Transcript Highlights:

• So the community votes to set... ...to make up the difference.
• So the community votes to set what the school should get.
• who do have the vote on...
• I realize the people are not all voting, but they do influence the people who do have the vote on those
• Was the situation that caused you all to vote that way?

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• So I'd prefer us fund those correctly.
• You'll prefer those people are better.
• And so, with that, I look forward to a yes vote, and I would like to call for a roll call vote on this
• For voting Thank you, Senator Urman. For voting Senator<01:42:20.680><c> Marty.</c> Senator Marty.
• </c><01:53:12.800><c> on,</c> ever seen a table motion be voted on, ever seen a table motion be voted

Committee: Senate Labor

Transcript Highlights:

• prefer that we get to that as soon as we start in January?
• </c><01:04:17.920><c> Um</c> preference either way. Um preference either way.
• It's a vote in the Senate, and the majority has voted to open it back up.
• Yet it has a 60-vote rule. They haven't got to 60 yet because of the Democrats.
• Yet, it has 60 rule rule, 60-vote rule. Yet, it has 60 rule rule, 60-vote rule.

Summary: The committee first approved the minutes from the September 11 meeting by motion and voice vote. It then received a brief update on the statewide emergency responder voice system, but no presenter was present. The chair said he expected a more substantive update in November and warned that if there is not real progress on acquiring needed private properties, the committee may consider further action, including possibly freezing funding. The main discussion centered on the Department for Community Based Services’ child removal and reunification work and its structured decision-making tools. Commissioner Lisa Dennis and General Counsel Wesley Duke explained that the intake, safety, and risk assessment tools are being used at very high rates and that the department is still implementing and evaluating the system. Dennis said the tools are meant to inform, not replace, professional judgment; when staff disagree with a recommendation, the worker and first-line supervisor consult and decide together. Members questioned whether the system favors keeping children in the home, whether the department has studied safety outcomes for in-home cases versus removals, and whether foster home shortages affect removal decisions. Dennis said child safety remains the top priority, that the practice has not changed, and that the department would provide additional data on outcomes later. Members also asked about permanency timelines and delays in termination of parental rights cases; Dennis said federal timelines are difficult to meet because of family progress, substance use recovery, and court delays, and she confirmed foster parent shortages were not the reason for those delays. The committee then heard a presentation from the Department of Revenue on the new My Taxes portal. Staff said the portal, launched in March, replaced DOR’s portion of the old Kentucky One Stop Business Portal and now allows businesses to file and pay multiple taxes, update account information, and receive official notices. They reported the system is available 24/7 except for scheduled maintenance every other Thursday evening, has maintained over 99% availability since launch, and now has a dedicated contact center with 50 agents plus a public help line and email. In response to questions, the department said early downtime was caused by unexpectedly high traffic, but server capacity was increased and in the last three months there had been only one day of unexpected downtime.

Transcript Highlights:

• I move that Senate Bill 890 be voted do pass. Any discussion?
• By your vote of 11 ayes and 1 no, you have voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 do pass
• By your vote of 11 ayes and 1 no, you have voted House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 890 do pass
• I would prefer that Product of the USA sticker. I'm very pleased to be.
• I'm a medium guy, and I can go medium rare, but I prefer medium.

Committee: House Corrections and Public Institutions

Summary: The committee first took up executive action on Senate Bill 890. Members explained that the House committee substitute combined provisions from related bills, changed the title to accommodate an amendment, and restored language that had been unintentionally repealed in section 217.550. The amendment was adopted, the substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for SB 890 was voted do pass by a roll call of 11 ayes and 1 no. The committee then heard Senate Bill 945 from Senator Carla May, which would raise the civil filing surcharge in the city of St. Louis from $15 to up to $20 to support the law library and related court services. Senator May and a representative of the Law Library Association of St. Louis testified that the surcharge had not been raised since 1996, that costs had increased, and that the increase would help maintain legal research resources and public access. Questions focused on whether the amount was sufficient and what other funding sources existed; there was no opposition testimony. Finally, the committee heard House Concurrent Resolution 29, which urges Congress to restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and pork. The sponsor and supporters argued that consumers should know where meat comes from, that independent cattle producers are harmed by consolidation in the packing industry, and that voluntary labeling is inadequate. Opponents from the Missouri Farm Bureau, Missouri Chamber of Commerce, and Missouri Pork Association argued that mandatory labeling adds regulatory burden, is not supported by consumer purchasing data, and should remain voluntary. The hearing included extensive testimony from cattle producers and consumers, but no vote on HCR 29 was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any reservations? Any no votes?
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Any reservations? Any no votes?
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any reservations? Any no votes?
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any reservations? Representative Quinlan, any no votes?
• Chair and Vice Chair voting aye. Are there any reservations? Any no votes?

