Transcript Highlights:

• Council, as well as the Metro Council at large, to retain independent legal counsel for legislative advice
• for</c> independent legal counsel for independent legal counsel for legislative<00:24:05.640><c> advice
• c><00:24:06.120><c> consultation,</c><00:24:07.160><c> or</c><00:24:07.360><c> to</c> legislative advice
• , consultation, or to legislative advice, consultation, or to prepare<00:24:07.960><c> and</c><00:24:

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:10 Attendance Roll Call: 00:19 HB 10 Discussion: 02:19 HB 10 Vote: 06:24 HB 139 Discussion: 08:23 HB 139 Vote: 19:50 HB 607 Discussion: 21:29 HB 607 Vote: 25:55 HB 642 Discussion: 28:15 HB 642 Vote: 32:06 Adjournment: 33:25, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that advice, Representative Dahlby. Any other?
• Dauby gave you excellent advice.
• I actually wanted to ask this council for advice. I've put in... I'm resigning.
• And I wanted to ask the council their advice: do I need to stay on another 60 days to assure that this

Summary: The committee began with prayer and approval of the January 8 minutes, then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that for the 2022 reports, 19 of 43 entities had had their turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reports, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five outstanding. The committee also filed a report on Adona, where staff said the city had made enough progress toward substantial compliance with municipal accounting laws to discontinue withholding turnback, and the committee adopted that recommendation. The bulk of the meeting focused on municipal accounting noncompliance cases. Gum Springs and Denning were presented with extensive repeat findings involving budgets not adopted by ordinance or resolution, missing or incomplete bank reconciliations, inadequate receipts and disbursement records, payroll issues, and improper handling of Act 833 funds or other city money. Both cities’ mayors and recorders-treasurers testified about efforts to correct records, obtain training, and work with the Municipal League; the committee voted to start the 60-day turnback-withholding clock for both and then filed the reports. Fargo was deferred because no city representative was present. Additional reports included Green Forest, Elaine, Strong, Brooklyn, Mineral Springs, Rondo, Waldo, Columbia County, and several private water and sewer entities. Strong drew significant concern over missing garbage-bag revenue, improper fund transfers, and deficit balances; the committee deferred that report to the March meeting. The committee also heard investigative or referred reports on the Faulkner County Fair Association, Brooklyn payroll direct-deposit fraud, and other entities with questionable disbursements or recordkeeping. In several cases, staff recommended filing the reports after responses were received; in others, the committee deferred action when responses were lacking or representatives were absent. The meeting ended with a motion to defer a Cross County Rural Water matter so the entity could appear at the next meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for that advice, Representative Dalby. Any other committee members with questions?
• Dalby gave you excellent advice: talk to the people at the Municipal League.
• I actually wanted to ask this council for advice. I've put in... I'm resigning.
• And I wanted to ask the council their advice: do I need to stay on another 60 days to assure that this

Summary: The committee began with approval of the prior meeting minutes and then received updates on delinquent private water and sewer reports. Staff reported that 19 of 43 original entities for the 2022 reporting year had had turnback reinstated, while 24 remained in escrow; for the 2023 reporting year, 59 of 64 entities had filed, leaving five still outstanding. The committee also heard that Adona had come into substantial compliance with municipal accounting law, and it voted to file that report and discontinue withholding turnback. It then voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report for Gum Springs after hearing repeated findings involving budgeting, disbursements, payroll, and Act 833 funds, with city officials saying they had begun correcting records and were seeking help from the Municipal League and a city attorney. Fargo was deferred because the mayor was absent due to illness. The committee next considered Denning, where staff described repeated and serious accounting problems over 2022-2024, including unauthorized payments, missing documentation, weak payroll controls, and improper handling of funds. The mayor and recorder-treasurer said prior records were disorganized and that they were now working with an attorney, CPA help, and new software; the committee voted to start the 60-day clock and file the report. Green Forest’s report, involving a fixed-asset listing issue after the mayor’s death, was filed. Several private water and sewer reports were either filed or deferred depending on whether responses had been received, and the committee announced its March meeting would be held in Room 149 because of renovations. The committee then reviewed a series of referred reports involving alleged financial irregularities. In Elaine, the fire chief’s questionable purchases were referred and filed. In Strong, staff described undeposited garbage-bag receipts, improper payments for private dumpster service and other expenditures, payroll tax penalties, and deficit fund balances; the mayor said controls had been improved, but the committee deferred the report to March. The Faulkner County Fair Association report found undocumented cash withdrawals, questionable disbursements, and inadequately documented cash payments to a carnival vendor; the committee filed it. Brooklyn’s report involved a fraudulent direct-deposit change, and Mineral Springs’ report involved transfers from the cemetery fund, employee loans, overpayments, and travel reimbursement issues; both were filed. Additional reports included Rondo, where the recorder-treasurer explained missing computers and fuel purchases tied to personal vehicles, and the committee filed the report; Waldo, where the mayor had been overpaid due to extra biweekly payments, which was filed; Columbia County, where a floodplain management contract lacked an authorizing ordinance, which was filed; and several private water-system reports, some filed and others deferred for lack of responses. Carlisle’s report showed large but improving misstatements in financial records, and the committee filed it after hearing that new software and training had reduced prior problems. Caddo Valley’s report prompted a lengthy discussion about CDs and interest recognition; staff explained that principal balances should be reflected as city assets and interest should be recorded when earned or reported by the bank, and the report was filed. Prairie County’s budget overrun and road-fund issues were discussed at length, with the judge explaining equipment and weather-related costs and staff clarifying the distinction between road funds and locally approved sales-tax uses; the report was filed. Finally, the committee deferred a Cross County Rural Water Association matter after learning it had not filed with Legislative Audit since 2002-2003 despite receiving significant state funding, and members expressed concern about the long gap in filings.

