Transcript Highlights:

• , the legislative auditor.
• , the legislative auditor.
• , the legislative auditor.
• , the legislative auditor.
• , the legislative auditor.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to work with that, too, but that's my concern. piece of legislation we have back at the piece of legislation
• work on that or get some legislation work on that or get some legislation moving<00:05:23.440>
• the auditor. the auditor.
• <00:09:33.480> So, uh on the auditor. So, uh on the auditor.
• <00:09:48.680> comes The problem is when the auditor comes The problem is when the auditor

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up Senate File 856, relating to creation of an independent Office of Inspector General to fight fraud in Minnesota. Representative Norris presented a DE6 author’s amendment that he said fixed constitutional appointment language, expanded the office’s fraud-prevention role, and made other noncontroversial cleanup changes. He emphasized that the bill was still not finished and that more work remained before it would be ready for final House passage. Members raised several concerns. Representative Joy questioned language about who has primary investigative authority in Medicaid-related cases and whether the bill could create confusion over who may freeze funds; Norris responded that federal rules require administering agencies to be primary investigators and said the language was intended to comply with those rules while still ensuring investigations happen. Representative Bahner said the bill was improved, especially on constitutionality and prevention, but noted remaining concerns about agency expertise, duplication of effort, and funding. Representative Quam argued the state already has the Office of the Legislative Auditor and other processes in place, while Norris said an executive-branch office working directly with agencies could help ensure best practices are actually implemented. Several members, including Representative Cleborne and Representative Craft, said they remained concerned about duplication, cost, and language they believed still placed the new office above state law, though they acknowledged the bill was improved and constitutional issues had been addressed. The chair moved the DE6 amendment, which was adopted, and then the committee voted on Senate File 856 as amended. The bill passed on a roll call vote of 13 ayes and 1 nay and was referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Just two months ago, the legislative auditor revealed that multiple DHS employees, not just one or two
• Just two months ago, the legislative auditor revealed that multiple DHS employees, not just one or two
• Just two months ago, the legislative auditor revealed that multiple DHS employees, not just one or two
• that was enacted in the 2025 legislative that was enacted in the 2025 legislative session.<00:10
• > and gave them internal auditors and gave them internal auditors and compliance<00:26:52.400>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And to my right is Legislative Auditor Eric Thomas. And Eric, you have an announcement to make.
• The State Auditor is elected.
• And Auditor Thomas has it up on the screen next to me, and he will let me know.
• And Auditor Thomas has it up on the screen next to me, and he will let me know.
• When the legislative auditor and JLARC adopt reports, we send a letter... And JLARC adopt reports.

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee heard a State Auditor’s Office performance audit on the Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163), which created home care aide certification requirements, FBI background checks, and an abuse/neglect registry. Auditors said some requirements likely improve safety, especially background checks and training, but the state lacked pre-2011 data to measure outcomes directly. They also found Washington has a long-term care workforce shortage, though its workforce supply ranks better than many states, and that more stringent entry requirements do not appear to reduce workforce participation compared with other states. The audit’s main concern was that the certification process is slow and burdensome. Auditors reported that most applicants never finish certification, that only about one-third of fiscal year 2025 applicants were certified within the 200-day legal deadline, and that the average time to certification was 463 days. They identified delays between training and testing, limited testing access in some areas, and redundant Department of Health verification of FBI background checks as key causes. The audit recommended streamlining the process by accepting applications later in the process, expanding testing within training programs, and eliminating the redundant background-check verification. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services staff largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including moving exams into more than 110 training programs, increasing credentialing staff, and reducing barriers through rule changes. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and whether the agencies would seek statutory or budget changes to implement the recommendations. No public testimony was offered, and the meeting adjourned without any vote or formal action by the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Government Accountability to Taxpayers Act will clearly recommend legislation to the legislators
• Before I go to the next speaker, I just want to note, the State Auditor is in the audience.
• And to be a little bit defensive of legislators, we often don't know what we don't know.
• Auditor has said.
• So, but I would like to hear from our State Auditor.

