Transcript Highlights:

• General in Florida on this issue.
• Do you support the roles of Inspector Generals?
• Senator, I believe in the law and I believe in the process. of having Inspector Generals. Okay.
• General. there at HHS.
• I have faith in this generation, I have two kids in this generation coming up, that they're looking at

Keywords: nominations, labor, health, veterans, Social Security, Elon Musk, transparency, government accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on various executive nominations and their implications on labor and health affairs. Significant discussions surrounded the nomination of Mr. Sonderling as the Deputy Secretary of Labor, with members expressing concerns about workforce cuts affecting veterans and Social Security employees. There was also a debate led by a member regarding the authority and influence of private individuals, specifically citing Elon Musk's involvement in government decisions. Such discussions raised questions about transparency and accountability within governmental agencies, leading to a proposal for Mr. Musk to provide testimony before the committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• , an office of inspector general with enforcement powers.
• , an office of inspector general with enforcement powers.
• So, if Leader Long will yield to a question. of inspector general with enforcement of inspector general
• like an independent inspector general. like an independent inspector general.
• <00:49:11.280> general<00:49:11.599> bill inspector general bill inspector general bill

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• it uh creates office of Inspector General<00:03:15.560> um<00:03:15.799> within<00:03:
• <00:21:25.279> General<00:21:25.640> must say uh the Inspector General must say uh
• the Inspector General must investigate<00:21:26.480> and<00:21:26.720> com<00:21:27.080
• hope office of Inspector General and we' hope office of Inspector General and we' hope that<00:46
• General or definition of Inspector General or design<01:13:41.840> and<01:13:42.320> I

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:27:21.279> understands that the attorney general understands that the attorney general
• that would generate consumer awareness. that would generate consumer awareness.
• However, about 153 elevator inspectors. Uh and then in the low 90s for boiler inspectors.
• Uh the numbers elevator inspectors.
• to issue a citation. a police officer or an inspector a police officer or an inspector authorized<01

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So we've started a registration for all local inspectors.
• For HVAC or in general? In general.
• Today we have one such request, and that’s from the Department of Inspector General.
• “From the Department of Inspector General, if they’ll come forward.
• Samantha Blasengame, Chief Counsel, Department of Inspector General.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:14:59.080> General,<00:15:00.000> uh has an Office of Inspector General, uh has
• So, thinking Inspector General Clark.
• Chair Chair Inspector General Clark.
• Inspector<01:14:11.720> General.
• Uh, thank you uh, Inspector General.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on March 2 and approved the February 23 minutes after a quorum was reached. The main presentation was from the Department of Human Services on non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), a federally required Medicaid benefit that helps Minnesota Health Care Program enrollees get to medically necessary appointments. DHS said the program served more than 250,000 people in 2025 at a cost of $127 million, with participation up about 14% over five years, and described the seven transportation modes, provider enrollment requirements, STS certification, background checks, prior authorization rules, and planned transitions to a single administrator for parts of the program in 2026 and 2027. DHS officials emphasized fraud prevention efforts, saying NEMT is one of the agency’s high-risk Medicaid services. They described enhanced prepayment review, provider revalidation and site visits, removal of inactive providers, and a provider moratorium in metro counties. Inspector General James Clark said the governor’s anti-fraud proposal would add pre-enrollment risk assessments, more staffing and technology, and electronic visit verification. He also noted that about 80% of NEMT spending is in managed care and that managed care organizations have their own compliance and special investigations units. Committee members raised concerns about fraud, oversight, and privatization. Chair Robbins questioned DHS about the absence of the commissioner and the program’s use of brokers, citing past concerns and asking about the vendor MTM’s history; DHS said the RFP for the new broker had closed and the vendor selection was still underway. Representative Pinto questioned why oversight is outsourced to managed care organizations and suggested bringing more oversight back in house. MTM representative Phil Stahlberger defended the company’s record, said the Missouri dispute was about contract terms from about 15 years ago, and said MTM currently works in Minnesota counties and many other states, with on-site reviews, trip verification, and complaint review processes. No further votes or final actions on the NEMT policy were taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• from fees that are revenue generated from fees that are charged<00:04:27.240> for<00:04:27.440
• not been increased since 2007 generally not been increased since 2007 which<00:04:43.360> is<
• The state saves time and money, so no inspector drive time, gas, and vehicle costs.
• attest to the electrical inspectors.
• <01:11:38.400> Inspector still have a private Inspector Inspector still have a private Inspector

