Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota coming in for workforce Minnesota coming in for workforce housing<00:38:35.440> projects
• And when we look at workforce housing, all the like the greater Minnesota workforce housing, there's
• And when we look at workforce housing, all the like the Greater Minnesota workforce housing, there's
• And when we look at workforce country.
• <00:49:19.599> housing going to solve all the workforce housing going to solve all the workforce

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up House File 1141, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency supplemental budget bill. Representative Howard described it as a bipartisan housing package aimed at addressing Minnesota’s housing shortage by funding housing infrastructure bonds, Greater Minnesota workforce housing, homeowner education, a senior housing pilot, and family homelessness assistance and prevention. He said the bill is budget-neutral, using unspent interest earnings and other redirected funds, and includes transparency and accountability reforms for MHFA. Several members spoke in support, emphasizing housing supply, affordability, and the need for more homes across the state. The main floor debate centered on the Norris A6 amendment and the Igo A1 amendment to it. Norris proposed changing rent-increase limits in low-income housing tax credit properties from area median income to the lower of area median income or the consumer price index, arguing that seniors on fixed incomes were being priced out as rents rose faster than Social Security COLAs. Igo’s A1 amendment instead would have preempted cities, counties, and townships from adopting or renewing rent control ordinances statewide, with supporters arguing rent control harms development and affordability. Opponents said the proposal had not been fully vetted in committee and that public subsidies justify rent limits. Both the A1 amendment to the amendment and the underlying A6 amendment failed on tied 67-67 votes. After the amendments were defeated, the bill received its third reading and further discussion. Howard and other supporters reiterated that the bill would help produce an estimated 2,000 to 2,200 housing units, with HIB-funded projects historically spread across the metro and Greater Minnesota. Members also highlighted the bill’s support for first-time homebuyers, manufactured housing, senior housing, and homelessness prevention. No final passage vote is shown in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also strengthens our long-term workforce sustainability statewide. But I think Mrs.
• And as I mentioned also, this invests in the local educator pipeline, which is a sustainable strategy
• to meet the court mandates and stabilize the New Mexico educator workforce statewide.
• We've intentionally hired retired educators, as we are a pipeline-building program.
• We were looking at building up our pipeline and increasing our ability to hire teachers immediately,

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.

Transcript Highlights:

• It also allows us to diversify the workforce.
• It also allows us to diversify the workforce.
• It also allows us to diversify the workforce.
• <00:03:19.319> if diversifying K12 teacher Workforce if diversifying K12 teacher Workforce
• all right um from the Workforce all right um from the Workforce Development<00:04:32.199> Fund

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• uh a special emphasis on Workforce uh a special emphasis on Workforce Development<01:25:45.560><
• mde next the inter agency Workforce mde next the inter agency Workforce alignment<01:30:41.400><
• have the drive for five Workforce have the drive for five Workforce initiative<01:31:12.760>
• that are also doing their Workforce that are also doing their Workforce Development<01:32:19.679
• include um general fund Workforce include um general fund Workforce Development<01:42:58.719>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• sleeping, you could read about the disability waiver rate system and arcane numbers and competitive workforce
• But at the end, there's people at the end of that pipeline that want to get to work, that want to go
• Arcane numbers and competitive Workforce Arcane numbers and competitive Workforce factors<00:02:
• <00:03:45.360> end<00:03:45.480> of<00:03:45.599> that<00:03:45.799> pipeline
• <00:03:46.640> that people at the end of that pipeline that people at the end of that pipeline

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> So, if you match $45 million, we'll have $45 million in the pipeline.
• we'll have $45 million in the pipeline. we'll have $45 million in the pipeline.
• that actually keeps people from being in the workforce.
• But in the real world, lack of affordable child care keeps people from participating in the workforce
• the workforce. the workforce. uh<00:18:43.440> maybe<00:18:43.760> they<00:18:44.000

