Transcript Highlights:

• And we provided a flow chart to show you how the fund is structured, how the funds are structured.
• I'm assuming that there's an existing structure. Let me give you a shorthand: there's an existing.
• Structure already in place, and that is the procurement that you're using, correct?
• So I'm concerned about the structure. Pressure of the bill, and in particular, the two-thirds.
• But I just don't think the structure is really good.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the structure today, we're going to have them each give about a five or ten minute presentation of
• We currently build most of the larger structures here in the state. We just finished Doak Campbell.
• I think for us, we're a success story in the sense that a lot of people don't think about structural
• It's predominantly more in New England and the Northwest. >> But we're seeing structural steel really
• We're the largest tonnage producer of structural steel in the state.

Transcript Highlights:

• What they do is they find current refuge downstream of a boulder or some other structure in the river
• The water came very close to the historic structure, but luckily there was no... ...significant impact
• The next slide looks at the fee structure.
• The structure and the repair of the buildings must be in accordance with code.
• The buildings, structures, and grounds shall not present a fire, health, or safety hazard.

Keywords: 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gallons of water inundated the structure.
• The water came very close to the historic structure, but luckily there was no significant impact or damage
• There's more than 3000 historic structures and historic sites that are listed on the National Register
• Next slide looks at fee structure.
• The building structures and grounds shall not present a fire, health or safety hazard.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bringing the homes and businesses up to current code, which translates to elevating structures and electrical
• We need to focus on mobility and not just hardening structures. Chair: You've muted yourself.
• We had over 33,000 structures that were damaged.
• With Milton, we had over 1,000 structures damaged, 174 Kathy Perkins: were estimated to be destroyed.
• So for me, and we have 3500 structures on the Mayor Dan Dollars: Island. 1900 were completely wiped off

Transcript Highlights:

• What it does do is structural integrity.
• > differences,<05:28:22.400> but So much for structural differences, but So much for structural
• Uh, I'm a structural engineer with TF Moran, Bedford, New Hampshire, representing myself today.
• My last pink card opposing the bill, Daniel Martell, Structural Engineers of New Hampshire.
• structural engineers. structural engineers. uh<05:40:11.200> speaking<05:40:11.760> today

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Existing structures.
• It, it, it provides for existing structures to be converted without having to be brought into compliance
• Uh, and it doesn't give any con any consideration as to what is an existing, um, structure.
• property line, and then go for my, my building permit on Monday, does that constitute an existing structure
• that because my points go back to, uh, not just, you know, complications with, with, with taking a structure

Transcript Highlights:

• Better rate structures, clearer documentation standards, stronger guardrails around high-cost plans,
• Better<00:08:52.840> rate<00:08:53.080> structures,<00:08:53.720> clearer Better
• rate structures, clearer Better rate structures, clearer documentation<00:08:54.920> standards,
• preventing irreversible structural preventing irreversible structural decisions<00:10:37.880>
• :16.640> out<00:31:16.960> is however that structure rolls out is however that structure

Bills: HF1767, HF2068, HF4725, HF4637, HF4638

Keywords: human services, community support, integrated care, disability services, stakeholder consultation, homeless youth, grants, funding, Minnesota, mental health, substance use disorder, education, workforce development, licensure, direct care services, healthcare, long-term care, personal care assistants, employment support, medical assistance

Summary: The Human Services Finance and Policy Committee approved the April 8, 2026 minutes and then heard House File 1767, as amended by the DE4 amendment. Representative Garande explained that the bill, originally intended to codify Integrated Community Supports (ICS), was being redirected because of concerns about fraud vulnerability and program integrity. The DE4 would create a smaller legislative study group to redesign ICS, pause DHS changes for about six months while the group develops a transition plan, continue DHS fraud investigations and enforcement, and ultimately terminate ICS as currently structured. Testimony in support came from Mr. Buck and Zania Harut of the Residential Providers Association of Minnesota, both of whom argued that ICS is unstable, inconsistently implemented, and in need of a new statutory foundation. They said the current system mixes different service models under one rate framework, lacks clear codification, and has shifting policy guidance that creates compliance problems for providers and risks to people receiving services. They emphasized that the bill would preserve oversight and enforcement while allowing time to build a replacement service with clearer rules, documentation standards, and guardrails. Members asked about effects on counties, providers, data, audits, and fraud enforcement. Representative Curran and Mr. Berg said the bill would not change funding structures or DHS’s existing authority to audit, request documentation, investigate fraud, or sanction bad actors, and that the study group would use existing data to identify where problems are concentrated. Vice Chair Gillman supported the study-group approach as a bipartisan, public process and raised concerns about whether the bill would prevent DHS from acting on known fraud; Curran responded that the language was intended to preserve those enforcement actions. The discussion ended without a final vote on the bill in the portion provided, beyond adoption of the DE4 amendment.