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The report lists the Inspector General position has been vacant for over two years.
• The commission has had an inspector general in the past, but you're correct.
• That being said, we have been in contact with the Chief Inspector General, Melinda McGill, and she has
• The commission has had an inspector general in the past, but you're correct.
• That being said, we have been in contact with the Chief Inspector General, Melinda McGill, and she has

Summary: The subcommittee first heard a lengthy Auditor General presentation on the Department of Management Services’ fleet management operations. The audit found major problems with oversight, recordkeeping, policies, fee-setting, purchase and disposal approvals, public auction controls, and FleetWave system access and processing. Key findings included that 2,279 vehicles valued at more than $57 million could not be matched between FleetWave and FLAIR, disposal records were missing or incomplete, user access remained active long after employees separated, and the department had not documented a reasonable basis for its $1.75 per-vehicle monthly fee. Members expressed strong concern about the accuracy of the state’s fleet inventory and the risk of waste or misuse. DMS Secretary Allende said the department concurred with the findings, was working with the Auditor General, and planned corrective actions, including better training, clearer guidance, improved reconciliation, and possible centralization or pilot programs for fleet purchasing and management. The committee then returned to vacancy discussions with several agencies. The Division of Administrative Hearings said its two long-vacant judges of compensation claims positions had been hard to fill because of low pay and short reappointment terms, but the chief judge said the division could operate without them and offered those positions up as part of a reduction exercise. The Public Service Commission reported 42 vacancies but said statutory deadlines were still being met, though staff workloads and depth of analysis were affected. The commission also said vacancies help it manage salaries within its trust-fund budget. Members questioned whether some of those positions were truly needed given the lack of delays. The Florida Gaming Control Commission reported 29 vacancies, including a vacant chair that prevented appointment of an inspector general, and said the chair vacancy was a gubernatorial appointment issue. The acting executive director also said the commission’s compulsive gambling prevention program had lapsed after no responsive bids were received for a new contract, but an invitation to negotiate was nearly complete and a new provider was expected soon. The Public Employee Relations Commission reported that its caseload had more than doubled after Senate Bill 256, which increased union recertification work; it said it was meeting deadlines only with overtime and that the workload had not fallen despite decertifications. Members asked for follow-up data on union cases, vacancy needs, and whether some positions across agencies could be reallocated to better match workload.

Transcript Highlights:

• So I think when we spoke last night, you had mentioned that there were inspectors general and a couple
• of other folks who are ...you had mentioned that there were inspectors general and a couple of other
• My first question is about following up on the ranking member's question about the inspectors general
• In other words, I... ...effectiveness of the inspectors general.
• I just wanted to know whether a current assessment was done that the inspectors general, who are, I'm

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee heard several measures focused on government structure, oversight, and public policy designations. The most debated bill was HJR 1325, which proposed a constitutional amendment to create a statewide Commissioner of Government Efficiency, abolish the lieutenant governor office and the Government Efficiency Task Force, and eliminate the constitutional requirement for an Auditor General appointment. Sponsors said the new commissioner would be a watchdog over waste, fraud, and abuse across state and local government, while opponents raised concerns about cost, single-subject issues, lack of implementation details, and whether existing oversight structures were sufficient. After extensive debate, the resolution was reported favorably by a recorded vote. The committee also approved HB 575, which redesignates the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in Florida statute, and HB 1445, which requires certain state officials and agency heads to have stronger ties to Florida and, for some positions, to live in the county where their agency headquarters is located. HB 1445 drew questions about practicality and whether a proximity standard would be better than a strict county requirement, but the sponsor said he would continue working on that issue. Both bills were reported favorably, with HB 1445 passing unanimously. In addition, the committee unanimously approved HB 259, designating August 21 as Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day, with supporters emphasizing the need for public education about fentanyl overdoses. The committee also passed CS/HB 29, the public records and meetings bill linked to the social work licensure compact, which creates confidentiality and meeting exemptions needed for the compact to operate. Public testimony on that measure was supportive, and it too was reported favorably without opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• inspectors general with their fraud inspectors general with their fraud work.<02:20:16.319> It
• <02:22:09.920> Right the Inspector General community.
• Right the Inspector General community.
• <02:22:51.280> of inspectors general who are accused of inspectors general who are accused
• <02:41:24.560> key inspectors general are key tools key inspectors general are key tools key