Transcript Highlights:

• Not all legislators seek a members.
• group which is a piece of legislation. group which is a piece of legislation.
• Blaha, your state auditor. Uh and I'm Blaha, your state auditor.
• Madam Auditor. Uh thank you, goals? Madam Auditor. Uh thank you, Senator<01:53:24.080> France.
• Thank you, Madam Auditor. for you. Thank you, Madam Auditor. Senator<01:53:51.440> Rasmmanson.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AS YOU RECALL LAST SESSION WE WERE PRESENTED AN AUDITOR GENERAL REPORT THAT FOUND 200279 VEHICLES WERE
• AUDITOR GENERAL FLEET FINDINGS AUDITOR GENERAL FLEET FINDINGS DMS IS HAPPY TO TELL YOU OF THE TEN FINDINGS
• WE ARE WAITING NOW FOR THE AUDITOR GENERAL TO COME BACK AND DO THIS PROCESS OF GOING OVER THESE.
• IN SEPTEMBER WE DID PRESENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE BUDGET COMMISSION AND RECEIVED APPROVAL TO RELEASE THE
• THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE BUDGET REQUEST WE PUT FORWARD IS FOR CENTRALIZED PURCHASING OF FLEET ASSETS.

Transcript Highlights:

• This audit is currently staffed with three auditors.
• Uh, this audit is currently staffed with two auditors.
• outside of the legislative outside of the legislative branch<00:23:40.320> that<00:23:41.280
• We have 10 performance auditors right now, including Jay.
• now, performance auditors right now, performance auditors right now, including<00:24:51.159><

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee organized itself by electing Representative Griffin as chair and a senator as vice chair, then approved the prior meeting minutes. Director Young then gave status updates on several ongoing performance audits. The New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights audit was reported complete, with presentations already made to the fiscal committee and House Judiciary. The special education oversight audit is still in progress, with 17 observations already sent to the department, responses received on 14, partial concurrence on 12, and a full draft report expected in late summer or early fall. The education freedom accounts audit is also underway, with fieldwork focused on eligibility controls and expenses; staffing shortages at the department have slowed the work, and a draft report is hoped for in the fall. The Doorway program audit is in the planning phase, with a report targeted for the end of the year. Members then discussed whether the committee should do more follow-up on completed audits. Several members said audits often identify issues that remain unresolved for years, and suggested a more active review process, similar to the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee, where agencies would return to report on what audit findings have been fixed and what remains outstanding. Staff noted that any such follow-up would take time away from new audit work, but said they were willing to consider the committee’s direction. Members also discussed using Transparency New Hampshire updates and agency self-reporting to help track progress, and there was general agreement to move toward a system of periodic follow-up on recent audits. The committee also reviewed suspended and potential audit topics. Two Department of Health and Human Services audits, involving the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services and out-of-date placements, remain suspended because of ongoing litigation. Two other DHS topics, contract management and the Bureau of Developmental Services, remain on the potential audit list. A member raised a possible Fish and Game topic based on constituent concerns, but agreed to wait after speaking with the new director. The committee concluded by agreeing that the audit division should compile a list of audits completed in the last 10 years, with members to identify which ones they want to revisit first.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee's Committee to hear State Auditor's Office
• And to my right is Legislative Auditor Eric Thomas. Eric, you have an announcement to make?
• The State Auditor is elected.
• And Auditor Thomas has it up on...
• When the legislative auditor and JLARC adopt reports, we send a letter... ...and JLARC adopt reports,

