Transcript Highlights:

• When DOPL was formed, part of that executive order had us moving all of the different agencies into one
• That allows us as an agency to pay all the bills.
• Some of these boards were independent agencies before DOPL.
• Can you talk about the history of this agency and how you have, if you have... independent agencies before
• Can you talk about the history of this agency and how you have, if you have, Agency and how you have,

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The weighting factor has sustained through challenges. So that's for every...
• We have outside agencies that do that too.
• Each schools have their own challenges.
• Each schools have their own challenges.
• listening to this conversation, finding solutions is really challenging.

Committee: Joint Special Education Funding Committee

Summary: The committee met with a quorum, approved the March 4, 2026 minutes, and received a lengthy Department of Public Instruction presentation from Stanley Schauer Jr. on North Dakota student performance data in math and ELA, with comparisons between students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Schauer explained the assessment systems used, the 1% alternate assessment cap for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, the absence of 2019-20 data due to the pandemic, and how state standards are set by North Dakota educators. Members asked about cohort trends, the role of alternate assessments, grade-level patterns, and whether the state should focus more on reducing the novice category than on moving students from approaching to proficient. Schauer also discussed the new NDA Plus assessment, the state’s planned growth model, and the possibility of future breakdowns by disability category or by schools using science-of-math approaches. Special education educators testified that students with disabilities continued to receive services during COVID because of FAPE obligations, which likely helped limit learning loss, and emphasized that IEP teams focus on individual growth rather than only proficiency buckets. Committee members then shifted to special education funding and possible funding models. Brandon Bombach of Grand Forks Public Schools presented on the state aid formula, focusing on the special education weighting factor and arguing that the current formula does not adequately respond to growing student needs because it counts enrollment but does not adjust when the number of students with IEPs rises. He used examples to show that a district can have the same enrollment and receive the same weighting even if the number of students needing services increases. Members discussed whether the formula should be tied more closely to actual need and accountability, and the chair indicated that the committee would continue gathering data and ideas for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• this personally have the solution to every personally have the solution to every challenge<00:17:31.760
• that we face, but that by challenge that we face, but that by working<00:17:34.080><c> together,</c>
• </c><00:18:19.360><c> this</c> ...faces the budgeting challenges this term.
• House Bill 694 FN is a bill that requires leases of land, buildings, or space by state agencies to be
• House Bill 694 FN is a bill that requires leases of land, buildings, or space by state agencies to be

Committee: Senate Commerce

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The agency was actually equipped to intervene. And under the House version, that path is gone.
• Teachers and librarians may begin avoiding important and challenging materials out of fear of complaints
• Teachers and librarians may begin avoiding important and challenging materials out of fear of complaints
• </c> avoiding important and challenging avoiding important and challenging materials<00:45:12.880><c>
• Senate Bill 29AFN, relative to the scope review of state agency interpretations, prohibiting the use

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 392, an act relating to local public agency transactions.
• Bill 392, an act relating to local House Bill 392, an act relating to local public<00:09:01.200><c> agency
• </c><00:09:03.040><c> House</c><00:09:03.279><c> Bill</c> public agency transactions.
• House Bill public agency transactions.
• </c> is a challenge in our society. is a challenge in our society.

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So here's a challenge I'm going to throw out to you, okay? Go to your school board, right?
• So here's a challenge I'm going to throw out to you, okay? Go to your school board, right?
• I work for an agency called Prevent Ed. And so we do substance use prevent...
• I work for an agency called Prevent Ed, and so we do substance use prevention in the St.
• Emily Wilkerson, and I work for Prevent Ed, which is a substance use prevention agency.