Committee: House Energy & Environmental Protection

Summary: The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection opened its first hearing of the session and heard testimony on several energy and environmental bills. On HB 470, relating to noise and leaf blowers, the Department of Health supported the bill’s intent to reduce noise pollution but raised concerns about using decibel limits alone and suggested using dBA measurements; testimony also noted the bill would regulate future sales rather than current use, and there were three additional testimonies, two in support and one in opposition. No questions were raised before the committee moved on. The committee then heard HB 742 on transit-oriented development, which would require HCDA to prepare a programmatic EIS for Ewa, Kapalama, and West Oahu improvements. UH supported the bill, HHFDC said it was already preparing a master plan and programmatic EIS for the Ewa area, and HCDA explained that the projects are already underway or completed, including infrastructure work funded by prior appropriations. Supporters said the bill would streamline environmental review and potentially reduce costs for future housing, while HCDA emphasized the work is already in progress. On HB 340, concerning a streamlined grid-ready home interconnection process and related cost recovery, DCCA provided comments, the Attorney General suggested changing a deadline to a specific date, and the PUC said it wanted to study the matter further while still meeting the 180-day reporting requirement. Solar and clean energy groups strongly supported the bill as a way to speed interconnection and advance grid-interactive technologies, while Hawaiian Electric supported the goal of more DERs but opposed the process, saying its interconnection performance has improved and that collaboration would be preferable to legislation. Members asked about newer technologies, UL 1741, and ratepayer impacts, and the Consumer Advocate said removing the cost-recovery section would alleviate its concerns. The committee also heard HB 243, requiring PV- and EV-ready new residential construction, which the Hawaii State Energy Office described as a cost-saving no-brainer because installing these features during construction is much cheaper than retrofitting later. The hearing then shifted to HB 350, expanding the water-heater systems that can satisfy building-permit requirements to include heat pump water heaters alongside solar hot water systems. The Energy Office supported the bill, Solar Ray supported the concept but asked for amendments to align efficiency standards and noted the bill’s removal of a 15-year lifespan limit for solar thermal systems, and Hawaii Solar Energy Association raised questions about how heat pump performance should be measured and whether PV-plus-heat-pump combinations should qualify. Committee members asked about impacts on smaller homes and ADUs, and the discussion remained focused on technical standards and possible amendments; no votes or final actions were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, they're the minutes from March 17th is what we're about to vote on. All those in favor say aye.
• Before voting, we deliberately tabled the matter at a previous meeting to invite public feedback.
• </c> from a pool of candidates they prefer from a pool of candidates they prefer less<00:30:31.840><c
• Before voting, we deliberately change.
• I also understand you have an author's amendment to get the bill in the shape you prefer.

Bills: HF3714 , HF4399 , HF4176 , HF2544 , HF60 , HF4231 , HF4232

Committee: House Education Policy

Keywords: foster care, child welfare, enrollment priority, education programs, child care assistance, education, school board, elections, local governance, school district, site-governed schools, education reform, local control, autonomy, interchange, bond issuance, transportation, infrastructure funding, Sherburne County, student eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• All those prepared to vote on the motion.
• Colleagues, I urge you to join me in voting down. Voting in voting down, voting no.
• The reason why I cannot vote for this bill today, Friend President Gates because I can't vote for this
• our conscience and vote as we will.
• Secretary, I won't like the board and Senator proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Transcript Highlights:

• Colleagues, I urge you to join me in voting down. Voting In voting down, voting no.
• My constituents elected me by 405 votes.
• The reason why I cannot vote for this bill today, Friend President Gates because I can't vote for this
• conscience and vote as we will.
• Secretary, I won't like the board and Senator proceed to vote. Have all senators voted?

