Supporters argued the change would cut paperwork and time burdens on experienced teachers and principals, while still allowing districts to monitor performance and place teachers on improvement plans when needed. Members also discussed the bill’s separate provisions on school improvement plans, with clarification that CSI/TSI low-performing schools would still be required to maintain comprehensive improvement plans and receive additional support from KDE, and that the bill was not changing the evaluation system for those schools. A second major topic was professional development and teacher induction/mentoring requirements. The bill would consolidate state-mandated PD requirements into a rotational schedule for tenured teachers, and members noted that teachers are already subject to federal and local PD obligations that the legislature cannot change. Several speakers emphasized that the bill was intended to reduce state-level mandates, not eliminate useful supports for new teachers, and one member raised concern that mandatory induction/mentoring could limit districts’ ability to use Title II funds; the response was that the program remains valuable and should be revisited with dedicated funding rather than discarded. There was also a brief question about suicide prevention hotline and Safe Haven Baby Box posting language, which was explained as existing statute consolidated into one place. The committee then voted on the bill and it passed, with members offering brief explanations of support and noting frustration with recurring annual training requirements such as bloodborne pathogens. After the vote, members thanked the bill sponsors and educators who helped shape the legislation, and the chair announced weekly office hours in Room 367. The meeting ended with congratulations to the new K-12 chair and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Performance measures and acceptance criteria are locked in.
• This is where planning meets performance. Step seven is performance and monitoring close-out.
• We evaluate technical success, user impact, and vendor performance.
• Performance measures are accepted. Performance measures and acceptance criteria are locked in.
• This is where planning meets performance. Performance and monitoring close-out, the step seven.

Summary: The subcommittee heard a panel on Florida’s IT procurement process from the Florida Digital Service, the Department of Management Services, and the Department of Financial Services. Witnesses walked through the procurement lifecycle, including planning, market research, solicitation, evaluation, award, implementation, and closeout, and emphasized the role of budget timing, contract managers, and subject matter experts. DMS described the state’s enterprise contracting system, noting more than 1,100 active vendor agreements, over 800 involving IT services, and the statutory requirement to request 25 quotes for certain IT purchases. DFS demonstrated the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System (FACS), explaining how agencies upload contract and payment data and how the public can search contracts and related documents online. Members focused on accountability, transparency, and whether the state is getting the best products and vendors. Questions addressed how contracts are vetted, how technical evaluations are performed, how financial consequences are used for missed deliverables, how public records and confidential information are handled, and how the state screens vendors for foreign-concern or bad-actor issues. Witnesses said agencies rely on technical experts for evaluations, that contract terms should include measurable deliverables and meaningful financial consequences, and that agencies—not procurement staff—generally manage performance, though Florida Digital Service oversees large IT projects of $10 million or more. The committee then shifted to broader policy discussion, including Senate Bill 7026 and proposals to reorganize state IT governance. Several members argued for stronger centralization under a state CIO or similar enterprise authority, while others cautioned against abrupt restructuring and stressed the need for a transition plan. Members also raised concerns about workforce retention, consulting services, recurring project overruns, and the need for better planning and periodic monitoring. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with the chair thanking members and staff and adjourning the subcommittee.