Transcript Highlights:

• A third of the 125 structures are in poor or crisis condition.
• ,<00:23:38.240> asset And because of this structure, asset And because of this structure,
• Over the years, the three hangars have developed structural and safety issues.
• doorways, and between the structures. doorways, and between the structures.
• . structures. structures.

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee first approved the March 3, 2026 minutes by voice vote. It then heard a presentation from the Minnesota Zoo on its aging facilities and bonding needs. Zoo staff highlighted the zoo’s economic and educational role, its 1.4 to 1.5 million annual visitors, and its Free to Explore program, while stressing that many of its 50-year-old buildings are in poor condition, with more than $78 million in backlog and safety concerns for visitors, staff, and animals. The zoo said the governor recommended $4 million for critical life-support systems and asked for an additional $6 million in asset preservation to renovate the original animal hospital building so a new hospital wing can function properly. Testimony emphasized that the renovation is necessary for staff space, storage, code compliance, asbestos removal, and safe animal care, and described recent injuries and close calls tied to outdated facilities. Members asked questions about porcupine quills, natural predators, and the meaning of the zoo’s incident rate. Zoo staff explained that quills are not poisonous but are barbed and can be difficult to remove, and that predators include larger cats, owls, and fishers. On incidents, staff said they include close calls and injuries linked to aging infrastructure, such as a tiger reaching farther through a wall after fencing shifted over time, and staff injuries during animal procedures in older spaces. Members also confirmed that the hospital project has shifted from a standalone building to a wing attached to the existing hospital because of rising construction costs. The committee then heard from Perpich Center for Arts Education. Perpich described its statewide role as both a public high school and an arts education resource center, serving students and educators across Minnesota. It said it hosted 313 events last year for nearly 2,000 educators and administrators and worked with 275 school districts across all 67 Senate districts. Perpich emphasized that nearly seven in 10 students rely on its residential programs because there are no comparable arts high school options in greater Minnesota, and noted strong student outcomes including a 100% graduation rate and national recognition as an exemplary school. For capital needs, Perpich said it received $1.26 million last year for HVAC and building automation work, is grateful for the governor’s recommended $1.3 million this year, and requested $6 million to create a secure, accessible main entrance and upgrade outdated restrooms to ADA compliance.

Transcript Highlights:

• Our proposed financing structure, while new for higher education, is modeled on a successful credit,
• Our proposed financing structure, while new for higher education, is modeled on a successful credit that
• With respect to the rating of this structure, as you know, the Commonwealth Transportation Fund is a
• I can't tell you right now what the actual credit for this structure will be until we actually go to
• will be until we actually go to market but I think we feel confident that it is a very strong structure