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've started a registration for all local inspectors.
• An untrained inspector affects the consumer, affects the business, and can cost both of them money.
• For HVAC or in general? In general.
• That's from the Department of Inspector General, if they'll come forward.
• Samantha Blasengame, Chief Counsel, Department of Inspector General.

Summary: The Administrative Rules Subcommittee reviewed several agency rules and most were approved without objection. The Department of Agriculture moved to repeal rules tied to the now-repealed Arkansas Catfish Processors Fair Practice Act. The Department of Human Services updated Medicaid policy to clarify that pregnant women may still be referred to child support enforcement but will not be sanctioned during pregnancy and the 60-day postpartum period, removed the word “forcible” from rape/incest good-cause language, and eliminated a 90-day waiting period for ARKids B when group health coverage ends. DHS also received approval for a CMS cell and gene therapy model for sickle cell disease and a technical Medicaid medication-assisted treatment update that does not change coverage. The Department of Labor and Licensing presented several rules. One created procedures for the department to issue interpretations in local construction plan disputes under Act 591 of 2025. The Contractors Licensing Board and Residential Contractors Committee amended rules to raise the restricted commercial license threshold and light building project limit from $750,000 to $1.5 million, and to allow deferral of owner-complaint investigations while related civil litigation is pending. The HVACR Licensing Board presented broader cleanup and policy changes under Act 746 of 2025, including eliminating the Class C license by moving those holders into Class B, expanding work limits for Class A and B licensees, changing continuing education to eight hours per three-year code cycle, and keeping annual license renewal. Members asked detailed questions about impacts on businesses, training, youth working with parents, and whether any unintended burdens were created; the board said it had notified licensees and had received little pushback. The committee also granted the Department of Inspector General’s request for exclusion from rulemaking reporting for Act 473 of 2025, concluding that the statute was sufficiently detailed and did not require additional rules. In addition, the Arkansas State Library’s report was accepted, with the Department of Education stating that the library’s three existing rules should remain in effect. During the update on outstanding 2023-session rulemaking, Education explained that many delayed rules were held back because they were likely to be amended again in 2025, and members expressed concern about the length of time some rules have remained unfinished. The meeting ended after written 2025 rulemaking updates were noted, with no further action taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, members, Larry Freeman, Chief Deputy Attorney General.
• "And I can tell you, it's not just people in general. I've experienced it.
• Amendment 24 amends a provision for when an inspector need not be present on site.
• There's some pushback, certainly, from the private inspectors, the third-party inspectors.
• The private inspectors and the third-party inspectors are one of the areas that causes us much concern

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on Wednesday, April 22, with a quorum present and heard several bills. HB 1195, relating to the Louisiana State Athletic Commission, was amended with technical changes and a fee-related amendment tied to student athlete agents, then reported favorably. Members asked about criminal penalties and whether the bill would affect prison athletic events; the author said he would follow up on those questions. HB 798, the Broadband and Cable Price Notice Act, was amended to clarify definitions, federal compliance, notice requirements, and severability, then reported favorably after extensive debate over whether providers already give adequate notice, whether a separate notice is necessary, and whether the bill would be preempted by federal law. Charter Communications testified in opposition, saying the bill was duplicative and would add costs, while the author argued it was needed to ensure clear, conspicuous notice of price increases and cancellation rights.

