Transcript Highlights:

• To achieve portability, we must acknowledge the evolving ways students navigate their higher education
• little bit like a highway coming together, show you again how that complex. environment that students navigate
• call upon when they need help, connecting foster youth to college, and providing an easy pathway to navigate
• Doing data-informed. alerts and interventions through our system navigate.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm just right now on the 2023 CISA.gov website, which kind of outlines some of the Navigator tools,
• and I guess I'm just curious because it allows for states to implement their own types of Navigator programs
• I'm just right now on the 2023 CISA.gov website, which kind of outlines some of the Navigator tools,
• and I guess I'm just curious because it allows for states to implement their own types of Navigator programs

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met for an introductory, familiarization-only session. Members and staff introduced themselves, and House Fiscal Staff provided a budget overview for the committee’s elections-related jurisdiction. That overview covered the Office of the Secretary of State, including a requested $200,000 one-time general fund match to draw down additional federal HAVA funds released in 2024, and the presidential primary, which is an open statutory appropriation that reimburses state and local costs in even-numbered election years. It also reviewed the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board’s operations budget, the public subsidy program’s statutory and taxpayer checkoff funding, and the Voting Operations and Elections Resources account, which is funded at $3 million annually for local election-related costs. Members asked questions about the HAVA match, including whether the funds were tied to the most recent election cycle and what specific goals or security-related uses the Secretary of State’s request would support. Staff said they would need to research the details further and would share responses with the full committee. One member also raised broader concerns about non-state money entering elections and the need for clear guidance and oversight; staff said that area was beyond their expertise but could be researched further. The chair noted that the Secretary of State would appear at a future meeting and encouraged members to submit questions for shared follow-up. House Research then gave an overview of the committee’s government operations jurisdiction. Staff explained that the committee historically deals with structural and administrative issues such as agency organization, rulemaking, boards and commissions, state contracting, state IT services, emergency management, and state symbols and recognition days. They emphasized the committee’s role in maintaining consistency and compatibility across state government and in considering the balance between legislative authority and executive-branch discretion. Staff also noted overlap with State Government Finance for fiscal matters and said they would return for more detailed discussion if members wanted it. The final presentation introduced local government concepts. House Research outlined Minnesota’s local government structure, including counties, cities, towns, and special districts, and explained terms such as political subdivision, home rule charter, and Dillon’s rule. The presentation described local governments as creatures of the state, reviewed home rule charter and general welfare authority, and noted that local government powers are defined by statute unless otherwise provided. No votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• And the other part of that is the navigation burden on the employees, right?
• The only thing she does—she's one FTE—the only thing she does is navigate the system for my patients.
• So we're always trying to get our patients to navigate around this.
• Are you a navigator?" "No, no, no. We're a full insurance company, yes.
• So you're a resource, and you're a navigator.

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Promotes transparency and fairness for applicants navigating the system.
• Promotes transparency and fairness for applicants navigating the system.
• and fairness for applicants navigating and fairness for applicants navigating the<00:58:48.920><
• Navigating<01:10:33.120> Medicaid<01:10:33.600> waivers,<01:10:34.320> school Navigating
• Medicaid waivers, school Navigating Medicaid waivers, school supports,<01:10:35.800> juggling

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• States in green offer an online navigable webpage voter guide.
• <00:34:50.000> webpage green offer an online navigable webpage green offer an online navigable
• ago, approximately 12% of Minnesota households lack the speeds necessary to easily download and navigate
• 37:41.200> easily<00:37:41.599> download<00:37:41.920> and<00:37:42.160> navigate
• <00:37:42.720> this to easily download and navigate this to easily download and navigate this