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on the BRIGHT Act, a higher education capital bill that would use Fair Share surtax revenue to fund major repairs, modernization, and decarbonization projects across UMass, state universities, and community colleges. UMass leadership described a $4.8 billion deferred maintenance backlog, aging buildings, and the need to modernize facilities, improve accessibility, and reduce emissions. Administration officials said the bill would authorize $2.5 billion in capital funding, split roughly 50-50 between UMass and the rest of public higher education, plus additional targeted funding for housing planning, smaller modernization projects, campus master plans, and workforce skills grants. They emphasized that the financing structure is modeled on the Commonwealth Transportation Fund and would not raise student costs, while also supporting affordability through financial aid and free community college. Members raised questions about regional equity, the distribution of funds among the five UMass campuses and the 24 state university/community college campuses, project labor agreements, whether the bill would unlock private or federal matching funds, and how the system is preparing for AI and changing workforce needs. UMass officials said project selection is data-driven, based on deferred maintenance, safety, accessibility, sustainability, and programmatic needs, and that the flagship campus in Western Massachusetts would likely receive a large share because of its size and needs. They also said UMass Boston would receive its own share and would not be shortchanged by the Bayside project. On labor, they said PLAs are commonly used and they would follow existing board and building authority policies. On affordability, they said the university has shifted hundreds of millions into need-based aid and that the state’s recent support has helped keep tuition low for many students. DCAMM and higher education officials said the state’s public campuses account for a large share of state-owned building space and a disproportionate share of operational carbon emissions, making decarbonization a major driver of the bill. They said the legislation would allow larger, more comprehensive projects that can address deferred maintenance, energy efficiency, and program needs at the same time, while also making some projects shovel-ready through the Fair Share supplemental funding already appropriated. A later panel from the State Universities Council of Presidents argued the bill’s authorization is still too small to meet long-term needs and urged the committee to increase the bond cap and ensure a more equitable distribution among segments. No votes or final actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• The good news is that we've already been structured this way for many years, as the Secretary alluded
• So once again, we're already structured in a way that aligns with the federal government.
• But we're very much structured in a way that sets us up for success, given the changes that are being
• This would move us to a one-accountability structure.
• You know, there's a board composition structure today that exists. We can share that.

Summary: The meeting focused on Arkansas’s proposed workforce system overhaul, including a combined WIOA/Perkins state plan and a package of federal waiver requests intended to consolidate workforce governance, reduce administrative costs, and redirect more funding to training and supportive services. Commerce officials said the plan would replace the current structure of 10 local workforce boards and more than 200 board members with a single statewide board and one administrative entity, while keeping local offices open and using regional business councils to preserve employer and local input. They said the state has already reduced Commerce headcount and operating costs, and that the changes would improve coordination with higher education, adult education, vocational rehabilitation, DHS, and Arkansas Industry Connect. Much of the discussion centered on the waiver package, especially the proposal to make the state board function as the local board, allow more flexible movement of funds across regions, eliminate the WIOA “last dollar” requirement for training and supportive services, create affiliate sites instead of requiring every area to maintain a comprehensive center, and relax the 14 youth program element requirement. Officials said the State Board of Workforce Development approved the waiver package 11-3 before it was submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor, and that implementation would begin only after federal approval and a closeout process, likely taking up to a year. They also described plans to streamline referrals and data sharing, expand mobile and virtual services, and use a more centralized model to improve customer service and employer engagement. Members raised repeated concerns about rural representation, local control, board composition, and whether jobs and relationships would be lost if local boards were eliminated. Commerce officials responded that local offices would remain open, some current staff could be rehired by the state, and regional business councils would help ensure local employer voice. Several members also questioned how the funding was being used, citing audit findings that only about $1.8 million to $1.9 million of roughly $14 million to $15 million in federal workforce funds had gone to training and supportive services. Officials said the reorganization could increase annual training spending to roughly $6 million to $7 million by reducing overhead, one-stop operator contracts, and board administration. The committee also discussed how the changes might support workforce training facilities, apprenticeships, child care and transportation assistance, and employer-driven training in fields such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and welding. The Division of Higher Education also briefed members on Workforce Pell. Officials explained that the new federal program would extend Pell eligibility to short-term programs, but only within narrow limits, such as 150 to 599 clock hours and 8 to 15 weeks of instruction, with additional completion and employment benchmarks. They said Arkansas is working with colleges and universities to identify programs that fit the criteria and that the governor has designated the Division of Higher Education to lead implementation. No votes were taken by the committee during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• In short, it puts a formal structure in place to improve coordination, accountability, and decision-making
• In short, it puts a formal structure in place to improve coordination, accountability, and decision-making
• c><00:01:45.480> puts<00:01:45.680> a<00:01:45.760> formal<00:01:46.080> structure
• <00:01:46.520> in In short, it puts a formal structure in In short, it puts a formal structure
• to actually make the structure to actually make the comprehensive<00:37:24.600> investments<00

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And you can see on page, going back to page 7, the design rendering showing that shade structure.
• The intake structure was constructed at the reservoir and in 2018, we began pipeline construction and
• This next page also describes that there are facilities, the intake structure, 2 pump stations, and two
• This begins at the intake structure, the intake pump station, and makes its way toward the cap rock.
• Mayor: So the intake structure was completed in 2016.

