Transcript Highlights:

• > research<00:12:29.040> uh interviews and our research uh interviews and our research
• And those were use cases that we found through interviews, those 17 interviews that we conducted with
• It's a legislative thing. through interviews, those seven 17 through interviews, those seven 17 interviews
• We are interviewing them.
• are interviewing a bunch of states. are interviewing a bunch of states.

Keywords: Technology - Room 409, 5 March, 2026; 8:00 A.M., 925, all

Summary: ATS and Gartner presented preliminary findings from the feasibility study required by Senate Bill 2267, which directed ATS to establish a CIO Council, study statewide data exchange feasibility, develop a phased implementation plan, and report progress to the legislature. ATS said the CIO Council has already met several times and has heard from other states, including Tennessee and Ohio, with Georgia expected to follow. Gartner explained that it interviewed about 17 agencies and was also gathering input from other states and market research to identify Mississippi’s current data-sharing landscape and possible paths forward. Gartner’s main findings were that Mississippi agencies strongly prioritize data security and compliance, but that this focus has also contributed to silos, point-to-point integrations, and inconsistent data definitions across agencies. The presenters said the state lacks a central legal framework and common standards, so agencies rely on individual memoranda of understanding. They emphasized that other states have generally not built “everything at once,” but instead started with specific outcomes such as citizen services, fraud detection, or reporting, then created statewide legal frameworks, common standards, and governance structures, often led by a chief data officer or similar office. The discussion also highlighted examples from other states, including Utah’s single portal for services and Maryland’s 360-degree citizen view for caseworkers. Gartner said Mississippi should first decide what outcome it wants from a data exchange and suggested that the effort should be framed as information sharing rather than moving all data into one central repository. Members and presenters discussed the need for foundational standards, a chief data office, and change management, including agency “change champions,” to build trust and participation over time. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational, and the presenters said the remaining CIO Council work would help prioritize use cases for the final feasibility report.

Transcript Highlights:

• career spans research in hyperspectral detection, nuclear reactor modeling, hypersonic, and nuclear forensics

Transcript Highlights:

• Please tell us about your vetting and interview process.
• I interviewed with the governor in November.
• 17th I had a second interview with the governor.
• And how many interviews? Two? Two interviews, okay.
• two two interviews okay and the second interview I did you say it was with the governor herself correct

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:48:35.520> We<00:48:35.760> interview<00:48:36.160> every interview them
• We interview every interview them.
• So we do jail interviews, or we do phone interviews, and then our Louisville, our FET, and our Kenton
• <00:54:17.119> We booking, we will do an interview. We booking, we will do an interview.
• c> and<01:05:03.280> persons And then our interviews and persons And then our interviews and

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• required five prospective employees per week if they fail to appear on three or more scheduled interviews
• If they fail to appear on three or more scheduled interviews without notifying the employer, or if they
• bill, I believe, mentions good cause for what constitutes good cause for a person to miss a job interview
• They can fail to appear on three or more scheduled interviews without notice, so up to three.
• I mean, I think there's a number of opportunities for that person to be able to reschedule the interview

