Transcript Highlights:

• I next want to talk about Office of Inspector General Collaboration.
• <00:21:18.159> As<00:21:18.400> I Inspector General Collaboration.
• As I Inspector General Collaboration.
• We also have to collaborate across DHS program areas to implement Medicaid changes.
• DHS<00:37:44.160> program collab collaborate across DHS program collab collaborate across

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:37:51.920> with continuing the the collaboration with continuing the the collaboration
• And then a course placement report that we collaborated with Minnesota State on.
• <00:53:06.240> with<00:53:06.359> men<00:53:06.640> State collaborated with men
• racial Equity collaboration racial Equity collaboration partnership<01:02:27.359> um<01:02
• we've talked offline and collaboratively we've talked offline and collaboratively before<01:14:27.360

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• She's very independent, and I do not believe that could have happened without the collaborative support
• happened without the collaborative happened without the collaborative support<00:25:52.760> between
• <01:21:08.560> and relationship is collaborative and relationship is collaborative and continues
• Nurse Suzanne has a few hours to come to school and work collaboratively with Nurse Katie.
• Nurse Suzanne has a few hours to come to school and work collaboratively with Nurse Katie.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Summary: The Education Finance Committee met on February 5, 2025, to hear testimony from representatives of Minnesota’s Catholic and other nonpublic schools, focused on state nonpublic pupil aid, transportation, counseling, nursing, and related support programs. Meg Forette of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis argued that Catholic schools serve more than 30,000 students across many districts, educate a diverse population, and achieve strong academic results while operating at far lower per-student costs than public schools. She urged lawmakers to reject proposed cuts to nonpublic funding, saying they would be inequitable and harmful to lower-income families, and also raised concerns about state teacher-licensing requirements conflicting with Catholic values. Trisha Menshu, principal of St. John Paul II Catholic School in Northeast Minneapolis, described a student body with high levels of poverty, learning needs, and academic gaps, and said state-funded nurse and guidance-counseling services are essential to keeping students safe, healthy, and on track for high school. She said the school absorbs many costs itself, including medical supplies and significant staff time, and credited the support programs with helping students make strong academic growth and graduate on time. In response to a senator’s question, she clarified that the school uses the nursing aid for limited nurse time and pays other medical-related costs from operating funds, with no billing back to public school districts. Committee members asked follow-up questions about the relationship between teacher licensing and Catholic values, and about how medical needs for nonpublic students are funded. Forette said the concern was not with welcoming all students but with how DEI-related trainings and language are presented in ways that conflict with Catholic teaching. The committee then moved on to the next testifier, Andrew Hiliker of Stella Maris Academy in Duluth, who began by describing his school’s growth and the state’s role in supporting all students, regardless of school choice.

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to begin by accepting the committee amendments and thank the committee staff for their collaboration
• newly created Office of Civil Rights at the Government Operations Agency, GovOps, last year in collaboration
• year, just engaging, but as Assembly Member Lowenthal mentioned, this has been like the biggest collaboration
• Has been like the biggest collaboration more than anything.
• Those are the specific barriers our workforce board partners, employers, and their LEA collaborators

Summary: The Assembly Education Committee heard several Senate bills focused on student health, access, equity, and career preparation. SB 608 by Sen. Menjivar would expand access to condoms and related sexual health resources for students in grades 7–12 and direct the Department of Education to align with the California Healthy Youth Act. Supporters argued the bill would help address high STI rates among youth and remove barriers to access, while opponents raised concerns about parental authority, local control, and encouraging early sexual activity. The bill was approved on a 6-1 vote and sent to the Health Committee. SB 965 by Sen. Blakespear would prohibit libraries from requiring a parent to be physically present for a 16- or 17-year-old to obtain a library card, while still allowing libraries to require parental consent or signature. Supporters said the current rule creates unnecessary barriers for teens and school research projects, and the California Library Association said it was now neutral after amendments. The committee passed the bill 6-0 to Appropriations. SB 998 by Sen. Gonzalez would define and expand the duties of discrimination prevention coordinators in the state’s Office of Civil Rights, including adding a disability coordinator and deputy coordinators focused on anti-Black, anti-Asian, anti-Latino, and anti-Native American discrimination. Testimony emphasized the need to address rising hate incidents and discrimination in schools, especially for Black, LGBTQ+, AAPI, and other marginalized students. The bill was approved and sent to Judiciary with amendments to be processed there. SB 845 by Sen. Perez, which expands work-based learning and youth apprenticeship opportunities, also received broad support from education, workforce, and industry groups and passed unanimously to Labor and Employment. The committee also approved a consent calendar of additional bills and adjourned after all items were acted on.