Transcript Highlights:

• Trump fired, I think it's 15 or 16 inspectors general, probably illegally, but he's firing that because
• <00:20:29.360> General<00:20:30.240> office<00:20:31.240> federal Inspector General
• office federal Inspector General office federal government<00:20:31.960> Trump<00:20:32.360><
• <00:20:35.000> General<00:20:35.559> probably or 16 inspectors General probably or
• 16 inspectors General probably illegally<00:20:37.120> but<00:20:37.280> he's<00:20:37.440

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Brigadier General Matthew Brayman, the Director of the Office of Army Aviation, appeared on behalf of
• and that we're stopping the defect generation so that we're not dealing with them.
• General Report?
• It's generational.
• Senator, I think in general we are a little behind.

Keywords: Boeing, aviation safety, safety management system, military aviation, air traffic control, transparency, oversight, accountability

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on significant safety concerns surrounding Boeing and its compliance with federal aviation standards. Lawmakers expressed frustration over the Army's failure to provide requested operational transparency regarding helicopter operations near Washington, D.C., amid recent incidents indicating a strained air traffic control situation. Several members called for reform in Boeing's oversight, emphasizing the need for a robust safety culture and mandatory safety management systems to prevent future disasters like the 737 MAX crashes. The discussions were passionate, with survivors and families impacted by past accidents present, highlighting the urgency and seriousness of the issues at hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• Okay, so all of our wage and our inspectors, our safety inspectors, the boiler inspector, all of those
• One takes the inspectors, the mechanical inspectors and the electrical inspectors, gasfitters, and so
• One takes the inspectors, the mechanical inspectors and the electrical inspectors, gasfitters, and so
• One takes the inspectors, the mechanical inspectors and the electrical inspectors, gasfitters, and so
• One takes the inspectors, the mechanical inspectors and the electrical inspectors, gasfitters, and so

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard from the Department of Labor on several House Bill 2 sections. Members discussed raising the annual elevator certificate fee, which had been $50 since at least fiscal year 2014; the commissioner said the Inspection Division generates more revenue than its costs, and members agreed to amend the fee to $75 and later voted unanimously to accept Section 137. The department also explained a proposed change to civil penalty/warning language in Section 139 to align enforcement across labor laws; that section was accepted unanimously. The commissioner then gave a detailed overview of the second injury fund, describing how it is financed by assessments on insurance carriers, how claims are reviewed for reimbursement, and how the fund is intended to reimburse certain workers’ compensation costs. Members questioned whether the program still serves its original purpose, whether it is revenue-neutral, and whether it should be sunset; the department said the fund is a mixed bag for the state and industry, but no sunset language was adopted. Sections 140 and 141 were then accepted unanimously. The committee next heard from the Judicial Council on Sections 125 through 127. The witness said the changes would streamline payment for indigent defense services other than counsel, reduce the number of bills requiring judge review, and expand the council’s ability to contract with providers for services such as translation and evaluations. He also explained a proposed fail-safe allowing the executive director to decline to process questionable invoices and send them to a judge instead. Members generally supported the streamlining, and Sections 125 through 127 were accepted unanimously. Toward the end of the discussion, members asked about the cost impact of changing the misdemeanor/felony threshold from $1,000 to a higher amount. The Judicial Council said felony cases are significantly more expensive than misdemeanors because they involve more hearings, more discovery, and more attorney time, with assigned felony cases costing several times more on average. No action was taken on that question in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Army Major General and Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight on his exemplary service
• Adjutant and Inspector General, the state's highest ranking military officer.
• And whereas Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight's outstanding seven-year tenure featured 2021
• Army Major General and Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight on his exemplary service
• agitant general. agitant general.