Summary: The Commerce and Tourism Committee first heard SB 410, which would add current and former licensed private investigators, and their spouses and children, to the list of people whose home address, phone number, date of birth, photographs, and related family information are exempt from public records disclosure. Sponsor Senator Trunow said the exemption is meant to protect investigators who work on sensitive matters such as fraud, missing persons, human trafficking, and abuse cases and may face retaliation. After a technical amendment was adopted, the committee heard testimony from a private investigator describing threats and safety concerns, then voted to report the bill favorably as CS/SB 410. The committee then took up SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility verification. Senator McClain said the bill is intended to combat unemployment fraud by requiring claimants to contact five prospective employers per week, appear for scheduled interviews, and undergo regular identity, immigration, employment, and incarceration checks, with fraud information shared among agencies and published annually. Opponents, including labor advocates and representatives of construction and rural workers, argued the bill would add barriers for legitimate claimants, worsen Florida’s already low recipiency rate, and create problems for seasonal, rural, and transportation-limited workers. Supporters said the system needs stronger fraud controls and that employers and taxpayers bear real costs from noncompliance. The committee reported SB 216 favorably after debate. In routine open-government sunset review business, the committee approved two committee bills. SPB 7014 extends for five years a public records exemption tied to Department of Legal Affairs investigations of a social media standards law, with staff noting the exemption has not been used because of ongoing constitutional litigation. SPB 7016 preserves a public records exemption for certain financial information held by an economic development agency when administering state or federally funded small business loan programs; supporters said the exemption protects applicants from fraud and harassment, while Senator Smith said he would vote no to remain consistent with his prior opposition. Both measures were submitted as committee bills and reported favorably, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• And then the interview and selection.
• back off to them to do the interviews back off to them to do the interviews and<00:08:49.960>
• them directly and schedule an interview. them directly and schedule an interview.
• And the they proceed with the interview.
• questions ready, they have their interview panel, and they can do it quickly.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My first interview was with a couple members of the governor's staff, and there was a later...
• My first interview was with a couple members of the governor's staff, and there was a later interview
• There was at least one more interview where it was with the governor and the chief of staff.
• There may have been one in between, but it was at least three interviews, if not four.
• process look like, responded... ...that they received multiple interviews.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Director Nominations held a confirmation hearing for John Connolly, the current Adjutant General and Director of the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs (DEMA). Connolly described his background in the Army, National Guard, and military law, and outlined DEMA’s dual mission of supporting the Arizona National Guard and emergency management. He emphasized readiness, modernization of aging aircraft and facilities, growth in capabilities such as drones and electronic warfare, partnerships to restore helicopter training at Silver Bell, and stewardship of resources. He also discussed DEMA’s border-related missions, including Task Force Safe at Nogales, counter-drug operations, and use of artificial intelligence to monitor drone activity and build a common operating picture for law enforcement. Committee members questioned Connolly about his interview and vetting process, his role in emergency management, disaster response in Gila County, support for rural counties and tribes, and services for Guard members and families through the Integrated Resilience Operations Center. Several members pressed him on military discipline, lawful orders, classified information, and the distinction between war and hostilities. Senator Rogers focused on chain of command, combat readiness, and whether Connolly’s JAG background prepared him to lead a combat-oriented force; Connolly responded that his role is to provide ready forces, follow civilian authority, and ensure troops have training, equipment, and family support. He also said he had experience advising commanders and teaching lawful versus unlawful orders. A major point of contention came when members questioned Connolly about the 2021 COVID-19 vaccination mandate for the Guard and whether he had treated it as unlawful or unconstitutional. Connolly said it was a lawful order at the time and that exemption processes existed under the regulations. The hearing also turned to immigration enforcement, emergency powers, and whether the Guard should support ICE; Connolly said the Guard is a support function and would respond to a direct request through the governor, but he could not identify a specific scenario in the abstract. No vote or final action was taken during the hearing, and the committee appeared to continue its review after testimony and questioning.

Transcript Highlights:

• They interview witnesses as appropriate and provide the educator notice and an opportunity to respond
• Coordination: how should agencies coordinate investigations, interviews, and findings?
• And I will get requests for interviews from all of them.
• We want to reduce the number of times students, families, educators are interviewed, et cetera.
• Students, families, educators are interviewed, et cetera.

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the building trades, hiring doesn't happen through online interviews.
• Our members are not sitting around ignoring interviews.
• In the building trades, hiring doesn't happen through online interviews.
• Our members are not sitting around ignoring interviews.
• And making people call in or do five interviews is not combating the fraud.

Bills: S0216, S0246, S0356, S0388, S0470, S0488, S0490, S0528, S0584, S0594

Keywords: reemployment assistance, fraud prevention, eligibility verification, Department of Commerce, benefit disqualification, specialty license plate, specialty plates, motor vehicle registration, license plate fees, annual use fees, Florida DHSMV, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, deauthorization, financial reporting, nonprofit organizations, college license plates, university license plates, veterans plates, law enforcement plates, Fraternal Order of Police