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee held a public hearing on the State Auditor’s Office performance audit of Washington’s Restoring Quality Home Care Initiative (I-1163). Auditors said the initiative’s background checks and 75-hour training requirement are widely viewed as safety measures, but the state lacks pre-2011 data to directly measure safety outcomes. They also found Washington’s long-term care workforce is still short, though the state ranks better than many others in workers per disabled person, and that some groups and regions have larger gaps between authorized and actually used Medicaid care hours, suggesting access problems for certain clients. The audit focused heavily on the certification process for home care aides. Auditors reported that many applicants never finish certification, that the process often exceeds the 200-day legal deadline, and that delays can cause lost income, job loss, and in some cases repeated employer changes that allow aides to keep working without becoming certified. They recommended that the Department of Health accept applications only after training and testing are completed, move testing into training programs more broadly, and eliminate redundant DOH verification of FBI background checks. Committee members asked about testing contract incentives, language access, and the role of immigration in workforce shortages; auditors said they found no financial performance standards in the Prometric contract, did not specifically study immigration status, and did not focus on language barriers in this audit. Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services officials largely agreed with the audit’s findings and recommendations. They said they have already made improvements, including expanded in-program testing, more staffing, and rule changes, and that testing has been integrated into more than 110 training programs. DSHS noted testing is offered in 13 languages. Both agencies said they support further streamlining and expect continued collaboration, including possible budget or legislative requests. No public testimony was offered, and the committee adjourned without taking any vote or formal action on the audit.

Transcript Highlights:

• And believe me, this will be the last time that I speak on this in my whole legislative career, and I'm
• You want your name on some legislation. So this is no different than what Rep.
• Passed at the end of last legislative session.
• I was on my way to the Capitol in 2016, following a medical marijuana legislation.
• I was on my way to the Capitol in 2016, following a medical marijuana legislation.

Bills: HCR32, HB493, HB679, HB745, HB896, HB1000, HB1024, HB1050, HB1159, HB1172, HB1173, HB1207, HB1208, HB1218

Keywords: Saint Claude Avenue Bridge, Port of New Orleans, backup motors, infrastructure, traffic management, expropriation, property rights, Amite River Basin, drainage, East Feliciana Parish, St. Helena Parish, government authority, traumatic brain injury, identification card, law enforcement training, medical verification, disability rights, special permits, transportation, tandem loads

Summary: The House Transportation Committee met on April 21 and considered a series of transportation, licensing, tolling, and public safety measures. It reported favorably House Bill 745, extending special permits for tandem loads hauling containers to and from port facilities; House Bill 1000, a DOTD cleanup bill that clarifies Highway Priority Program reporting and raises the letter-bid contract threshold from $1 million to $3 million; and House Bill 1050, which clarifies commercial driver’s license rules, including age and intrastate/interstate driving limits. The committee also approved House Bill 1172 naming a portion of U.S. Highway 165 in Oberlin the Coulin Brooks Manuel Memorial Highway, House Bill 1218 naming a portion of Louisiana Highway 1090 the Lewis Pat Miramon Memorial Highway, House Concurrent Resolution 32 urging backup motors for the St. Claude Avenue Bridge, and House Bill 1207 on public contracting standards and competition in public bidding. A major portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 896, which responds to tolling issues at the Belle Chasse bridge project. The bill would require toll signage, local toll customer service centers, dispute procedures, and limits on administrative fees, with amendments addressing effective dates, in-person assistance, appeal deadlines, law-enforcement exemptions, and limits on certain charges. The author and witnesses described high administrative fees, long travel distances to customer service locations, and problems with toll bills, while committee members noted the issue was complex and ongoing. The committee reported the bill favorably as amended. The committee also heard House Bill 1159, allowing Jefferson Parish municipalities to use automated speed enforcement devices again under local control. Supporters from Gretna, Westwego, Harahan, and Kenner said photo enforcement reduced crashes, improved safety, and helped limited police resources, while opponents were not emphasized in the transcript. After discussion about whether the measure should be voluntarily or involuntarily deferred, the committee ultimately deferred the bill. House Bill 493, which would prohibit expropriation by the Amite River Basin Drainage and Water Conservation District in East Feliciana and St. Helena Parishes, drew extensive testimony about reservoir fears and local opposition; the committee voluntarily deferred it. House Bill 679, as substituted, created a driver’s license designation for people with brain injuries and required related law-enforcement training; witnesses described personal experiences with brain injury and the need for officers to recognize communication and behavioral effects, and the committee reported the substitute favorably. House Bill 1173, which waives late fees for certain reinstatement-relief payment plans for driver’s licenses, was also reported favorably, and House Bill 1024 creating a Louisiana Democratic Party prestige plate was approved as well.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Bullard, I make a common speech comment that very rarely are Significant pieces of legislation
• But you know, it's we had to, as legislators, listen to you know the government entities that we serve
• I'm honored that perhaps we get to be the legislative session that gets to implement something that was
• So this last year, they did some new legislation they Put in place an actuality situation which we do
• So this last year, they did some new legislation they Put in place an actuality situation which we do