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We will have to navigate global trade and tariff issues like the entire industry.
• We will have to navigate global trade and tariff issues like the entire industry.
• We will have to navigate global trade and tariff issues like the entire industry.
• <01:21:32.159> And<01:21:32.320> that releases and navigating that.
• And that releases and navigating that.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are working with Merrimack County as they are doing a pilot with some navigators in their system to
• County to um use their they have some County to um use their they have some Navigators<00:24:13.200><
• um in their system to see if Navigators um in their system to see if we<00:24:15.000> can<00:
• that we serve in the middle and then all the supports in place that people can go to in order to navigate
• don't have the ability to navigate don't have the ability to navigate technology<00:42:08.440>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The Division of Long-Term Supports and Services presented its budget and program overview as part of the Department of Health and Human Services operating budget review. Leadership described the division’s three bureaus—Aging and Adult Services, Developmental Services, and Family-Centered Services—and explained that the division provides guidance, technical assistance, quality monitoring, and contracted provider oversight across the lifespan. Members also discussed staffing, with reported vacancy rates of 4% in Aging and Adult Services, 15% in Developmental Services, and 6% in Family-Centered Services; the division said the higher BDS vacancy rate is partly due to the small number of authorized positions. The governor’s budget had left eight positions unfunded in the division, including three in Aging and Adult Services and five in BDS. A major topic was the division’s roadmap initiatives, especially building a system of care for healthy aging and strengthening developmental disabilities systems through a new reimbursement rate structure. The division said it contracted with an actuary to study DD service costs and found rates had not been reviewed since 2017 and were significantly below actual costs and other states’ rates, contributing to provider shortages even when services are authorized. Members asked about the impact on service delivery and whether rates would need to rise overall; the division said its strategy is to focus on lower-cost services that help people remain in the community. The division also reported waiver enrollment figures, including about 4,161 people on the Choices for Independence waiver, 3,688 average nursing facility residents, 5,061 people on the DD waiver, 228 on the acquired brain disorder waiver, and 488 children on the in-home support waiver, while noting there is no funding waitlist but provider availability remains a constraint. The division highlighted IT modernization as a major accomplishment, especially moving Adult Protective Services and Developmental Services into the New Heights system. Officials said these changes improve case-note access, data retrieval, service authorization tracking, and transparency for providers, and they asked for future oversight discussion focused on IT leverage. Members noted that New Heights maintenance is budgeted in the Office of the Commissioner under class 27 and suggested better transparency on system costs and benefits. The division also reported that it closed out a long-running CMS corrective action plan for BDS on July 1, 2023, and said it is now focused on strengthening the system rather than compliance alone. Other discussion covered the Aging and Adult Services bureau’s name change from Elderly and Adult Services to Adult and Aging Services, intended to avoid negative connotations and better reflect preventative services. The bureau described Adult Protective Services trends involving scams, financial exploitation, self-neglect, and isolation, and explained that it administers the CFI waiver, determines medical eligibility for nursing facility level of care, and braids funding from Medicaid, state funds, Older Americans Act money, Social Service Block Grants, and other grants. Members asked about waiver growth targets and federal consequences if enrollment remains below projections; the division said it would explain the shortfall in a future waiver amendment and did not anticipate a federal penalty. The meeting ended without any votes or formal actions taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• So our goal is really to launch something that is fairly basic for people to navigate and use, and then
• their services and supports as they navigate many things these days in online secure portals.
• So our goal is really to launch something that is fairly basic for people to navigate and use, and then
• their services and supports as they navigate many things these days in online secure portals.
• their services and supports as they navigate many things these days in online secure portals.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• or child welfare issue that's involved with them, that collaboration becomes very important in navigating
• or child welfare issue that's involved with them, that collaboration becomes very important in navigating
• Recommendation number two is to expand that regional capacity for care navigation.
• so this really uh builds Upon navigation so this really uh builds Upon A<00:49:46.720> lot<00
• I've seen challenges that families have navigating; you know, it can be a really fragmented, confusing

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• our Meat Inspection program for folks who are looking to get into meat processing or looking to navigate
• kennel and breeder communities and trying to determine where our authority lies has been something to navigate
• 01:04:56.960> been<01:04:57.119> something<01:04:57.359> to<01:04:57.559> navigate
• ><01:04:58.119> we<01:04:58.319> are<01:04:59.000> um has been something to navigate
• we are um has been something to navigate we are um fortunate<01:04:59.559> to<01:04:59.760>

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• voting person comes in and enters the code to start the process, but once that's entered, I can navigate
• the system and navigate the ballots just as a sighted person would, stepping through each race or office
• I can navigate the the system<00:38:46.960> and<00:38:47.880> navigate<00:38:48.400>
• the<00:38:48.599> ballots<00:38:49.240> just<00:38:49.599> as system and navigate
• the ballots just as system and navigate the ballots just as a<00:38:49.880> sighted<00:38:50.359