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 19 February, 2026; 1:30 PM, 925, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony from Dr. Edney on the state revolving fund program for rural community water associations. He explained that the program has operated since 1997 using EPA grant funding and a state match, with low-interest loans, emergency funding, and loan forgiveness. He said the state match has risen in recent years because of increased federal infrastructure funding, but is expected to decline again as that enhanced funding ends. Members asked where repayment money goes, and he said it stays in the revolving fund rather than going to the general fund. He also discussed EPA pressure for consolidation of small water associations, minimum operational standards, and the possibility of using loan forgiveness incentives to encourage consolidation. No votes were taken on this presentation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 2824, which extends the eligibility dates for certain energy projects to qualify for ad valorem tax exemptions, moving the relevant deadlines from 2026/2027 to 2031. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed it by voice vote. Next, Senate Bill 2867 revised an earlier employer child care tax credit program. Senator Boyd said the bill simplifies the program, allows a 50% income tax credit for employers providing dependent care during work hours or making at least $2,000 per child direct payments to licensed child care entities, and caps the credit at $3,000 per child per year. A committee substitute also placed a $1 million cap on the overall credit program. Members discussed the need for child care support, the role of federal and state funding, and whether the bill would increase employer participation. The committee adopted the substitute and passed the bill by voice vote. Finally, the committee considered Senate Bill 3109, a simple bill affecting Lafleur's Bluff State Park. Senator Blount explained that the park is managed under a lease with a nonprofit and that the bill would exempt the nonprofit from paying property taxes on the leased state park land. The committee adopted the committee substitute and passed the bill by voice vote, then rose and reported the measure out of committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Into a kind of natural gas methane pipeline to get into my garden.
• pipeline from our universities across the state.
• Finally, I want to highlight some workforce pipeline programs with our regional colleges.
• So we also have a pipeline program.
• Down the pipeline.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• they're already in the pipeline, right? they're already in the pipeline, right?
• That's your pipeline.
• That's your pipeline.
• That's your pipeline.
• On workforce survey on housing?

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several education resolutions, beginning with HCR 11 and HR 14, which ask the Board of Education and the State Public Charter School Commission to report on improving access to stable, suitable, and affordable facilities for public charter schools. The Charter School Commission supported the measure, and OHA also supported it while noting long-standing facility challenges, the lack of a dedicated facilities appropriation, and the strain on charter schools that have had to use operating funds for buildings and temporary structures. Kealakehe Academy, Hawaii Technology Academy, and several individuals also testified in support. The committee then took up HCR 181 and HR 171, which seek a shared decision-making committee to develop an action plan for a K-12 Ka Waihona School in Kapolei. The Department of Education said it has already developed a strategic plan for Kaipuni education, has expanded immersion programs over the past decade, and is addressing growth through interim guidance and a new priority placement process. Community witnesses, including representatives of Ke Alo Ever, strongly supported the resolutions, emphasizing the need for a K-12 pathway, the importance of Hawaiian language and culture, and the role of community voice in planning. They argued that teacher shortages, especially for licensed Hawaiian immersion teachers, remain a major barrier and proposed a kumu recruitment and retention program tied to community, UH, and DOE partnerships. The committee also heard HCR 187 and HR 177, which urge the Department of Education to begin initiatives to address teacher retention statewide. DOE and the University of Hawaiʻi College of Education said teacher retention is already being addressed through the Teacher Education Coordinating Committee, a five-year plan focused on building capacity, improving satisfaction, and compensation, and a new DOE human resources plan. In response to questions, DOE said it is seeking better school-level data on why teachers leave, is preparing for contract negotiations, and is working with the standards board and DLIR on an apprenticeship-related grant. TECC representatives said the group has been working since the pandemic era, may narrow its focus to retention as the most actionable area, and expects to provide more concrete recommendations in its annual report. The transcript ends as the committee moves on to the next item, HCR 47 and HR 43, without showing any votes or final actions on the measures heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's education, but it's a workforce bill.
• pipeline and long-term economic growth strategy.
• Texas faces workforce shortages in crucial areas, and reducing the educated workforce by excluding these
• There are students already in the pipeline.
• Removing their access to affordable education pushes them out of the workforce pipeline and deepens the