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered ten bills, beginning with SB 594 on local housing assistance plans. Senator Burton explained that the bill would make residents of mobile home parks and manufactured housing communities eligible for SHIP rental assistance and, in some cases, repair or rehabilitation funds, recognizing that many own their homes but rent the lot. Supporters from AARP and the Federation of Manufactured Homeowners said the bill would help seniors and low-income residents remain housed. The bill was reported favorably by a roll call vote. Members then approved two Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles measures: SB 488, the agency package updating Florida’s motor fuel tax compliance with IFTA, allowing online filing and private license plate agencies to act as agents, raising the crash-damage reporting threshold, expanding email communications, and updating tank vehicle compliance; and SB 490, a related public records exemption for email addresses collected for renewal notices. Both were reported favorably without opposition. The committee also passed SB 246, creating a specialty license plate for the UFC Foundation, despite concerns raised that the foundation is based out of state and that the plate was politically motivated; the bill was approved on a split vote. The committee gave favorable reports to SB 216 on reemployment assistance eligibility, which would tighten job-search requirements, require more frequent eligibility verification, and add reporting on fraudulent claims. The bill drew substantial opposition from labor and policy advocates who argued it would add barriers for unemployed workers, especially in rural and skilled-trades jobs, and that the state’s unemployment system remains difficult to navigate. Supporters said the bill was aimed at fraud prevention and ensuring claimants remain eligible. SB 356 on utility terrain vehicles generated extensive debate over safety, local control, and whether UTVs should be allowed on certain roads; supporters emphasized rural utility and law enforcement benefits, while opponents cited manufacturer warnings and crash risks. The sponsor ultimately temporarily postponed the bill. The committee also reported favorably SB 528 on manufacturing, which expands the Department of Commerce’s manufacturing responsibilities, codifies the chief manufacturing officer position, and creates workforce development grant support; SB 584 on commercial driving schools, which authorizes DHSMV agreements with county tax collectors to help enforce school regulation; and SB 388, which raises the annual use fee for the Florida Wildflower specialty plate from $15 to $25 to support the Florida Wildflower Foundation. The final bill, SB 470 on the Fraternal Order of Police specialty plate, was introduced as a measure to broaden eligibility for the existing plate and stabilize funding for law enforcement memorial efforts, but no final action on that bill was reached in the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• such as interview clothing, work attire, and essential items like work boots.
• So, the pre-employment services include but are not limited to prep for interviews, interview clothes
• , not limited to prep for interviews, not limited to prep for interviews, interview<00:48:12.560>
• clothes,<00:48:13.680> practice<00:48:14.240> interviews, interview clothes, practice
• interviews, interview clothes, practice interviews, resume<00:48:16.000> building,<00:48:17.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• receiving training as a paid employee to learn the skills needed for a job, seeking employment or interview
• The waivers are utilized to assist families during these times; however, when interviews and renewal
• The waivers are utilized to assist the families during these times, however, when interviews and renewal
• is quality control review individuals tend to be a little bit more honest because that interview is
• So generally for SNAP recipients, they are to recertify every six months and an interview is conducted

Summary: The Human Services Subcommittee met to receive implementation briefings on House Bill 1267, which was enacted to address benefit cliffs and help public assistance recipients move toward economic self-sufficiency. The Department of Children and Families reviewed SNAP, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), and Medicaid-related eligibility and work requirements, including who must participate in work activities, the role of Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida, and the new standardized intake and exit surveys required by the law. Members also discussed the TCA program’s household-based structure, the 48-month adult limit, and how work requirements differ for SNAP and TCA participants. Florida Commerce and CareerSource Florida then reported on implementation of HB 1267, including the CLIFF financial forecasting tool, case management changes, and survey data collected from welfare transition participants. They said intake surveys showed common barriers such as child care, transportation, and flexible work schedules, while exit surveys showed many participants were employed or had gained credentials, though response rates were low because the surveys are voluntary. A local workforce board, CareerSource Tampa Bay, described using CLIFF in case management and shared a success story about a participant who completed training, earned certifications, and moved into employment. The committee also heard a separate DCF briefing on the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act and its impact on SNAP. DCF said the law expands able-bodied adult without dependents requirements, changes non-citizen eligibility, ends future SNAP-Ed funding, increases state administrative cost sharing, and may require states to share in benefit costs if payment error rates remain above federal thresholds. Members focused heavily on Florida’s SNAP payment error rate, which DCF said was 15.13% for federal fiscal year 2024 and 12.60% for 2023, with the state currently on a corrective action plan. DCF described steps to reduce errors, including more verification of rent and utility expenses, improved income matching, staff training, and system modernization. No votes were taken, and the meeting adjourned after questions concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• First, can you tell us about the vetting and interview process that you went through in order to get
• My first interview was with a couple members of the governor's staff, and there was a later...
• My first interview was with a couple members of the governor's staff, and there was a later interview
• There was at least one more interview where it was with the governor and the chief of staff.
• process look like, responded... ...that they received multiple interviews.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So often we're bringing... ...kids in for forensic interviews, and from that the parents can be referred

