Video & Transcript Research : 'missing persons alerts'
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WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, March 2, 2026
Labor, Health & Social Services
Transcript Highlights:
- does to a person. does to a person.
- Miss Carol?
- Miss Hancock? Representative Clston. Miss Hancock? Representative Clston.
- just tell you a personal story of mine. just tell you a personal story of mine.
- Any questions of Miss<01:31:06.320>
Loftess? Miss Loftess? Miss Loftess?
Keywords:
medical necessity, insurance, healthcare policy, independent review, claim processing, shared parenting, family law, joint custody, child well-being, parental rights, pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, welfare, Medicaid, employment, eligibility verification
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- So with Emily and the rest of the total privilege, my mother was a person.
- I'm missing the analysts' attendance staff. Anybody at all? All right.
- If they have one person who's going to talk for 15 minutes, they burn that 15 minutes.
- I bet I missed that. I'll be honest; I will miss that. Senator Bradley, Mr.
- It's a personality and institutional problem.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Commerce May 18th, 2026
Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- So who's alerting the office that there was damage?
- Actually, I missed this, and I apologize. I missed this and I apologize. Mr.
- But my personal opinion, I think you should. Right.
- Who is that going to be passed to, the person purchasing it?
- , does it also alert another person, hey, this person came in and sold copper to us a week ago, a month
Summary:
The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process.
The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended.
Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 9 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- home, whether that work is cleaning, cooking, caring for children, helping an elderly or disabled person
- Court officers will alert the members that a roll call is in progress.
- Roll call having been ordered, court officers will alert the members that a roll call is in progress.
- Roll call having been ordered, court officers will alert the members that a roll call is in progress.
- Roll call having been ordered, court officers will alert the members that a roll call is in progress.
Summary:
The House began with routine procedural business, including adoption of resolutions congratulating Yolanda Kruger on her 100th birthday and two orders extending the Public Health Committee’s reporting deadline on House documents 4984 and 4988. The chamber then moved through a series of local bills and calendar items, passing to engrossment measures including authorization for the town of Hudson to grant an additional wine and malt beverage license, authorization for Cohasset to grant five additional liquor licenses, and an amendment to the Plymouth town charter. It also advanced several other bills on second reading, including a land conveyance for Barnstable County and Bourne, a bill requiring automated external defibrillators at sporting events, and a bill preparing apprentices through training and hiring in Massachusetts.
The House took up House 3417, designating June 16 as Domestic Workers’ Rights Day. Representative Sousa spoke in support, describing domestic workers as essential but often invisible workers and arguing that the designation would raise awareness of rights and protections under the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill passed to engrossment by roll call, 156-0. The House also passed House 4992, authorizing Barnstable County and Bourne to convey certain parcels of land, and later passed House 4994, the Paths Act, which would require a phased-in apprentice-hours requirement on large public construction projects, condition bidding on participation in approved apprenticeship programs, and create a commission to study apprenticeship participation.
The chamber then debated House 4993, the Preston Settles Every Minute Counts Act, requiring AEDs and trained personnel at sporting facilities and events. Representative Decker urged passage, citing the death of a young athlete and the need to close safety gaps outside schools. Representative Frost offered amendments to create a state fund to help communities pay for AEDs and to allow exemptions for remote fields without permanent power, arguing the bill could otherwise burden municipalities; both amendments were defeated on roll call. The bill itself then passed to engrossment by roll call, 154-1. The House also enacted a bill allowing Hingham to use municipal property for a center for active living, and the session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/25
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- any type of crime that impacts a person any type of crime that impacts a person um<00:10:39.160>
- that chair Muller thank you I wish Miss that chair Muller thank you I wish Miss babine<00:32:03.600
- the amount of grants that are given Miss the amount of grants that are given Miss babine<00:42:52.960
- <00:43:19.359>
bab actually uh award in a grant Miss bab actually uh award in a grant Miss - <00:45:45.599>
um $437 per person um $437 per person um so<00:45:49.079>I'll <00:45
Keywords:
public safety, law enforcement, mental health, domestic violence, appropriations, criminal justice, Minnesota corrections, victim services, task force, personal safety, Independent Use of Force Investigations Unit, criminal sexual conduct, sexual assault, peace officers, law enforcement oversight, Minnesota National Guard, U.S. armed forces, military installation, armory, air base
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And it is all the more offensive because there are still people missing in the Hill Country, and we are
- And up until this weekend, 160 were still missing.