Summary: The committee heard several education bills, with most of the discussion focused on Senate Bill 1835, Senate Bill 784, Senate Bill 1049, Senate Bill 2942, and Senate Bill 2928. SB 1835 would raise from 5% to 20% the cap on nonresident students who can receive resident tuition and fees through competitive scholarships at certain regional universities in slower-growing workforce development areas, provided the schools have capacity as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Supporters, including West Texas A&M University, said the bill would help fill underused capacity, attract students who may stay and work in Texas, and support regional workforce needs. SB 784 would strengthen a prior law allowing peace officers’ children to transfer between public school districts for safety reasons by requiring both districts’ approval, making clear that districts of innovation are not exempt, and prohibiting tuition charges. SB 1049 would require districts and open-enrollment charters to excuse students, at a parent’s request, for religious release-time instruction for up to one hour per day and five hours per week; witnesses said the program is constitutional, voluntary, and already operating in other states and some Texas districts. Each of these bills was left pending after testimony, with no public witnesses opposing them. SB 2942 would expand and adjust the state’s adult charter high school pilot program. Senator Creighton said the bill is intended to help the estimated 7 million Texas adults without a high school diploma by removing barriers to expansion, aligning legal protections with ISDs, changing TEA’s disapproval window for expansion amendments to a 30-day period after receipt, and updating funding to reflect part-year attendance. A committee substitute kept the upper enrollment age at 50 and removed a proposed testing change. Testimony from New Heights students and leadership described the program as life-changing, emphasizing that it combines diplomas with career credentials, childcare, transportation, and other supports to help adults stabilize their families and enter better-paying work. TEA witnesses explained the expansion process and said adult charter schools are overseen by the commissioner rather than the SBOE. The committee substitute was adopted, public testimony closed, and the bill was left pending. SB 2928 would set a uniform school start date for public school districts at the third Wednesday in August, while preserving existing district-of-innovation flexibility for current DOI districts and allowing year-round systems to continue. Senator Creighton argued the bill would reduce the patchwork created by DOI exemptions, support students and families, and preserve summer employment and tourism revenue. A committee substitute was adopted. Testimony came largely from tourism, hospitality, and recreation interests, including hotel, water park, zoo, chamber of commerce, and camp representatives, who said later start dates would extend the summer travel season, improve staffing and revenue, and give students more opportunities for summer jobs and camps. Several witnesses cited large economic impacts from tourism and said early school starts reduce August business. Some senators raised concerns about charter schools being excluded and about year-round calendars, but the bill was left pending after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know the PSC oversees other reclamation programs for the wind industry, for pipelines.
• The pipelines is really the big one, and they're required to separate their topsoil out.
• Is that for both pipelines and the wind industry? The weeding that you referenced?
• Workforce is huge in a state like North Dakota. What can we do there?
• And so can you talk about the plans for that pipeline once that lease is up?

Summary: The committee met at the Coteau Freedom Mine in Mercer County, approved the June 2 minutes, and heard an overview of the mine from Coteau Properties president Andrew Hawbaker. He described the Freedom Mine as the largest lignite mine in the United States, supplying coal to Dakota Gasification, Antelope Valley Station, and Leland Olds Station. He emphasized the mine’s scale, safety record, reclamation work, workforce needs, community involvement, and economic impact, including payroll, taxes, royalties, scholarships, and local hiring. Members asked about how long land stays in production, how quickly it returns to agriculture after reclamation, labor shortages, and how mining affects groundwater and water wells. Hawbaker said most tracts are mined for about three to five years, reclamation is coordinated with landowners, and the company continues to struggle to find electricians, welders, mechanics, operators, and engineers. The committee then heard from Public Service Commission Chairman Randy Christman on coal mining reclamation and permitting. He reviewed North Dakota’s coal mining history, the state’s reclamation laws, federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act primacy, bonding, permit renewals and revisions, prohibited mining areas, inspection and enforcement, and contemporaneous reclamation requirements. Christman stressed that North Dakota’s program is professional and thorough, with frequent inspections, financial assurance, and a 10-year revegetation monitoring period before bond release. He also discussed federal coal ownership issues that can delay mine plans, the treatment of prime farmland, and how reclamation differs for wind and pipelines. In response to questions, he said one challenge is sometimes releasing land too soon before long-term compaction issues are fully understood, and he noted that data centers do not currently have a comparable reclamation model because they typically own the land. In the afternoon, the committee received an update from Lignite Energy Council president Jonathan Fortner on the lignite industry. He said North Dakota’s lignite sector supports five commercial power plants, four mines, about 12,000 direct and indirect jobs, and more than $5.5 billion in economic activity, while helping keep the state’s electricity rates among the lowest in the nation. Fortner reviewed coal severance and conversion tax revenues, the lignite research fund, federal regulatory rollbacks, carbon capture policy, and the industry’s legal costs fighting federal rules. He also highlighted a study on large-load development, saying new data centers and critical mineral processing facilities could create major local tax revenue and help justify new baseload generation. Members asked whether new gas pipelines would crowd out coal plant development and whether the economic study included jobs and broader local impacts; Fortner said the industry sees room for both and that the study did include construction, operations, jobs, and tax effects.