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The House Election Law Committee held an orientation and then opened a public hearing on House Bill 67-FN-A, which would make permanent the use of accessible voting machines in local elections and provide funding for additional systems. The chair outlined committee procedures, noting a heavy workload of roughly 70 to 80 bills, mostly Tuesday meetings, likely time limits on testimony, and a default of executive session unless a bill is specifically noticed. Members and staff were introduced, and the Secretary of State’s office described its election-related responsibilities, including voter registration, cybersecurity, ballot-counting equipment, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) program. Secretary of State David Scanlan and Deputy Secretary Aon Hennessy explained the current pilot program created by last year’s law, which requires accessible voting systems for local elections and allows the state to share machines with municipalities during the first half of 2025. They said the office has made hardware available, but towns have raised concerns about the speed of implementation and the cost of programming each election, especially for towns with multiple ballot questions. Scanlan said the state is also vetting longer-term options, including devices that could remain in polling places year-round, and suggested the committee consider delaying the bill’s effective date to January 1, 2026 to better align with implementation needs. Hennessy said the current state devices are older and complicated to reset for each election, and estimated programming costs could be about $600 for a small single-election ballot and much higher for towns with multiple elections. Supporters of the bill emphasized the importance of accessible voting for people with disabilities. Representative Robert Wy said the measure builds on 2024 law and would move the pilot into a permanent agreement, citing ADA concerns and prior testimony about discriminatory voting experiences. Fred Forier, a legally blind voter from Exeter, testified that accessible voting systems allow him to vote privately and independently and urged support for the bill. Committee members asked about the gap if the pilot ends before a permanent system is in place and about the cost range for programming. No vote was taken during the hearing, and the committee moved on after public testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• They're really the navigator for a person incarcerated.
• They're really the navigator for a person incarcerated.
• They're really the navigator for a person incarcerated.
• They're really the navigator for a person incarcerated.
• of veterans court, uh, we don't have additional staff, and we're trying to figure out how to, uh, navigate

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And when you have someone that's in that mental state, they don't have the ability to navigate that system
• . have someone that's in that mental state, they don't have the ability to navigate that system.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18 and approved the prior meeting minutes. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring certified employees with disabilities. He described a streamlined self-attestation certification process, the online application and outreach tools, and noted that the first full tax season resulted in one company successfully claiming the credit. Members asked about how employers learn to file, available data, carry-forward rules, and whether more information from the Department of Revenue could be shared. The second presentation was from the Office of the Veteran Advocate. The speaker described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home tragedy to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He reviewed VA disability ratings, the fact that service-connected disability does not necessarily prevent work, and the barriers faced by veterans with less-than-honorable discharges. He also highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill and housing supports, and the office’s work on professional licensure barriers, especially for nurses and other skilled trades. Members discussed whether Massachusetts is behind other states on licensure reciprocity and the need for more openness from licensing boards; the office said it is starting with a narrow nursing-focused review and will report back on findings. In the final portion of the meeting, members discussed a lengthy policy brief from Seed and agreed it should be taken up at the August 31 meeting rather than rushed through by email. The group focused on two emerging areas of work: the benefit cliff and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members suggested creating a clearer tool or spreadsheet to map existing resources and possibly a white paper for appointing authorities, while noting the commission’s limits on direct advocacy. The meeting ended with an invitation for members interested in the benefit cliff work or youth employment pipeline to join follow-up discussions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• time and energy in the hundreds of commissions and boards that help govern and help state agencies navigate
• the opportunities to serve Oregonians broadly. ...state agencies navigate the opportunity to serve Oregonians

Keywords: 907, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's been a little bit of a Gordian knot as we work through changes at the federal level, trying to navigate
• It's been a little bit of a Gordian knot as we work through changes at the federal level, trying to navigate

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The meeting began with approval of the May minutes and then moved into administrative updates on several 2025 legislative workstreams. Staff reported progress on two marketing efforts tied to the youth mental health crisis: one focused on increasing awareness and use of urgent crisis centers, and another broader crisis-continuum campaign led by United Way. Both projects are refining materials based on working-group feedback and aim to have materials ready before the start of the school year. Updates were also given on the UCC private insurance review and the crisis continuum review, both of which are gathering data and reconvening working groups over the summer. The main discussion centered on a Civic Solutions Group update on Medicaid school billing. The contractor explained that the project is examining why Connecticut schools are not billing for behavioral health and related services, with the goal of maximizing federal reimbursement. Members clarified that the study is about schools billing for services, not private providers billing in schools. Questions focused on whether Medicaid has caps or authorization issues when students receive services both in school and in the community, and whether recent federal or state changes affect billing. The contractor said the work is still in data collection and analysis, and that some issues, such as reauthorization procedures, were outside his scope. Participants also raised concerns about perceived barriers, fee-for-service limitations, and the need to distinguish school-based billing from provider billing. A second major presentation came from Disability Rights Connecticut on a separate legislative study concerning behavioral health issues affecting students receiving special education. The subgroup is examining the feasibility and impact of requiring evidence-based interventions, especially for challenging behaviors that can lead to restraint and seclusion, and is also looking at monitoring and random audits of restraint and seclusion practices. The team described its project plan, including literature reviews, interviews, focus groups, surveys, and data requests from the State Department of Education and other stakeholders. Members emphasized that the work is aimed primarily at private providers under the statute, but may have broader relevance. Questions from the group focused on whether the study would include public schools, how evidence-based practices apply to students with intellectual disabilities and autism, and whether caregivers or parents would be interviewed; the presenters said caregiver input is not currently part of the charge. The meeting ended with reminders about the July 15 meeting, which will include a Solnit briefing, and a note that August TCB meetings will not be held, though a workshop on the Connecticut Children’s Behavioral Health Provider Survey is being planned for late July or early August.

