Transcript Highlights:

• The GSF calculator has also been approved: a combined school calculator.
• In the past, when the district evaluated a combination facility, the value derived from the previous
• This has been established based on currently funded combined schools.
• In those larger school districts, they're typically not combination schools.
• Combination schools and pre-Ks.

Transcript Highlights:

• with HB 1569 that was passed last year, especially in combination with new restrictions to absentee
• with HB 1569 that was passed last year, especially in combination with new restrictions to absentee
• with HB 1569 that was passed last year, especially in combination with new restrictions to absentee
• with HB 1569 that was passed last year, especially in combination with new restrictions to absentee
• And so, in combination with 287 to vote.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The committee worked through several election-related bills and conference committee compromises. On SB 221, members discussed a streamlined re-registration form for voters removed from the checklist, with the Secretary of State to develop the necessary form; one member opposed the bill as unnecessary and warned that more frequent purges can disenfranchise voters, but the committee ultimately accepted the compromise and prepared it for signatures. On SB 213, the committee reviewed technical language changes to the HB 340-related provisions, including changing “legislative body” to “governing body” and replacing “measure” with “warrant article.” Despite those edits, one member argued the bill could chill public employees’ participation in official duties and should be held to the Senate position; another said the bill was unnecessary in light of other voting restrictions already enacted. No position change was made, and the bill remained opposed by at least some members. On SB 218, the committee agreed to add the word “applicable” in two places, and to remove sections 5 and 6 from the Senate version so pre-processing language would be restored. The House also asked to strike a sentence giving the Secretary of State broad authority over errors identified in the process, preferring that such matters remain in statute. Members generally described these edits as improvements, though some still opposed the bill overall. The meeting ended after a final comment on SB 213 seeking to remove language requiring public employees’ factual information to be provided only in response to public requests, followed by adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• you we're focusing on just the combined you we're focusing on just the combined funds<00:08:46.480
• funds and that's because the combined funds and that's because the combined funds<00:08:47.960><
• combined funds. combined funds.
• <00:09:34.880> funds billion of assets, the combined funds billion of assets, the combined
• We were going to do a combined testimony. Was that it right there? That was combined.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So when it rises up and and it's I think a combination of things happened. one the I got here in 2017
• <00:05:17.360> one<00:05:17.840> the Combination of things happened.
• So all of those things in combination with our federal—I think Joe Thompson goes out and our federal
• There is a good combination.
• There is a good combination.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The discussion focused on fraud in Minnesota public assistance and human services programs, with an emphasis on the harm done to vulnerable recipients rather than just the dollar amounts. The senator described cases involving childcare, PCA, adult daycare, autism, housing support, and food programs, arguing that fraud and poor oversight leave children, disabled people, nursing home residents, and others in neglect or unsafe conditions. He said many of the programs are Medicaid-related or state-funded entitlements intended to address social needs, and that stolen funds directly worsen outcomes for those they are meant to help. He traced the problem to weak state oversight and agency inaction, citing the creation of the DHS Office of Inspector General after earlier childcare fraud concerns, whistleblower reports, and alleged failures by agency leadership to pursue larger, organized schemes. He pointed to the Feeding Our Future case as a major example, saying federal investigators uncovered broader fraud patterns across multiple programs and that state agencies failed to act despite warning signs. He also said recent audits, including one involving DHS Behavioral Health Administration, showed inadequate site visits and other serious deficiencies. The senator said he recently met with federal officials in Washington, D.C., because a large share of Minnesota spending includes federal dollars and federal partners have a stake in preventing misuse. He argued that federal action is necessary but not sufficient, and that Minnesota also needs stronger internal controls, standardized eligibility verification, identity and residency checks, site visits, and better use of data tools. He supported creating an independent Office of Inspector General passed last session, but said it is only a partial solution and that agencies themselves must be retrained and held accountable. No formal votes were taken in the exchange, but the senator described ongoing legislative efforts and said he was pessimistic about the governor’s willingness to act.