- They should be invested. and infrastructure, alert systems, building codes, emissions monitoring, and
- As we know, Texans are still missing after the devastating floods in Central Texas.
- the idea that Republicans use our system, use our political system for their benefit, for their personal
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- If we don't understand that, we're missing the mark.
- We've got some agencies stuck in some universities, personally...
- Are we going to build it as a state dedicated mission with a dedicated person?
- So not any person at the university is going to be able to go into this skiff, right?
- The affected person gets a full refund within a very short time frame.
Bills:
HB146, HB150, HB1500, HB1545, HB1562, HB2067, HB2520, HB2818, HB3214, HB3250, HB3466, HB3512, HB3623, HB4063, HB4395, HB4464, HB4668, HB4690, HB5331, HB3833, HB146, HB150
Keywords:
HB 146, Texas Capitol, State Capitol, State Preservation Board, Congress Avenue, Travis County, traffic lanes, lane closure, road closure, municipal authority, local control, Capitol area, downtown Austin, special events, construction traffic plan, pedestrian safety, public works, transportation policy, government code chapter 443, cybersecurity
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
EDN Public Hearing - Tue Apr 7, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- How do we contact parents to alert them?
- How do we contact parents to alert them?
- How do we contact parents to alert them?
- How do we contact parents to alert them?
- In person or online? In person or online?
Summary:
The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments.
HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended.
HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Budget Section Commerce and Legal Service Division Jun 24th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- scientists rotate, so you only have one person in the workspace at a time.
- I'm only one person.
- To some previous discussions, the missing indigenous person task force we had talked about briefly.
- indigenous persons.
- person happens, who do they contact?
Summary:
The committee met to hear the Attorney General’s budget and related agency presentations. Legislative Council first reviewed the compliance with legislative intent report and the base budget worksheet, highlighting current and ongoing appropriations, FTE changes, one-time funding items, continuing appropriations, and major special and federal funds. Members asked about items such as the Missing Indigenous People Grant Fund, the Internet Crimes Investigation Fund, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit grant funding, and staff explained the funding sources and status of those programs.
Assistant Attorney General Clare Ness then outlined the Attorney General’s office structure, staffing, and budget pressures. She emphasized the office’s broad statutory duties, the value of its legal and investigative work for state and local governments, and concerns about attorney salary competitiveness, the new and vacant FTE pool, and the impact of the 3% operating budget reduction on BCI, IT, and the crime lab. Members also discussed AG opinions, boards and commissions training, and the office’s litigation and settlement recoveries. Ness and committee members raised the possibility of broader attorney salary benchmarking across state government.
The crime lab director described severe space and infrastructure constraints, including overcrowding, shared workspaces, glycol leaks, air handling limits, and aging fire and burglar alarm systems. She said the 2024 study projected a much larger facility would be needed and that a new building on the current health department site would best address the lab’s needs. She also reported that backlogs have improved significantly in DNA, drug, fingerprint, and firearms work, though toxicology had a recent delay after an air compressor failure. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit director described the unit’s fraud, abuse, and neglect work, noted federal-state funding and recent federal scrutiny, and said the unit needs more staff. The gaming division reviewed charitable gaming growth, e-tabs, trust accounts, and compliance issues, while BCI covered its caseload, cybercrime and child sexual abuse material investigations, the missing indigenous person task force, and the use of lottery funds for drug task forces. No formal votes or budget actions were taken during the meeting.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- No, I have not personally met with them.