Summary: The Senate convened in special session and took up Senate Bill 8D, later substituting identical House Bill 1D, to establish Florida’s congressional districts. The opening prayer and Pledge of Allegiance were followed by procedural remarks, then extensive floor discussion focused almost entirely on the redistricting proposal, its timing, and its legal basis. Senator Gaetz, explaining the bill, said the Governor had transmitted the map two days earlier, argued that mid-decade congressional redistricting is not prohibited by law, and said the Governor’s stated reasons were to address population growth and to draw race-neutral districts. He also said the legislature could accept, reject, or amend the proposal. Much of the debate centered on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Louisiana decision and whether it affected Florida’s Fair Districts Amendment and the Voting Rights Act. Senators Smith, Rouson, Sharief, Polsky, Arrington, Bracey Davis, Bernard, Nathan, and others questioned the short notice, lack of public hearings, the use of partisan data, the absence of sworn testimony, and whether the map diluted minority voting strength or fragmented communities of interest. Gaetz repeatedly said he was not offering legal opinions, that the Governor’s counsel believed the Fair Districts race-based provisions were inconsistent with federal law, and that any legal challenge would be for the courts. He also said the Governor’s mapmaker reported using census and demographic data, along with political data as one of many inputs, and claimed the map’s compactness was comparable to the current map. A motion by Senator Smith to temporarily postpone consideration of the bill failed on a 12-23 vote. After the Senate returned from a 30-minute break to review the new Supreme Court decision, debate continued. The chamber then substituted HB 1D for SB 8D, read the House bill, and advanced it to third reading. The transcript ends during debate on final passage, with Senators Rouson and Bernard speaking in opposition and arguing the map was procedurally rushed, legally vulnerable, and politically motivated.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1563 HD1.
• Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1573 HD1.
• Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1777 HD1.
• Vice Chair, for the vote. Voting on HB 1777 HD1.
• Vice chair for the vote. Voting on HB Vice chair for the vote.

Bills: HB2614 , HB1660 , HB1704 , HB1563 , HB1573 , HB1777 , HB1749

Committee: House Consumer Protection & Commerce

Summary: The committee heard testimony on HB 2614, which would require merchants selling cosmetics to accept returns of newer unopened goods within specified time frames and expand signage requirements for return and refund policies. DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection strongly supported the bill, citing updated figures of 180 cosmetic complaints from 2020 to 2025, 54 still under investigation, 148 referred to class action litigation, and more than $1.3 million in consumer losses. Members questioned whether the bill was needed given the pending lawsuit and whether bad actors would comply, while the office responded that clearer signage would improve consumer awareness and could reduce complaints without limiting other remedies. No vote was taken. The committee then heard HB 1660 HD1, which would allow counties to require contractors to disclose wage, benefit, hour, and employment-status information and to deny, revoke, or suspend permits for certain labor-law violations. DLIR, the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters, Operating Engineers Local 3, and Pacific Resource Partnership testified in support, arguing the measure would help deter cheating contractors, protect law-abiding employers, and keep bad actors from undercutting wages and taxes. One member raised concerns about possible delays to affordable housing projects and whether owners should be held responsible for contractors’ misconduct; supporters replied that compliance is a minimum standard, that county action would be discretionary rather than automatic, and that the bill would not bar counties from working with affordable housing developers. No action was reported. Finally, the committee took up HB 1704, adopting the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow telepsychology and temporary in-person practice across state lines. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii State Association of Counties, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the measure, saying it would help fill major staffing gaps, especially for forensic evaluations and services in rural and neighbor-island communities. The Board of Psychology raised concerns about the compact’s scope, the need for a study focused specifically on psychologists, background-check requirements, possible loss of regulatory authority and revenue, and the need to update older statutory provisions. Hawaii Association for Justice opposed the immunity language in the compact, and Shawn Scanlon opposed the bill, arguing it could weaken cultural responsiveness and local control and suggesting the state instead improve temporary licensing and other in-state pathways. The committee also questioned the Department of Corrections about its vacancies and whether telehealth could be filled by local providers; no vote was taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'd be honored to have your vote and ask for an aye vote. Thank you so much. Thank you.
• Madam Secretary, can call the vote, please.
• So I respectfully ask for an aye vote.
• Senator, you have 16 votes, and we'll leave the roll open. Aye.
• File Item 1, SB 364, Strickland — Alvarez already voted on that.