Transcript Highlights:

• On WIOA state plans, it’s been an option since 2020 to do a combined plan.
• So hopefully several states, maybe even Arkansas, would lean into that and decide to submit a combined
• And so the importance of a combined plan is, I would say, the biggest thing now will help you with the
• And so on Wiova state plans, you know, that it's been an option since 2020 to do a combined plan.
• And so the importance of a combined plan is And so the importance of a combined plan is, I would say,

Summary: The committee heard testimony from Nick Moore, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Office of Career and Technical Education, on efforts to better align workforce, education, and human services programs. Moore argued that WIOA, Perkins, and ESSA were designed to function as an integrated talent system, but that federal and state bureaucracy has kept them siloed. He said the Department of Labor and OCTAE are working on more integrated state plan guidance, including a 2026 plan modification timeline, combined Perkins/WIOA plans, and greater use of labor market information to align training with in-demand jobs and Workforce Pell. Moore emphasized reducing overhead, cross-training staff, using common intake and integrated case management, and focusing on the “shadow labor force” of people facing benefit cliffs, child care barriers, or other obstacles to work. He repeatedly urged states to use waivers and flexibility where possible, to consolidate or streamline local workforce structures, and to hold programs accountable through measures such as labor force participation, training-related employment, retention, and cost per successful outcome. Members asked about the balance between flexibility and accountability, the role of employers versus postsecondary institutions, rural “training deserts,” state waivers, and data systems such as Mississippi Spark and Arkansas Launch. Moore said states should use technology and integrated intake to co-enroll eligible participants in multiple programs and better match people to jobs. In response to questions, Moore said some federal rules cannot be waived, but many reporting and administrative requirements can be streamlined, and he encouraged Arkansas to propose ideas for waivers or state-level integration. He also discussed the need for enhanced wage records and state longitudinal data systems to improve workforce planning and economic development. After Moore’s presentation, DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Director Jay Hill gave a brief update on reimbursement rates, saying the department had compiled more than 100 public comments, recommended holding the current rate, and was awaiting executive review; they estimated the process could take 30 to 60 days. The committee then adjourned, noting a later audit presentation scheduled for the afternoon.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're appointed positions, but this is kind of a combination.
• They're appointed positions, but this is kind of a combination.
• They're appointed positions, but this is kind of a combination.
• They're appointed positions, but this is kind of a combination.
• They're appointed positions, but this is kind of a combination.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:04 Roll Call 00:00:23 HB 246 Discussion 00:02:47 HB 246 Vote 00:15:15 HB 613 Discussion 00:17:04 HB 613 Vote 00:29:09 Adjournment 00:30:37, 958, all

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Local Government met with a quorum present and briefly introduced a guest before taking up two bills. House Bill 246, as amended by House Committee Substitute 1, would require animal control officers to complete training on recognizing child abuse and neglect. The sponsor and a young advocate testified that animal control officers often encounter warning signs in homes, cited data linking animal abuse and child abuse, and said the training would be free, brief, and housed by Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky. The committee substitute was explained as addressing local government liability concerns by allowing counties to opt out, tying the bill to existing reporting statutes, and clarifying that the training creates no investigative duty. Members asked about whether the training was one-time, how opt-outs would be tracked, and whether the information would be public; the sponsor and witness said participation would be tracked and the training/evaluation would be available through the organization. The committee approved HB 246 with favorable expression to pass on the House floor. The committee then considered House Bill 613, which would give Chapter 75 fire districts a process to seek a tax increase above the current 10-cent cap through public hearings and voter recall, while preserving local control. The sponsor and fire service representatives said the bill responds to modern fire district costs, including higher equipment prices, staffing shortages, declining volunteer numbers, and the shift to all-hazards service. They emphasized that any increase would be subject to notice, public comment, and a voter recall mechanism, and said the cap would remain in place unless the district used the new process. Members questioned the fiscal impact language, the meaning of the cap, and whether the bill effectively removed the cap; the sponsor clarified that the cap stays but districts could go up to two cents above it through the process, with voters able to recall the increase. One member passed on the vote due to concern about the indeterminable fiscal impact, but the committee still reported HB 613 favorably to the House floor. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a combined elementary and middle school, and under the new gross square foot calculator, they
• It can be combined.
• And the next item is item number C, combined school in Maxwell.
• our five current buildings into one combined campus to allow us to make a safe campus.
• Combined school. And, uh, go ahead.