Bills: HJR1024, SB1316, SB1491, SB1552, SB1679, SB1877, SB2040, SB2133, SB2153, SB2174, SB2180, SB227, SJR39, SJR47, SJR48

Keywords: Judicial Nominating Commission, congressional districts, terms of office, Oklahoma Constitution, legal qualifications, political party restrictions, family ties, administrative rules, sunset provision, state agencies, regulatory review, legislative oversight, presidential electors, vacancies, oath of office, political party, elections, county home rule charter, home rule, county government

Transcript Highlights:

• When we started ACES, it was a joint effort between the executive and legislative.
• This bill would make it all legislatively controlled, or centric, as opposed to a joint entity.
• Senator, I know that, you know, I'd like to pass legislation that's going to be good no matter who's
• And I don't want to get into that particular other piece of legislation, but is is to just further define
• And I don't want to get into that particular other piece of legislation, but is is to just further define

Bills: HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359, HB178, HB124, HB96, HB250, SB289, SB317, HB359

Keywords: HB178, Ten Commandments, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama, school display, religious display, Bible, Judeo-Christian, Establishment Clause, church-state separation, religion in schools, founding documents, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Northwest Ordinance, social studies, civics, history curriculum

Bills: SB63, HB156, HB289, SB80, SB84, SB63, HB156, HB289, SB80, SB84

Keywords: immigration, law enforcement, fingerprints, DNA collection, illegal aliens, Alabama state law, out-of-state warrants, criminal procedure, extradition, Alabama Code, arrest authority, interstate cooperation, Marshall County, TVA, Tennessee Valley Authority, in-lieu-of-taxes, payments distribution, local legislation, school funding, education finance

Bills: HB342, HB342, HB168, HB220, SB187, SB270, SB265, SB220, SB242, SB277

Keywords: religious instruction, elective credit, released time, public education, school policy, tax credit, scholarship, education funding, financial aid, federal participation, HB168, Alabama, emergency management, local emergency management organization, mutual aid, mutual aid agreement, disaster response, public safety, public health, state emergency management plan

Transcript Highlights:

• We're in an era of this legislative body where we're discussing healthy living.

Bills: HB231, HB231, HB475, HB488, HB632, HB821, HB1786, HB1955, HB2036, HB2060, HB2659, HB2677

Keywords: HB 231, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, permit exemption, dam, reservoir, erosion control, flood control, floodwater control, sediment control, watershed protection, Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act, local sponsor, water appropriation, small dam, water diversion, maintenance, rehabilitation

Bills: HB231, HB475, HB488, HB632, HB821, HB1786, HB1955, HB2036, HB2060, HB2659, HB2677, HB231

Keywords: food access, food deserts, communities of color, health disparities, socioeconomic impact, nutritious food, health effects, socioeconomic disparities, legislative recommendations, nutrition, access to food, Medicaid, multisystemic therapy, healthcare, reimbursement, mental health services, education, funding, local control, school system

Transcript Highlights:

• Of the legislative committee with MCPR, and then I'm also the Agronomy Sales Manager at Cottonwood Co-op
• I can walk through the current legislative framework and how it creates these problems, but I'll need
• While the legislation creates a mandatory protective order that purports to limit the use of this data
• My name is Hannah Martin, and I am the Legislative Chair for MACDL, which is the Minnesota Association
• So, you know, we all know that making assumptions and legislating is a bad idea.