Transcript Highlights:

• also outlines prohibitions for proxy advisory firms, including prohibiting providing proxy voting advice
• Additionally, a proxy advisory firm may not provide proxy voting advice to a plan if an actual or potential
• interest exists that could reasonably be expected to affect the objectivity or reliability of the advice
• conflict exists that could reasonably be expected to affect the objectivity or reliability of the advice

Bills: SB1090, SB1293, SB1414, SB1429, SB1503, SB1536, SB1633, SB1724, SB1764

Keywords: savings and loan, technical correction, Arizona Revised Statutes, financial institutions, prohibitions, GPLET, abatement, tax incentives, local government, property improvement, central business district, insurance, settlement demands, time limits, third-party claims, regulatory compliance, initiative, referendum, ballot measures, petition circulators

Transcript Highlights:

• travel expenses, and it allows non-profit associations to to continue to provide services like legal advice
• So bill tracking, risk pool insurance. legal advice, the things that don't require you to register, are
• services, and I know you hear as well, whether that's bill tracking, legislative. analysis, legal advice
• in the future after these storms. and that's how we have come up with solutions, not seeking the advice

Bills: SB5, SB11, SB12, SB9, SB42, SB15, SB5, SB11, SB12, SCR1

Keywords: hemp regulation, consumable products, cannabinoids, occupational licenses, criminal offenses, SB 11, Texas attorney general, election crimes, election law enforcement, criminal prosecution, Election Code, Government Code Chapter 402, local prosecutors, county attorney, district attorney, grand jury, probable cause reports, state election offenses, voter fraud, election integrity

Transcript Highlights:

• the state; bring on temporary staff to reduce response time, ensuring clients receive timely legal advice
• 28:00.799><c> receive</c><00:28:01.120><c> timely</c><00:28:01.520><c> legal</c><00:28:01.840><c> advice
• </c><00:28:02.559><c> to</c> clients receive timely legal advice to clients receive timely legal advice

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any reason you didn't take Senator West's advice and not vote?
• didn't take is there any reason you didn't take Senator<00:31:02.679><c> West's</c><00:31:03.279><c> advice
• and</c><00:31:04.159><c> not</c><00:31:04.440><c> vote</c><00:31:05.159><c> any</c> Senator West's advice
• and not vote any Senator West's advice and not vote any particular<00:31:06.240><c> reason</c><00:31

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• signature initiatives is self-help centers in our courthouses, where volunteer attorneys provide legal advice
• where volunteer attorneys<00:22:21.679><c> provide</c><00:22:22.000><c> legal</c><00:22:22.320><c> advice
• </c><00:22:22.840><c> and</c> attorneys provide legal advice and attorneys provide legal advice and information

Keywords: House Agenda:, 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And even on the dental side, you know, the advice that I've been receiving from stakeholders for the
• on aging and their senior centers do, they are increasingly relied on as a trusted place to seek advice
• expert in oral health, so I don't know that I would have much to contribute in providing clinical advice
• They're not going to the regular doctor, which means they're not getting advice.
• They also work with hospitals to identify root causes and offer expert advice on how to prevent future

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• You guys typically give them advice about what to do to avoid that same sort of liability again?
• been made, you guys typically<00:37:43.040><c> give</c><00:37:43.200><c> them</c><00:37:43.360><c> advice
• <00:37:43.800><c> about</c><00:37:44.240><c> what</c><00:37:44.440><c> to</c> typically give them advice
• , is there any follow-up after the advice has been given?
• , is there any follow-up after the advice has been given?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard several Senate bills. SB 2149 would exempt paternity proceedings involving allegations of domestic abuse from mediation and clarify the domestic abuse mediation exemption in divorce cases. The Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence supported the measure but recommended technical and conforming changes, including updating references from HRS Chapter 584 to 584A and aligning the language more closely with the Uniform Mediation Act. Members discussed whether the bill’s wording could limit who may bring a support person to mediation, and the chair suggested the intent was to preserve survivor choice while avoiding ambiguity. No vote was taken in the portion heard. SB 2203 would create an offense for law enforcement officers using masks or personal disguises. The Office of the Public Defender, ACLU of Hawaii, Legal Clinic, and many other supporters argued the bill would improve transparency, accountability, and public trust, while still allowing safety exceptions. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Law Enforcement, Honolulu Police Department, and the Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office, raised concerns about operational needs, undercover and auxiliary units, body cameras, and possible supremacy clause issues if the bill is aimed at federal officers. The chair noted the bill appeared likely to move forward and asked agencies and advocates to work on possible amendments; testimony count was reported as 114 in support, 3 opposed, and 2 comments. SB 2251 would appropriate funds for the victim witness assistance program in the City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The prosecutor’s office supported the bill, saying it would replace shortfalls from declining federal funding and help maintain victim services and rights information. A former program director also testified in support. When asked, the office said it would not object to a simple reporting requirement. The committee then moved on to SB 2311, which would address claims against the state and add reporting and timing requirements; the Department of the Attorney General testified with concerns and recommendations, and members began questioning current practices for handling claims and settlements.