Transcript Highlights:

• order, but part of that was combining order, but part of that was combining all<00:14:10.560>
• Both were able to combine recovery.
• This would be a combined. So, we have a lot more people.
• So, we we have a lot more combined.
• I share that because 251 combination.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• So if you combine the two programs today, or tomorrow, or even next year... ...not going to eliminate
• I mean, if you combine the two funds, you're close to $40 billion, and we're paying... our operating
• So I... any... ...consideration of combining the two, the savings associated with it again might be,
• How did that combination of risks result in the outcome?
• So it's a combination of public and private. It is mostly private. Okay, thank you for that.

Transcript Highlights:

• It wasn't that we weren't always aligned, but we weren't combined.
• Cody mentioned $30,000 combined spent in manufacturing and what was the other?
• Health care. $30,000 combined spent in manufacturing and what was the other?
• Are they combined with the economic development folks? Yes, eight of them.
• There has been an option now for multiple years to have a combined plan.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• It permanently exempts gold, silver, and platinum bullion, or any combination, with a sales price of
• Passing combined reporting could bring in up to $2.4 billion every year.
• Combined reporting in Florida to generate $2.4 billion in revenue annually really is a no-brainer.

Summary: The Finance and Tax Committee met and first heard SB 674, which would allow county property appraisers, like tax collectors already can, to budget for and pay hiring or retention bonuses if approved in their Department of Revenue budget. Support came from property appraiser representatives, who said the bill would help them compete for specialized staff without requiring new funding. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then considered SJR 318, a proposed constitutional amendment on tangible personal property used on agricultural land, along with an amendment clarifying the exemption’s scope and allowing the Legislature to set conditions by general law. Farm Bureau and the Florida Chamber supported the measure, and the committee adopted the amendment and reported the joint resolution favorably. Members also took up CS for SB 1664, which would require voter reapproval of local discretionary taxes when they expire; an amendment changed the bill to require expiration dates and tied reapproval to tax expiration rather than a fixed eight-year cycle. Local government and tourism groups raised concerns about impacts on tourist development taxes, transportation surtaxes, beaches funding, and long-term financing, while supporters argued voters should periodically affirm local taxes. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably. Next, the committee considered SJR 1510 and its implementing bill SB 1512, both dealing with a homestead-style property tax benefit for certain long-term leased residential properties. After multiple amendments narrowed the proposal substantially, limiting it to one qualifying property and then to single-family homes, mobile homes, and condominium units, counties and cities still opposed the measures as a tax shift to other taxpayers. The sponsor said the changes reduced the scope and fiscal impact, and both measures were reported favorably. Finally, the committee heard SPB 7034, the Senate tax package, which includes permanent sales tax exemptions, multiple tax holidays, motor vehicle fee reductions, a property tax study, rural investment tax credits, a freeze on local communications services tax rates, and other tax changes, with an estimated $2.1 billion revenue reduction. Testimony was mixed: property appraisers supported the property tax study, while many public commenters opposed the firearm and ammunition tax holiday and urged inclusion of gun safes and locks instead. County, city, tourism, and lodging representatives raised concerns about tourist development tax limits and other local revenue impacts, while supporters emphasized tax relief and the study’s value. After debate, the committee adopted a motion to submit SPB 7034 as a committee bill and reported it favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Now, this is for all institutions combined.
• First of all, this is combined across all institutions.
• This is combined across all institutions.
• In the bar chart on this slide, I have a combined market value-to-accrued liability ratio.
• We saw that for PERS, where the combination of the minimum rate... ...2027-29 biennium rates.

Keywords: 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to their research, that means 3 million combined days of school are being missed and 16 million
• hours of combined instruction time is missed.
• hours of combined instruction time is missed.
• hours of combined instruction time is missed.
• hours of combined instruction time is missed.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• I have no idea how that's going to look in 2 years, 4 years, 6 years for the combined thing.
• I have no idea how that's going to look in 2 years, 4 years, 6 years for the combined thing.
• Right now, Dakota County has a combination of PTO and sick time comp hours of a 1,000-hour cap.
• It's a combination of both, depending on the size of the business, their internal operations.
• Definitely a combination of both, depending on the nature of the business.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully. Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses. Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually told y'all that combining those two offices might be a conflict, but when I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining... When I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining these offices, he said, 'We did not.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining, When I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining these offices, he said, we did not.