Committee: House General Laws

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ,</c><00:13:21.680><c> boards,</c><00:13:22.079><c> and</c> all state agencies, boards, and all state
• agencies, boards, and commissions.<00:13:23.440><c> Thank</c><00:13:23.680><c> you</c><00:13:23.760>
• In closing, I'd just like to recenter my comments on the budgetary challenges facing our state.
• If there were challenges with it, then you would see it reflected in the revenue estimate.
• If there were challenges with it, tax.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 3117, which would impose an excise tax on social media companies based on Minnesota monthly users and data-mining activity, and adopted an A1 amendment that added clarifying language identifying social media platforms. Chair Gomez described the bill as a way to tax companies profiting from data mining and social media use, citing concerns about child bullying, misinformation, and wealth concentration. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the 2025 taxes bill. Supporters testified that the measure would help raise revenue from a highly profitable industry and better align the tax code with the social costs of data collection and social media use. Pastor Julie Thompson, MAPE representative Tanner Fritzinger, Council Member Sue Bud, and Eric Bernstein of We Make Minnesota all backed the bill, arguing that social media companies extract value from users’ data, contribute to mental health and social harms, and should pay more toward public needs. Bernstein also framed the tax as a way to broaden the tax base and fund schools and other services. Opponents warned that the bill could sweep in local broadcasters, newspapers, and other businesses that use digital platforms and collect some user data, and that costs would likely be passed on to consumers. Wendy Pollson of the Minnesota Broadcasters Association said the definitions were too broad and could unintentionally include local media. Deb Peters, speaking for Americans for Digital Opportunity, argued the tax would raise costs for small businesses and consumers, create legal risks, and amount to double taxation. Several members echoed concerns about regressivity, administration, and whether the bill actually addresses online bullying or data privacy, while supporters said it is a first step toward taxing a new, lightly taxed industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• This is another way that we can help challenge that.
• Uh, threats and concerns and challenges, but rural hospitals, it's a whole different world, and they
• These provisions far exceed any enforcement contemplated under the federal statute and by the agencies
• There are perhaps some operational challenges there.
• Um, I asked them a set of challenge questions, uh, when we looked at this bill, both last session and

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• The challenges you face and the importance of your work cannot be overstated.
• She has what it takes to run the largest law enforcement agency in the southeastern United States.
• </c><00:18:25.799><c> in</c> the largest law enforcement agency in the largest law enforcement agency
• </c> we're going to modernize public agencies we're going to modernize public agencies we're<04:39:37.000
• But that can be actually done by other agencies.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Thursday, January 9, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This says agencies, not boards.
• It says<01:33:09.840><c> agencies.
• </c><01:33:11.199><c> Is</c> says agencies. Does that go to oil? Is says agencies.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Well, is that an agency? &gt;&gt; Well, is that an agency?
• This says agencies, not &gt;&gt; I don't know. This says agencies, not boards. boards. boards.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I know agencies of of the Commonwealth.
• I know it's a challenging going forward, but— >> Yes, sir.
• </c> challenging going forward, but challenging going forward, but &gt;&gt; Yes,<01:32:50.719><c> sir
• </c><01:40:37.199><c> actually</c> performance of their agencies actually performance of their agencies
• <01:44:56.800><c> looking</c><01:44:57.040><c> to</c> that some agencies were looking to that some agencies

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:27 Legislative Research Commission 00:01:15 KentuckyWired Operations Company 00:17:30 Wireless Internet Service Providers Association 00:40:15 Administrative Office of the Courts 01:08:55 Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts 01:33:00, 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the July 9 minutes without objection and heard from Jay Hartz and Jonathan Harris of the Legislative Research Commission. Members asked about Capitol and legislator security in light of recent targeted shootings in other states. Hartz said LRC had removed members’ home addresses from its website, was reviewing other state-government records for similar information, and was working with the Speaker, Senate President, Kentucky State Police, and outside security experts on broader safety measures. He also said LRC is exploring commercial products to help block personal contact information from public view, but declined to name vendors publicly. Harris added that driver’s license scans at the Capitol are handled by Kentucky State Police, while LRC has a process for flagging high-volume or concerning contacts for police review. The LRC also reported that redistricting work has already begun, with census coordination underway, evaluation of redistricting software including Mapitude and open-source tools, and plans to make the same tools available to the public in the LRC library. The committee then heard from Kentucky Wired Operations Company CEO Robert Morphonius, COO Tom Snyder, and counsel Patrick Hughes about the Kentucky Wired network. They explained the corporate structure: Kentucky Wired Operations Company is a private for-profit special purpose entity that designs, builds, operates, and maintains the network; Kentucky Wired Infrastructure Company is a nonprofit instrumentality used for financing; and Open Fiber Kentucky handles commercialization of excess capacity under a wholesale agreement. They said Kentucky Wired Operations is in the operations and maintenance phase, with those obligations continuing until 2045, and that technical changes to the network generally require KCNA approval through formal change-order processes. They also said the company conducted a market test in June 2023 under Schedule 19 of its contract, considered proposals including Open Fiber and the incumbent service provider, and retained the existing provider. Members asked about KCNA’s role, procurement, network customers, and revenue. The witnesses said Quac operates outside normal state procurement because its process is governed by contract, while KCNA acts as the Commonwealth’s oversight authority and filter for changes. They identified current network users as including AOC, KCTCS, postsecondary education, and other Commonwealth agencies, with all requests routed through KCNA; they also said a separate change process for Exceliccom is in litigation. On funding, they said the operation is paid through monthly appropriations, with roughly a million dollars a month for the service provider and a couple hundred thousand for Quac’s oversight, not including debt service, which is bundled into the availability payment. The discussion ended as members began asking about responsibility for damage-related costs such as squirrel-related outages.