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislation that expanded the scope of expungement was passed in the 2014 legislative session and
• Um, in light of all of the Office of Legislative Auditor reports and other reports about the importance
• Um, in light of all of the Office of Legislative Auditor reports and other reports about the importance
• Um, in light of all of the Office of Legislative Auditor reports and other reports about the importance
• um all of the office of legislative um all of the office of legislative auditor<00:43:24.800>

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• executive chair of the legislative executive chair of the legislative committee<00:04:55.199>
• I can walk through the current legislative framework and how it creates these problems.
• I can walk through the current legislative framework and how it creates these problems.
• I can walk through the current legislative framework and how it creates these problems.
• exceptions under our current legislative exceptions under our current legislative framework<01:08

Bills: HF2233, HF1524, HF1893, HF1396, HF2456, HF2959, HF2300, HF2412, HF3022, HF2825, HF1862, HF1373, HF1039, HF3070

Keywords: Uniform Special Deposits Act, special deposit, banking law, financial institutions, escrow, escrow account, trust account, security deposit, beneficiary, depositor, creditor process, garnishment, attachment, levy, setoff, recoupment, financial market infrastructure, retirement benefits, compensation, earnest money

Transcript Highlights:

• State Auditor subcommittee.
• auditor, Eric Thomas.
• I'm a performance auditor at the Office of the Washington State Auditor.
• Auditor.
• That's JLARC, standing for Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee.

Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s Initiative 900 subcommittee held a hybrid public hearing on two State Auditor performance audits. The first audit examined efforts to reduce non-emergency use of emergency systems through CARES programs. Auditors reported that Washington has 52 fire-agency-led CARES programs in 26 counties, but many communities without programs said they need one. Major barriers included unstable funding, difficulty hiring qualified staff, volunteer-based rural departments, and lack of statewide guidance. The audit also found that only about half of programs tracked both required performance measures, and it recommended that the legislature consider private insurance reimbursement options and convene a statewide work group to develop guidance, standards, and possible changes to the role of the Department of Health. Agency representatives and fire officials largely supported the findings and emphasized that short-term grants and one-year contracts make programs hard to sustain. Committee discussion focused heavily on financing, especially Medicaid reimbursement and accountable communities of health (ACHs). Auditors clarified that the 10% figure cited in the report referred to direct Medicaid reimbursement for treat-and-refer services, which some agencies do not pursue because the $115 rate is too low relative to the administrative effort. Several fire officials testified that their programs rely on grants and ACH support, but that funding is often year-to-year and uncertain. They also described the value of CARES programs in reducing emergency room use, jail detentions, and long ambulance wait times, while noting barriers to sharing patient records across systems. Members asked whether the new public safety sales tax authority could help, but fire district representatives said it is not a direct funding option for them. The second audit reviewed performance management in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. Auditors found that the division does not yet have a statewide economic development strategic plan and that performance management is inconsistent across its 16 programs. In a limited review, all six sampled programs had goals, but only half clearly identified performance measures and targets, and only three tracked outcomes and published results. The audit highlighted leading practices from other states, including strategic planning, regular progress reporting, aligning program goals with agency goals, and using performance-based contracts and grant monitoring. Recommendations urged Commerce to seek stakeholder input, assess internal and external conditions, set goals and measures, align programs with the strategy, and strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Commerce officials agreed with the audit and said the division is already working toward a strategic plan, with a new assistant director to be hired and a target of completing the work by mid-next year. Members pressed the department on how the plan would connect to workforce, higher education, housing, and other economic development systems, and asked Commerce to return to JLARC next year with progress updates. The meeting ended with instructions for submitting written public comments and notice of the next JLARC meeting schedule.