Bills: SR86, SB491, HB205, HB210, HB228, HB813, HB1045, HB1177

Keywords: Senate rules, Louisiana Senate, Senate Chamber, smart glasses, recording eyewear, audio recording, video recording, wearable technology, covert recording, legislative security, media access, chamber decorum, Senate President, internal rules, public access, lobbyists, official journal, public notices, competitive bid, Louisiana legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• They actually told y'all that combining those two offices might be a conflict, but when I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically whether y'all approved combining— When I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically whether y'all approved combining these offices, he said, 'We did not.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining, When I asked Mr.
• Dakota specifically that y'all approve combining these offices, he said, we did not.

Summary: The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee met on May 6, 2026, approved the April 28 minutes, and heard several bills before moving into confirmation hearings. HB 205, by Rep. Bacala, would allow local governing authorities to supplement election commissioners’ pay by up to $100 per day; supporters from clerks of court and the Secretary of State’s office said the increase is needed to recruit and retain qualified commissioners amid longer days, training demands, and election security changes. The committee also reported HB 210, a cleanup bill clarifying retroactive application of a prior ethics law, and HB 228, which recreates the Department of State Civil Service and related entities through 2033. It likewise reported SR 86, which bars eyeglasses with audio/video recording capability in the Senate chamber without the Senate President’s permission, and HB 1177, which protects the identities of lottery hunt winners until after the drawing. HB 1045, limited to Pointe Coupee Parish, raises an audit threshold for certain water districts from $500,000 to $600,000 to reduce audit costs, and HB 813 would move Orleans Parish sheriff terms so the sheriff takes office in January instead of waiting until May; all were reported favorably. Senator Miller also announced that SB 491 would not be taken up that day. The committee then questioned nominees to the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority East. The first group, including Peter Vicari and Ronald Schumann, was asked extensively about recent personnel actions, an internal investigation, and the authority’s handling of a report that members said would likely be released after a board vote. Senators focused on the firing of the chief of police/operations personnel, allegations of payroll fraud, and whether the authority had improperly combined the chief of police role with compliance duties in a way that may conflict with statute and Civil Service guidance. Committee members also raised concerns about the chief’s contract, whether it had board approval, and whether the authority’s bylaws and salary practices complied with law. The nominees and counsel said some matters were still under review and that a separate compliance position was being considered. The committee later heard from additional nominees, including David Martin, Gregory Marsiglia, and Elton Jude Myers, who described backgrounds in engineering, law, procurement, and governmental contracts. Senators again pressed them on the need to separate compliance/auditing duties from the chief of police role, and the nominees generally agreed that those functions should be distinct and that the authority should have qualified auditing expertise. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after the confirmation discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then item two, Dexter combined is on page 94.
• School for a combined elementary middle school facility for 420 students.
• Design phase funding for the combined replacement facility.
• And Sierra Vista for a combined 4th through 8th grade facility with an enrollment of 407 design phase
• Uh, good morning, everyone, and, uh, members of the committee, uh, it would be a combined campus with

Transcript Highlights:

• So after a decade or a little bit more, the two committees combined.
• the reason for that initially combined the reason for that initially was<00:47:46.480> because
• Is that um in statute, the combination and the...? >> Yes, it's all been... Yeah.
• Is that um in statute, the combination and the...? >> Yes, it's all been... Yeah.
• provide a um combination provide a um combination as<02:43:54.800> Representative<02:43:55.359

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• impact of their projects, whether they were sort of metro impact, greater Minnesota regional, a combination
• impact of their projects, whether they were sort of metro impact, greater Minnesota regional, a combination
• impact of their projects, whether they were sort of metro impact, greater Minnesota regional, a combination
• impact of their projects, whether they were sort of metro impact, greater Minnesota regional, a combination
• Or greater Minnesota regional, a combination, or projects that have statewide impact.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, S 24023 for Melrose Combined. This is an award language change.
• This is Maxwell Combined School. This is the full construction funding request.
• Item H, Project P 25 003, this is for Combined School in Bloomfield.
• Item I, B24012 for Hondo Combined School Campus.
• The first item on our agenda is item one, P24 001, the Combined School in Maxwell.