Summary: The Committee on Governmental Organization heard several bills related to outdoor advertising, open meetings, and San Francisco economic development. SB 364 by Senator Strickland would speed up processing of outdoor advertising permits by allowing Caltrans to act on applications as freeway projects are completed in segments, and clarifies customary maintenance of signs. Supporters said the bill would reduce permit backlogs and help local governments and the billboard industry; there was no opposition. The committee passed SB 364 to Appropriations, with the roll left open for additional votes. SB 470 by Senator Laird would extend until January 1, 2030 the sunset on the alternative Bagley-Keene open meeting rules adopted in SB 544, allowing state boards and commissions to continue using remote participation under specified conditions. Supporters from the Little Hoover Commission and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities said the current law has increased public participation, saved money, and improved access for people with disabilities and caregivers. Opponents, including ACA of California Action, the California News Publishers Association, and media and transparency groups, argued the bill weakens in-person public access and accountability. The committee approved SB 470 to Appropriations, with some no votes and the roll held open. SB 395 by Senator Wiener would let San Francisco create a hospitality zone in Union Square/Yerba Buena with up to 20 additional non-transferable liquor licenses for restaurants to support downtown recovery. City and business representatives said the measure would help fill vacancies, attract restaurants, and boost foot traffic, while remaining temporary and geographically limited. The bill passed to Appropriations with broad support and no opposition. SB 783 by Senator Rubio would extend until January 1, 2029 the special outdoor advertising rules for signs in former redevelopment areas; supporters said it would give affected communities time to find a permanent solution, while billboard industry opponents warned about compliance and federal highway funding risks. The committee passed SB 783 to Appropriations as amended, and then adjourned at 2:45 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• Vote 9 to zero. So, with a vote of 9 to zero, the committee has voted to OTP House Bill 1197.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Vote 9 to zero. &gt;&gt; Vote 9 to zero.
• </c> with a voice vote. with a voice vote.
• Representative Sweeney voted yes. Representative Wiler voted yes. Representative Mons voted no.
• </c> voting no. voting no.

Summary: The committee began a work session on House Bill 1600, concerning access to the centralized voter registration database on election days. Secretary of State David Scanlan testified that the state already has a new statewide voter registration system connected to town clerks and supervisors of the checklist, and that the bill was probably unnecessary but acceptable if the legislature wanted it. He raised concern about language that could require direct electronic access in every polling place, noting that some polling locations lack reliable internet or cell service and that municipalities can change polling locations, which could make a rigid requirement expensive and impractical. Members discussed whether the bill should be clarified to allow direct or indirect access, including use of a phone-based workaround, and the secretary said that would address his concern. The committee then voted on HB 1600. Representative Maguire moved ought to pass with an amendment adding “direct or indirect access” on page one, line seven, and the motion was seconded. The amendment was adopted 9-0 by voice vote, and the committee then voted 9-0 to OTP the bill. The chair stated that HB 1600 would be placed on consent. The committee next took up House Bill 1197F FN, a technical correction to insurance laws. Members noted it had already passed the House with amendment and that the fiscal note was effectively indeterminate but would not affect the general fund because the insurance agency is self-funded. The committee voted 9-0 to OTP the bill; the chair said consent calendar placement would be decided by the full committee. Finally, the committee opened a work session on House Bill 11:30 FN regarding judicial performance evaluations. Representative Lynn, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the fiscal note overstated the immediate cost and said the judicial branch could likely manage through the current biennium while implementing the new system. He also supported making judges’ names public and said the bill’s anonymity provisions were aimed at protecting the identities of questionnaire respondents, not the judges being evaluated. Members asked about public disclosure, internal access to evaluation materials, and the removal of language allowing the governor and executive council to receive evaluations on request; discussion continued on those points, but no final vote on HB 11:30 FN was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• >> We'll do the A4 and the A5. >> Your preference, Mr.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Your preference, Mr. Chair. &gt;&gt; Your preference, Mr. Chair.
• </c> and then we will proceed with the vote. and then we will proceed with the vote.
• Thank respectfully ask you to vote now.
• Please vote no for this consolidation.