Keywords: 926, house, all

Summary: The House met to take up a special action item: reading HCR 196, a concurrent resolution honoring U.S. Army Major General and Vermont Adjutant and Inspector General Gregory Knight for his service to Vermont and the nation. The resolution recounted his career in the Coast Guard, Burlington police, Vermont Air National Guard, and Vermont Army National Guard, including his deployment to Iraq, later promotion to major general, and his appointment as adjutant and inspector general in 2019. It also noted his military honors and leadership during his seven-year tenure, and directed the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to Knight and the Vermont National Guard. Several members offered remarks praising Knight’s leadership, humility, humor, and commitment to service. Speakers highlighted his role in strengthening the Vermont National Guard, building accountability and institutional capacity, and supporting needed change within the organization, including for women in uniform. One member recalled first meeting Knight during his campaign for adjutant general and described him as a strong, detail-oriented leader and collaborator. The House also welcomed Knight, his family, and guests to the State House. A member announced that a reception would be held later in the Cedar Creek Room in his honor. No vote on the resolution was described in the transcript, and the House then recessed until later in the day, with instructions to return for the joint assembly with the Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• Would you consider the inspector general position a critical need to the Yes, ma'am. You would?
• Would you consider the inspector general position a critical need to the department?
• Inspector General position. So that position is actually being actively advertised.
• So I know you said that the Inspector General position was interim. You had an interim person.
• General McGill appointed Stephen Meredith, who was our Director of Auditing, as our interim Inspector

Summary: The subcommittee met to review agency vacancy reports and agency-requested budget reductions, with Chair Lopez framing the discussion around stewardship of taxpayer dollars, agency efficiency, and whether long-vacant positions should be cut or repurposed. Members were given vacancy summaries and asked to focus on how agencies are functioning with current staffing, which positions are mission critical, and whether some vacancies reflect market pay issues, re-engineering of work, or true excess capacity. The chair also noted that agency heads had been asked to provide follow-up information on current openings, average vacancy duration, mission-critical roles, and reasons for vacancies. The Department of Revenue was the first major agency reviewed because it had the largest number of vacancies. Its leadership said vacancies had improved from pandemic-era highs due to market pay adjustments, but that some areas—especially general tax and audit—still had long-term openings. The department explained that some positions are intentionally frozen while work is restructured, that it hires above minimum salary in some cases to stay competitive, and that it is using automation and process changes to reduce backlogs. Members raised concerns about vacancies outside Leon County, out-of-state auditor positions, salary compression, and whether the department should provide a list of frozen positions and the salaries actually needed to recruit. The Department of Financial Services said its long vacancies were concentrated in risk management, law enforcement, and the general counsel’s office, where salaries and competition from private employers and other agencies make hiring difficult. DFS said it was using outside vendors in some areas, had reduced vacancies in its general counsel office significantly, and was willing to identify positions that could be cut, including some from treasury and OAT. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation reported progress in lowering vacancies through statewide recruiting, centralized legal hiring, automation in service operations, and leadership changes in alcoholic beverages and tobacco; it said one recommended cut could be achieved by combining two half-time positions. The Florida Lottery reported a low vacancy rate, said all positions were critical, and explained its longer onboarding time due to extensive background checks; members discussed sales reps, incentives, and the agency’s field-office structure. The Office of Financial Regulation said many of its vacancies were already in the hiring pipeline, with recent vacancies tied to promotions, a death, and internal moves, and noted that it often serves as a training ground for federal agencies. The Office of Insurance Regulation, which had a high vacancy rate concentrated in Leon County, said it had been reducing vacancies from a much higher level and was still working through hiring and administrative constraints.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was a request by the installers, because if they needed an inspector to come out and look at it,
• public health units to do MOUs with adjacent counties and public health units that do not have inspectors
• That was a request by the installers, because if they needed an inspector to come out and look at it,
• public health units to do MOUs with adjacent counties and public health units that do not have inspectors
• That was a request by the installers, because if they needed an inspector to come out and look at it,