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for a deceased member, then approved the April minutes and heard a presentation from HHS on the Diversion Task Force and related youth services grants. Chelsea Florey described the $750,000 one-time appropriation from HB 1012, the five awarded grants, and how programs in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot are using the funds for youth diversion, including school-based groups, physical activity, and services for problematic sexual behavior. Members raised concerns about staffing shortages, family engagement, service silos, and whether diversion eligibility rules are too rigid; Florey said the task force is focused on better coordination, broader education about available services, and possible changes to diversion criteria, with the Children’s Cabinet likely to drive broader recommendations. The committee then received a North Dakota Lottery biennium report from Director Thomas Lawler, who reviewed the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, player programs, and revenue distribution. He reported about $67 million in ticket sales for the 2023-2025 biennium, about $16.2 million transferred overall, including roughly $13.6 million to the general fund, plus transfers to drug task force and compulsive gambling funds. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether it is set by statute. Next, the Department of Corrections presented on criminal justice data sharing and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that jails, courts, DOCR, HHS, and other entities use separate systems with limited interoperability, making real-time communication largely manual. He outlined possible hub or point-to-point IT solutions, but noted cost, vendor, identifier, and data-definition challenges. Robin Schmolenberger followed with an update on a Medicaid data exchange project between DOCR and HHS to suspend and reactivate inmate Medicaid coverage automatically and improve care coordination, with full bi-directional exchange expected in fall 2026. The committee also heard from county representatives on 24-7 sobriety program fees and an AG opinion allowing local sheriffs to use cheaper testing options when courts waive fees. Finally, the North Dakota Racing Commission reviewed a troubling audit. Bruce Johnson acknowledged serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, missing grant documentation, a reversed decision on breeders fund eligibility, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has begun corrective actions, including monthly tracking of the promotion fund cap, stricter grant documentation, written procurement procedures, and clearer eligibility rules in condition books. Members pressed him on how the overspending occurred, whether the commission board would impose consequences, and whether statutory clarification is needed on the promotion fund limit and related spending rules.

Transcript Highlights:

• So often we're bringing kids in for forensic interviews, and from that the parents can be referred to