Transcript Highlights:

• practical recommendations to working with... ...and to glean practical recommendations to working with collaboration
• so enlightening that when you have long-held majorities in a state, how you lose the ability to collaborate
• another, and make those comparisons, and to see if it does make it harder to have the compromise and collaboration
• You know, I'll just speak briefly to my personal experience in, you know, working collaboratively with
• here just to meet and just to talk and just to see what points we could meet on and what we could collaborate

Summary: The Joint Select Committee on Civic Health met to discuss next steps for its work on civic health, including related efforts by the Project for Civic Health and a proposed Evans School research survey of legislators. The chair reviewed the committee’s mandate and described ongoing partner initiatives, including shared principles of engaging with respect, seeking common ground, and disagreeing constructively. Members generally supported the Evans School proposal, though one member asked how the project would measure success, and the chair said the goal was to gather broad input from legislators on strengths, weaknesses, and future directions. A major portion of the meeting focused on a draft committee statement condemning political violence. Members agreed to remove the word “crazed” from the description of a recent assassination, with concerns raised that the term implied irrationality and could stigmatize disability. Members also suggested broadening the language to include non-abusive and productive dialogue, and replacing or supplementing “pray” with more inclusive wording; the final phrasing settled on “hope and pray.” The committee also briefly debated whether to describe the United States as a democracy or a representative republic, ultimately agreeing on “representative democratic republic” and approving the statement for posting and distribution, with several members still needing to provide digital signatures. The rest of the meeting was an open discussion about how to improve civility and relationship-building in the Legislature. Members emphasized the value of in-person meetings, shared meals, mentoring newer legislators, and more intentional cross-party conversations. Several said there are fewer informal opportunities now than in the past, especially after the pandemic, and suggested ideas such as retreats, regular gatherings, and bringing in outside experts like the National Institute for Civil Discourse. The chair said he would relay the committee’s support for the Evans School survey and adjourned the meeting after noting the discussion had produced several constructive ideas for future work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Pheasants Forever did very well, Nature Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, I know the Moose Habitat Collaborative
• Pheasants Forever did very well, Nature Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, I know the Moose Habitat Collaborative
• Pheasants Forever did very well, Nature Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, I know the Moose Habitat Collaborative
• Pheasants Forever did very well, Nature Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, I know the Moose Habitat Collaborative
• Pheasants Forever did very well, Nature Conservancy, Ruffed Grouse Society, I know the Moose Habitat Collaborative

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a conference committee report on House File 2563, the legacy bill, and members described it as a bipartisan agreement with the Senate. Representative Vang outlined several major changes from the House version, including restoring funding for Peace in the Valley in parks and trails, moving Wilderness Inquiry funding to the arts and culture fund, increasing the Minnesota Zoo to $3.4 million, raising the Children’s Museum to $1 million, setting aside $1.5 million for a competitive grant pool for children’s museums statewide, and increasing the Science Museum to $700,000. Supporters said the bill invests in clean water, parks and trails, outdoor heritage, arts and cultural heritage, and a new community identity and heritage grant program for underserved communities. Several members spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing the value of legacy funds for conservation, cultural programming, tourism, and community identity. Speakers highlighted specific beneficiaries and projects, including outdoor heritage groups, the Science Museum, Latino arts and mural projects, and competitive funding for creative arts and music. One member noted that some state agencies also received appropriations in the bill and criticized fee increases on Minnesotans, while another said the bill reflected a fair negotiation process and that some programs saw reductions because of a $33.1 million accounting-related shortfall. After debate, the House adopted the conference committee report. The clerk then took the roll, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a vote of 113 yeas and 21 nays, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, we're willing to work together and collaborate.
• Uh, we're willing to work together and collaborate.
• Next up is uh Josh Wish, president, executive director of the Holamua Collaborative, in person.
• Next up is uh Josh Wish, president, executive director of the Holamua Collaborative, in person.
• Next up is uh Josh Wish, president, executive director of the Holamua Collaborative, in person.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We say it is a joy to share and collaborate with all of you, and we wish you much success.
• This bond represents real collaboration between the Legislature, housing advocates, local governments
• It happens when we continue to move forward in a meaningful direction with collaboration, respect, and
• It represents that collaboration and working spirit that is reflected in everyone who lives in the SGV
• So again, I'm so proud to collaborate and be part of the tapestry of this wonderful community.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill additionally outlines a pathway for unsolved cases to be collaboratively reviewed, creates
• S. 2177 provides the accountability, assurance, and collaborative approach the Commonwealth needs to
• S2177 provides the accountability, assurance, and collaborative approach the Commonwealth needs to address
• In 2019, ...built on strong labor-management collaboration.
• It would also encourage collaboration among states, agencies, municipalities, and school systems to promote