- Many rely on people who don't have reliable personal transportation.
- There's no statement in this bill that would require a person to sign a statement that...
- That the person is a primary caretaker. Expanding curbside voting is really not the answer.
- The signatures will match on the application and the envelope if done by the same person.
Keywords:
voting access, polling place, disability, caretaker provisions, ballot delivery, election code, HB 2253, Texas Election Code, bond election, bond issuance, local government, election cancellation, disaster declaration, natural disaster, emergency election, county election officer, polling place notice, open meeting, election workers, voter safety
MN
Transcript Highlights:
that Because for every person that Because for every person that pulls<00:23:51.240>a - I don't think there is a single person I don't think there is a single person in<01:26:46.240>
and how many firearms this person has. and how many firearms this person has. - believe that this bill misses the mark. believe that this bill misses the mark.
- This gives a person like me and a person like my neighbor a little bit of peace at night to know that
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a performance of the national anthem, then established a quorum and approved the previous day’s journal. Members handled routine business including second readings of several Senate files, first readings of House files 5067 through 5073, and messages from the Senate transmitting bills and requesting concurrence on House File 3437 and House File 1410. The House concurred in Senate amendments to HF 3437, a commerce bill with a technical cross-reference correction, and passed it 133-0. It also concurred in Senate amendments to HF 1410, a public safety bill on correctional officer procedures, and passed it 132-2 after members described the changes as clarifying and balanced for labor and management.
The chamber then took up House File 3404, which increases penalties for impersonating a peace officer. The bill would raise the base offense from a gross misdemeanor to a felony, create aggravated offenses for impersonation involving unauthorized access, misleading orders, law-enforcement-style vehicles, or possession of a firearm, and add a duty for officers to identify themselves while protecting undercover work. Supporters, including the author and several members, tied the bill to the June 14, 2025 killings and said it was needed to restore public trust and protect both the public and legitimate law enforcement. The House passed HF 3404 134-0 after a moment of silence.
The House also passed House File 3155, which closes a loophole in gift card fraud law by allowing prosecution based on the value stored on the card rather than just the plastic card itself. Supporters described organized retail crime schemes in which stolen gift cards are drained after activation and said the bill would help retailers, consumers, and law enforcement. The bill passed 134-0. Senate File 3958, which changes the deadline for a disaster assistance contingency account report from January 15 to January 31, also passed 134-0.
Finally, the House considered House File 3875, the judiciary policy bill. An author’s amendment removed a section that had been unintentionally left in the bill, and members then discussed provisions allowing courts more flexibility in publishing notices, streamlining some notification requirements in dissolution cases, and making restitution orders permanent unless rescinded by court order. The transcript cuts off during discussion of the bill, before any final vote is shown.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Feb 23rd, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Assembly Member Dixon, can you please alert Assembly Member Wallace?
- Can you please alert Assembly Member Wallace?
- I have personally witnessed the Passed away from ALS 22 years ago.
- Think of the person that's waiting.
- Think of the person that's on the other side saying, 'I wish someone would listen.
Summary:
The Assembly met with a quorum call at the start, then proceeded with Black History Month observances, including a libation ceremony, the Pledge of Allegiance, and remarks emphasizing remembrance, ancestry, and the importance of honoring Black history. The chamber also handled routine procedural matters, including dispensing with the journal, re-referring certain Senate budget items to the Budget Committee, and allowing guest introductions and other unanimous-consent requests.
The main floor action was on Assembly Concurrent Resolution 134, recognizing Black History Month. Members from multiple caucuses spoke in support, highlighting the historical contributions of Black Americans, the ongoing effects of slavery and segregation, the need to protect voting rights and education, and the importance of solidarity across communities. The resolution was adopted by voice vote after 74 co-authors were added.