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence honoring a deceased member, then approved the April minutes. The first major presentation was from Chelsea Florey of Child and Family Services on the Diversion Task Force and related grant programs created with one-time funding from HB 1012. She reported that five of six proposals were funded, with youth diversion services operating in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and a Red River Children’s Advocacy Center program focused on problematic sexualized behavior. Members discussed barriers such as staffing shortages, voluntary family engagement, service fatigue, and the need for better coordination, broader outreach, and possible changes to diversion eligibility rules so low-level cases can remain in diversion longer. Several legislators pressed for more practical system changes and clearer service navigation, while Florey said the task force is trying to build a service array or hub and is leaning on the Children’s Cabinet for broader recommendations. The committee then heard from North Dakota Lottery Director Thomas Lawler, who gave an operational overview and biennium report. He described the lottery’s history, games, retailer commissions, Pick and Click subscriptions, Players Club membership, and revenue distribution. For the 2023-25 biennium, about $67 million in tickets were purchased, with roughly $16.2 million transferred overall, including money for the general fund, drug task force grants, and compulsive gambling prevention and treatment. Members asked about the compulsive gambling allocation and whether the amount is set by statute. A lengthy presentation followed from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on criminal justice data connectivity and reentry. Adam Anderson explained that North Dakota’s jail, court, HHS, and correctional systems use multiple separate databases that do not communicate in real time, requiring manual cross-checks and staff communication. He said the department is exploring a centralized hub or other integration approach, but noted challenges with identifiers, vendor contracts, confidentiality, and cost. Robin Schmolenberger then updated the committee on a Medicaid data-sharing project with HHS, saying monthly application assistance is now occurring in correctional facilities and that automated bi-directional data exchange is expected in late 2026 to help suspend and reactivate Medicaid coverage and identify former foster care youth. Members also discussed parole, probation, transitional housing, and the need for better real-time notifications and clearer data definitions. The committee also received an update from county representatives on the 24/7 sobriety program, including a recent attorney general opinion that if a court waives 24/7 fees, sheriffs may use the cheaper twice-daily breath test or urine testing instead of SCRAM bracelets or drug patches. Finally, Bruce Johnson of the Racing Commission presented on an audit report, acknowledging serious findings involving overspending from the promotion fund, grant documentation failures, a breeders fund eligibility reversal, and repeated procurement violations. He said the commission has already changed its procedures by tracking fund limits monthly, requiring grant applications and itemized reports, enforcing breeders fund rules as written, and routing purchases through procurement with written contracts. The committee asked follow-up questions throughout but took no formal votes on these presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• I saw an interview with a school board member describing being at a conference where the presenter was
• I'm not sure why data forensics isn't being used by the school districts.

Bills: SB 13, SB 27, SB 57, HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• Under current law, judges may interview children, but only in their...
• Chambers, this bill would simply allow interviews to take place in other appropriate locations within
• The bill continues to require that interviews between the judge and the child be recorded and sealed,
• At times, interviews have been limited to chambers.
• This bill, as I understand it, will allow the interview to happen anywhere in the courthouse.

Bills: HCR10, HB1814, HB2160, HB2353, HB2643, HB2971, HB3282, HB3382, HB3996, HB4507, HB4509, HB4805, HB5551, HB1863, HCR10

Keywords: family abduction, child safety, custodial rights, parental kidnapping, awareness day, marriage license, informal marriage, family code, identity verification, child support, family law, child custody, court interview, parent-child relationship, child welfare, attorney ad litem, compensation, legal representation, government entity, HB 2643

Transcript Highlights:

• guarded with the information that's released, but occasionally we will talk about something like forensic
• and the case that Attorney Strazen mentions, the Bear Brook homicide, we talked at length about forensic
• talked at Bear Brooks homicide, we we talked at length<02:14:32.480> about<02:14:32.719> forensic
• <02:14:33.199> genetic<02:14:33.599> genealogy length about forensic genetic genealogy
• length about forensic genetic genealogy because<02:14:34.560> that<02:14:34.880> gave<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You have to be highly trained, and you have to have a different set of forensic skills to be able to
• They have a fabulous forensic lab to deal with criminal and major crimes-related activities.
• are committed they have a fabulous that are committed they have a fabulous lab<01:29:10.080> forensic
• to<01:29:10.840> deal<01:29:11.119> with<01:29:11.520> criminal lab forensic
• lab to deal with criminal lab forensic lab to deal with criminal and<01:29:12.600> major<01:29

Bills: HF2335, HF2400, HF2401, HF2522

Keywords: Medicare, health insurance, supplement policies, preexisting conditions, medical assistance, premium classification, real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, continuing education, out-of-state, licensing, commerce, fraud prevention, automobile theft, law enforcement, insurance crimes, 1183

Transcript Highlights:

• I have worked in the forensic and residential settings and private practice.
• I have worked in the forensic and residential settings and private practice.
• c><00:15:55.160> worked<00:15:55.399> in<00:15:55.519> the<00:15:55.680> forensic
• <00:15:56.160> and I have worked in the forensic and I have worked in the forensic and residential

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Section 1115 waiver application and Section 1115 waiver application and increase<00:19:38.039> forensic
• <00:19:38.640> examiner increase forensic examiner increase forensic examiner accessibility
• underline the significant average wait times to access appropriate beds, particularly regarding forensics
• Particularly regarding forensics, it's an average of 289 days, and in the last quarter it was over 500

Keywords: 1187, senate, all