Transcript Highlights:

• to provide evidence of services they are receiving from a state department, division, office, or agency
• This includes those with mobility challenges, and this can happen through compliant ramp designs.
• We did explore and are open to other options, including a bridge, but these also have other challenges
• The major challenge is allowing ADA accessibility without public elevators or intensive ramp systems.
• We also would have to still overcome the challenges of our facility and farm vehicles crossing Route

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Transportation

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Transportation held a public hearing on a wide range of bills and topics, including impaired driving, antique and collector vehicles, roadway maintenance, homelessness-related identification cards, a pedestrian tunnel for Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, a bridge naming in Sandwich, historic route designations, and litter prevention. The chairs outlined the hearing process, including three-minute limits for individuals and seven minutes for panels, and noted that elected officials would be taken out of turn. No votes were taken during the hearing; the committee heard testimony and then adjourned. On impaired driving, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and tow lot operator Chris Nolan supported a bill creating a 12-hour tow-yard hold for vehicles involved in drug-impaired incidents, similar to the existing alcohol-related hold. On transportation infrastructure and road safety, Representative Howitt testified for several bills requiring reflective tape on temporary loads, restoring road markings after utility work, requiring roadway restoration after excavation, and improving reporting on roadway damage after crashes. AAA Northeast supported bills expanding the distracted driving law to cover video recording while driving, while noting it preferred the offense remain a primary offense. Several witnesses testified in support of bills affecting vehicle enthusiasts, including restoring year-of-manufacture plates for antique vehicles, creating a single rear collector plate, and changing antique vehicle inspection rules. Another major topic was H. 3750/S. 2399, which would provide no-fee state IDs and flexible residency documentation for youth and adults experiencing homelessness; supporters included the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, social workers, city officials, and people with lived experience, all emphasizing that lack of ID blocks access to housing, jobs, health care, and other services. The committee also heard strong support for S. 2414, authorizing a tunnel connecting the north and south campuses of Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School, with school leaders and students citing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns. Finally, the committee heard emotional testimony for H. 4374 to name the Quaker Meeting House Road overpass in Sandwich for Staff Sergeant Raymond G. Torville, and testimony for a resolve creating a roadside litter prevention and cleanup task force.

Transcript Highlights:

• If in your hearts and minds the answer is yes, then we can work through every single challenge that is
• As a former staffer, I saw firsthand the challenges that come with doing that job.
• I believe my age should have the same right as her counterparts in other state agencies: the right to
• This is important to consider as the state faces looming budget challenges because of federal challenges
• So this is the challenge that we have now.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing focused on several labor-related bills, especially proposals to give legislative employees the right to organize and collectively bargain, close a prevailing wage loophole for off-site prefabrication work, and strengthen enforcement against wage theft. Committee chairs opened the hearing by explaining the hybrid format and asking witnesses to keep testimony brief. Multiple legislators testified in support of the legislative staff union bill, saying staff deserve the same bargaining rights as other public employees and that unionization would improve pay, benefits, retention, and workplace dignity. Witnesses also discussed how the bill would likely be structured, with separate House and Senate bargaining arrangements or locals, and emphasized that it would only create the option to unionize, not require it. A second major topic was the prevailing wage bill addressing off-site fabrication and prefabrication in construction. Union leaders, contractors, and workers described how more work is being shifted from job sites into shops, especially in sheet metal, HVAC, electrical, and pipefitting work, and argued that the law should treat that work the same as on-site construction when it is part of a public project. They said the current loophole lets some contractors underbid by paying lower wages off-site, while responsible contractors already pay prevailing wages in their shops. Supporters argued the bill would protect workers, preserve apprenticeship and training standards, improve safety and quality, and make enforcement easier through certified payroll and clearer definitions. The committee also heard testimony on wage theft legislation. Representative Dan Donahue, the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division, AFL-CIO representatives, and carpenters’ union witnesses described wage theft, misclassification, labor brokers, and tax fraud as widespread problems that hurt workers, honest contractors, and public revenues. They supported giving the Attorney General stronger enforcement tools, adding contractor accountability up the subcontracting chain, and protecting workers from retaliation and from delays that can cause claims to expire. A separate witness supported a bill to extend the statute of limitations for Wage Act cases while AG investigations are pending, and another supported changes to help hospital workers enforce timely payment rights. No votes were taken during the hearing; witnesses repeatedly asked for favorable reports on the bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• For many working families, caregivers, and voters with transportation challenges, For many working families
• , caregivers, and voters with transportation challenges, voting on election day can be incredibly challenging
• If that signature didn’t match, then it could be challenged whether Sally Joe did it or Sally Joe Jr.
• Rural counties like Merced often find it challenging to attract residents to serve on committees and
• That's one of the ongoing challenges we are dealing with.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of elections-related bills. It first approved three consent items: AB 808, AB 1029, and AB 1072. The committee then took up AB 1249, which would require non-Voter’s Choice Act counties to offer at least one Saturday early-voting location before statewide elections and allow in-person return of vote-by-mail ballots at designated county offices or satellite locations. Supporters said it would expand access for working voters and those with transportation barriers; some members raised concerns about ballot verification and added workload for rural counties. The bill passed the committee on a divided vote and was placed on call for absent members. The committee next considered AB 25, a voter ID and election integrity measure that would require citizenship verification, government ID for voting, tighter voter-roll audits, and a 72-hour ballot-counting deadline. The author and supporters argued it would restore public trust and improve election integrity, while opponents from the League of Women Voters, ACLU California Action, labor groups, disability advocates, and others said it would restrict access, burden vulnerable voters, and amount to voter suppression. After extensive debate, the committee voted the bill out on a narrow split and kept it on call. Members also approved AB 1164, which clarifies when voters are entitled to a replacement ballot and updates the Voter Bill of Rights language; AB 1441, which would create an independent citizens redistricting commission in Merced County despite opposition from the county board over cost and local control; and AB 16, which would clarify county election officials’ authority to begin processing vote-by-mail ballots earlier and clean up outdated code. The committee also heard AB 1411, which would require non-VCA counties to prepare voter education and outreach plans and use a Secretary of State template, with the sponsor saying it would improve voter information statewide.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a federal law covering sports agency.
• but um some states allow anyone agency but um some states allow anyone to<00:34:57.920><c> be</c><00
• </c> the the the measure about sports agency the the the measure about sports agency that<00:37:01.800
• The witness said he will not argue that that's a challenge.
• We do have challenges trying to get acupuncturists in network.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 167, a PFAS-related measure to add ski, snowboard, and boat wax to the state’s list of banned consumer products containing PFAS. The sponsor said the product is already banned in many other places, alternatives exist, and the concern is that these products go directly into water rather than landfills. She cited high PFAS levels in several New Hampshire lakes and argued the bill would help stop further contamination. A member of the public also described personal experience with ski wax products disappearing from the market, suggesting PFAS may have been the reason. The chair then closed the hearing on HB 167. The committee next opened a hearing on House Bill 312, dealing with college athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. Representative Moffett explained the bill was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s NCAA v. Alston decision and was modeled on New Jersey law. He said the bill would prevent colleges from restricting NIL compensation, require athletes to use licensed attorneys or registered sports agents, and limit certain endorsements involving addictive drugs, adult entertainment, firearms, and weapons. He framed the measure as a proactive response to a changing college sports landscape and noted possible future conflicts involving schools, agents, and endorsements. Committee members raised several concerns and suggested changes. One member questioned the bill’s exclusion of two-year institutions, another objected to the weapons restriction, and others asked how the bill would affect scholarships. The sponsor said the intent was to protect scholarships, especially athletic scholarships, and clarified that need-based scholarships were not meant to be affected. He also acknowledged discomfort with the endorsement restrictions and said the committee might want to broaden or revise the language. The hearing remained open for further consideration, with no vote taken in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• In 2023, the Governor signed Assembly Bill 163 requiring local agencies to provide translations in certain
• With respect to this bill, you know, we have challenges here in this state, obviously.
• The challenges specifically in my district are that we have a 20% unemployment rate.
• With respect to this bill, you know, we have challenges here in this state, obviously.
• The challenges specifically in my district are that we have a 20% unemployment rate.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• COMPREHENSIVE BILL CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES, TECHNICAL CHANGES THAT MODERNIZE AND STREAMLINE AGENCY
• THESE ARE THE SORTS OF ACTIVITIES THAT CAN CHALLENGE STUDENTS, DRIVE PERSONAL GROWTH, AND ENCOURAGE GOOD
• AND THE CASES WERE REFERRED TO ANOTHER AGENCY THAT 720. THOSE ARE FOR TO SPECIAL AGENTS WERE 509.
• WE ARE IN THE DIVISION'S PROCESS FOR REVOKING A PETITION CIRCULATOR'S REGISTRATION AND WOULD YOU CHALLENGE
• IT IS POSSIBLE IT COULD BE CHALLENGED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, when it's challenged in court, they're defined as employees by the bill.
• So, when it's challenged in court, they're defined as employees by the bill.
• Representation of a state or local government agency for compensation.
• Representation of a state or local government agency for compensation.
• I mentioned that this has been a challenge, especially in Wicomico County.