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several bills. Representative David Linsky supported HB 3383, which would designate the song “Roadrunner” as the official rock song of Massachusetts, describing its Boston roots and cultural significance. Representative Sean Garberle supported HB 3335 on public access to historical records, arguing that records from state institutions should be released after 75 years and that families and researchers should be able to identify people buried in unmarked graves at former state institutions. Representative Rodney Elliott and Lowell officials supported HB 4138, authorizing easements for a Lowell sewer separation project; they said the project is needed for Clean Water Act compliance, will reduce combined sewer overflows into the Merrimack River, and must proceed quickly to meet SRF and consent-decree timelines. Committee members asked about Article 97, the location and scope of the easement, environmental justice impacts, and minority/small business participation in construction. The committee also heard extensive testimony on Senate 2183 and its House companion, which would elevate the Massachusetts National Guard to a cabinet-level position reporting directly to the Governor. Senators Mike Moore and John Velis, along with the National Guard Association’s Matthew McKenna, argued the change would reduce bureaucracy, improve communication and readiness, and reflect the Guard’s broad domestic and military missions. Velis cited the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home tragedy as an example of a breakdown in communication, while committee members said they wanted more information, including input from the Governor’s office and Guard leadership, before acting. The committee noted the distinction between state-controlled and federalized Guard missions and said it would continue reviewing the issue. Senator Liz Miranda and a large panel of survivors, advocates, and Northeastern law students testified in support of S. 2174 and S. 2177, which would create an office and task force on unsolved homicides, allow families to petition for case review after three years, require written responses, and establish a tip line, database, and dedicated funding. Witnesses described long-standing lack of communication, low clearance rates, and the disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Senator Becca Rausch also testified on S. 2210, extending public records law to the governor and Legislature, and S. 2207, creating stronger information-governance and records-retention standards; she said both would improve transparency and reduce waste. The transcript does not reflect any votes taken during the hearing, though chairs repeatedly indicated support for moving some bills favorably and said the committee would continue reviewing the National Guard proposal.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're nimble, and we can really... ...move quickly and collaborate well when funding is shifted from
• We're recently involved in a medically tailored meal program that is in collaboration with Berkshire
• So there is that collaboration between Outer Cape Health Services, Cape Cod Healthcare, and the local
• I'm the policy director at the Mass Food System Collaborative.
• The Mass Food Collaborative reported that our food system accounts for about 45% of all food jobs and