Transcript Highlights:

• have been reported cases of adults and minors using AI chatbots for companionship and mental health advice
• this issue out into the public sphere so that parents and family members know what is happening. advice
• across the country, which have in advice across the country, which have in some<00:01:48.040><c> cases
• Again, because there isn't understanding in the chatbot, the kind of advice it would offer or encourage
• </c><00:59:08.960><c> it</c> the chatbot, um the kind of advice it the chatbot, um the kind of advice

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can buy these products unrelated to who is going to use them, so where are you giving them advice
• I’d like to take credit for giving them advice; it’s actually the other way around.
• </c><00:54:07.119><c> is</c><00:54:07.480><c> narrowing</c> Revenue um with your advice is narrowing
• Revenue um with your advice is narrowing the<00:54:08.720><c> cost</c><00:54:09.160><c> or</c><00:54:
• </c><00:55:02.880><c> it's</c> credit for giving them advice it's credit for giving them advice it's

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair, thank you for your advice and I will yield. >> Very good. Thank you.
• So um my advice is the following bill.
• Chair, thank you for your advice and &gt;&gt; Mr.
• It had some helpful advice. We think that would be a great idea.
• A young woman who did PSO full-time. some helpful advice. We think that that some helpful advice.

Bills: HF3650, HF1791, HF3489, HF4231, HF4232, HF4269, HF4270, HF3490

Keywords: student career pathways, education framework, experiential learning, employer engagement, career technical education, career and technical education, CTE, postsecondary scholarship, postsecondary grant, school district funding, cooperative unit, Minnesota high school, apprenticeship, certificate program, tuition assistance, workforce training, military transition, education finance, student aid, career pathways

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a service that allows people to really receive neutral advice or consultation from an individual
• Um, you know, the IRS helpline—when you call them, they don't stand by their advice, you know that.
• you know that and so uh and their advice you know that and so uh and then<00:41:35.440><c> you</c><00
• . ...advice that actually know.
• </c><01:12:44.000><c> on</c> whose mission is to provide advice on whose mission is to provide advice

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Nothing in this document should be considered legal advice.
• Nothing in this document should be considered legal advice.
• Nothing in this document should be considered legal advice.
• The Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee did not follow my advice, and the U.S.
• The Minnesota Senate Commerce Committee did not follow my advice, and the U.S.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm going to take the advice of my committee members, the time of the chairman, and kind of conclude
• Well, that's why you need to make sure that they're giving you correct advice.

Bills: SB210, SB176, SB167, SB244, SB218, SB9, SB153, SB9

Keywords: hospital liens, medical billing, government healthcare, insurance claims, patient rights, controlled substances, unlawful distribution, marijuana, violent offense, sentencing guidelines, criminal justice, DUI, driving under the influence, drunk driving, fatal crash, vehicular homicide, child support, survivor benefits, orphaned child, guardian death

Transcript Highlights:

• So, Senator Jasinski, I guess, my advice is to do one by one. Chair: My advice is to do one by one.
• </c><00:15:54.240><c> that</c> in front of us um uh is your advice that in front of us um uh is your
• I just texted my executive director to get his advice on this.
• </c><01:08:02.400><c> Um,</c> director to get his advice on this.
• Um, director to get his advice on this.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, I can't remember what that was on, but definitely we're getting advice.
• what that was on but definitely we're what that was on but definitely we're getting getting getting advice
• 01:29:12.119><c> send</c><01:29:12.320><c> it</c><01:29:12.440><c> to</c><01:29:12.600><c> the</c> advice
• let's send it to the advice let's send it to the floor<01:29:15.440><c> sounds</c><01:29:15.760><c>
• Advice, Senator AER? Oh, uh, committee's advice, Senator AER? Oh, thank you, Mr. Chair.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , and I said to him, none of that advice makes sense to me.
• I literally put that into ChatGPT, and it gave me great advice.
• So I went back to my husband and said, see, your advice did not work.
• It could give you very sound advice, which is really good, and it It could also give you advice that
• on a high agriculture um so any advice on a high level<01:20:48.080><c> for</c><01:20:48.400><c> us<

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the second bucket is advice that we are providing our clients to assist them in responding to federal
• And then the second bucket is advice that we are providing our clients to assist them in responding to
• Because it's privileged advice to our clients.

Keywords: 904, all