Transcript Highlights:

• Good morning, my name is Sandra Michel and I am with the Southeast LA County Workforce Development Board
• But we also know that workforce solutions can exist in isolation.
• She wasn't able to come, but I want to take the opportunity through workforce development.
• And she's just one example of so many individuals that start their careers through a workforce event.
• And we, Davis Chronicle of Study, when we did that, that's when the pipeline, the prison pipeline opened

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a pipeline bill, an easier pathway for those trying to enter in public service.
• to um to try to build a better pipeline to um to try to build a better pipeline from<00:58:27.920
• community colleges, and workforce community colleges, and workforce centers<00:58:38.880> on<
• This is um a pipeline<00:59:04.799> uh<00:59:04.880> bill,<00:59:05.119> an<00:59
• pipeline uh bill, an eer an easier pathway<00:59:06.400> for<00:59:06.559> those<00:59

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I believe that this piece of legislation does do that, um, and hopefully also help with that pipeline
• as far as that career pipeline in workforce development.
• as far as that uh career pipeline as far as that uh career pipeline<00:13:27.920> in<00:13:28.079
• > Workforce<00:13:28.600> Development<00:13:29.440> so pipeline in Workforce Development
• so pipeline in Workforce Development so thank<00:13:29.839> you<00:13:30.000> all<00:13

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:11 Attendance Roll Call: 00:18 Senate Bill 10 (Sen. Mills): 01:47 Senate Bill 65 (Sen. West): 18:47 Senate Bill 104 (Sen. Madon): 25:41 Adjournment: 31:38, 958, all

Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 10, which would revise CERS retiree health subsidies for members who began participating on or before July 1, 2003. Senator Mills said the bill was developed with employee and employer groups to improve retiree health benefits while protecting the system’s financial footing, using a shared-cost structure. Testimony from sheriffs, police chiefs, firefighters, and the League of Cities strongly supported the bill, emphasizing recruitment and retention, affordability of retiree health coverage, and limited taxpayer risk. Members echoed those points, and the committee approved SB 10 with a 9-0 favorable recommendation. The committee then took up Senate Bill 65, sponsored by Senator West, which would codify the Administrative Regulations Committee’s annual practice of placing certain deficient regulations into statute so they cannot take effect. West explained that the committee’s role is limited to finding regulations deficient or asking for deferral, and that SB 65 is the fifth version of this measure. He described the specific regulation at issue as a Medicaid Services rule that would have required behavioral health associates to hold a master’s degree; providers testified that it would reduce the workforce and harm behavioral health services statewide. West said the committee had deferred the matter eight times before deciding to side with providers. The bill received favorable expression and was reported out. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 104, sponsored by Senator Madon, concerning Kentucky Deferred Comp for state employees. The bill would establish a codified fiduciary standard, authorize fiduciary liability insurance, add self-correcting mechanisms to keep the plan in compliance with federal law, and allow self-directed brokerage accounts. Personnel Cabinet representatives said the changes would align the plan with other public pension plans, reduce risk, and offer participants a useful investment option with strong account growth among users. SB 104 also received favorable expression and was reported to the floor. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• There are really emphasis behind that is making sure that CO2 is either a pipeline built out.
• There are really emphasis behind that is making sure that CO2 is either a pipeline built out.
• There are really emphasis behind that is making sure that CO2 is either a pipeline built out.
• the governor's office, uh workforce the governor's office, uh workforce services,<00:22:49.840><
• <00:32:21.840> out projects that are in the pipeline out projects that are in the pipeline

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I think the company formerly known as Square making announcements around reducing their workforce in
• <01:04:30.640> in<01:04:30.799> that around reducing their workforce in that around
• reducing their workforce in that regard.<01:04:31.839> But<01:04:32.000> I<01:04:32.240
• With only two oncology fellowship programs in the state of Minnesota, the need to widen the pipeline
• With only two oncology fellowship programs in the state of Minnesota, the need to widen the pipeline

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's about pipeline capacity to get... ...imports. It's about port capacity.
• It's about pipeline capacity to get the product away from the ports.
• SB 237 to boost in-state crude oil production to support pipeline operations and keep refineries open
• You pick one of the various pipeline projects—petroleum product pipeline projects—that are being proposed
• And the takeaway isn't about any single pipeline project.