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Agriculture and Fisheries held a public hearing on 19 legislative proposals, with testimony limited to three minutes per speaker and seven minutes per panel. The hearing opened with testimony on bills promoting urban agriculture and vacant-lot conversion, including H.121/S.61, which Green Roots staff and community members supported as a way to turn vacant lots in environmental justice communities into urban farms and gardens that improve food access, health, community cohesion, and climate resilience. Rep. James Arena-DeRosa also spoke in support of H.109/S.56, the PFAS bill, describing it as a measure to protect soil and farms from contamination and to create relief for affected farmers. A major portion of the hearing focused on H.109/S.56, which would ban land application of sewage sludge/biosolids, provide liability protection and relief funds for farmers, and address PFAS contamination in soil, water, crops, and animals. Testimony came from environmental groups, farm organizations, and individual farmers, including the Mass Food System Collaborative, Conservation Law Foundation, Clean Water Action, CEMAP, NOFA, Sierra Club, and several farmers who described contamination in Maine and Massachusetts and urged the committee to act. Witnesses emphasized that PFAS poses serious health risks, that farmers should not bear responsibility for legacy contamination, and that the bill should be paired with funding for testing, remediation, and assistance. Committee members asked questions about farm liability, the scope of the bill, contamination in different ownership situations, and the costs and timelines of remediation, with Senator Comerford and others clarifying that the bill is intended to protect farms and farmers rather than non-agricultural landholders. The committee also heard strong support for H.416, a farm-to-institution pilot program, from Rep. Lee Davis, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Bounty. They said the pilot would connect Massachusetts farms to schools, hospitals, correctional facilities, and other institutions, creating new markets, strengthening local supply chains, and supporting food-is-medicine efforts. Members discussed whether the model could be statewide and referenced existing programs such as Island Grown Initiative and local hospital and insurance partnerships. Another agricultural bill, H.1058, was supported by Rep. Mark Sylvia and the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association as a way to allow unused cranberry water rights to be transferred within the same watershed for municipal mitigation while helping growers retire or consolidate bogs. The hearing also included testimony on the broader farm omnibus bill H.112/S.55 and related measures, with the Massachusetts Farm Bureau and others praising the committee’s work on agricultural resilience, food security, agritourism, workforce development, and farmland access, while suggesting additional transportation-related fixes for farmers. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's really kind of a neat collaboration that they have going.
• So we are just wanting collaboration between campuses on the different programs.
• So we are just wanting collaboration between campuses on the different programs.
• We're wanting good collaboration between our institutions.
• You know, we do, compared to other states, have really nice collaboration.

Summary: The committee met at Dakota College at Bottineau, approved the January 15, 2026 minutes, and heard an extensive campus update from Dean Corey Gorder and other DCB leaders. Gorder described the college’s affiliation with Minot State and its growing use of shared services, including business office functions, HR, institutional research, Title IX, printing, financial aid support through UND, and payroll support through NDSU. He said the arrangement lets DCB focus on its core mission while relying on system partners for specialized administrative work, and noted that accreditation concerns were not believed to limit those shared-service arrangements. He also highlighted DCB’s mission, enrollment growth, dual-credit reach across rural schools, and the college’s emphasis on nursing, dental, paramedic, farm management, and other workforce-oriented programs. Committee members asked detailed questions about dual credit, program delivery, and whether DCB’s partnerships were exclusive. Gorder said the relationships are generally collaborative rather than exclusive, that schools can choose other providers, and that many partnerships began through personal outreach and ongoing relationships with rural schools. Lisa Johnson of the university system added that transfer complaints are rare and that dual credit generally transfers well within North Dakota, though highly selective out-of-state institutions may treat credits differently. Members also asked about stipends for high school instructors, the share of K-12 versus DCB instructors, and the capacity limits in dental hygiene and other programs. Gorder said dental hygiene is capped by space and staffing, that there were more applicants than seats, and that expansion is being considered; he also said he would provide follow-up information on the paramedic program and instructor breakdowns. Gorder closed by identifying long-term challenges, including aging residence halls, recruiting faculty and staff, and the need to review low-enrollment programs. He said DCB should consider expanding into more high-demand trades such as welding, HVAC, and electrical work, and should streamline dual credit and strengthen its Minot programming. The committee then heard from the North Dakota Student Association, whose leaders outlined student priorities from the last session and the interim. Their main concerns included campus housing quality and affordability, food insecurity and food pantries, mental and physical health resources, student-led research funding, academic and career readiness, internships, and campus collaboration. They also discussed dual credit, saying it is valuable but uneven across the state, and raised questions about how to better retain students in North Dakota through the system. Members asked follow-up questions about housing, transferability of dual credit, and whether incentives could be used to encourage students to stay in-state for higher education.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have Matt Stevens, executive director for the Hawaii Workforce Funders Collaborative in support
• Next we have Matt Palberg, director of policy and communications from Mahalo Collaborative, in support
• Next we have Matt Palberg, director of policy and communications from Mahalo Collaborative, in support
• I am the director of policy and communications of Mahalo Collaborative, a local nonprofit dedicated to
• <00:33:01.600> I to work together and collaborate. I to work together and collaborate.