The Assembly also adopted Assembly Concurrent Resolution 132, declaring February 28 as Rare Disease Day. Members shared personal stories about ALS and other rare diseases, described barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and insurance coverage, and called for more research and support. The resolution received broad bipartisan support, with 71 co-authors added before adoption by voice vote.
The chamber then recognized a series of Black History Month Unsung Heroes honorees, including community leaders, health professionals, advocates, and public servants, and later heard additional guest introductions. The meeting concluded with adjournments in memory of Peyton Trilling and John Jackson, followed by announcements and adjournment until February 26 at 9 a.m.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee Jan 21st, 2026 at 09:00 am
A&B Education Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- most important public safety item that we have because it is 24 hours a day and it makes sure that alerts
- And so just on the tornado alerts alone, the number's been increasing because of our weather patterns
- comes to the Warren system, what makes it so unique is even if your phone is off, you will get that alert
- The system is set up so much so that it's not a county alert.
- Due to budget cuts in the past, a lot of duties that would have been provided by a person were actually
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Science, Technology and Energy (02/02/2026)
Science, Technology and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Right after the words missing that are missing is shall be eligible. The word to is missing.
- The word two is missing after the word eligible. the words missing that are missing is uh the words missing
- The word to is missing.
- Uh Miss Connors, thanks for coming in.
- >
emergency emergency alert system or emergency emergency alert system or emergency notification
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Health and Human Services - 03/25/26
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:21:59.720>
something just think we're still missing something just think we're still missing - He said he just thinks they are still missing something.
- Um missing<00:29:51.080>
from <00:29:51.240>the <00:29:51.320>legislation, missing - <00:53:14.880>
have <00:53:15.120>other person or the person doesn't have other person - the person, and their family. the person, and their family.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/16/26 - Part 3
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This bill was amended in the Senate, and in that amendment it removed the threat alert language that
- um language that was put on threat alert um language that was put on in<00:16:54.839>
the <00: - out in being able to use those to miss out in being able to use those funds<00:30:33.680>
for - Speaker, I was going to rise to a point of personal privilege, um, uh, but I checked Rule 222; that’s
- Speaker, I was going to rise to a point of personal privilege, um, uh, but I checked Rule 222; that’s
Summary:
The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3900, a constitutional amendment related to state government and school trust lands. Members from both parties praised the work on the bill and said the conference committee returned a clean version of the House-passed measure. The report was adopted without opposition, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 134-0 roll call.
The chamber then took up Senate File 4282, a forecast-adjustments bill covering K-12 education, human services, children and families, and transportation. Representative Youakim explained that the conference report restored all four forecast articles plus several no-cost education items, including school fund transfers, utility-payment authority, a paraprofessional licensing clarification, a grant extension, and school trust lands language. Representative Mueller moved to refuse adoption, arguing the report had become a catchall and omitted agreed-upon literacy language; that motion failed 62-72. The House then adopted the conference report, and the bill was repassed as amended by conference on a 94-37 vote.
Next, the House concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4138, the social media bill aimed at restricting addictive social media harms for minors. The Senate had removed House “threat alert” language, and the author said that was the only substantive difference. Supporters said the bill would protect kids online and require parental permission for social media accounts for children 15 and under. The House concurred and repassed the bill as amended by the Senate on a 131-2 vote.
The House then began consideration of Senate File 2373, a labor and industry bill exempting minor league baseball players from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Through a series of amendments, members added provisions on rural cancer research, disability services and employment access, unemployment insurance for certain laid-off Iron Range miners, and agricultural funding items such as depredation, local foods, down payment assistance, and meat processing grants. One proposed amendment to remove the double-fencing requirement for farmed cervidae was strongly opposed as a threat to deer health and was defeated 61-72. The transcript ends during debate on that amendment, before final disposition of the bill is shown.
TX
Texas 89th 1st C.S.