Summary: The Assembly Committee on Utilities and Energy held a hearing on the impact of the Iran conflict and global oil supply disruption on California fuel markets. Committee members and administration witnesses from the California Energy Commission and the Division of Petroleum Market Oversight described California’s heavy reliance on imported crude and refined products, the state’s shrinking refining base, current inventory levels, and how global supply tightness is affecting gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel prices. CEC officials said near-term supply looked adequate for roughly the next six weeks, but warned that continued disruption would likely raise prices further and increase competition for imports. DPMO said the conflict is a real supply shock, but also emphasized a separate, longstanding problem of unusually high California retail gasoline prices, especially among major branded stations. Witnesses and members debated the causes of high prices and the state’s longer-term fuel strategy. Professor Severin Borenstein argued that much of the price gap beyond taxes and environmental costs comes from a “mystery gasoline surcharge” downstream of refineries, while also noting that California’s shrinking number of refineries creates market-power and supply-resilience concerns. Western States Petroleum Association CEO Jody Mueller argued that state policies have weakened California’s refining system and made it more vulnerable to global shocks, urging the state to protect remaining refining capacity and improve infrastructure for imports. United Steelworkers Local 675 Vice President Norman Rogers stressed the need for safe, reliable refinery operations and adequate staffing. Several members pressed witnesses on whether California should rely more on imports, how to manage inventories and port/storage capacity, and whether the state needs clearer authority and better data collection to coordinate fuel policy. Discussion also covered branded versus unbranded gasoline pricing, the role of California fuel specifications, and whether a floating gas tax or other policy tools could buffer consumers from global price spikes. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Today we are simply asking that through HB 441, you resolve a critical workforce need by allowing a speech
• I am respectfully requesting your support of HB 441 to address a critical workforce need, especially
• But my vision would be what you're talking about is that it... would be a pipeline.
• We talked about a way to make a pipeline for this that would actually help everyone, and I think some
• come up with, and they're working on some language that will help facilitate this process. ...a pipeline

Bills: HB441, HB445, HB477, HB441, HB445

Keywords: speech-language pathology, licensure, clinical supervision, educational qualifications, healthcare assistant, hemp-derived cannabinoids, CBD, THC, delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, consumable hemp products, psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabinoid regulation, hemp licensing, ABC Board, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, retail hemp sales, wholesale hemp distribution, hemp tax

Transcript Highlights:

• And according to Georgetown University's Center on Education and Workforce, in general, a bachelor's
• So this is very important to the workforce, and local industry really helped us get this program off
• We know that we grew up with this region and that it's our job to serve the economy, the workforce and
• At CSUSM, workforce development is embedded into our mission of social justice. mobility.
• It represents 10 percent of the private workforce. workforce here, private sector workforce in San Diego

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This just gives you a picture of our teacher workforce.
• <01:21:43.040> shortages, heard today, face workforce shortages, heard today, face workforce
• They are working adults who reflect the modern teacher workforce.
• They are working adults who reflect the modern teacher workforce.
• uh and diversify our teacher workforce. uh and diversify our teacher workforce.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , pathways, expand local talent pipelines, pathways, expand local talent pipelines, and<00:03:43.200
• We have President and CEO Sherry Menor, Vanessa Rogers, Vice President of Workforce Development, Tonga
• So >> Vanessa Rogers, Vice President of >> Vanessa Rogers, Vice President of Workforce<00
• :05:15.880> Development, Workforce Development, Workforce Development, >> [applause] >
• Director of Workforce Development. Director of Workforce Development.

Bills: SB3123, HB1853, HB1961, HB1965, HB1962, HB1959, HB2505, HB2576, HB1801, HB1804, HB1864, HB2319, HB2314, HB2115, HB1854, HB2062, HB1511, HB1535, HB2614, HB2282, HB1870, HB1695, HB1626, HB1643, HB1972, HB1550, HB1974, HB1966, HB1973, HB2545, HB1946, HB1939, HB1721, HB1741, HB1700

Keywords: conditional gifts, private education, scholarships, donor conditions, Hawaii education law, HB1853, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, memory care, memory clinic, Hanai Memory Network, Executive Office on Aging, aging services, kupuna, caregiver support, long-term care, elder care, geriatrics, public health