Transcript Highlights:

• hundreds, literally hundreds of commissions and boards that help to govern and various state agencies navigate
• the opportunities to serve Oregonians broadly. ...state agencies navigate the opportunity to serve Oregonians

Summary: The Senate convened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation by Senator Starr, followed by several courtesies recognizing Pride Month, a staff birthday, and later a retirement and a community celebration. Senator Robinson then used remonstrances to warn against expanding surveillance through school bus camera systems, arguing that leaked plans from a vendor could create commercial databases of drivers’ movements and erode privacy. The main business was confirmation of numerous gubernatorial appointments and reappointments to boards and commissions. Senators debated the process at length, with several minority members objecting that the volume of nominees, limited hearing time, and lack of transparency made meaningful advice-and-consent review difficult. Supporters responded that the nominees were qualified public servants and that the Senate should work with the Governor’s office on reforms. The Senate first confirmed a large block of appointments, then confirmed two Sustainability Board appointees, and later confirmed three Quality Education Commission appointees after extended debate. The Quality Education Commission nominations drew the most substantive policy discussion. Opponents argued the commission needs more technical research expertise and broader representation, while supporters emphasized the nominees’ education experience and direct knowledge of Oregon schools. Several senators described Oregon’s education system as in crisis, citing low reading and math proficiency, chronic absenteeism, and the need for urgent reform of the Quality Education Model and school funding. The Senate also received a proposed rule amendment creating an official Senate seal, which was distributed and held on the table, and the chamber adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• support from individuals who are equipped to understand their experiences, build trust, and help them navigate
• support from individuals who are equipped to understand their experiences, build trust, and help them navigate

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The staff here was Instrumental in figuring out how to navigate this problem in a way of legislation,
• This problem that we are trying to figure out how to navigate and solve is happening in every state in

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a deep, abiding passion stemming from my early days as a young mother navigating the disability
• I bring the voice of a parent who is navigating the higher education landscape right now, someone who

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• I grew up here, and I was a Floridian navigating the immigration system. I was a Florida...
• I was the student advisor to the school board in Broward County, and I was navigating every obstacle.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1503, which would require general education courses that use technology to provide students opportunities to build digital literacy, including instruction on applications of artificial intelligence and related topics such as software engineering, computer networks, database systems, and cybersecurity as applicable to the course. It would also require high school computer science courses offered by school districts to include instruction on AI. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1279, an education bill that the sponsor said was intended to improve consistency, oversight, and transparency while putting Florida students first. The bill drew extensive questioning and opposition over provisions affecting university admissions and funding, including a 95% Florida-resident first-time-in-college enrollment target tied to preeminent funding, a cap on nonresident students from any one country, standardized GPA weighting, limits on institution-wide graduation requirements, and changes related to accreditation references and other education programs. The sponsor argued these changes would open more seats for Florida students, preserve academic rigor, and align statutes with existing regulations and court action, while opponents said the bill would harm university competitiveness, research, revenue, faculty recruitment, and access for international and nontraditional students. Public testimony on HB 1279 was largely opposed. Speakers included a student advocate, a dental hygiene representative concerned about dual regulation of expanded-function dental programs, and faculty representatives from FSU and FAMU who warned the bill would politicize admissions and curriculum, reduce competitiveness, and create negative fiscal impacts. During debate, supporters emphasized taxpayer investment in Florida students and the need to prioritize in-state applicants, while opponents argued the bill would weaken the state university system and undermine its national standing. The committee reported PCS for HB 1279 favorably by a 12-5 vote.