Keywords: Senate streaming session for Monday, March 23, 2026, 960, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Will homeschooling families be challenged to be able to benefit from this program?
• Will homeschooling families<00:25:41.200><c> be</c><00:25:41.520><c> challenged</c><00:25:42.080><c>
• to be able to families be challenged to be able to benefit<00:25:44.000><c> from</c><00:25:44.240><c
• This bill designates it to the Secretary of State's office, which is a fee-driven agency.
• It's not a general fund-driven agency.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call: 0:03 Bills for Consideration: 3:10 Adjournment: 56:19, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that has jurisdiction or agency that has jurisdiction or expertise<00:08:17.840><c> that</c><00:08:18.160
• You don't need two or three different agencies looking at the same thing at the same time and getting
• It found that these policies have achieved intended results in some cases but have faced challenges or
• :59.520><c> faced</c> results in some cases but have faced results in some cases but have faced challenges
• or proven ineffective in challenges or proven ineffective in others. others. others.

Keywords: Meeting start 00:00:09 Roll call 00:00:24 Election of Co-Chairs 00:01:11 Office of Education Accountability Annual Report 00:04:41 Office of Education Accountability District Data Profiles, School Year 2024 00:23:50 Update from the Education Professional Standards Board 00:58:19 Adjournment 01:08:00, 958, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its first meeting with roll call and procedural business, including elections of co-chairs. The House elected Representative Truett as House co-chair, and the Senate elected Senator Denine as Senate co-chair. After the organizational votes, the committee heard the Office of Educational Accountability’s annual report, beginning with Brian Jones and Deborah Nelson describing OEA’s investigations and research divisions and recent staffing turnover. On the investigations side, OEA said it handled complaints only when submitted in writing and generally opened cases only when it had enough facts to evaluate. Jones reported complaint volume declined from 805 in 2023 to 738 in 2024, with 325 in the first half of the current year. He outlined the kinds of matters OEA investigates, including school-based council issues, open meetings, board eligibility, nepotism, conflicts of interest, certification, activity funds, and surplus property, while noting that routine personnel matters, bullying, child interviews, and cases tied to litigation are generally handled locally or referred elsewhere. He also said OEA refers special education, assessment/testing, discrimination, and serious misconduct matters to the appropriate agencies, and that he did not see a need for statutory changes to improve OEA’s work, though he said cases should move more quickly. The research division presentation focused on OEA’s district data profiles and annual research agenda. Nelson explained that OEA reviews KDE-reported data and underlying datasets to verify accuracy, analyze trends, and produce reports for the General Assembly. She highlighted 2024 publications on district governance models and student achievement, and said this year’s agenda includes district data profiles, student discipline analysis, and a review of early childhood regional training centers. She also noted OEA received an NCSL notable document award for its 2023 staffing shortages report, its 10th such award. Sabrina Smith then walked through the district data profiles, which compile demographic, staffing, finance, and performance data for all 171 districts, plus statewide and comparative data. She noted changes in the report format, the continued availability of an online interactive version, and several trends: adjusted average daily attendance declined statewide from 2015 to 2024; the counselor-to-student ratio has improved but has not yet reached the statutory goal of one counselor per 250 students; the share of teachers moving from rank three to rank two has declined; special education identification has risen from 13% to 16%; and starting teacher salaries vary widely by district, with Kentucky’s average starting salary around $40,000 ranking near the bottom compared with surrounding states and the nation. Members asked about the history of the research division and whether the paper copies of the district profiles would continue, and staff said the printed versions would continue unless legislators asked otherwise.