Press Conference: Special Session Jul 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And it is all the more offensive because there are still people missing in the Hill Country, because
- Over 130 lives were lost, and up until this weekend, 160 were still missing.
- As we know, Texans are still missing after the devastating floods in Central Texas.
- Protect every person in this state because if the leadership of the state does not care about the lives
- is taking $1 million a chair to come lobby him in the White House, not in campaign money, but in personal
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Vets Committee Meeting - 2025-03-19
Veterans and Military Affairs Division
Transcript Highlights:
- Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of the Inspector General, has a fraud alert out that says
- We have seen a fraud alert from the Attorney General in the fall.
- This bill shall, this law shall not not apply to any person or organization accredited by the U.S.
- Personally, I love CVSOs. I love MDVA.
- He missed 26 days of work, many of which were pointless exams.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session 5/14/26 - Part 2
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- . person. person.
- person they're killing. person they're killing.
- I'm a different<02:56:26.319>
person. different person. different person. - that person a chance. that person a chance.
- one person was killed. one person was killed.
Summary:
The House first adopted a conference committee report on House File 3426, a natural resources bill. Representative Jordan said the report largely reflected the House position, with changes including removal of the word “random” regarding DNR checks, clarification of minimum grant amount limits for trail maintenance and other projects, a two-year sunset on those caps, and repeal of obsolete language requiring DNR approval of ENRTF-funded acquisitions. Representative Heintzeman said the changes were technical and supported the bill. The motion prevailed, and the bill was given third reading.
The House then concurred in Senate amendments to House File 4239, the campaign finance bill, and House File 4240, the elections bill. Representative Fryberg said HF 4239 addressed campaign disclaimers and privacy of addresses on campaign documents, with a compromise $10,000 security spending limit, authority for the Campaign Finance Board to dismiss frivolous complaints, and limits on sharing addresses with caucus leaders. HF 4240, the Secretary of State’s administrative bill, added an immediate effective date for a Three Rivers Park Commissioner disclosure requirement, removed an appropriation and related policy language, included amendments on special school district elections and betting on elections, and corrected a discrepancy with public safety language. Both bills were passed as amended by the Senate, with 118-15 and 127-6 votes respectively.
The House also passed Senate File 3720, the workers’ compensation advisory council recommendations. Representatives Baker and Berg described bipartisan, unanimous council recommendations updating the workers’ compensation reinsurance process, allowing appellate judges to be assigned when needed, adding psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners as PTSD diagnosticians, updating attorney fee notice rules, increasing compensation for permanent partial disability, clarifying witness rules at employer medical exams, extending the time for employers to deny liability from 60 to 90 days, and correcting a prior error affecting DLI commissioner authority. The bill passed 132-1.
Finally, Representative Long moved to suspend the rules to recall House File 5140, the comprehensive gun violence prevention package, from committee and bring it directly to passage. Long and Representative Greenman argued the Senate had already passed the bill and urged immediate action, citing the Annunciation shooting and other gun violence incidents. Representative Heintzeman raised concerns about the bill’s language, arguing a provision on protruding grips could make all handguns illegal and questioning other penalty provisions. Debate on the motion and bill continued, but no final vote on HF 5140 is shown in the transcript excerpt.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/26
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- scores, operating history, personal scores, operating history, personal wealth,<00:02:02.880>
- >> Miss Smith. M Smith, Chair Baker. >> Miss Smith. M Smith, Chair Baker.
- work in 2024 about protecting personal work in 2024 about protecting personal information<00:19:
- <00:20:43.440>
Um personal information protected. Um personal information protected. - >> Miss Charlie. >> Miss Charlie.
Keywords:
unemployment insurance, judicial officials, paid leave, economic development, worker protections, workforce development, unemployment benefits, youth training, grants, job creation, grant funding, revolving loan, underserved communities, disadvantaged groups, electrical licensing, installation, Class A installer, regulations, labor and industry, 1183
Summary:
The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill.
The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers.
Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.