Bills: HF3676 , HF3593 , HF3785 , HF3774 , HF4111 , HF3513

Committee: House Transportation Finance and Policy

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• Declare the vote.
• Clear the vote. Having received... Marty, aye. Declare the vote.
• Is that your preference there? You're recognized.
• Declare the vote. Having received the majority of votes present, I declare the bill to have passed.
• Back on the vote. Culver aye, Hays aye, Dollens aye, Marti aye. Declare the vote. Six aye, my name.

Bills: HB3334 , HB4248 , HB4454 , HB3851

Committee: House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances

Summary: The Tobacco, Alcohol, and Controlled Substances committee met with a quorum and considered several bills related to alcohol distribution and hemp/THC products. House Bill 3334, presented by Rep. Hays, would create a limited retail on-supply alcohol act allowing on-premise licensees to buy alcohol beverages from off-premise licensees. Supporters said it could help rural businesses facing strained supply chains and delayed deliveries after alcohol market changes; the committee voted to pass the bill. The committee then heard House Bill 4248, which would add protections to keep children from ingesting alcoholic drinks containing hemp with THC-like effects. Members discussed whether the bill might be amended further, but the author said the goal was to protect kids and preserve the bill’s current structure. The committee voted to pass HB 4248. House Bill 4450, presented by Rep. Newton, would regulate THC gummies and liquids by requiring serving-size labeling, limiting servings to 10 milligrams of THC each, and prohibiting child-attractive shapes such as animals, cartoons, or human forms. Members raised concerns about vague language like “reasonable resemblance” and about color restrictions, and the author said he was willing to work on those provisions. The committee voted to pass the bill. Finally, the committee considered House Bill 3851, which Rep. Marti said concerns the process for selling and distributing private label products and clarifies the ABLE Commission’s interpretation of current law. An amendment deleting Sections 1 and 3 was adopted without objection, and the committee then voted to pass the bill as amended. The meeting ended with the chair noting it was the last meeting of the year and adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• You said that the vote you questions.
• Um can painful vote you've ever taken.
• Um and was going to have to vote for.
• This is the I've taken other hard votes.
• We need 41 votes. We have 34 in a caucus. So we need, by definition, Republican votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• for you or someone who voted for me or someone who voted for our governor or someone who's going to
• vote for our president, next president.
• By your vote, Senate Bill 1236 is reported favorably. Thank you, committee.
• By your vote, SB 1722 is reported favorably.
• Unless the Senator requests a separate vote on an individual appointee, we will take one vote on all

Bills: S0198 , S0422 , S1236 , S1356 , S1456 , S1722

Committee: Senate Commerce and Tourism

Summary: The committee first postponed SB 1456, then heard SB 1236, which would condition state economic development incentives on employers using secret-ballot union elections and prohibit neutrality agreements. The sponsor argued the bill protects workers from coercion and applies only to companies receiving taxpayer-funded incentives; opponents said it was government interference, likely to hurt contractors, apprenticeships, and business growth, and raised concerns about federal preemption and Attorney General enforcement. After debate, the committee reported SB 1236 favorably on a recorded vote. The committee then considered CS/SB 198, a measure to regulate cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring operator registration, fraud warnings, transaction limits, blockchain analytics, receipts, and refund protections for certain first-time transactions tied to fraud. Supporters from the banking industry, AARP, and others said the bill would help stop scams that are targeting seniors and vulnerable adults; one industry witness supported the bill but suggested narrowing the limits for existing users and shortening the new-customer period. The committee reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee took up CS/SB 1356 on dog breeding, pet sales, and breeder registration. The sponsor said the bill is intended to curb puppy mills, improve animal welfare, and add consumer protections, while an amendment removed state oversight of local animal shelters. Pet store representatives supported much of the bill but objected to the three-day waiting period for financed purchases, expanded reimbursement, and unfair trade practice penalties; others argued the bill would add red tape and litigation. The committee adopted the amendment and then reported the bill favorably. The committee also heard SB 1722 on app stores and minors, which would require age verification, parental consent for minors, app-content disclosures, and enforcement by the Department of Legal Affairs. Supporters said the bill would help parents protect children online; opponents warned it could force collection of sensitive personal data, create privacy and constitutional problems, and duplicate existing parental tools. Members debated the balance between child safety and privacy, and the committee reported the bill favorably. Finally, the committee heard CS/SB 422 on ADS-B aviation data, which would bar use of ADS-B information to calculate certain landing or access fees; an amendment added departures to the restriction. Pilots supported the bill as a safety and privacy measure, while airport representatives opposed it as undermining airport finances and shifting costs. The amendment was adopted, and the hearing on the bill began with testimony from both sides.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did not vote on the DE. We did not vote on the A1.
• Clarification is sought on whether the amendments were handled in one vote or two votes.
• The DE was voted on, but the A1 was not. I don't have it as written as voting on it.
• I would still urge a yes vote.
• I would still urge a yes vote.