Transcript Highlights:

• But without a structured process to prioritize and classify these recommendations, progress will be slow
• and its 10% role in the 90-10 rate structure and what measures we select there for provider quality.
• To establish an additional governmental structure.
• An Employment First office would have the ability to analyze the barriers, like the rate structures,
• The rate models include what we call a 90-10 structure: 90% of the model base rate, and the remaining

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Water intake structures, it's under B, triple I, water intake structures and water treatment facilities
• And then I see water control structures, including floodgates.
• These are just the structures, so that would be in waterways. Okay, thanks.
• know Representative Bacala has a bill this year to expand the definition to add a couple of other structures
• water treatment facilities as it relates to pumping stations, floodgates, and the remainder of the structures

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I wanted to clarify, having been involved in the original pilot and kind of helping to structure that
• somewhat, I know it's a... ...pilot and kind of helping to structure that somewhat, I know it's a voluntary
• Effective July 1, 2021, Senate Bill 82 changed the structure of onboarding waiver support coordinators
• But because of Senate Bill 82 and the way that it is structured, it is man...
• I am against a mandatory managed care structure, so I'm pleased to hear about it being voluntary.

Summary: The committee heard and advanced several bills related to children, families, elder affairs, mental health, disability services, and child care. SB 1050 on the Agency for Persons with Disabilities was amended and reported favorably after discussion of expanding the voluntary IDD managed care pilot statewide, improving transparency on the APD wait list, creating a statewide family care council, addressing transition services for youth leaving foster care, and seeking federal approval for an adult pathways waiver. Testimony from providers and a parent emphasized workforce capacity, county-level identification of clients, Medicaid delays, and the importance of keeping the pilot voluntary; the bill passed with support and some discussion about possible future clarifications on services and Medicaid eligibility. The committee also passed SB 1310, which directs OPPAGA to evaluate student mental health outcomes tied to school mental health assistance funding, and members discussed the need for better data, coordination with managing entities, and avoiding duplication of services. SB 976 on court-appointed social investigators was amended and approved, with the sponsor describing due process protections and fee-shifting provisions for parents challenging court-appointed psychologists. SB 886, creating a crisis care coordination team pilot in Volusia and Polk counties to reduce Baker Act recidivism and improve follow-up care, was reported favorably after the sponsor described its law enforcement and community provider partnerships and an independent evaluation requirement. Later, SB 614 on child care facility and program background screening requirements was amended and passed; the bill requires a public educational webpage explaining Level 2 screening, the clearinghouse, disqualifying offenses, exemptions, and related job listings and timelines. Finally, SB 276 on sheltering or aiding unmarried minors was approved; it increases the offense from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, creates a presumption regarding knowledge of the minor’s age, and adds a defense when the conduct was necessary to protect the minor from danger. All bills considered were reported favorably, and the committee adjourned at the end of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, in the absence of a clear leadership structure, accountability becomes fragmented and decisions..
• Every attempt to address them, every iteration of a statewide technology office or governance structure
• And David, if you could go back to kind of the org chart structure...
• I know we've spent a lot of time talking about the current organizational structure.
• Some challenges like workforce development, retention, or authority structures need deeper study.