Bills: SB2141, SB2593, SB2824, SB2135, SB2115

Keywords: retirement, law enforcement, pension, public safety, employee contributions, Law Enforcement Standards Board, LESB, civil service exemption, collective bargaining exemption, law enforcement certification, police standards, law enforcement training, officer certification, training and curriculum coordinator, lead investigative agent, administrative manager, administrator, Hawaii HRS 76-16, Hawaii HRS 139-3, personnel exemption

Transcript Highlights:

• This was our way of collaborating with the education community.
• They're champions of teacher collaboration. They understand the PLC process.
• And we would love to continue to collaborate with this body in ensuring that sensitive materials and
• We want to collaborate with you and make sure that we are working together to make sure that this law
• This is a committee bill that was in response to some requests for legislation and collaboration with

Keywords: 985, all

Transcript Highlights:

• <02:51:59.160> body makes this a truly collaborative body makes this a truly collaborative
• <02:52:20.960> um the department to collaborate um the department to collaborate um collaboration
• It's collaboration, and we mean it. So members, anybody else? We're good?
• Chair, I appreciate the collaboration.
• <03:15:36.160> I there's I appreciate the collaboration I there's I appreciate the collaboration

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• COMPREHENSIVE CARE AND TRAINING EDUCATORS AND TRAINING CLINICIANS ALL ACROSS OUR GREAT STATE AND FORMING COLLABORATION
• LAST FIVE YEARS AT THIS POINT IN TIME AND AGREED TO A SUNSHINE CONSORTIUM THAT WOULD FOSTER THE COLLABORATION
• IF WE DON'T I TREATMENT THE COLLABORATIVE WILL PUT OUR UNIVERSITIES TOGETHER.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We've been doing that for a number of years now collaboratively, and that's been great.
• So, I would like to go back to I would like to see all of us collaborate to perfect this.
• So, I would like to go back to I would like to see all of us collaborate to perfect this.
• collaborate to perfect this. Thank you. collaborate to perfect this. Thank you.
• <05:26:13.360> about collaborating together to talk about collaborating together to talk about

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our rural communities, as you described, and I'm glad to hear that, because they need to have a collaboration
• Number two is $155,000 to the Mid-South Soybean Board for interstate collaboration on research projects
• It amends an existing contract that supports physicians with collaborative program development and integrated
• It means an existing contract that supports physicians with collaborative program development and integrated
• Number six is DHS with Collaborative Counseling Associates.

Summary: The PEER Review Subcommittee met to consider a large agenda of appropriation, transfer, contract, and other review items. Members approved temporary appropriation requests in Sections B through F, including funding for prosecuting attorneys, education-related adjustments, school operating needs, labor licensing divisions, ARPA fund returns from Workforce Services, IIJA grants for state police CDL implementation and a forestry-related county grant, reserve fund transfers for teacher scholarships, school facilities, and economic development, and a Commerce reallocation tied to organizational realignment. Cash fund requests in Section G and budget classification transfers in Section H were also reviewed, along with pay plan requests in Section I, overtime requests in Section J, and multiple methods of finance in Section K. The committee also reviewed discretionary grants in Section L, including agriculture promotion board grants and DHS aging/adult behavioral health grants, plus RFQs, construction contracts, intergovernmental contracts, and out-of-state contracts in Sections M1 through M5. Several items drew questions from members. Workforce Services explained that $225,000 in TANF-related funds would be returned to the federal government because the two-year hold period for uncashed or moved checks had expired. Commerce officials described the $25 million site infrastructure grant program, saying it supports site development, due diligence, and infrastructure build-out at eligible sites of 30 acres or more, including rural communities, with grant agreements and matching requirements providing accountability. DHS and Education officials answered questions about the Care Solace mental health referral contract, saying it is a statewide concierge/referral service that helps schools connect students to Arkansas providers and follow up so students do not fall through the cracks; members asked for more information on provider selection, school-day scheduling, and Arkansas vendor participation. The committee held one item over: the DHS discretionary grant item for the RSVP retired senior volunteer program in L2, after concerns were raised about whether state general revenue was being used effectively and how much administrative overhead the providers retain. Members also questioned several contracts, including a DHS sole-source contract with EMSLink for document management software and a DHS bridge contract with Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care for Medicaid inspections of care reviews; in both cases, agency staff explained the need to avoid service disruption and said follow-up information would be provided. A Department of Corrections reentry center contract was discussed for its recidivism results, and ARDOT retirement-system investment contracts were briefly explained. The meeting ended after a lengthy discussion of the Medicaid Trust Fund balance, with DFA and DHS officials saying the state is expected to finish the fiscal year without exhausting the fund, that a restricted reserve of $100 million is available as a backstop, and that the larger question is what minimum balance should be maintained going forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.
• I value our collaborative partnerships with chairs and legislators from both parties.