Bills: HF1 , HF2

Committee: House State Government Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> happened and the vote was taken on this. happened and the vote was taken on this.
• voting for.
• for</c> they've been voting what they voted for they've been voting what they voted for you<03:16:20.160
• </c> opportunity to vote on this. opportunity to vote on this.
• </c> preferred means of management. preferred means of management.

Committee: House Fish and Game and Marine Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you prefer, they could go first, I could go second. They could go, and I could not go at all.
• But if there's just something that could help ease my mind, it would make it easier to vote one way or
• on...” “...maybe just a simple endorsement of that bill and vote on it.
• But I think before any of us want to vote on it, we need to have a new actuarial analysis of the cost
• The second, that they would prefer the merger bill, 5085, but they would also support the restatement

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The Select Committee on Pension Policy Executive Committee approved the July minutes and received brief updates from legal and actuarial staff. Counsel for the Attorney General’s office said there was no litigation update, and the committee then heard from the Office of the State Actuary about the 2024 actuarial valuation and the upcoming ACFR figures, with emphasis that the funding and accounting reports use different methods and will not match exactly. Members discussed the strong funded status of the retirement systems, the effect of the higher assumed investment return and suspension of unfunded liability payments, and the need to understand implementation timing and IRS issues for any future merger or restatement proposals. A major portion of the meeting focused on the interim work plan and possible agenda items for October and November. Staff outlined planned topics including DRS benchmarking, updates on the left one study, Ice Miller’s response, possible participation by other agencies and the State Investment Board, the annual DRS and SIB updates, month-of-death, and a forward-looking session item. Members also discussed whether to add an ad hoc COLA item for PERS 1, TERS 1, and related plans, noting that no COLA was provided this year and expressing concern about inflation and purchasing power. The actuary said the prior fiscal note for the ad hoc COLA bill was about $200 million over 10 years, but that the estimate would likely decrease with the higher assumed return and declining eligible population. The committee approved the draft October agenda after agreeing to streamline some items, including turning the PFC update into an email correspondence item and possibly deferring the December excess compensation presentation depending on whether a December meeting is held. Staff also reported 10 new pieces of constituent correspondence, including messages about PERS 1 and TERS 1 COLAs, the merger bill, and the left one study. In other business, Jacob White of the left two board said his board would soon receive an informational briefing on overtime and excess compensation and would keep the committee informed about any month-of-death action. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> ask for an I vote. ask for an I vote.
• </c> for an I vote on L76. for an I vote on L76.
• Are there any no votes? Senators No votes?
• I would wish to be a no vote on 1324. to be a no vote on 1324. >> Senator Pelton records as a no vote
• Seeing no further no votes with a vote of 29 ayes, 6 no, zero... votes with a vote of 29 ayes, 6 no,

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there a preference the AG office has when it comes to that?
• Yes, I believe we would prefer to stay at the campus where we are, and we would prefer the site where
• So we'll need to take a vote to approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.
• Well, we'll take a voice vote. All in favor? Aye. All opposed? Motion passes. Okay. Anything else?
• And have a great day. take a vote to approve, to write up a summary for the budget section.

Summary: The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs. Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government. The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.