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and first took up Senate Bill 2276, which addresses water projects that cross county lines. Senator Larry Luick and Danny Quissel of the North Dakota Water Resource Districts Association explained that the bill would require joint boards for multi-county projects, with equal representation from each county, and would add a dispute-resolution process: mediation through the Agriculture Department, then appeal to the Department of Water Resources, and finally court if needed. An additional cleanup amendment was adopted to clarify that a district could proceed if a joint board or district refused to participate. Members raised concerns about possible county-versus-county litigation, but the committee approved the amendment and then passed SB 2276 as amended on an 11-0-2 roll call. The committee then heard the final bill of the day, Senate Bill 2267, on on-site wastewater treatment systems. DEQ Director Dave Glott presented a revised amendment reflecting prior discussion and input from local public health units and installers. The proposal would give the Department of Environmental Quality exclusive rulemaking authority, require public health units to inspect systems within 24 hours, allow MOUs with neighboring counties or health units, prohibit local rules that conflict with state standards, and create a state licensing system for installers while exempting homeowners working on their own property. It also set up permitting and appeals procedures, civil penalties for violations, and a $99,000 appropriation, with the department saying it would also rely on fee revenue and report back later on whether the program is working. Members asked about homeowner installation, local permitting, technical assistance, and whether the $99,000 appropriation and expected fees would be sufficient. Glott said homeowners could still consult with local health units and would likely still need permits, and estimated fees might be around $200 per year for installers, generating roughly $50,000 annually. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 2267 as amended on a due-pass motion, with one no vote recorded. The chair then adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• The legislature is going to hear Representative Gerson's proposal for an inspector general, which is
• gerson's uh proposal for an inspector gerson's uh proposal for an inspector general<00:29:34.519
• government at this point where inspector generals<00:29:54.799> are<00:29:55.000> being
• General proposal, I think those are important ones.
• General proposal, I think those are important ones.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Those employees include building inspectors, plumbing inspectors, HVAC inspectors, electrical inspectors
• , manufactured housing inspectors, elevator inspectors, boiler inspectors, hazardous materials inspectors
• , and general inspectors as well.
• So, you have the inspectors and your other employees.
• generation performance current generation performance management<01:01:59.400> tools.

Keywords: Investments in Information Technology Improvement & Modernization Projects Oversight Board will met upon adjournment of both chambers. The time set is noon on YouTube, But the official time will likely vary based on chamber proceedings. Meeting start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:00 Tools for Managing Remote Work Kentucky Personnel Cabinet 00:00:30 Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 00:20:20 Cabinet for Health and Family Services 00:33:10 Housing, Buildings and Construction 00:47:40 Commonwealth Office of Technology 00:56:20, 958, all

Summary: The committee received testimony from Personnel Cabinet Secretary Mary Elizabeth Bailey and Deputy Secretary Robert Long on the state’s telecommuting policy. Bailey explained that telecommuting in the executive branch is governed by a statewide policy requiring eligible employees to work in the office three days a week and telecommute up to two days a week. Eligibility depends first on the position, not the person: public-facing jobs, roles requiring special equipment or insecure document handling, and other duties that cannot be performed remotely are not eligible. Employees and managers must complete training, sign agreements, comply with safety and IT requirements, and telecommuting privileges can be revoked for poor performance or discipline. She said the cabinet audits compliance and that telecommuting has helped maintain services during inclement weather, disasters, and building renovations. Bailey also said about 33% of the workforce is hybrid, 11% telecommutes full-time, and 56% does not telecommute. Members asked about cost savings, eligibility, discipline, and technology requirements. Bailey said she did not have statewide cost-savings figures and referred that question to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. She said employees must have reliable connectivity and appropriate equipment, but there is no fixed broadband speed requirement; if an employee cannot connect, they must come into the office. She also said telecommuting postings indicate whether a position is eligible, and that performance issues are handled through progressive discipline rather than being ignored. Transportation Cabinet officials then described how their agency manages remote work. Deputy Secretary Mike Hancock, along with IT and human resources leaders, said the cabinet follows the executive branch policy and actively manages telecommuting employees through Microsoft Teams, VPN access, daily standups, project tracking, and manager oversight. They said more than 2,600 of the cabinet’s 4,000 employees cannot telecommute because their jobs are public-facing or field-based, while about 35% are eligible to telecommute up to two days per week. The cabinet also has 13 state employees and 94 contract employees working full-time remotely in IT. Officials said telecommuting has improved recruitment and retention, supported emergency response and weather operations, and allowed the cabinet to continue working during storms and other disruptions. Members asked about phone equipment, monitoring, and “mouse jiggler” devices; officials said phones are often forwarded to personal or state devices, Teams shows real-time availability, and managers rely on daily accountability and project management tools to monitor work.