Transcript Highlights:

• You mentioned Circle the City, but just a more fulsome picture of your collaborations?
• You mentioned Circular City, but just more fulsome picture of your collaborations?
• Of your collaborations. Yeah, absolutely.
• I would speed through another 10-minute presentation talking about all the collaborations that we have
• We take that very seriously, and it’s been actually a great collaborative effort from all members of

Bills: HB2048, HB2189, HB2248, HB2403, HB2728, HB2729, HB2730, HB2731, HB2906, HCR2058

Keywords: orders of protection, domestic violence, court procedures, legal guardian, enforcement, healthcare, licensed health aides, scope of practice, ventilator care, training standards, medical freedom, healthcare mandates, employment requirements, public health, government regulation, elderly, physical disabilities, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, home and community based services, funding increase

Summary: The committee first heard a presentation from Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) on homelessness in Maricopa County and CASS programs for single adults, families, and older adults. The witness described rising homelessness, especially among older adults, and said recent declines were linked to American Rescue Plan Act funding for shelters and flexible rental assistance. Members asked about CASS partnerships with mutual aid and service organizations; the witness described collaborations for food, banking, haircuts, digital access, and behavioral health. No vote was taken on this presentation. The committee then considered HB 2248, the Arizona Medical Freedom Act, which would bar businesses, schools, and government entities from denying services or employment based on medical interventions and limit employer medical requirements, with a school outbreak amendment adopted. Proponents framed the bill as protecting bodily autonomy and informed consent, while opponents argued it would weaken employers’ ability to control communicable diseases and protect public health. The committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill on a 4-3 vote. It also advanced HB 2906, requiring one oral and maxillofacial surgeon on the State Board of Dental Examiners, and HB 2189, directing the Nursing Board to implement rules for licensed health aides performing routine ventilator care; both passed with amendments and strong support from sponsors and board representatives. Later, the committee approved HB 2403, appropriating $2.5 million in FY2027 for home- and community-based services providers serving elderly and physically disabled Arizonans. Supporters said the funding would help retain caregivers and reduce more expensive hospital or facility care. The committee also passed several continuation bills, including HB 2731 for the Physician Assistants Board, HB 2730 for the Occupational Therapy Board, and HB 2729 for the Nursing Board, all on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes after testimony from board staff emphasizing public protection and oversight. The committee then took up HB 2728, a DES continuation bill that also incorporated nine previously vetoed policy bills affecting SNAP, unemployment, and related benefits. Opponents argued it would make access to essential benefits harder and turn a routine continuation bill into a vehicle for controversial policy changes; supporters said it was needed for oversight and program integrity. The bill advanced on a 4-3 vote. Finally, the committee approved HB 2048, a strike-everything amendment requiring AHCCCS to treat a new non-opioid pain medication no more restrictively than opioids in utilization controls, and ACR 2058, which would require a comprehensive Medicaid claims audit funded by recoveries. Both measures drew support from sponsors and some personal testimony, while opponents warned about cost, duplication of oversight, and incentives that could bias audits; each advanced on 4-3 votes. The committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• a Democratic president, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle would not be encouraging collaboration
• 00:04:41.759> encouraging aisle would not be encouraging aisle would not be encouraging collaboration
• <00:04:43.199> between<00:04:43.600> police<00:04:44.080> in collaboration between
• police in collaboration between police in Minnesota<00:04:44.880> and<00:04:45.120> the
• based off of research, based<00:16:10.320> off<00:16:10.560> of<00:16:11.120> collaborative

Keywords: 1183, house