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1183, by Rep. G. Lombardo, as amended by a strike-all. The bill would provide liability protection for local governments and private-sector entities that substantially comply with certain cybersecurity practices, including multi-factor authentication, disaster recovery plans, and related policies and procedures. Rep. Lombardo said the measure is intended to create incentives for better cybersecurity and to limit class-action exposure after incidents, while still allowing suits where negligence can be shown. Supporters included TechNet, the Florida Justice Reform Institute, the Florida League of Cities, Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Association of Counties, and Dr. Edward Long of the James Madison Institute; Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Blanco, and Rep. McFarland also spoke in favor. Ranking Member Bracy Davis opposed the bill, saying she was not comfortable granting liability protections to entities that may have contributed to breaches and questioning whether substantial compliance would be self-attested. The amendment was adopted, and the bill was reported favorably by a 14-2 vote. After the vote, the committee shifted into an extended discussion about Florida’s state IT governance structure, procurement, and project management. Members criticized the current federated model as fragmented and lacking clear accountability, with repeated references to long-running problems such as cost overruns, weak vendor oversight, workforce shortages, and the troubled I-Connect system. Several members argued that the state needs a single accountable leader or stronger enterprise authority over agency technology decisions. Ranking Member Bracy Davis raised concerns about the impact of broken systems on vulnerable populations and asked about the role of advisory councils. Rep. G. Lombardo, Vice Chair Steele, Rep. Miller, and Rep. Groh all emphasized the need for centralized leadership, better alignment of authority and budget, and more disciplined procurement and integration practices. A public witness, Victoria Zep of Team 180, testified in support of a more enterprise-wide approach and said the private sector also wants more organization and transparency. She criticized short procurement timelines, limited competition, and poorly written scopes, and urged the state to post procurements more openly and seek broader vendor input. She also discussed the need to respect agency-specific federal requirements while still improving statewide coordination. The chair closed by asking members to bring forward ideas for immediate and long-term reforms, including review of Senate Bill 7026, and the meeting adjourned without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• We added distances from each structure that you guys had requested, so we updated all of that.
• Our count is that there were at least Of these structures.
• These are the map of distances between Bubble In and selected structures at Camp Mystic.
• We can bubble in and selected structures at Camp Mystic. And maybe I missed it in that.
• And so it's got about a dozen, maybe it's 10 different structures on the flats.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• repeatedly warned us, this is what happens when you throw money at a problem without fixing the structural
• This is another structural challenge we can fix, and we have made progress toward rectifying that, but
• This is another structural challenge we can fix, and we have made progress toward rectifying that, but
• issues in education, I structural issues in education, I propose<00:16:45.440> dedicating<00:
• And when the structural damage is straining families, workplaces, and entire communities, it takes more

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My concern is that we actually use the structures that are out there already, like...
• We wouldn't create new structures that some way don't get used for a couple of years or go away after
• So I think about the community of care that exists in Castleton, and that organizational structure, I
• But there are ways that you can work within similar sort of structures that allow...
• And they did a terrific job figuring out how do you do that within the current structure. Okay.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Rural Health Transformation Committee met to receive an extensive briefing from the Department of Health and Human Services on North Dakota’s federal Rural Health Transformation award. HHS leaders Pat Traynor, Donna Auckland, Jonathan Ollum, and Krista Freming described the $198.9 million award, the tight federal timelines for obligating and liquidating funds, and the need for rapid procurement, CMS approval, and technical assistance. They outlined broad funding priorities including connect tech/data, care closer to home, workforce recruitment and retention, and a “Make North Dakota Healthy Again” prevention initiative focused on chronic disease, movement, nutrition, behavioral health, and community connection. They also emphasized that the program cannot fund new buildings or supplant existing funding, and that sustainability will be a key requirement for all projects. The department previewed likely first-round grant opportunities, including recruitment and retention incentives, technical assistance and equipment grants for rural providers, financial analysis support for rural hospitals, and exploration of a unified electronic health record option. Freming also reviewed four policy bills tied to the award: a presidential fitness test, nutrition continuing medical education, the Physician Assistant Compact, and pharmacist scope-of-practice changes, explaining that these policy actions affect future scoring and funding. HHS said it will work with tribes, local public health, hospitals, medical and pharmacy associations, and other partners, and will use a website, listserv, listening sessions, and committee updates to communicate opportunities. Committee members raised concerns about how the money will reach rural residents, whether newspapers and existing local communication networks will be used, how “rural” and “frontier” will be defined, how faith communities might participate in behavioral health efforts, and how HHS will avoid CMS delays and supplanting issues. HHS responded that the focus will be on where the patient lives and on rural community need, that local public health units and existing structures will be part of outreach, and that technical assistance and template applications will help speed approvals. The committee approved the December 4, 2025 minutes, then recessed into divisions for further work on the appropriations bill and the four policy bills, with the full committee set to reconvene the next morning.